Innergschlöß near Matrei: the most beautiful valley head in the Eastern Alps!

This hike is also highly recommended for children, as there is plenty to learn and discover! Streams, springs, ponds, rocks, and a petting zoo make the trip exciting.

A few kilometers north of the national park village of Matrei in East Tyrol, not far from the Felbertauern Tunnel, lies the Matreier Tauernhaus at an altitude of 1,512 meters. This is where our hike into Innergschlöß at the foot of the Grossvenediger begins.

One can choose between the wide driving path or the narrow alpine path. The latter is much more varied and attractive and presents no difficulties except for one steep ascent. In total, the approximately 180 meters of altitude are hardly worth mentioning. On the driving path, one can also be taken by taxi to the Venedigerhaus, which is recommended for those who have planned further tours from there. A leisure train also operates on the driving path, and you can even ride to the Venedigerhaus by horse-drawn carriage – another attraction for children. About halfway there, you reach the first alpine settlement, the Außergschlöß. From here, the magnificent view of the Grossvenediger and its subsidiary peaks and glaciers opens up for the first time. The Grossvenediger is the third highest mountain in Austria with an altitude of 3,666 meters.

Just before the Venedigerhaus on the right-hand side is the Felsenkapelle (Rock Chapel). This was built by the Gschlöß farmers into the natural cavity of a large rock and impresses with its incredibly atmospheric interior. Finally, after about 1 ¼ hours, you reach the alpine settlement in the Innergschlöß and the Venedigerhaus at an altitude of 1,691 meters. The old alpine huts are still preserved unchanged, with few exceptions the settlement looks the same as it did 100 years ago. However, today the huts are mostly empty or rented out to vacationers. The entire work on the alpine pastures of Innergschlöß is now done by only four people. The alpine romance of bygone times – which in reality was mostly extremely hard work – is now just a backdrop.

From here, it is particularly rewarding to follow the glacier nature trail to the Schlatenkees, laid out by the Austrian Alpine Club. However, you should allow around 4 hours for this beautiful circular route with its many stopping points (and about 600 meters of altitude)!