The Dobratsch (2,166 m) is the mountain that dominates the western skyline of Villach, and its upper slopes have been a protected nature reserve since 1969. The Naturpark Dobratsch encompasses the plateau and the steep southern and western flanks of the massif, with a network of marked walking trails ranging from easy plateau strolls to more demanding ridge routes.
The upper reaches are reached most easily via the Villacher Alpenstrasse toll road, which climbs to around 1,700 metres and provides access to several car parks. From there, trails fan out across the plateau toward the summit cross, the pilgrimage church of Maria Schnee, and viewpoints looking south over the Gail valley toward the Italian border. The botanical diversity on the Dobratsch is exceptional — the south-facing limestone slopes support a mix of alpine and sub-Mediterranean plant communities, and the reserve is particularly noted for its orchid population in late spring. Walking here on a clear June morning, with the Karawanken visible to the south and the snowfields of the Grossglockner group to the northwest, is one of the finer mountain experiences accessible from a mid-sized Austrian city.