Hohe Tauern National Park

A fascinating alpine landscape, one that stretches much further than the eye can see. With a surface area of 1,856 square kilometres, the Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest protected area in the Alps.

Forests, mountain lakes, impressive waterfalls, wild and wonderful rivers and glaciated peaks characterise the National Park landscapes, interspersed with lush alpine pastures. The Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak at 3,798 metres above sea level, resides in splendour amongst 200 peaks over 3,000 metres, waiting to receive visitors from all over the world. More than 10,000 animal species and 1,800 plants have found perfect the perfect refuge amidst the Hohe Tauern Mountains. The region is also a place of sanctuary, relaxation and wonder for humans. The natural habitats of the National Park are best explored with a National Park Ranger during a guided tour. The National Park House in Matrei in East Tirol offers a great overview of the entire nature reserve.

Forests, mountain lakes, impressive waterfalls, wild and wonderful rivers and glaciated peaks characterise the National Park landscapes, interspersed…

Highlights in the Nature Park

1
Jagdhausalmen

Jagdhausalmen

The Jagdhausalmen at the end of the Defereggental Valley in East Tirol are the oldest mountain huts in Austria and among the most photographed sights in the Hohe Tauern National Park. A little reminiscent of Tibet, the idyllic landscape with 15 stone huts and one chapel nestles between craggy rocks and lush meadows. People have lived in the valleys of the Hohe Tauern Mountains for 5,000 years.

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Venedigerhaus hut in Innergschlöss, © Tirol Werbung / Ziegler Matthias

2
Gschlösstal Valley

Matrei in Osttirol Gschlösstal Valley

Innergschlöss in East Tirol is considered one of the most beautiful places in the Eastern Alps. From this idyllic place on the border with the neighbouring province of Salzburg you can see the mighty glaciers of the Hohe Tauern National Park and some of its most iconic mountains, including the Großvenediger. The easy walk to Innergschlöss offers many opportunities for spectacular photos.

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Looking towards the Großglockner from the Lucknerhaus hut, © Alpengasthof Lucknerhaus

3
View of Kalser Lucknerhaus from the Großglockner

Kals am Großglockner View of Kalser Lucknerhaus from the Großglockner

Here at the end of the Kalser Glacier Road, Austria's highest peak seems close enough to touch. The popular Lucknerhaus inn is the ideal starting point for many hikes in the Hohe Tauern National Park. It is also a good basecamp for ascents of the Großglockner.

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4
Umbalfälle Nature Trail

Umbalfälle Nature Trail

The spectacular Umbalfälle are a series of waterfalls along the rushing Isel river. Visitors can learn all about the river and its waterfalls on the Umbalfälle Nature Trail.

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Zedlacher Paradise, © Tirol Werbung / Bauer Frank

5
Zedlacher Paradise

Matrei in Osttirol Zedlacher Paradise

The 600-year-old larch forest of Zedlach in the East Tirolean Virgental Valley holds exciting discoveries in store. Seven stations along the themed trail inform visitors about the forest, its animals and interesting ecosystem. The easy round walk takes roughly three hours, with pleasant eateries en route such as the Wodenalm and Kräutergasthaus Strumerhof.

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Discover New Worlds

National Park House Matrei in Osttirol, © Nationalpark Hohe Tauern/Gruber

National Park House Matrei in East Tirol

As the eagle’s image is reflected in the glass facade outside, all the special features of Austria’s largest nature reserve are presented with interactive exhibits inside the National Park House…

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Further Activities in the Hohe Tauern Nature Park

Adler Trail in Kals am Großglockner, © Bikeboard/Roland Kachelhauser

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on mapAdler Trail

Singletrails

Starting point: Top of the Gondelbahn Kals I+II cable cars
Length: 4km
Riding time: 0 h 15 min
Difficulty rating: Singletrack easy

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Mountain bike ride to the Johannishütte hut

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on mapDorfertal - Johannishütte

Mountain biking

Starting point: Hinterbichl near Prägraten
Length: 16km
Elevation uphill: 790m
Riding time: 2 h 30 min
Difficulty rating: medium

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Schartl ridge, © TVB Osttirol/Steiner Friedl

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on mapJohannishütte - Defreggerhaus - Schartl

Mountain hikes

Starting point: Johannishütte, Dorfertal Valley
Length: 9km
Elevation uphill: 940m
Total hiking time: 6h
Difficulty rating: intermediate (red mountain trails)

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on mapKals Glockner Road

Kals am Großglockner

Heading up Glockner Road at Kals, the behemoth 3,798-meter peak of Großglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, towers around you. Just off the…

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Dorfer See lake, © Osttirol Werbung/Isep

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on mapKalser Tauernhaus & Dorfer See

Mountain hikes

Starting point: Hotel Taurerwirt, Kals
Length: 19km
Elevation uphill: 530m
Total hiking time: 6h
Difficulty rating: intermediate (red mountain trails)

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Katin meadows, © Tirol Werbung / Angela Fuchs

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on mapKatin Meadows Flower Hike

Themed hikes

Starting point: Car park, Bichl
Length: 6km
Elevation uphill: 435m
Total hiking time: 3h
Difficulty rating: intermediate (red mountain trails)

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on mapLasörling High Trail

Long Distance Path

Starting point: Matrei in East Tirol, Guggenberg Car Park
Length: 61km
Elevation uphill: 4,098m
Duration: 4 day(s)
Difficulty rating: difficult (black trails)

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Kals-Matreier-Törl-Haus in the Virgental Valley, © Martin Schönegger

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on mapMatrei i. Osttirol - Kals-Matreier-Törl-Haus - Glocknerhaus Kals

Mountain hikes

Starting point: Top of Goldriedbahn cable car, Matrei i. Osttirol
Length: 12km
Elevation uphill: 232m
Total hiking time: 4 h 30 min
Difficulty rating: intermediate (red mountain trails)

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Trelebitsch-Alm hut in the Hohe Tauern National Park, © Sebastian Höhn

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on mapTrelebitschsee

Mountain hikes

Starting point: Car park, Seichenbrunn
Length: 7km
Elevation uphill: 700m
Total hiking time: 4 h 30 min
Difficulty rating: intermediate (red mountain trails)

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Nature Park Villages in the Hohe Tauern National Park

Hopfgarten in the Defereggental Valley

The municipality of Hopfgarten lies at 1,107m altitude near the entrance to the Defereggental Valley in East Tirol. Its 725 inhabitants enjoy a fantastic location in the heart of the Hohe Tauern…

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Winter holidays in the Lienzer Dolomiten, © Osttirol Tourismus

Iselsberg-Stronach

This municipality in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park lies at 1,117 metres above sea level, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains.

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Kals am Großglockner

The municipality of Kals enjoys a fine position at the foot of Austria’s highest mountain, the Großglockner, and is home to 1,200 inhabitants.

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Matrei in Osttirol

Matrei lies in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Part in East Tirol. It is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks over 3,000 m high including the Großglockner, Austria's highest mountain, and the…

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Winter holidays in the Lienz Dolomites, © Osttirol Tourismus

Nikolsdorf

The municipality of Nikolsdorf enjoys a sunny location north of the Drau river and to the east of Lienz, the largest town in East Tirol. It lies at 675 m altitude and is home to 900 residents.

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Nußdorf-Debant

Nußdorf-Debant is a municipality covering sections of the Debanttal Valley and the area west of Lienz, the largest town in East Tirol. Nußdorf enjoys an idyllic location at the foot of the Nußdorfer…

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Prägraten am Großvenediger

Prägraten is a small village in the Virgental Valley surrounded by the majestic peaks and glaciers of the Großvenediger to the north and the Lasörling Mountains to the south.

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St. Jakob in Defereggen in winter, © Urlaubsregion Defereggental / Petr Blaha

St. Jakob, Defereggental Valley

Action? No thanks! Guests who love spending their holidays in large hotel complexes surrounded by bars and clubs will probably not find what they are looking for in St. Jakob in Defereggen. On the…

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St. Veit

St. Veit, a romantic village in the heart of the Defereggental Valley, is the highest municipality in East Tirol at 1,495 metres above sea level.

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Virgen

Virgen is often referred to as the "Meran of East Tirol" in reference to the town of Meran over the border in South Tirol, famous for its palm trees and almost Mediterranean climate. It is the largest…

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