Debanttal Valley in Hohe Tauern National Park, © Nationalpark Hohe Tauern / Hannah Assil & Michael Kastl
Debanttal Valley in Hohe Tauern National Park, © Nationalpark Hohe Tauern / Hannah Assil & Michael Kastl

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.

Highlights in the Nature Park

Jagdhausalmen, © Tirol Werbung / Reinhard Hölz

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.

Learn more
Open interactive map
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.

Learn more
Open interactive map
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.

Learn more
Open interactive map
Umbalfälle Nature Trail, © Nationalpark Hohe Tauern/Martin Lugger

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.

Learn more
Open interactive map
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. 

Learn more
Open interactive map

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…

More Information
Guided Walks & Hikes
A list of all guided hikes in the Hohe Tauern Nature Park.

Further Activities in the Hohe Tauern Nature Park

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

View tour description
Kals Glockner Road
Show on map
Show
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…

Go to attraction
Katin meadows, © Tirol Werbung / Angela Fuchs
Show on map
Show
on mapKatin Meadows Flower Hike

Themed hikes

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

View tour description
Zupalsee Lake, © Osttirol Werbung
Show on map
Show
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)

View tour description
Trelebitsch-Alm hut in the Hohe Tauern National Park, © Sebastian Höhn
Show on map
Show
on mapTrelebitschsee

Mountain hikes

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

View tour description
Attractions in the Hohe Tauern Nature Park

Nature Park Villages in the Hohe Tauern National Park

© TVB Osttirol/NPHT
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…

More Information
Summer 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.

More Information
© Michael Linder
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.

More Information
© Hubert Köfler
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…

More Information
Summer 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.

More Information
Summer holidays in the Lienz Dolomites, © Osttirol Tourismus
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…

More Information
© Steiner Friedl
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.

More Information
St. Jakob im Deferggental in summer, © 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…

More Information
© Stemberger Ottilie
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.

More Information
© Gemeinde Virgen
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…

More Information

Arrival date

How to get here by plane, train, bus or car.

Ihr Ziel: Kirchplatz 2, 9971 Matrei in Osttirol, Österreich

powered by Rome2Rio

This might also interest you

Nature Park Ötztal, © Tirol Werbung/Robert PupeterÖtztal Nature Park

Ötztal Nature Park offers unparalleled diversity: covering an expanse of…

More Information
Kaunergrat Nature Park, © Andi KirschKaunergrat Nature Park

Kaunergrat Nature Park covers an area of almost 600 square kilometres from…

More Information

How did you like this article?

Want to receive an answer? If so, please get in touch using the contact form.

Go up

Is your inbox in need of a holiday?

Then subscribe to our weekly newsletter full of exclusive holiday tips from Tirol!