If you tackle this stage from Bad Eisenkappel, an early start is recommended, as the trail to Bleiburg is quite long. Walking time 8-9 hours. From the 1,270m high Riepl, hiking trail 603 leads along the roadway further to the Luschasattel pass in the Koprein-Petzen area. From here, the trail turns off slightly to the Luschaalm meadow. Follow the forest road until the Petzenstall turnoff (to the left). You will arrive back on the forest road at the hunting lodge. After 100m, turn onto a little hiking trail. From here, the trail takes a constant uphill course. Through woodland and later through fields of mountain pine, you will again reach a fork in the road at an altitude of approx. 2.060m. Here, turn off to the right towards the Feistritzer Spitze peak. The Feistritzer Spitze offers a very good all-round view of the Hochobir mountain, the peaks of the Karawanken, the Steiner Alps, and into the Jauntal valley, which is bordered in the North by the soft heights of the Saualpen range. From the Feistritzer Spitze, you will arrive in approx. 45min, passing via Schrofen and fields of mountain pine along the ridge, at the 2,110m high Knieps, the middle peak of the Petzen mountains, right at the national border. At the Kniepsattel pass, the trail again turns northwards and brings the hiker to the mountain station of a drag lift. The gently sloping trail takes you alongside the ski-run to the Gasthof Siebenhütten inn and the mountain station of the cable car, which provides a connection to Hotel Petzenkönig. Especially when heading in the opposite direction, hikers are advised to use the cable-car, which saves you an approx. 2h climb (the cable car does not run on Tuesdays or in bad weather!). From the mountain station, the trail slopes down steeply through a wooded, rocky area. A forest road coming from Ruttach is crossed several times before coming to the “Schmelz”, where the trail meets the one coming from Hotel Petzenkönig (20min from Hotel Petzenkönig to the “Schmelz”). Continue past a wayside shrine and Ruttach, and onto the Feistritz-Penk road, which must be followed for a short while. Keep to the right, where the trail passes over meadow and woodland paths until reaching Bleiburg (approx. 3h from the Feistritzer Spitze peak).
(Eberhard Klaura, ÖTK-Sekt. Südkärnten, Christina Schwann, OeAV)

Already on the trail from Bad Eisenkappel to the Riepl farmstead, you will see markings in the shape of a green circle with a yellow spot. These indicate the "Coppla Kaša" circular trail. This trail was established by an association of farmers. The Kaša is a building whose lower part is walled and whose upper part is constructed in wood, in which supplies such as fruit, must, sausage and meat are stored. This hike repeatedly leads past such buildings, which have just recently been very beautifully restored and some are even used as holiday homes. The Petzen is the southernmost skiing mountain in Austria. In summer, it is a popular hiking area, as is suggested by the numerous hiking trails. But great emphasis is also laid on mountain biking and paragliding on the Petzen. Bleiburg is one of the oldest towns in southern Carinthia. It is considered to be the social and economic centre of the Jauntal valley and since 1393 has the right to hold the "Wiesenmarkt" (meadow market), the biggest event in the Carinthian lowlands. Even the painter Werner Berg was inspired by the beauty of the area surrounding Bleiburg. His gallery on the main square of Bleiburg has became a point of attraction for art lovers from all over Europe.
(Eberhard Klaura, ÖTK-Südkärnten, Christina Schwann, OeAV)