(c) TVB Großarltal - Frauen- and Gamskarkogel
The “National Park Village” of Hüttschlag (elev. 1,020 m) is located 8 km south of Grossarl and is one of the most beautiful mountain climber-friendly villages in all of Austria. The unique valley head here, with its riparian landscapes and towering peaks, has been a part of Hohe Tauern National Park, the biggest national park in Central Europe, since 1991. The highest mountain in the valley is the Keeskogel at 2,884 meters. One special natural feature is the Schödersee, the only periodic lake in the entire National Park, filling with water only during the snowmelt and periods of especially heavy rainfall.
Hüttschlag also greets you with an extensive range of hiking opportunities, along with the countless mountain huts that make this region so unique: the better part of 40 huts here in “The Valley of Mountain Huts” invite hikers and mountain bikers to stop in for a wonderful selection of homemade specialties.
Aside from the Salzburger Almenweg, a number of other long-range hiking trails pass through the area, including the Tauern High Trail, the Gold Miners’ Trail and the Arnoweg. Also attracting walkers are the Elemental Nature Trail in Schödertal as well as the Chapel Hiking Path. The Valley Museum at the valley head is always well worth a visit, as is the adjacent Gasthof Talwirt and the Hüttschlager Bauernladenstüberl. Anglers will find extraordinary fishing waters, including the Grossarler Ache and the Ötzlsee.
Hiking and touring tips, descriptions of all 40 mountain huts in the valley, as well as an interactive hiking map can all be found here as well as under www.grossarltal.info direct. The accommodation selection in Hüttschlag ranges from a 4-star hotel with all the comforts, to traditional inns and guest houses, along with cozy farmhouses, holiday apartments and private B&Bs. In winter, Hüttschlag is an ideal base for backcountry ski tourers and cross-country skiers. In just a few minutes, the ski bus will carry you quickly and comfortably to the Grossarltal-Dorfgastein ski area.
