Mountain Adventure at the Schlosswirt
The Schlosswirt is an elegant, traditional Austrian hotel which has been individually decorated in keeping with its rich cultural heritage. Situated on the edge of the village in the stunning Moelltal valley, it is nestled between woods and streams and surrounded by the grand peaks of the High Tauern national park, including Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner. Nature and Wildlife Riding Trips up to the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps.
The Riding
Half-day and full-day treks from the hotel for novice, intermediate or experienced riders. Overnight trips up into the high alpine landscape, sleeping in rustic mountain huts along the way. Nature and wildlife riding tours into the national park with resident park ranger. See below for more details. Snow trekking in winter.
Winter riding also available.
The Riding Facilities
12 Haflinger ponies, Western tack. 20x30 paddock. Unlimited riding in the national park, a different trail each day
The Haflingers: the much loved Haflinger has been an established breed since the 1800’s and orginates from the Tyrol area of Austria and Northern Italy. They take their name from the village of Hafling, and are a cross between the local Tyrol pony and Arab. All the pure bred Haflingers can be traced back to the first stallion, Folie. Always chestnut in colour and with their distinctive flaxen mane and tail, they are sturdy yet energetic, surefooted enough to manage the steep mountain paths in their homeland, yet graceful enough to adapt to dressage and other disciplines under saddle. They are friendly and loveable creatures and are renowned for their sprightly gait and rocking horse canter. They are ideal trail riding horses and though small (usually between 13.2 hh and 15hh) are able to carry an adult with ease.
The hotel
40 en-suite bedrooms, with satellite TV; singles, 3 twins, doubles and family suites are all available. Table tennis, 2 clay tennis courts and free admission to the adjacent outdoor swimming pool. Finnish sauna, steam bath, relaxation room, and tanning booth. Massages and beauty treatments available. Large garden, playground, orchard and terrace with deckchairs. Healthy buffet breakfast with fresh, regional produce. Choice of delicious home-cooked set dinners, salad bar and Carinthian specialities. Sociable and cosy bar with fireplace. Panelled dining room with large open fireplace. Garden terrace.
Get-together Riding Weeks for Solo Travellers
Includes a daily local ride of up to 3 hours on 3 days and 2 full days of trekking (4 to 5 hours) with an overnight in a mountain hut with spectacular views across glaciers and the high alpine landscape. The mountain trip is optional; you may ride on day trips (up to 3 hours per day) from the hotel instead. Accommodation will be in a single room at the hotel but please note that there are no single rooms in the mountain hut. Get-together table for evening meals. See 'latest news' section for dates of our next trips.
Activities for non-riders and rest days The national park is excellent for mountain biking, hiking and adventure sports (white-water rafting, rock-climbing, canoeing, paragliding and canyoning). Summer skiing on the glacier is also available. Just tell us what you want to do and leave the rest to us! Guides available on request for all activities.
The Schlosswirt is a wonderful winter playground for those who love the snow. Ride in the mornings, ski in the afternoons. See our Winter Riding programme for more details. Romantic sleigh rides talong the river and hrough the winter forests. We can organise 'Outdoor play weekends Boys' here with ice-climbing, powder ski-ing, ski-touring, toboggan races. We can also arrange romantic 'winter weddings' with sleigh ride to mountain chapel lit by lanterns.
Guest book:'I had a great few days and enjoyed the riding very much the haflingers were wonderful and responsive to my cues but knew when I needed them to take over. The rides were spectacular and the views were wonderful. I loved the hotel and the food was lovely, everyone was so friendly and caring which is particularly noticable when you are on your own.
Thank you and I will spread the word amongst my fellow western riders'. Alice, Sussex (Schlosswirt).
'Just to say thank you for a great holiday. The hotel was charming - just right - utterly friendly, great with children, comfortable and authentically Austrian. We could not have been happier. The haflingers were such a hit that we are now trying to buy one. If you know any good breeders or sources let us know! I shall certainly be recommending the trip to other people and hope to try out some of your other destinations in the future (although my daughters have asked us to make the Schlosswirt an annual event!) ' Susanna (London)'
'The Schlosswirt is a lovely hotel with a very homely feel to it. As for the riding, after I changed my first pony after a few enthusiastic bucks on the way back, I found a much calmer, but still forward going pony 'Salut' which I could have quite happily taken home with me given half the chance. Chris also kept 'Anton'. It was great to keep the same pony as you got to know them really well, including grooming them before and after the treks.
We did some lovely rides out, along and through the river, through the woods and some more adventurous ones up the mountain led by Toni. It was amazing what the ponies could scramble up and down, and when I dared to look the views were amazing! The ponies were so good as there was not much of a path for them to walk on.
The rides were usually between 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day. I did like the way that they tried to vary the rides, even though it was getting more difficult for them by the end of the week. They also split us into different ability groups so we could have a great gallop along the river which we loved. Thanks again for organising it for us both - we really enjoyed ourselves in such a lovely place! ' Hayley and Chris (Nuneaton)
'My final comment belongs to the stars of the show - the horses. They were incredible - great big teddy bears with massive personalities and big hearts.' Laraine (Staffordshire)
Press Articles
Good Housekeeping.
Mail On Sunday.
England's Equestrian Magazine.
Equestrian Plus Magazine.
Panorama Week
7 nights half-board with daily rides (12 hours total) from the hotel in the High Tauern national park.
Availability: May to October
Cost: £728 (singles £768).
Trekking Weeks
Panorama trail rides into Austria's most beautiful national park, with 2 full days riding (5 hours per day) with one overnight in a mountain hut and 4 panorama day rides (3 hours per day), sleeping back at the hotel each night, 20 hrs riding. £870 per person for 7 nights half-board with airport transfer. Single room £899 Available May to October.
Get-together Trekking weeks: £870 (if prepared to share a room) or £940 for a single. There are no single bedrooms for the one night in a mountain hut. Spring and Autumn Get-Together dates: see 'latest news and special offers' page or contact us.
Glacier Trek, The 3000m Ride
7 nights: £1070 Two nights in a mountain hut with three full days riding up into the high alpine region, with the aim of reaching the summit of a 3000m high peak. Three local panorama rides (2-3 hours each) from the hotel on the other days, 25 hours riding total. Single room: £1099. Read more about it with Equestrian Plus writer, Lisa Dure. Dates for 2009: 06 to 13. June and 05 to 12. September
High Alpine Crossing
Follow the ancient gold and pack routes right over the Alps. The horses get taken to the other side of the Alps by trailer, then you ride back to the hotel, over the mountains. 3 days riding with 2 overnights in a mountain hut. Approx 5 hours in the saddle, 25 hrs total. Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. Available dates for 2009: 4 to 11. July or at other times if you are a group of 4 or more riders. Read what the Mail on Sunday reporter says about this trip. Back at the hotel, relax by the pool, have a massage, relax in the beautiful garden or in the bar!
Cost £1070 and £1099 for singles.
Mountain Riding Short Trip
5 nights half-board accommodation with a daily riding programme (10 hours total riding): £510
3 nights with 2 rides of 3 hours each: £360
Single supplement £10 per night.
Availability: May to October.
Upgrade to suite:
£20 per person per day.
Children (half board, in extra bed in parents' bedroom, without riding or transfer)
Up to 2 years old no charge.
2-6 years old 80% discount.
6-14 years old 50%.
Non-riders:
£499 per person for 7 nights half board accommodation with airport transfer. £386 for 5 nights. £288 for 3 nights.
Price includes:
Half board accommodation (breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner) per person, based on two sharing a double room with return airport transfer to Klagenfurt and riding program where stated. Lunch included on full day rides. Child discounts.
Price excludes:
Price excludes flights and insurance. No single rooms in the mountain huts.
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Season runs from May until 10 October. Opens again 20th December for winter ride & ski season).
Please note that there is no single accommodation available in the mountain huts. All meals are included on the overnight trips.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Klagenfurt (1hr 40 mins). A minibus or car transfer to this airport is included in the cost of the holiday. Transfers from Salzburg (2.5hrs) can also be arranged for no extra charge.
Ryanair (London Stansted to Klagenfurt: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in the summer).
Thomsonfly (Manchester to Klagenfurt).
It is also possible to get to the hotel from Vienna :
Connecting flight: (Austrian Airlines (London Heathrow and Dublin to Vienna, Air Berlin (Manchester, London Stansted, Belfast and Glasgow to Vienna),
Take the train from Vienna to MALLNITZ Austrian train timetable where we will pick you up.
Lowcostseats - internet travel agent for charter flights offering good deals.
Jetnav - an independent website searching schedule services, budget airlines and some charters.
Dohop - searches charter and schedule services.
Travelocity - internet travel agents for schedule services.
Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos. Please tell us so that we can reduce the quote of your holiday.
Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.
If you would like to view the location of this holiday, please refer to the overview map and detailed map.
Riding ability
The Haflinger ponies are ridden Western style. This is a more comfortable and secure way of riding and is better suited to the national park terrain. The main differences from traditional English style of riding are the longer leg and stirrups that don't swing and the deeper seat of the saddle. For the overnight trips you should be familiar with tack-up and horse care. Experienced riders only on the Glacier and Alpine crossing trips. You should be fit for 4-5 hours in the saddle and comfortable at all paces. The ponies, however, are easy to ride and are well adapted to the terrain and climate.
Novice riders are those who have limited riding experience or who ride in a controlled environment - would be most suited to a 'panorama' or t'rekking ' week. There is no tuition given at the Schlosswirt.
Intermediates are those who are comfortable at all paces, including a controlled gallop and are able to ride in open country but who may not ride on a regular basis. Intermediate riders can join any of the rides offered at the Schlosswirt.
What to bring
Riding trousers or jeans, chaps or mini chaps, sun cream, rain wear, riding hat and sturdy boots. For overnights in the mountain huts you will need a sleeping bag but this is provided. A small rucksack or 'bum bag' and torch are advised. Saddlebags provided. Although rarely insisted upon outside the UK, you should always wear your hat whilst mounted. Hard hats are available in all our riding establishments, but you are advised to bring your own.
Weather
Current weather forecasts and general weather information for the region can be found here and here.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Austria at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
Austria has one of the highest levels of household recycling and organic farming in Europe. It also has some of the cleanest lakes, is 47% forested and produces nearly 70% of its energy from renewable sources such as water.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
Consumer protection
As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an Association approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, this company has provided a Bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. These regulations apply to packages sold in the UK and this Bond provides security for the money paid over by its UK customers and for their repatriation to the UK in the event of this company's insolvency.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Browse our Guest book or look at what the press have had to say.
Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
Please read our Terms and Conditions.
