Goldeck

The Goldeck is a 2,142-metre mountain in the Latschur range of the Gailtal Alps in Carinthia. It stands south-west of Spittal an der Drau and forms the south-eastern continuation of the Kreuzeck group. Unlike most of the Gailtal Alps, its rocks are crystalline. The north-west slope holds the Goldeck ski area with many pistes, lifts and the longest black run in the Alps. The mountain is worth the journey for skiers and walkers alike. The ski area has numerous lifts, a children’s zone and the long black descent into the valley. A 2012 cable car carries visitors from Spittal to a storage lake at about 1,770 metres, where two chair lifts and a north-facing run begin. A one-hour walk from the lake leads to the summit, where a guesthouse and the Goldeck transmitter stand. Below the summit on the eastern side at 1,929 metres is the Goldeck hut run by the Austrian Alpine Club. Visitors find well-built paths for summer ascent, including routes 32 and 210. The quickest way up is by cable car to the storage lake, then a gentle hour to the summit cross. A panoramic road climbs from the south-east to the Seetal guesthouse and car park at 1,883 metres. The Ruperti long-distance trail also crosses the summit, linking the mountain to wider routes across the Alps.