Hochpustertal
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Hochpustertal

Hochpustertal

Eastern Tyrolean mountain region of alpine valleys, Dolomite views, and cross-border Puster Valley ties.

Europe > Austria > Hochpustertal

Hochpustertal is a high alpine valley in East Tirol, pressed against the Italian border and the jagged wall of the Sextner Dolomites to the south. The valley villages — Sillian, Heinfels, Strassen, Abfaltersbach, Anras, Außervillgraten, Kartitsch, Ober- and Untertilliach — sit between 950 and 1,400 metres and run east to west along the upper Drava river. The Pustertaler Höhenstraße links them; it is one of the prettiest mountain roads in Austria.

In summer this is hiking and mountain biking country. The Karnischer Höhenweg ridge trail traces the old Italian-Austrian front line and is one of the great long-distance paths in the Alps. Paragliders launch from the slopes above Sillian, and the Drau Radweg cycle route runs the full length of the valley. In winter the Hochpustertal ski area above Sillian links to Italian pistes around Sexten, giving small-town atmosphere with international terrain.

The Hochpustertal feels quieter and more traditional than the resorts further north. Wooden farmhouses, hayfields, processions on saints' days, hand-made dumplings in the inns. The biggest landmark is Heinfels Castle, recently restored and visible from much of the valley. The cross-border feeling is strong: most people speak both German and a smattering of Italian, and the Italian Pustertal is half an hour away on the train.

Guide

Getting There

By train the Hochpustertal is on the line from Lienz toward San Candido and Bolzano in Italy. Trains stop in Sillian and several smaller villages; the run from Lienz takes about forty minutes. From farther afield, the nearest big-city airports are Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Venice — all roughly three to four hours by road.

By car the valley is reached from the east via Lienz on the B100, or from the west by crossing the Italian border at Winnebach near Sillian. The road over the Staller Sattel from Antholz is open only in summer and is one of the most spectacular drives in the area.

Guide

Things to Do

The Hochpustertal is built for outdoor people. The Karnischer Höhenweg traces the Austria-Italy border across grassy ridges and old World War One positions. Cable cars from Sillian climb to the Thurntaler ski area. In the valley you can swim in lakes, cycle the Drau Radweg, or wander into smaller side valleys like the Villgratental, which has stayed remarkably traditional.

Guide

When to Go

The Hochpustertal has two clear seasons. Winter (mid-December to early April) brings reliable snow above 1,500 metres; the ski area is open and the valley feels lively without ever being crowded. The Italian school holidays in early January and Carnival week are the busy peaks.

Summer (late June to mid-September) is for hiking and cycling. July and August are warm in the valley and pleasant on the ridges, but afternoon thunderstorms are common — start early and aim to be off summits by 1pm. June and September are quieter and the alpine flowers are best in late June. May, October, and November are shoulder months when many lifts and mountain huts close and the weather can be poor.

The valley sees real snow even in October so visitors driving over the passes from Lienz should check road conditions.