Innervillgraten

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Address: Gasse 78, Austria, Innervillgraten, 9932
Telephone: +43 50 212 340
Price range: [€€]

Experience Villgrat Hospitality

The Villgratental, a side valley of the Pustertal in Osttirol, is one of the most unspoiled natural and cultural landscapes in the Alpine region. The landscape, with its striking wooden architecture dotting the steep mountain meadows, is a testament to the fact that this remains a high valley shaped by mountain farming . The people of Villgraten are justifiably proud of their centuries-old traditions, and sustainable land management is a top priority for them. And so, Villgraten’s hospitality, paired with magnificent scenery and typical alpine hut clusters, makes every vacationer’s heart beat faster. The Villgratental Valley has been inhabited for nearly 900 years and now has just under 2,000 residents. The Innervillgraten plain was once heavily covered with sycamore maple trees, which is why this high alpine valley is also known as the “Valley of the Maple.”

Das Bergdorf Innervillgraten liegt mit seinen saftig grünen Wiesen eingekesselt von den bewaldeten Steilhängen der Villgrater Berge.

Tourism in the valley is focused on sustainability; large, impersonal hotels and mass tourism are rare here—it’s no coincidence that the local slogan is “Come visit us—we have nothing.” Instead, the focus is on building close relationships with guests in small but cozy accommodations. This is one of the reasons why the Villgratental is one of Austria’s 20 “mountaineering villages, ” all of which are committed to nature-based and sustainable tourism. Thanks to sustainable tourism, visitors can still experience the unspoiled character and beauty of this unique high valley with all their senses. In the village of Innervillgraten, which has retained its traditional character particularly well, the focus is on sustainable tourism that blends seamlessly with agriculture and local customs. Due to its remote location, Innervillgraten—with its striking parish church of St. Martin—has only been accessible year-round since 1956.

Summer in Innervillgraten

Franz Josef Kofler , the local poet from Heinfels , once described the rustic alpine huts as the Villgraters’ most beautiful treasure ; nestled in fragrant meadows high above the valley, they guarantee relaxation and a slower pace of life. These unique clusters of rustic huts, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, are understandably considered highly sought-after vacation destinations. Many of the varied hiking trails also lead past these huts through lush alpine meadows. A particularly worthwhile destination is the Oberstaller Alm —a historic alpine village with 18 rustic huts that can also be rented as vacation homes. The small village of “Kalkstein” —a tranquil hamlet of Innervillgraten—is also a popular destination. The Maria Schnee pilgrimage church, dating from 1660, dominates the landscape there amidst wild nature.

For passionate hikers and mountaineers, the “Herzass” long-distance hiking trail is a special highlight in the Villgratental Valley. Spanning five stages and 70 kilometers, this hiking route winds its way past 50 peaks around the two mountaineering villages of Außer- and Innervillgraten. These 50 majestic peaks, which have seemingly lovingly encircled the idyllic Villgratental Valley since time immemorial, have always formed a heart. The route owes its name to this fact. In addition to the “Herzass” loop, a cross-border hike along the old smugglers’ trails toward Gsies is also well worth the effort. In summer, the natural beauty of the Villgratental Valley can also be explored by mountain bike or e-bike. During a visit to the so-called “Wegelate Säge,” a Venetian sawmill, you can marvel at the only Venetian frame saw still powered by water.

Innervillgraten in Winter

In addition to dozens of ski tours through diverse mountain ranges, the winter activities in the Villgratental Valley are extremely varied, especially for those who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life while on vacation. The cross-country trails in Innervillgraten, with their guaranteed snow, also offer plenty of opportunities. Innervillgraten also boasts two wildly romantic toboggan runs —the Sandberg Toboggan Run and the illuminated Kalksteiner Weg run. Children and beginner skiers can use the Stauder Lift in Innervillgraten to hone their carving turns. From the Villgratental valley, the Sillian and Außervillgraten valley stations of the Hochpustertal Ski Center are also within easy reach. However, for those who simply want to unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a relaxing snowshoe hike through the unique Villgrater mountain landscape is highly recommended.