Hinterbichl: Trails, Water and the Umbal Falls

Hinterbichl combines impressive waterscapes with diverse trails and fascinating insights into the history of regional crafts. At the Umbal Falls Nature Experience Trail, you can experience the Isel from different perspectives: information boards and viewing platforms are located high above the gorge as well as directly beside the water. This makes for an excursion in which observing nature and being active go hand in hand.

Between the Isel, the Gorge and Alpine Pasture Trails

The riverside trail to Hinterbichl runs along the left bank of the Isel through Unterfeld and past the Taxer farmstead before crossing a bridge to Hinterbichl. The trail ends at the Prägraten a. G. Hinterbichl bus stop. Just over two kilometres after Hinterbichl, the Isel plunges over several cascades in the deeply cut Glo Gorge. If you would like to get to know the course of the river more closely, the hike to Islitzeralm offers a small viewpoint over the Isel and a water trail along the Isel leading to the Umbal Falls.

Another hike begins at the Ströden car park. It leads via Islitzeralm and along a trail beside the Umbal Falls to Clarahütte. For planning your day, it is important to decide what you would like to focus on: a trail beside the water, views into the gorge or a longer tour to a mountain hut. This allows families with different interests to put together varied excursions without having to plan every outing in the same way.

Active Days on Cycling and Winter Trails

Hinterbichl also offers cyclists a specific starting point. The Johannishütte No. 131 mountain bike route begins in Prägraten-Hinterbichl at an altitude of 1,335 m and ends at Johannishütte at 2,121 m. It is 16.1 km long, includes 780 metres of ascent and is classified as moderately difficult. This information helps you compare the tour in advance with your own expectations regarding distance and ascent.

The Virgental Cycle Route No. 132 continues south of Prägraten to Hinterbichl and the Ströden car park. The final ascent to the Umbal Falls begins afterwards. In winter, the 2.5-km cross-country skiing connection from Hinterbichl to Ströden links the Ströden Panorama Trail with the other cross-country ski trails in Prägraten. Ski tours around Prägraten am Großvenediger can begin at the Wiesenkreuz car park in Hinterbichl. Depending on the time of year you travel, this allows you to include different types of active holiday days in your plans.

Experience Traditional Crafts and Plan Your Routes Accordingly

During tours of the Islitzer Mill, you can watch the miller practising his craft and hear stories about the mill and the miller’s profession. This insight adds a cultural accent between hikes, cycling routes and water trails.

During the summer months, the Umbal Shuttle is available for planning trips around the Umbal Falls. It runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from the Ströden car park to Islitzeralm and back. As an alternative, the Venediger Taxi takes guests from the village to Johannishütte and back. When looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Hinterbichl, you can therefore first consider which excursions will be the focus of your stay: hikes along the Isel, a cycling tour, a winter trail, a ski tour or a tour of the mill.

Other Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Hinterbichl, you can continue your research here: Lavant, Bichl, Anras, Matrei In Osttirol, Kartitsch, Iselsberg-Stronach, Gsaritzen and Raneburg.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lienz.