Menu
EN

Successful Iseltrail project receives architectural highlight over the Isel Gorge.

Since its opening in 2020, the Iseltrail has been a success project. The long-distance hiking trail, which is more than 70 km long, ensures considerable frequency and stimulation in East Tyrolean tourism. First and foremost, the businesses along the five stagesbetween Lienz and the source of the Isel at Umbalkees benefit from the long-distance trail. However, the Iseltrail has an impact on the entire region. For TVB chairman Franz Theurl - initiator of the Iseltrail - the project already exceeds all expectations.

Die Hängebrücke über die Isel führt den Weitwanderweg namens "Iseltrail" entlang

Sustainable tourism attraction

In recent months, the Iseltrail has been upgraded for its third summer season. This has been happening since 2020 with near-natural design elements that blend harmoniously with nature along the Isel. With additional fountains in Schlaiten and Matrei, all five stages are also supplied with fresh drinking water sources. There, hikers should refill the Iseltrail aluminum drinking bottles on each stage. A conscious measure to avoid plastic bottles. The Iseltrail starter packages consisting of water bottle, T-shirt and stamp pass are available at all tourist offices. The Iseltrail hiking pin is available for the complete stamp pass. In addition, vacationers are explicitly made aware of the free use of public transport. The buses allow guests to stay in one and the same accommodation, but tackle a different stage every day without having to get into their own car.

youtube video

Landmark in Virgen/Prägraten
Currently, work is underway on the last and largest structural measure of the trail: A suspension bridge over the Isel Gorge will connect the municipal areas of Virgen and Prägraten starting this summer. For Theurl, the construction of this landmark is a brilliant conclusion to the development of his heart's project. The spectacular suspension bridge will measure a span of 86 meters and at its deepest point 84 meters into the depths of the gorge. A photo point at the bridge's entrance will immortalize the experience and tourism destination on photo paper or online by download for visitors. The bridge also makes possible two new circular hiking trails connecting Virgen and Prägraten. At the end of August, the suspension bridge is to be completed and handed over to its intended use.

Isel Schlucht
© Matthias Schickhofer

Support from municipalities, landowners and Natura 2000 The tourism association received great support from Mayor DI Dietmar Ruggenthaler and DI Walter Hopfgartner (building district office) inmatters of building law . The project was made possible by the active participation of the landowners. The suspension bridge costs € 500,000, of which the TVB Osttirol only has to raise € 250,000. Half of the investment costs are covered by Natura 2000 subsidies. The Natura 2000 committee under district chief Olga Reisner awarded the TVB in the meeting of 22.03.2023 the maximum subsidy of 50% for the limited project amount. The company IC-Flussbau in Villach was commissioned with the project tender. Numerous bidders took up the construction challenge. After an elaborate tendering and award procedure, the contract was awarded to the best bidder on 31.03.2023: PGH Geobau GmbH of Hansjörg Preßlaber in Matrei.

Isel Flussufer
© Ramona Waldner

Nominated tourism project With the Touristica Award, the Tirol Tourist Board presents an annual tourism prize for sustainable projects in Tyrolean tourism. This year, the Iseltrail is one of the ten nominated projects.
By the way, the voting of an expert jury is supplemented by a population voting. An opportunity for East Tyroleans to help "their" Isel to victory

Großerbach Wasserfall
© Matthias Schickhofer
Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the best tips every month for current offers, mountain tours, events and much more.