Water sports in Defereggen valley

The hike around idyllic Obersee is easy and lovely. People stopped off here even in the Mesolithic Age, as archaeological findings at the banks of the lake reveal. One particularly noteworthy find is a 5 m long, 1000 year old dugout canoe made from Swiss pine which was recovered from the bottom of the lake. The boat can be seen in the archaeological museum ‘Zeitreise Defereggen’ in St. Jakob i. Def.

This lovely mountain lake is located at 2586m, in the midst of the Lasörling group in the biggest conservation area in Austria. The hike proceeds from St. Jakob i. Def., heading through Trojeralmtal up to Durfeldalm, and from there via the Rudolf-Kauschka altitude path to the Neue Reichenberger Hütte, which is located close to Bödensee.

Nesting in the Lasörling group are the Gritzer Seen, which are easily accessible from the Speikbodenhütte. The hiking trail in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park proceeds across Alpine pastures up to the three cirque lakes, which, nestling in troughs, connect with one another when the water levels are high. On the grassy areas on the hills around the lakes there are wonderful rest points, which have superb panoramic mountain views.

From Bloshütte, which is accessible on foot via Zwenewaldtal or via the lodge taxi, the route initially proceeds to the impressive Glaurit waterfall, continuing from there to the tranquil Geigensee, which gets its name from its shape which is similar to a violin (Geige = violin). With the Großglockner in the background, it is probably one of the loveliest hiking destinations in the region.

From the car park at ‘Urleiten filling station’ hike on a forest road into the valley to the Innerbachalm in Grünalmtal. Here the hike proceeds to Gumplalm, continuing to the elevated plain of the Ochsenalm, where the Grünalmbach unfolds impressive meanders. After crossing the hollow of the valley you get to the foot of a waterfall, to the side of which the next ascent begins. After around 45 minutes of walking you come to two fantastic mountain lakes.

From the car park at ‘Urleiten filling station’ hike on a forest trail into the valley until you come to Außerbachalm in the Grünalmtal. From here a steep hiking trail proceeds to the Nassfeldalm continuing to the Spitzeck. However the effort is well worthwhile. The location at an intersection of three valleys provides a spectacular 3D panoramic view, from a bird’s eye perspective. To the north into Iseltal towards Matrei; to the south towards Lienz and into Drautal in Carinthia; to the east into Kalsertal and west into Defereggental.

The waterfall and the Schwarzach – two attractive water features – are accessible from the car park at Alpengasthaus Oberhaus, which in the future is set to become even more impressive and will provide more of an experience, since the Hohe Tauern National Park is planning to build a viewing tower here.

Walking via the ‘Water Theme Trail’ in St. Jakob i. Def. to Stadtner Mühle, in a short space of time you come to an impressive viewing platform that ‘hovers’ above the waterfall. The power of the water and the spray of the cool mountain stream leave lasting impressions. Alternatively, you can drive to Maria Hilf and park at the pilgrimage church, from where it takes around 20 minutes to hike to the viewing platform and on to the snack station on the Alpe Stalle.

This lovely waterfall forges a path near Zotten, part of the district of St. Veit (next to the Landesstraße), from the shaded side of the mountains into the valley. From the high located St. Veit town centre you are looking right at waterfall. Those who want to get a bit closer should bear left of the Landesstaße into the town of Zotten, before the ‘Maria Heimsuchung’ chapel and proceed left, across the Schwarzachn. From here, after a short walk, you get to experience the spray from the thundering masses of water.

From Bloshütte, which is accessible on foot via Zwenewaldtal or via the lodge taxi, the route initially proceeds to the impressive Glaurit waterfall, continuing from there to the tranquil Geigensee, which gets its name from its shape which is similar to a violin (Geige = violin). With the Großglockner in the background, it is probably one of the loveliest hiking destinations in the region.

From the car park in Oberhaus a well signposted trail proceeds to the nearby Oberhausalm and continues through the Swiss pine forest and a gorge, heading for Seebach- and Jagdhausalm in the Hohe Tauern National Park. It is here that ‘Pfauenauge’ is located, somewhat off the beaten track, high up. The little mountain tarn, surrounded by sedge thickets, presents a popular photo opportunity.

Even 8000 years ago Stone Age hunters realised that the Hirschbichl, and its lovely mountain lake, was a place to be cherished, as corroborated by archaeological finds. Ibex, chamois and marmots were hunted here. These days it is not just the history which impresses, the breath-taking panoramic views and the tranquillity of the area do too.

This easy and informative half-day hike starts to the east of the town centre of St. Jakob i. Def. and proceeds along the Schwarzach into the valley, passing wetlands, waterfalls, sources and rivers. Information points invite you to stay for a while and relax. Also ideal when the weather is wet. Tip: Rangers in the Hohe Tauern National Park offer exciting guided tours. From May on request; weekly in July and August.

From St.Veit town centre proceed on the shady forest paths into the valley, passing little waterfalls to the hamlet of Gassen at 1568m altitude, where information boards recount the at one time difficult life in this mountain farming settlement. The return leg proceeds via the road to the junction, where you then follow the signposts back to St. Veit. The birth-house of the renowned Tyrolean poet Sebastian Rieger, alias Reimmichl, is located on the route too.

Hopfgarten water there trail starts at the Kulturhaus and highlights the significance of water for the district in several stations – waste water pumping station, watermill, hydropower station, flood protection, water level points and a water play area. The leisurely walk on the Schwarzach is very suitable for children, mobility-restricted people and wheelchair users.

Ochsenlacke near the Mooseralm in the Brunnalm ski area in St. Jakob i. Def. will soon provide an attractive excursion destination for all the family. On the circular route around the reservoir are the ‘water custodians’ – ‘experience’ stations in the guise of ‘activity-based’ aquatic animals. This excursion destination is easily accessible by gondola and the chair lift to the Mooseralm.

To the west of the town centre of St. Jakob i. Def., in Oberrotte, is the ‘House of Water’. It is here that rangers from Hohe Tauern National Park teach children and teenagers aged between 9 and 17 about the water – water analysis is on the agenda, so too are flow capacity measurements, various experiments with water and identifying aquatic creatures in the mountain streams. Guided ranger tours are available throughout the year!

An extensive natural water play area right next to the Schwarzach – which has a small tributary running from the main river - spans the southern edge of the town of St. Jakob i. Def. Swings, slides, digging, balancing, splashing around or just collecting stones – children know no bounds here.

At its upper reaches, the Trojeralmbach creates an impressive natural meander. It is here that a rare trout - the Urforelle – lives, having been re-introduced by the Hohe Tauern National Park. A play area with the theme ‘natural hazards’ is in the planning stage. Starting point is the Trojeralm snack station. From there, a gravel path proceeds into the valley to the meanders of the Trojeralmbach. Tip: The route into the valley passes an area of blocking debris which protects the area from natural hazards. From here there is a superb bird’s eye view of the entire village!

On the Hopfgarten water walking trail, just before Schmitt’n Kirchl (Antonius chapel), the covered and well-equipped Kohlgrube barbecue area provides a lovely ambience for a barbecued snack at the river, in the midst of verdant surroundings. The shortest access area proceeds from the ca park at Schmitt’n Kirchl in Plon, heading out of the valley.

Along the Schwarzach water hiking trail, coming from the Kulturhaus, you get to a small pond after about 30 minutes, fed from Bichl’s Almbach, before it winds its way into the Schwarzach. The lovely, naturally designed rest and play area enables you to enjoy a risk-free encounter with the cool waters while also observing the trout and the ducks.

Right next to Defereggental’s Landesstraße, beneath the House of Water, is the Schwarzach, the main river in the valley, which after successful renaturation, is once again a natural mountain river. Signboards provide information about the surrounding area and the project. A little tarn is a habitat for lots of different aquatic creatures, such as dragonfly larvae, tadpoles, grass frogs and many more. Access to the water is expressly permitted!

Hopfgarten water gauge, which continually measures the level of water in the Schwarzach, is another station on the water hiking trail. Interactive information boards provide facts about the water level and the temperature of the river and also about the flood protection measures which were recently made to protect the town and the measures taken to give the Schwarzach back its natural features.

Right on the Defereggental Landesstraße at the entrance to the town of Hopfgarten, a spectacular viewing platform is being planned for the Kulturhaus. It will provide panoramic views to the many measures taken for wild river and avalanche barriers, which protect the inhabitants of the valley from natural hazards such as floods, mudslides, rock fall and avalanche.