Our hedgehog nature trail (Lehr- und Lernpfad) in Feistritz an der Drau has 11 stations. Step by step, the boards explain what there is to discover: habitat, food, mating, young, hibernation, dangers and how to help a hedgehog properly.
I’m Erina. On all 11 boards I take you through my hedgehog year, from the first day of spring to hibernation. On screen or outdoors, station by station.
The trail is on Schulstraße in Feistritz an der Drau, above the community centre. It is outdoors, free of charge and open all year round – there are no fixed opening hours. Old trees, dead wood, a herb spiral, stone piles and insect hotels show what a wildlife-friendly garden looks like, and the boards explain why it matters for hedgehogs.
From station 1 to 11, Erina takes you through her hedgehog year. Here is a short English overview of each board.
Erina’s life from waking up in spring to hibernation.
The first board takes Erina through a complete hedgehog year and shows how her behaviour changes with the seasons.
Board title: „Mit Erina durch das Igeljahr“
Understanding hibernation, winter quarters and rest periods.
This station explains how hedgehogs spend the cold season and what makes a safe winter shelter.
Board title: „Mit Erina durch die kalte Jahreszeit“
The hiding places hedgehogs need for sleeping and hibernating.
Erina looks for sheltered spots for resting during the day, raising her young and hibernating.
Board title: „Mit Erina auf Wohnungssuche“
When Erina wakes up and becomes active again.
After hibernation, Erina starts searching for water, food and new safe routes.
Board title: „Mit Erina in ein neues Igeljahr“
What hedgehogs eat and where they find natural food.
Erina is out and about at night, looking mainly for insects and other small creatures in varied, well-structured gardens.
Board title: „Mit Erina auf Nahrungssuche“
Finding a partner and the mating season in the hedgehog year.
This station follows Erina through the mating season and explains the typical “hedgehog carousel”, when a male circles the female.
Board title: „Mit Erina auf Freiersfüßen“
Birth, time in the nest and the first weeks of the young.
Erina looks after her young in a sheltered nest until the little hedgehogs become more independent.
Board title: „Erina und die Igelbabys“
The young hedgehogs’ first journeys on their own.
Little by little, the young leave the nest and learn to find food and hiding places for themselves.
Board title: „Erinas Kinder werden selbstständig“
Recognising emergencies and doing the right thing.
This station shows typical warning signs and the most important first steps when a hedgehog needs help.
Board title: „Erina in Not!“
Building up energy reserves for hibernation.
Before winter, Erina has to build up enough reserves to get through the long rest period.
Board title: „Erina und der Winterspeck“
Recognising dangers and making the garden safer.
The last station highlights everyday dangers from traffic, garden machinery, netting, bonfires and open shafts.
Board title: „Erina in Gefahr!“
The station boards on site are in German. The summaries on this page give you an English overview. The full board texts can be read online on our German nature trail page (in German).
What’s happening on the site, in brief – with photos right here. You will find more videos on our Facebook page.
Many people from near and far came to celebrate this special day with us! The quartet of the municipal band opened the event with a brass fanfare. A music class from MS Feistritz delighted everyone with a hedgehog song they had written themselves, a ballad told the story of how our trail came about, and a brass quartet provided the festive musical setting.
Many appreciative words from Mayor Manuel Müller, Member of the Carinthian Parliament, and finally thanks and a blessing by Deacon Korl Peter for our beautiful nature, which we want to protect and preserve together, made the opening a very special experience.
Radio Kärnten broadcast a feature about our hedgehog nature trail in Feistritz an der Drau on its lunchtime programme “Radio Kärnten zur Mittagszeit” – shortly before the official opening on 26 September. The roughly two-minute piece (in German) can be heard on ORF Sound until 23 October 2026.
Today we planted a big new tree in the hedgehog park. For hedgehogs a tree is much more than greenery: it gives shade, provides leaves for nests and winter shelters every autumn and attracts insects and birds – exactly what belongs on the grounds.
The trail is freely accessible at any time. We offer guided tours for groups such as school classes on request. If you are interested, e.g. with a school class, please get in touch by e-mail or phone – we are happy to take the time.
