The sky is deep blue and the larch forests glow a bright golden yellow. East Tyrol, with its sheltered location on the southern side of the Alps, draws visitors until well into autumn with plenty of sunshine and a landscape of rich colours.
Pause and catch your breath during the climb and let your gaze wander to the unique mountain world of the Grossglockner. Already in early autumn the high mountain peaks have wrapped themselves in a fine blanket of snow.
Classic tours
The best way to experience the world between Hohe Tauern, the Lienz Dolomites in the southeast and Alta Pusteria in the southwest is on foot. Autumn is the ideal hiking season.
East Tyrol has long enjoyed cult status in mountaineering and climbing circles. It is not only the Glockner group that attracts passionate mountaineers and hikers. The Grossvenediger is a classic, as are the bizarre peaks of the Lienz Dolomites.
Nature is close by in the huts
The new Isel Trail from the sunny Dolomite town of Lienz on the green valley floor to the glacier in the Hohe Tauern National Park opens up a view of the unspoilt natural beauty and many hidden natural jewels of East Tyrol.
The Hohe Tauern National Park has built a lookout tower near the waterfall at Oberhaus in the Defereggen valley, which towers above the treetops of the native stone pines. From there visitors can enjoy a great view of the mountain world and observe animals in their natural habitat.
© TVB Osttirol
There are also over 200 mountain and managed alpine huts for a rest break with exceptional mountain views.
Take the Jagdhausalm in the Defereggen valley, for example. Austria’s oldest alpine pasture was first mentioned in 1212.
The enchanting alpine landscape in the Debanttal is a locals’ tip. From the car park in Nussdorf Debant, the route runs through Austria’s longest closed alpine pasture valley (16 kilometres).
Or the cosy Lienzer Hütte at 1,975 m, where hikers and bikers can reward themselves with a typical snack – the Hochschober always in sight. Maybe the huts in the Virgen valley, some of which are open until the end of October.
The Golden Autumn Card
This 3-in-7 – day card, valid from 01 September to 31 October 2020, offers the chance to see the East Tyrolean autumn from its most beautiful side. The Card offers many excursion destinations, including the newly renovated Heinfels Castle – the queen of the Pustertal – and numerous other excursion destinations such as mountain railways, nature and cultural highlights. Attractions, such as the Osttirodler am Hochstein summer toboggan run, are available on three selected days at no additional cost.
More information: www.osttirol.com
