The Iseltrail

The lower Isel beaches between Lienz and Huben offer a tranquil river landscape with their gravel banks, beaches, and small islands. Through sparse floodplain forests and gray alders, views of the rushing water open up time and again.

This is where the German tamarisk grows—a rare pioneer plant that can withstand both drought and flooding. Its white to pinkish-red flowers bloom between May and August, yet its habitat is steadily shrinking.

The Isel flows leisurely here, inviting you to pause and reflect. As a typical glacial river, its water level fluctuates depending on the time of day and season: in the morning, it carries little water; in the evening, the level rises due to meltwater. It reaches its highest level in summer and its lowest in winter.

If you listen closely, you can hear the soft murmur of the stones carried along by the current, while the rock dust gives off its own distinctive scent. Numerous resting spots along the banks offer cooling shade and refreshing mountain water in the summer.

The Feld Rapids mark the first major drop in the Isel’s gradient. As the valley narrows, the river becomes wilder, with foaming rapids and gravel bars lapped by the water.

In summer, the water appears milky blue-green, especially intense in the afternoons when meltwater levels are high.

Here, the Isel shapes its own riverbed, creating pioneer habitats for rare species such as the German tamarisk. The roar of the waterfalls mingles with the muffled rumble of the stones being swept along.

Virgen Cataract —a wild gorge below Virgen featuring the first major waterfall on the Isel River. Glittering spray and roaring water make it an impressive natural spectacle.

Ferns and rocks characterize the riverbank: alder riparian forests and massive boulders dislodged from the mountains by water and frost.

Deadwood habitat: A near-natural gorge forest with old and young trees, providing a habitat for insects, birds, and fungi. These natural forests are more resilient to climate change.

Since 2020, a trail with a viewing platform has led to the Isel.

The Isel Gorge near Bobojach is the largest canyon along the Iseltrail. Roaring waterfalls and steep rock faces bring home the immense power of the water as one cataract follows another.

In this untouched wilderness, ancient trees have survived for centuries. They provide a habitat for owls, woodpeckers, and insects that live in dead wood. Their calls can occasionally be heard in the silence.

There is no direct path through the gorge, as rockfalls, mudslides, and avalanches pose a constant danger. Nevertheless, viewing platforms and the Iselsteg near Welzelach offer impressive views of this pristine natural landscape.

But arguably the most spectacular highlight of the Iseltrail—or rather, the Isel Gorge—is the suspension bridge, which opened in 2023: With a span of about 84 meters and a dizzying height of approximately 90 meters , the new suspension bridge spans the Isel Gorge. This architectural marvel,, now awaits intrepid hiking enthusiasts on the Iseltrail.

The Griese (gravel beaches) between Virgen and Prägraten:

Shallow water areas alternate with natural shoreline sections featuring rocky slopes—there is a swimming beach off the coast of Prägraten.

The Zopatnitzen Waterfall near Prägraten plunges into a steep forested gorge, creating an impressive scene of moss-covered mountain forest, rock faces, and cascading jets of water.

On hot days, the rising water mist provides refreshing relief from the heat. The fine water droplets from the waterfall cleanse the lungs, strengthen the immune system, and can alleviate allergies and asthma symptoms.

Another highlight is the impressive Glo Gorge near Hinterbichl/Ströden, a new discovery along the Iseltrail. In this wild canyon, unbridled masses of water rage, plunging over two large steps into the depths and whipping up massive spray.

When the water flow is strong and the sun is low in the sky, a dazzling rainbow forms over the gorge. This spectacular scenery can be admired from a viewing platform at the upper edge and, since 2021, also from a new trail at the lower cataract.

The Umbal Falls have been the valley’s main attraction since 1976 and were developed as Europe’s first scenic water trail. Originally conceived as a protective measure against plans for a power plant, the trail has become a symbol of the preservation of the Isel River.

The imposing tiered waterfalls impressively demonstrate the landscape-shaping power of the glacial river. The smooth, polished green rock and the eroded hollows bear witness to the relentless force of the water.

On the water observation trail, visitors get up close and personal with the wild river. Platforms jut out into the spray, letting you feel the mist and offering a thrill at a height of 30 meters. Today, the Umbal Falls epitomize the beauty of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern.

At the Daber Steg, the view of the majestic Rötspitze (3,496 m), surrounded by glaciers, opens up for the first time. The upper Isel Valley—also known as the Umbal Valley—impresses with its pristine high-mountain landscape in the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern.

Apart from the Clarahütte and a few flocks of sheep, the wilderness is virtually untouched. Centuries ago, the glaciers extended far into the valley, but due to global warming, the Welitzkees is now melting rapidly.

Despite the extreme conditions, scree and sandy areas are forming here as well, which are particularly worthy of protection as habitats for rare plants such as the two-colored sedge.

The source of the Isel is finally reached at the glacier tongue of the Umbalsee below the mighty Dreiherrenspitze (3,499 m)— the highlight of the hike.

The Iseltrail winds through flower-filled alpine meadows and a steep escarpment that was once covered by the glacier before reaching the arctic climate zone of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern. Here, the Isel leaves the glacier through a glacier gate and begins its journey all the way to the Black Sea.

In winter,glaciers store water in the form of ice and release it in summer as meltwater, which feeds major Alpine rivers. But due to global warming, the Umbalkees is shrinking rapidly—by over 700 meters since 1990. Researchers predict that many glaciers in the Eastern Alps will disappear by mid-century, which could lead to water shortages and more unstable mountain slopes.

Nevertheless, a new landscape is emerging: barren areas where pioneer plants are leaving the first traces of life. This unique scenery accompanies the Iseltrail all the way to the Gletschertor, the river’s source.