The municipality of Kaunertal covers the whole of the Kaunertal Valley and comprises 12 settlements, some of which (Platz, Loch, Boden) have rather unusual names.
If you spend a little time in the Kaunertal Valley then sooner or later you are likely to hear the name Wiesejaggl. According to legend, this infamous 16th century poacher took exception to Emperor Maximilian banning hunting in “his” Kaunertal mountains and waged his own personal war against imperial and divine authority on behalf of the farmers who had lost a significant part of their income through the ban.
The many local stories about Wiesejaggl’s unshakeable courage and poaching expertise express the archetypal Robin Hood struggle pitting the “poor” against the “rich”. At the same time, they also highlight many characteristics which are said to be typical of those living in western Tirol’s often harsh alpine environment: grim determination, quiet sincerity and bravery in dealing with tough conditions.
The Kaunertal Valley has been inhabited for many millennia. The first people to settle here were the Romansch from neighbouring Vorarlberg and Switzerland, who came in search of grazing land. Today the valley attracts many tourists thanks to its excellent skiing and hiking areas, while the steep and winding toll road leading up to the Kaunertal Glacier is popular with cyclists and motorbike riders across Europe.
If you spend a little time in the Kaunertal Valley then sooner or later you are likely to hear the name Wiesejaggl. According to legend, this infamous…
