The Winkeltal runs from Außervillgraten to extensive alpine pastures and gives the village a distinctive geographical landmark. This 12-kilometre side valley of the Villgratental stretches from the village past individual farms and hamlets to alpine pastures at altitudes of 1,600 to 1,800 metres. The landscape, trails and cultural sites can thus be seen as different aspects of a stay.
From the Village into the Winkeltal
The first stage of the Herz-Ass Villgratental route follows an alpine pasture trail from Außervillgraten to the Reiterstube in the Winkeltal. If you are interested in this trail, you can use its two endpoints for orientation. For planning, the main thing to consider is the route: from the village into the Winkeltal valley.
The Winkeltal alpine Kneipp facility is also located by the Reiterstube in Außervillgraten. It sits at an altitude of 1,517 metres and offers water and foot treatments. The facility is built from local materials and designed to blend with nature. Alongside the trail and landscape, it offers a specific opportunity to enjoy water treatments in the Winkeltal.
Church, Tradition and the Wurzerhof
The parish church of St. Gertraud houses a late Gothic Pietà dating from 1400. Another highlight in the church calendar is Sacred Heart Sunday in June: the 1796 vow of the Sacred Heart League is renewed, followed by a procession. The celebration also includes the illumination of the mountainside and houses, as well as a concert by the Außervillgraten brass band in the church square. The Pietà is a permanent feature of the church’s furnishings, while the vow, procession and concert define this recurring feast day.
The Wurzerhof farm complex consists of a single-building farmstead and several outbuildings. These include a washhouse or smokehouse, a chapel, and a grain mill and sawmill. The complex also includes a small smithy with a forge, a bread oven, and a workshop with tools and traditional regional craft objects. The buildings and objects give the Wurzerhof a different focus from the church tradition: here, the farm, workspaces and crafts take centre stage.
Summer and Winter Activities
In summer, you can explore nature in and around Außervillgraten by mountain bike. Snowshoeing is another option in the Villgraten mountains. In winter, you can enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride in the Winkeltal; availability may vary from one winter to another. These activities offer different ways to explore the area: mountain biking and snowshoeing take you into the landscape, while the sleigh ride is described as a seasonal offering in the Winkeltal.
The Tilliachalmweg is lit in the evening every day until 10 p.m. Toboggans can be rented at the start of the toboggan run by the Reiterstube. Check the lighting and rental availability before your winter visit. The “Außervillgraten Reiterstube” bus stop is served by bus route 966 and provides access to the Tilliachalmweg; you should also check the current timetable in advance. You can use the car park by the Reiterstube in the Villgratental to access the Tilliachalmweg.
A valley descent and a four-seat chairlift give visitors to Außervillgraten direct access to the Hochpustertal ski centre; lift operations are seasonal. One of the runs is called “Talabfahrt Außervillgraten” (Außervillgraten Valley Descent). For those considering a ski tour, the Hochgrabe via Außervillgraten is another winter option. Safe avalanche conditions are essential for a ski tour to the Hochgrabe via Außervillgraten; check conditions before setting out.
Choose the Focus of Your Stay
When looking for a hotel in Außervillgraten, you can first consider which aspect of the village matters most for your stay: the Winkeltal and its trails, the church tradition and the farm complex, or seasonal winter activities.
Discover more destinations: Anras, Arnbach, Matrei in Osttirol, Oberrotte, Thurn, Innergschlöß, Sankt Jakob in Defereggen, Tristach
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