Gourmet by the lake: Carinthia's gastronomic treasure trove

Nohe lake is asleep. Still and waveless, it lies like a velvety cloth in the landscape. Wisps of early morning mist hang over the surface of the water, a duck emerges from the glittering backlight of the rising sun. It excitedly quacks its way to land while its own feet dangle from the jetty, just too briefly to tickle the lake awake. When it comes to kitsch, Lake Wörthersee doesn't mess around. It's a big one. The best place to verify this is the Pyramidenkogel. At 100 metres, it is the highest wooden observation tower in the world. This superlative guarantees an overview. You can see the undramatic bands of hills that frame the lake. You can marvel at the rock formations of the border mountains to the south, which protect the lake. And you will recognise many of the must-visit culinary addresses on a cycle tour around Carinthia's largest bathing lake.