Mountain-Water-Paradise Defereggental

The circular hike around the idyllic Obersee is easy and beautiful. People have been living here since the Mesolithic Age, as archaeological finds on the shores of the lake show. One particularly remarkable find is a 5 m long and 1000 year old dugout canoe made of Swiss stone pine, which was recovered from the bottom of the lake. The boat can be admired in the archaeological museum "Zeitreise Defereggen" in St. Jakob i. D. to marvel at.

The Oberseitsee, probably one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Osttirol, lies at 2.576m above sea level in the middle of a breathtaking summit arena, dominated by the Seespitze (3.021m). The hike begins at the car park Trogach and leads along a forest trail and path up to the “Alpenblumenweg Oberseite”. Follow the path and the signs to Oberseitsee.

This beautiful mountain lake lies at 2.586 m in the middle of the "Lasörlinggruppe" in Austria's largest protected area. The hike leads from St. Jakob i. D. through the Trojeralmtal up to the Durfeldalm, from there via the Rudolf-Kauschka-Höhenweg to the Neue Reichenberger Hütte, near which the Bödensee is located.

Nestled in the “Lasörlinggruppe”, the Gritzer Seen lakes are easily accessible from the Speikbodenhütte. The hiking trail in the middle of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern leads across alpine meadows up to the three cirque lakes, which are embedded in hollows and are connected to each other at higher water levels. On the hills around the lakes there are wonderful resting places on the lawns with a magnificent mountain panorama.

From the Bloshütte, which can be reached on foot via the Zwenewaldtal valley or via the hut cab Blassnig, the trail first leads to the imposing waterfall “Glaurit Wasserfall” and from there on to the tranquil mountain lake “Geigensee”, which owes its name to its violin-like shape (Geige=violin). With the Großglockner in the background, it is probably one of the most beautiful hiking destinations in the region.

From the parking lot at the "Abfüllstation Urleiten", you hike into the valley on a forest road to the Innerbachalm in Grünalmtal. From there, the hike continues towards the Gumplalm and on to the Ochsenalm plateau, where the Grünalmbach meanders impressively. After crossing the valley, you reach the foot of a waterfall, at the side of which the next ascent begins. The two magnificent mountain lakes are reached after a 45-minute walk.

From the parking lot at the "Abfüllstation Urleiten", hike into the valley on a forest road to the Außerbachalm in Grünalmtal. From there, a steep hiking trail leads to the Nassfeldalm and on to the Spitzeck. But the effort is worth it. The location at the intersection of three valleys allows a spectacular 3D panoramic view from a bird's eye perspective: north into the Iseltal towards Matrei i. O., south towards Lienz i. O. as far as the Carinthian Drautal, east into the Kalsertal, west into the Defereggental.

Accessible from the parking lot at Alpengasthaus Oberhaus are the waterfall and the river Schwarzach - two attractive water elements that will be even more strikingly staged and experienced in the future. The Nationalpark Hohe Tauern has built a special wildlife observation tower in the Oberhauser Zirbenwald here.

If you take a walk along the Water experience trail St. Jakob i. D. to the mill “Stadtner Mühle”, you will soon reach an impressive viewing platform"floating" above the waterfall . The power of the water and the spray of the cool mountain stream leave a lasting impression. Alternatively, you can drive to Maria Hilf and park at the pilgrimage church. From there, it's a 20-minute walk to the viewing platform and on to the snack station at Alpe Stalle.

This beautiful waterfall makes its way down into the valley from the shady mountains near Zotten, a district of St. Veit i. D. (next to the main road), makes its way from the shady mountains into the valley. From the higher situated village center of St. Veit i. D. you can see the waterfall opposite. If you want to get closer, turn left off the main road in the village of Zotten before the "Maria Heimsuchung" chapel and cross the Schwarzach. From there, after a short hike, you can experience the spray of the thundering masses of water.

From the Bloshütte, which can be reached on foot via the Zwenewaldtal valley or via the Blassnig hut cab, the trail first leads to the imposing waterfall “Glauritwasserfall” and from there on to the tranquil “Geigensee”, which owes its name to its violin-like shape (Geige = violin). With the Großglockner in the background, it is probably one of the most beautiful hiking destinations in the region.

From the car park Oberhaus, a well-signposted path leads to the nearby Oberhausalm and on through the Oberhauser Zirbenwald and a gorge to the Seebachalm and Jagdhausalm in the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern. The "Pfauenauge" (peacock's eye) is hidden just above. This small mountain pond overgrown with sedge is a popular photo motif.

Even Stone Age hunters 8,000 years ago appreciated the Hirschbichl with its beautiful mountain lake, as archaeological finds confirm. They hunted ibex, chamois and marmots here. Today, it is not only the history that impresses, but also the breathtaking panorama and the tranquillity of the place.

This easy and informative half-day hike starts east of the village center of St. Jakob i. D. and leads along the Schwarzach into the valley, past wetlands, waterfalls, springs and streams. Information stations invite you to linger and relax. Also ideal in rainy weather. Tip: The rangers of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern offer exciting guided tours. From May on request, weekly in July and August.

From the village center of St.Veit i. D., the trail leads along shady forest paths into the valley, past small waterfalls to the hamlet of Gassen at 1.568 m altitude, where information boards tell of the once arduous life in this mountain farming settlement. The way back leads downhill along the road to the crossroads and back to St. Veit. i. D. following the signposts. Along the way is the birthplace of the famous Tyrolean poet Sebastian Rieger, alias Reimmichl.

The Water hiking trail Hopfgarten i. D. starts at the Kulturhaus and includes several stations - sewage pumping station, water mill, hydroelectric power station, flood protection, water level measuring station and Auentümpfl water play area - the element of water is of great importance to the municipality of Hopfgarten i. D.. The leisurely hike along the Schwarzach is also ideal for children, people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users.

An attractive excursion destination for the whole family is the WassermythosOchsenlacke at the Mooseralm in the Skizentrum St. Jakob i. D.. On the circular trail around the reservoir pond are the "guardians of water" - adventure stations in the form of playable water animals. You can easily reach this excursion destination with the gondola and chairlift to the Mooseralm.

To the west of the village center of St. Jakob i. D. lies the "Haus des Wassers" in the Oberrotte district. Here, rangers from the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern teach children and young people aged 9-17 about water: the program includes water analyses as well as flow measurements, various experiments with water and the identification of aquatic life in mountain streams. The guided ranger tours are offered all year round!

On the southern outskirts of St. Jakob i. D., there is an extensive natural water playground with a small branch off the main river right next to the Schwarzach. Swings, slides, digging, balancing, splashing around or simply collecting stones - there are virtually no limits for children here.

The Trojeralmbach stream forms impressive natural meanders in its upper reaches. The primeval trout, reintroduced by the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, lives here. The starting point is the Trojeralm snack station. From there, a gravel path leads into the valley to the meanders of the Trojeralmbach stream. Tip: The path back down into the valley leads past a bed-load barrier that protects the area from natural hazards. A beautiful wayside cross worth seeing has been erected at this point. From here you have a great bird's eye view of the whole village!

On the Water hiking trail Hopfgarten i. D., just before the Schmitt'n Kirchl (St. Anthony's Chapel), the covered and well-equipped barbecue area Kohlgrube offers a nice ambience for a barbecue snack by the river in the middle of the countryside. The shortest access leads out of the valley from the parking lot at Schmitt'n Kirchl in Plon.

Following the water hiking trail Hopfgarten i. D. along the Schwarzach, you will reach a small pond about 30 minutes from the Kulturhaus, which is crossed by the Bichler Almbach stream before it flows into the Schwarzach. The lovingly designed, natural rest and play area allows you to enjoy the cool water in complete safety, as well as observe trout and ducks.

Right next to the Defereggental Landesstraße, below the Haus des Wassers, the Schwarzach, the main river in the valley, has been successfully restored to its former glory as a wide, near-natural mountain river. Information boards provide information about the surroundings and the project. A small pond is home to a variety of aquatic creatures such as dragonfly larvae, tadpoles, grass frogs and many more.

The Water levelHopfgarten i. D., which continuously measures the water level of the Schwarzach, is another station on the water hiking trail Hopfgarten i. D.. Interactive display boards provide information about the water level and temperature of the river, as well as about flood protection measures that have recently been taken to protect the village and restore the Schwarzach to its natural state.