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News from Osttirol

Between Mountain Peaks and Culinary Delights

Please, where is Osttirol? Perhaps it’s exactly the kind of place where new offerings don’t have to be flashy to make an impression: Instead of loud, over-the-top productions, there are experiences that blend quietly into the landscape and culture. In the summer of 2026, vacationers in the resort region south of the main Alpine ridge can look forward to playful activities for young and old alike, the reopened Seespitzhütte at 2,327 meters, and a viewing platform overlooking the Isel, one of the last unspoiled glacial rivers, . At the newly renovated Heinfels Castle, guests can also look forward to culinary delights in rooms steeped in history. www.osttirol.com

Between Hearing and Feeling

Starting in June 2026, the newly designed “Path of the Senses” will wind through the vast fields surrounding Virgen, nestled within the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern. This themed trail does not rely on artificial staging, but rather on what is already there: light, wind, water, and soil. Nineteen interactive stations invite visitors to slow down and sharpen their senses. Things that are easily overlooked or ignored in everyday life come into focus. Phenomena such as balance or the water cycle are explored not through informational panels, but through hands-on activities. A water playground makes movement tangible, while an open-air landscape theater directs the gaze toward what truly matters. Children follow Isi the butterfly along quiet paths of discovery, while a simple shed brings together knowledge of herbs and their practical applications.

Bild vom Weg der Sinne in Virgen
© © Markus Mühlburger
Foto vom Weg der Sinne in Virgen
© © Markus Mühlburger

Simple. Authentic. Seespitzhütte

Starting June 6, 2026, life will return to the Seespitzhütte in the Defereggental after nearly ten years: Two young tenants are taking over the rustic mountain hut at 2,327 meters and creating a welcoming place to stop for a bite to eat and spend the night, with 13 sleeping spots in the dormitory. During the day, they’ll serve freshly prepared meals and regional specialties on the sunny terraces and in the cozy dining room. The menu, deliberately kept small, focuses on classic Tyrolean dishes, though vegetarian and vegan options—such as nettle dumplings or wild garlic strudel—are also available. The family-friendly hike starts at the Jagastube snack bar and takes about two hours (600 meters of elevation gain). Alternative routes, which are also suitable for mountain bikes, lead from Erlsbach in about three hours or from the Trojeralmtal parking lot via the Alpenblumenweg in three to four hours to the hut. The mountain hut also serves as a starting point for ascents of the Seespitze (3,021 meters) or the Weißer Beil (2,767 meters).

Foto der Seespitzhütte
© © Axel Muser

Between Heaven and the Isel

Since its opening in 2020, the Iseltrail has been a resounding success—among other accolades, the long-distance hiking trail, which stretches over 80 kilometers, won the 2023 Tirol Touristica Award for sustainable tourism. Since June 2024, this flagship project—which runs along one of the few largely free-flowing glacial rivers in the Alps—has gained a new attraction: With a span of about 84 meters and a dizzying height of approximately 90 meters, the suspension bridge over the Isel Gorge connects the two towns of Virgen and Prägraten. In the summer of 2026, a new observation deck will offer daring hikers a view of the roaring waters of the Isel. The Corten steel structure, which cantilevers nearly 25 meters, juts directly over the Isel Gorge and offers views both upstream and downstream.

The Middle Ages Meet the Modern Age

Foto der Küche in der Burg Heinfels
© © Peter Leiter
Foto einer Mahlzeit in der Burg Heinfels
© © Peter Leiter
Erlebniss Essen in der Burg Heinfels
© © Peter Leiter

When the Loacker family—best known for its waffle and chocolate specialties—purchased Heinfels Castle in 2007 , it had no commercial interest in doing so. Their stated goal was to preserve cultural heritage, take responsibility for the region, and breathe new life into the historic site. Through sustainable revitalization, the “Queen of the Pustertal” was to be made accessible to the public once again and established as a vibrant hub for culture, history, and gastronomy. Following extensive restoration over two construction phases spanning several years, culinary offerings have been moving into the medieval walls alongside museum exhibits since May 2026. Delicious snacks and a daily-changing lunch menu make the bistro—with its adjoining Knights’ Hall—a gathering place for food lovers, hikers, and culture enthusiasts. At regular “Emotional Dinner” events in the tavern, up to 60 guests embark on a journey back to the Middle Ages: reimagined historical dishes, stories, and a multimedia presentation allow the audience to immerse themselves in the world of life in the castle in days gone by. “We want to offer cuisine that combines the highest quality with regional ingredients—while remaining affordable. The focus isn’t on awards, but on an authentic experience in an extraordinary setting,” explains Marco Perez, managing director of the Kulinarium.

 

About Osttirol. “Osttirol is, of course, different. ‘Natural,’ in the sense of nature”—that is the credo of the vacation region south of the main Alpine ridge. Nestled between the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, the Lienzer Dolomiten, and the Carnic Alps, it is particularly distinguished by its unspoiled character, authenticity, and living traditions. With a total of 265 three-thousand-meter peaks and the Großglockner, Austria’s highest summit, Osttirol rightly calls itself “Mountain Tyrol.” Nature lovers will find unspoiled landscapes and plenty of open space there. Active travelers will appreciate the ideal conditions for outdoor sports; Osttirol has long enjoyed cult status among mountaineers and climbers. Gourmet travelers particularly appreciate this southern part of Austria for its culinary diversity, featuring down-to-earth cuisine of the highest caliber: from rustic snack bars to sophisticated, award-winning restaurants. In addition, rural traditions play a central role. Centuries-old rituals, authentic craftsmanship, and a gently evolved, genuine culture of customs shape the lives of the people in Osttirol, both then and now. www.osttirol.com

 

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