A lake right at the hotel sounds like dog paradise. In practice, the question of where the dog is actually allowed into the water is often more complicated than you'd think. This page answers it specifically for Lake Brennsee: where your dog can swim, which walks begin right at the house, which rules apply and what to watch out for in hot weather. Specific rather than general - so you know what a day with your dog here is really like.
Where your dog can go into the water
The most important point first: we have our own private access to Lake Brennsee, and your dog is allowed to swim there. That isn't a given. At many public bathing spots and lidos, dogs aren't allowed in the water, especially in high season when it's busy. Anyone who wants to swim with their dog then often has to look for a designated dog bathing spot, which is usually some way off.
With us, that search isn't necessary. The way from the house to the water is short. Your dog goes in, swims its round, comes out, gets dried off - no driving, no stress. For many dogs, it's exactly this ease that makes the holiday: water whenever it suits, with no organising.
On Lake Brennsee itself, as on most Carinthian lakes, not every stretch of shore is a bathing spot for dogs. Consideration for other bathers is the basic rule. Within our area you don't need to worry about that - dogs are expected there.
What the water quality means for your dog
Lake Brennsee has a quality that not every lake offers: its water is of drinking-water quality. That isn't just a nice label for the brochure, it matters in practice for your dog.
Dogs swallow water when they swim, whether you like it or not. They snap at toys, they pant, they drink in between. In a murky, polluted lake, that's an issue. In a lake with drinking-water quality, it's one less thing to worry about. Clean, clear water is also kinder to skin and coat - especially for dogs prone to skin irritation.
Of course, that doesn't replace common sense: an overheated dog shouldn't dive head-first into cold water, and after swimming the coat should be dry before it gets chilly. But the basics - clean water - are right here.
Three walks that start at the front door
The appeal of a holiday with your dog lies in the small rounds, not the big tours. Here they begin right at the house, and you don't need the car for any of them.
The short lake loop is the classic for mornings and evenings. It follows the shore, is flat and uncomplicated, and the dog can get to the water along the way. Ideal for the first round of the day or the last one before bed.
The medium loop leads from the lake into the adjoining countryside of the Gegendtal valley - quiet forest and meadow paths, more shade, fewer encounters. A good choice for the morning when you and your dog want a bit more exercise without planning half a day.
If you want to go higher, you climb from Feld am See into the slopes of the Nock Mountains. These are proper hikes with ascent, length and the fitness to match - for fit dogs and their people. The exact length and duration depend on how far you want to go; at reception we'll gladly tell you which option suits your dog and the weather.
Walks around Lake Brennsee and Lake Afritz
Lake Brennsee isn't alone. Right next door lies Lake Afritz, and the walking between the two is lovely. These Gegendtal lakes are smaller and usually much quieter than the big names further south - an advantage for a dog that doesn't like walking through crowds. You meet fewer other dogs, fewer cyclists, less bustle.
The paths between the two lakes are suited to longer walks where you can take a break at the water now and then. For couples with different paces, the area is practical: while one walks the dog along the shore, the other does a bike loop - and you meet up again at one of the lakes. This split works well here because the paths are close together.
Leads, nature conservation and consideration
To keep things pleasant for everyone, a few sober notes. In managed areas, at bathing spots and wherever lots of people are about, the dog belongs on a lead. That isn't bureaucracy, it's consideration - not every other guest is a dog person, and not every other dog is easy-going.
In the countryside of the Gegendtal, what applies everywhere in Carinthia's forests and alpine pastures applies too: consideration for wildlife and grazing animals. Where cattle are out on the pasture, the dog stays close to you. In sensitive natural areas, leads may be compulsory. When in doubt, the simple rule is: if you're unsure, put the dog on the lead. You'll almost always be right.
And once more the most important thing at the water: consideration for other bathers. A wet dog shaking itself next to a stranger's towel is a small thing that quickly causes bad feeling. With a little attentiveness it's easy to avoid.
In the heat: shady paths and the best time of day
In high summer it can get hot at Lake Brennsee, and heat is harder on many dogs than on their people. It's worth planning the day around it. The big rounds belong in the cool morning and evening hours. Around midday, shady forest paths are better than the open lakeside stretch, and a spot in the shade with a water bowl is often the wiser choice than the next walk.
The lake helps: a cooling dip in the afternoon gets dog and human through the hot hours. Just make sure the dog doesn't jump into the water overheated, and keep an eye on it - panting, lethargy and seeking shade are signs it's had enough. In early summer and autumn this question hardly arises; those are the more relaxed times to travel with a dog.
Gear you don't have to bring yourself
A lot of what you'd pack for a dog holiday you don't need twice here. A water bowl and a resting place in the restaurant are there. If you've forgotten a towel for the dog after swimming, reception can sort that out. And should you run out of dog food or be missing some small thing, there are shops for that in the region, as well as a vet in case anything happens - we'll tell you exactly where on site, because addresses and opening hours change faster than a website can keep up.
What most guests prefer to bring themselves is the familiar dog bed and their own bowl. The rest - blanket, bowl, a quiet spot - you'll find waiting for you.
For the lake itself you need little: a towel for drying off, perhaps a highly visible toy for retrieving in the water on longer swims, and on hot days enough to drink for the paths away from the shore. A life jacket is only worthwhile for dogs that are unsure swimmers or getting on in years - most don't need one. If you've forgotten the essentials, you can get them in the region; nobody has to skip a round at the lake because of it.
This page is part of our overview Holidays with your dog on Lake Brennsee, where you'll also find the conditions, the region and the best time to travel with a dog. The big picture is there; here it was about the lake in detail. Do read on there if you want to know what a whole stay with your dog looks like with us.
If you already know that the lake and the walks are right for you, the best thing is to check directly whether your preferred dates are free - or drop us a quick line about which dog you're coming with. We'll tell you honestly whether it's a good fit.