Matrei in Osttirol region
Holidays in Matrei in Osttirol
The market town in the middle of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern: the Großglockner and Großvenediger at the door, the Umbalfälle in the neighbouring valley – and in the evening true Osttirol calm.
Briefly explained
What can you do in Matrei in Osttirol?
Matrei is the largest town in the Osttirol national park area – a market town with real everyday life, surrounded by the highest mountains in Austria. Above the valley lies the Goldried with the Europa-Panoramaweg; behind it the Virgental and Tauerntal begin.
You can be out with rangers in the national park, hike to the thundering Umbalfälle, take the mountain lifts up to the Großglockner view or ski in the Großglockner Resort in winter. Each destination below has a link to the official provider and a route planner – also handy once you are already there.
Nature & hiking
Outside there is enough for many days
Four trails we like to walk ourselves – with an honest note on who they suit.
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern
The largest national park in the Alps begins right behind Matrei: glaciers, quiet valleys, golden eagles and marmots – most beautiful when out with a ranger.
Europa-Panoramaweg on the Goldried
Up with the lift and hiking on the high-altitude trail – with a view of over sixty three-thousanders, from the Großglockner to the Großvenediger.
Zedlacher Paradies
Ancient larches above the hamlet of Zedlach – an open forest straight from a picture book, with easy loops and benches for gazing.
Hiking from the valley loop to the Alm
From a stroll along the Isel to an Alm tour in the Tauerntal – around Matrei many trails begin right in the town, and stopping in is part of it.
Family & experience
Some destinations may be a holiday day of their own
The detailed information stays with the official bodies – we tell you honestly what is worthwhile for whom.
Up close to the Großglockner
From Matrei via Kals to the Lucknerhaus – you can hardly get closer to the highest mountain in Austria by car. At the top, trails for every ability await.
Out with the national park rangers
Watching marmots, understanding glaciers, looking for eagles – the guided ranger tours turn a hike into an expedition.
Family offers in Osttirol
Adventure trails, playgrounds on the mountain and pram-friendly loops – the tourism association has the overview for families.
Exploring Matrei
The market square, the mighty parish church of St. Alban and the Nikolauskirchl with its Romanesque frescoes – Matrei has a real town centre instead of a stage set.
Summits
If today may be a summit day
Up with the Goldried lifts
Straight from Matrei in two sections up to over 2,200 metres – at the top the panoramic trail, easy summits and the view of Austria’s highest mountains await.
From Kals up the great mountains
The Großglockner, Großvenediger and quiet three-thousanders in between – high-alpine destinations for the experienced, when in doubt with a mountain guide. Start early, take the weather seriously.
Bike
Off by bike – and back with a good feeling
Along the Isel down the valley
Cycle along the glacier river towards Lienz – the Isel is one of the last free-flowing glacier rivers in the Alps.
By e-bike into the Tauerntal
Pedal up from the town to the Matreier Tauernhaus – at the head of the valley a Jause, glacier views and the national park await.
MTB tours around Matrei
Forest tracks and Alm roads with plenty of altitude metres – whoever arrives at the top has earned the view of the Tauern.
Water
Water is part of every holiday day here
Umbalfälle in the Virgental
The thundering waterfalls of the Isel in the neighbouring valley: the water trail leads directly along the cascades – spray included.
Bathing at the Tristacher See
Osttirol’s only bathing lake lies near Lienz – warm, surrounded by forest and with a lido. Easy to combine with a stroll through town.
Winter
When winter begins outside the hut
Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei
The ski area links Matrei and Kals – pistes with Glockner views and without the queues of the big circuses.
Ski touring and winter hiking
Osttirol is ski-touring country: quiet slopes in the national park area and cleared winter paths in the valley – winter at your own pace.
Tobogganing and cross-country skiing
Natural toboggan runs and cross-country trails in the Tauerntal and Virgental – even without skis, winter becomes the programme here.
Food & regional shopping
Regional shopping in Matrei
Schlipfkrapfen, Osttirol bread, Alm cheese and Speck – we show you what you can get where, and from which accommodation the way fits especially well.
Schlipfkrapfen and inn cooking
The filled dough parcels are Osttirol’s national dish – best where they are still made by hand: in the inns around Matrei.
Farm shops in Osttirol
Cheese, Speck, bread and fine brandies directly from the farm – the overview of Osttirol direct marketers shows which business lies on your way.
Shopping on the market square
Bakers, butchers and shops with regional products lie close together in Matrei – practical for self-caterers in the hut.
Our tip: we sort by your accommodation.
If you are staying above Matrei – for example towards Glanz – the town centre and the Goldriedbahn are only a few minutes away, and the Strumerhof is your stop on the slope. With each accommodation we show you the nearest addresses.
Please always check current opening times with the business
Direct marketers in Osttirol on regional.tirol ↗
Stopping in: our inn tips
If nobody wants to cook today – four houses where we like to sit ourselves.
StrumerhofA herb inn on the slope above Matrei – Osttirol cuisine with herbs from the farm and a wide view.To the website ↗
Rauter StubeRight on the Rauterplatz in Matrei – fine, award-winning cuisine, also for a special evening.To the website ↗
Matreier TauernhausAt the head of the valley in the national park – a rustic stop after the hike or e-bike tour.To the website ↗
Gasthaus Post, HubenHalfway towards Lienz – a down-to-earth inn for a stop along the way.To the website ↗
Farming around Matrei
At the edge of the national park lie areas that are only open because someone mows them.
- Alm, Alpe, BergmahdThe same, something different – and the most widespread misconception about the tree line.
- The annual cycle of a mountain farmFour very different years in one – depending on when you come.
In between
Today we simply stay at the hut.
That too is a good day in Osttirol: stove on, book open, Jause on the table. If you are still looking for a place like that – here are our accommodations in the area.
Staying in the region
Here you can stay around Matrei
The region is the inspiration – the accommodation turns it into your holiday. We know every one of these houses personally.
Getting here
How to get to Matrei in Osttirol
By train and busBy train to Lienz and on by bus to Matrei – or from the north to Mittersill and by bus over the Felbertauern. Whether the last stretch to the hut makes sense without a car is stated honestly at the accommodation.
On site with bus and hiking taxiRegional buses connect Matrei with Kals, the Virgental and Lienz – for tour starts, hiking taxis and the hosts’ guest cards help.
By carFrom the north through the Felbertauern tunnel, from the south via Lienz – from Munich you are there in about 3 hours, from Lienz in half an hour.
All travel information at the Osttirol tourist board ↗
For dreaming on
Two more regions for a next holiday
Together for the region
For hosts, tourist boards and regional partners
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