Ideas and Options for Car-Free Leisure Activities

From the sunny Dolomite town of Lienz in the green valley floor to the arctic glacier gateway in the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, from charming cultural landscapes to secluded alpine wilderness—always accompanied by the refreshing, primal element of water—the new Iseltrail leads the way. Nature lovers, leisure hikers, wilderness enthusiasts, or those escaping the heat—you’ll be thrilled!

Take the train to Lienz and set out on your hike. To return, take bus 951 from Prägraten a.G. Ströden back to Lienz.

Iseltrail

Sitting under palm trees right in the heart of the city, sipping a cappuccino while taking in the view of imposing, steeply rising mountain peaks—the “Sun City” of Lienz is well worth a visit. The city market takes place every Friday and Saturday. Farmers sell fresh, local, and regional foods right from the farm. Farmers from Osttirol, as well as from neighboring South Tyrol and Carinthia, offer bacon, eggs, meat, sausages, vegetables, cheese, schnapps, and countless other items. Or you can simply sit back and watch the lively hustle and bustle over a glass of wine or a well-chilled local Gösser beer.

Lienz is accessible from all corners of Osttirol by train or various bus routes.

Lienz City Market

The Lienzer Dolomiten, with their jagged peaks and summits, are a climber’s paradise. From the Lienz train station, take a mountain bike out of town and follow a gravel path to the Karlsbaderhütte.

Enjoy this magical place, which was named the most beautiful spot in Tyrol in 2019 on the TV show “9 Places, 9 Treasures.” Well-rested, you’ll head up one of the via ferratas the next day. The Panorama Via Ferrata is a long, challenging route with short, vertical sections and exposed walking terrain without a rope. On the way back, you’ll be glad to have your bike, which will take you back to the Lienz train station without straining your knees.

Via Ferrata Routes in the Lienzer Dolomiten

There’s no chance of getting bored at Sillian’s Wichtelpark. A small go-kart track is a popular hangout spot, especially for younger kids, while the zip line high up in the air offers plenty of thrills. A spectacular new tube slide, over 30 meters long, entices young and old alike to take an adventurous ride down. There’s also a double-tower play structure with a tube slide, children’s seesaws, family swings, climbing walls, a water play area, and an 18-hole miniature golf course.

If you live nearby, the easiest way to get there is by bike along the Drauradweg. Additionally, the Sillian train station is just a 15-minute walk away. From June through September, the “Familiennester” also offer a varied children’s program—pickup on the “Wichtelzug” from your lodging is included.

Wichtelpark

Heinfels Castle sits enthroned on the cliff like a queen. The hilltop castle underwent a complete restoration that lasted four years. As you explore the sprawling grounds, you’ll discover battlements, castle chambers, halls, the chapel, courtyards, towers, and fantastic views. The history of the castle and its inhabitants is brought to life through audio plays, animated films, and exhibits.

Heinfels Castle is easily accessible by bus and train. The new “Heinfels” train stop is located just 0.5 km from the castle and is served by regional trains from San Candido (Innichen) and Lienz in Osttirol. From there, the castle is about a 15-minute walk away. Two bus stops are located right at the foot of the castle. If you’re coming from South Tyrol, we recommend the “Panzendorf, Abzweigung Villgraten” stop; if you’re coming from Lienz, take the “Panzendorf, Gemeindeamt Heinfels” stop.

Heinfels Castle

The Höfe Trail Osttirol winds its way from farm to farm, passing through hay meadows teeming with countless flowering plants and insects and through carefully tended larch meadows. You’ll hike about 30 km along old trails through a particularly charming landscape that has largely been shaped by human hands. The short, valley-side daily stages—averaging just 10 km—between the communities and stage towns of Kartitsch, Obertilliach, and Untertilliach invite you to linger and enjoy the scenery.

The tour starts right at the Sillian train station; the regional bus 965 will take you back in 45 minutes from the Untertilliach Wacht stop (near Gasthof Wacht).

Höfe Trail

The Obertilliach Kids’ Trail winds through a total of nine stations along the stroller-friendly hiking trail starting at the Golzentippbahn mountain station. A stream, a balance challenge involving climbing on logs, and a maze keep the little ones entertained! And the grown-ups will love the panoramic view at the reservoir. Here, the view stretches from the Hohe Tauern range—including the Großglockner in the north—across the Lienzer Dolomiten and the Gailtal Alps, all the way to the Carnic Ridge, which forms the border with Italy.

The starting point is in Obertilliach: take the 10-person Golzentipp gondola, and in about five minutes you’ll glide right into the Golzentipp hiking area, with a 360° mountain panorama at an altitude of 2,000 meters!

Kids’ Trail

At Ochsenlacke near the Mooseralm in the hiking area served by the St. Jakob Ski Center cable cars in the Defereggental Valley, there’s a new destination for the whole family: the new play and recreation area at 2,350 meters above sea level.

Here you’ll find the Guardians of the Mountain Water Treasures, five oversized play structures, and a large observation deck right on the ridge leading to the Kleiner Leppleskofel. It represents the ark in which the Guardians of the Mountain Water Treasures were stranded at the Ochsenlacke. The observation deck offers a spectacular view of the Deferegger mountains, including numerous peaks over 3,000 meters!

The valley station of the St. Jakob mountain railway is just a few minutes away from the St. Jakob i.D. Lackbrücke bus stop (Bus 953). From there, the trail leads up to the Ochsenlacke.

Ochsenlacke Children’s Park