Where Trees Heal and Adventures Grow

The forest is medicine—in Osttirol, this “green lung” covers a full 31 percent of the total area. Anyone who immerses themselves in it is doing something to benefit their mental and physical health. This place of healing strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, and has been proven to combat stress—in Japan, doctors even prescribe “forest bathing” as a recognized form of therapy. At the same time, the plants absorb CO₂, produce oxygen, prevent erosion, protect against mudslides, and slow down avalanches. For children, it’s not just trees that grow there, but also their imagination and awareness of this valuable environmental resource.

The air in the forest contains 90 percent fewer dust particles than in the city. In Osttirol, approximately 680 square kilometers are covered by this health-promoting recreational area. Those who immerse themselves in the silence while hiking, biking, or forest bathing will find inner peace and recharge their energy. Scientists are convinced that green surroundings can even protect against depression, psychological stress, and burnout, prevent heart attacks, and alleviate chronic pain.

A walk through the Oberhauser Swiss stone pine forest in the Defereggental—the largest contiguous stand of Swiss stone pines in the Eastern Alps—or a visit to the Debanttal Nature and Culture Trail invites you to experience the power of the trees, surrounded by 266 three-thousand-meter peaks. With attractions like the new Forest Gnome Trail in Sillian Gnome Park, nature becomes an adventure playground for young and old alike. At seven interactive stations, families search for lost treasure and discover the secrets of the thicket. Courage, skill, and team spirit are required as children climb into the treetops, roam through mazes, or dig for hidden coins in the “Gold Prospector’s Tunnel.”

Standing barefoot on the warm, soft ground, burying your hands in the fragrant moss, and taking in the silence. When you consciously immerse yourself in the forest atmosphere without distractions from your phone or computer, you form an intense connection with nature that allows you to ground yourself, find your roots, and shift your perspective. Particularly striking is the view up through the canopy toward the sky, which is often accompanied by a sense of security and inner peace.

Culinary-wise, the forest enriches Osttirol cuisine with mushrooms, berries, and specialties such as spruce-top honey or Swiss stone pine schnapps. If you keep your eyes open during a walk, you’ll also find numerous medicinal herbs, ranging from ribwort plantain to St. John’s wort and arnica. Those interested can experience forest bathing: Sabine Buchberger and Lissi Totschnig offer group and individual tours around Lake Tristach for 38 euros per person (20 euros per person in winter).

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