Staying safe in the Summer World

Safety in the mountains

Alone or in a group, with your family or with friends: Hiking, mountaineering, climbing, via ferratas and mountain biking are among the most popular activities you can do in the Alps. However, every tour into the mountains also comes with certain dangers – especially, if the tour wasn’t thoroughly planned beforehand.

That’s why the guiding principle is: Safety first! To make sure you always stay safe while in the mountains, we’ve summarised the most important rules of conduct for you.

behaviour in summer
verhalten im Winter

GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT - FAIR PLAY

Respectful behaviour and mutual consideration form the basis for good interaction and the protection of the diverse interests of nature.

Regional restrictions, such as trail closures, restricted forest areas, protected and conservation areas, wildlife rest areas, etc. must be complied with without exception.
Warning signs in the terrain must be taken seriously; "No trespassing!" applies to restricted areas.
Only use open and marked trails / routes (follow the signs!). Do not take shortcuts!
Good tour planning in advance (itinerary, weather forecast, essential information such as restrictions) ensures safety and an all-round positive experience in nature.
Using forest areas away from approved routes is prohibited. Special caution applies to forest plantations below 3 metres in tree height (no trespassing!).
Camping, setting up camp after dark and making fires in the forest/on mountain pastures is prohibited by law. Please use designated places!
Fences must be respected - pasture fencing and gates must always be closed after passing through.
A general obligation to keep dogs on a leash applies, as dogs are always perceived as a threat by other animals (grazing cattle).
Do not leave anything behind! Waste cannot always be avoided - but it should not be left behind in nature and must be disposed of properly. This also applies to dog poop.
Please be considerate! Wildlife is particularly active at dusk and dawn and must not be disturbed. To protect the animals, you should therefore refrain from tours at dusk or dawn and/or in the dark.
Only pick valuable (forest) ingredients such as wild mushrooms and berries with moderation and

purpose! Comply with Carinthian regulations on picking wild mushrooms!

The specified opening and operating hours must be observed and adhered to.
Designated car parks must be used and any parking fees must be paid.
The level of difficulty and speed (walking and cycling) must be adapted to your own ability and the weather conditions. Please do not overestimate your skills!
Ability to self-assess: If you go into the mountains, you should know what you are doing and what you

are capable of!

Equipment must be checked for functionality and completeness before each tour.
The consumption of alcohol, medication and addictive substances impairs your ability to react, and reduces your ability to correctly assess risks.
If necessary, first aid must be provided.

Rules for correct behaviour in summer

CLIMBING

Only use the designated access points to the rocks/tours.
If out and about in terrain without trails, be careful and considerate (vulnerable plants, wildlife)!
When ice and mixed climbing in winter, pay attention to sensitive wildlife habitats (avoid disturbance!).

VIE FERRATE

Plan carefully
Self-assessment
Use complete, standardised equipment
Do not climb if there is a risk of thunderstorms
Partner check at the start
Thoroughly check wire rope and anchoring
Maintain sufficient distance
Clear agreement when overtaking
Climb carefully to prevent falling rocks!

HIKING

Walking on agricultural land (meadows, fields, forests) away from marked trails is prohibited.
Do not leave hiking trails on mountain pastures and meadows.
Avoid contact with grazing cattle. Do not feed the animals and keep a safe distance.
Leave the grazing area quickly at the first sign of restlessness.
Stay calm, do not frighten grazing cattle, and do not turn your back on the animals.
If grazing cattle block the path, keep as far away as possible.
Suckler cows protect their offspring, dogs are always perceived as a threat. Therefore, avoid encounters between suckler cows and dogs.
Always keep dogs under control and on a short leash. If an attack by a grazing animal is unavoidable – unleash the dog immediately.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Only ride on marked, signposted trails! The protection of plants and animals comes before sport!
Opening hours/operating hours (depending on contractual agreements) of the trails are specified and must be complied with (check information boards)!
Avoid heavily used trails - especially at weekends!
Forest roads and the forest are operating areas and workplaces, so working machines, workers, motor vehicles, stored wood and potholes should be anticipated.
The trails run through nature and are exposed to a wide variety of factors, so the ground conditions can change at any time.
Always ride at a controlled speed and with half visibility, especially in bends, as obstacles should be anticipated at all times.
Compliance with road traffic regulations is a matter of course.
Pasture fencing and gates must always be closed after passing through.
Unnecessary emergency braking must be avoided, as it damages the trails.
Part of the trails and bike tours are shared by hikers and mountain bikers (e.g. shared trail). Hikers always have priority over mountain bikers.
Others enjoying nature must be respected and only overtaken at walking pace.

Tips by our mountain guides

Here’s what to keep in mind when hiking, mountaineering, climbing or when you’re on a via ferrata:

On via ferratas, you should use a harness, via ferrata set and a standardised helmet to protect you from rock fall!
Start your tour early enough and thoroughly prepared!
Gather all necessary information about the weather – and look out for summer storms!
If possible, don’t head out on a tour alone!

Stay on the route you’ve planned on following!
Break in your hiking boots ahead of long tours by wearing them on shorter ones first!
Apply a blister plaster as soon as you notice a blister developing!
Be sure to drink enough water to make up for lost fluids!

What else should be kept in mind in case you have any close encounters with cows? With these tips for appropriate conduct, you’re all set for your next hike!

Appropriate behaviour in nature

In Carinthia, a host of plants is protected, which means that neither the above-ground nor the underground parts may be removed. This of course also applies to the unique Wulfenia carinthiaca, which is endemic only around the Gartnerkofel at Nassfeld.

Part of the careful treatment of nature is not to litter - including dropping cigarette butts, and empties must be taken home. It is important to stay on the paths and avoid shortcuts. Animals must not be disturbed or distressed, noise is taboo. Dogs must be kept on a leash and their excrements must be disposed of properly.

You have behaved properly if you follow the principle that nothing should remind of your stay in nature!

Flora and Fauna in the Eastern Carnic Alps

Rules for correct behaviour in winter

ICE SKATING

Do not enter restricted areas - barriers must be observed.
Observe directional arrows - always keep to the right.
Natural ice may have jumps, bumps, and cracks, so there is an increased risk of falling.
Be ready to brake and skate according to your own ability.
Observe the rules on the ice rinks, always skate in the direction of travel and do not endanger other skaters.
Ice hockey and curling are possible within the designated areas / rinks.
Walkers - please use the trails next to the ice rink.
Dogs must be kept on a leash, and must not get on the ice rink.
Do not form groups of people in single spots, the ice can break.
Keep your distance from snow clearing and operational vehicles.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

On cross-country ski tracks, ski in the direction and with the technique indicated.
On double and multi-tracks, you must use the right-hand track.
Cross-country skiers in groups must use the right-hand track and ski one behind the other.
Overtaking is permitted on the right or left. The skier in front is not obliged to give way, but should allow the overtaking skier to pass if possible.
In the event of encounters, swerve to the right.
Downhill skiers have priority.
In the vicinity of other skiers, poles must be held as close to the body as possible.
Anyone who stops or falls must leave the track / piste as quickly as possible.
Always maintain a sufficient safety distance to the skier in front. In an emergency, you should drop down in a controlled manner to avoid a collision.
Keep a distance to service vehicles.
All cross-country skiers must behave in such a way that they do not endanger or harm others.
Without exception, walkers - with or without dogs - are not permitted on cross-country ski tracks.

PISTE SKI TOURING

Warning signs (closure of a piste or part of a piste) and local regulations must be observed.
Only ascend along the edge of the piste and one after the other.
Ski pistes are primarily available to cable car users.
Only cross pistes at clear points and with sufficient distance between ski tourers.
Only ski along the edges of freshly groomed pistes (frozen tracks can severely impair the quality of the piste).
Do not take dogs onto the piste.
Stick to designated (dedicated) ascent routes/pistes and only use those.
Alpine dangers - especially avalanche dangers - must be assessed by yourself.
Personal emergency equipment must be carried along.
The general FIS rules of conduct also apply.

TOBOGGANING

Only toboggan on designated toboggan runs. Never on the piste.
Ascend along the edge, on the right and one after the other. Ascend on the right, descend on the right.
Crossing the toboggan run is only permitted in clear places.
Keep the toboggan run clear.
If you are out and about together with other tobogganers, wait at clearly laid out and safe waiting areas/assembly points without exception.
The speed of the ride must be adapted to visibility and distances.

SNOWSHOE HIKING and SKI TOURING

Follow existing regulations. Take information about game reserves, restricted areas and reforestation areas into account when planning your tour.
Observe and follow information boards during the tour.
Stay on the established routes (ski routes, hiking and forest trails)!
Only undertake ski tours when there is sufficient snow - damage to the vegetation and soil cover must be avoided.
Fast downhill skiers in particular scare wildlife, causing it to flee in panic. Respect the habitat of wildlife - keep your distance in case of encounters.
Keep dogs on a leash, even when skiing downhill.
Do not downhill ski through forests. No skiing through sapling and reforestation areas!
Plan your ski tour carefully, taking weather conditions and the avalanche situation into account.
Personal emergency equipment must be carried along.
Ability to self-assess: If you go into the mountains, you should know what you are doing and what you

are capable of!

Tips for hikes with the whole family

Select child-appropriate and relatively short routes!
Themed hiking trails tend to be much more exciting to little hikers than forest roads.
Invest in appropriate equipment for your kids!
Don’t forget to bring extra clothes!
Start early enough to avoid midday sun and heat!

Bring enough water and some treats or snacks such as fruit!
Don’t forget to take enough breaks!
Admire nature, sing songs together, reward your little ones with a tasty refreshment at a hut – do everything that’s fun while hiking!
We also recommend collecting stickers, stamps or hiking badges with your kids to make the experience even more fun.