Außervillgraten: Skiing, Winkeltal and Mountain Culture

Außervillgraten combines a documented gateway to winter sports with a distinctive valley and cultural experience. A valley run and a four-person chairlift provide direct access to the Hochpustertal Ski Center. At the same time, Winkeltal stretches from the village via farms and hamlets to extensive alpine pastures. This allows you to consider the area both for a day of skiing and for winter and cultural activities, without equating the various offerings.

• Winkeltal is a 12-kilometer-long side valley of the Villgraten Valley and stretches from Außervillgraten to alpine pastures at elevations of 1,600 to 1,800 m.
• The Tilliachalmweg trail is illuminated every evening until 10:00 p.m. There is a toboggan rental service at the start of the toboggan run near the Reiterstube.
• The Winkeltal alpine Kneipp facility near the Reiterstube is located at an elevation of 1,517 m and offers water and foot treatments.
• In winter, a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Winkeltal is an option.
• The Villgraten mountain world can be explored on a snowshoe hike.
• In summer, the natural surroundings in and around Außervillgraten can be explored by mountain bike.

Winter Trails and Excursion Destinations

For orientation beyond pure skiing, the first stage of the Herz-Ass Villgratental route is relevant. It leads as an alpine pasture trail from Außervillgraten to the Reiterstube in Winkeltal. The trail thus connects the village with a specific destination in the valley, without any particular walking time or level of difficulty being inferred from this.

The Tilliachalmweg trail offers another clearly described connection with winter. Its lighting until 10:00 p.m. and the toboggan rental service at the Reiterstube also make it interesting for groups in which not everyone engages in the same winter sport. The Winkeltal alpine Kneipp facility complements the offering with water and foot treatments. It was built in harmony with nature using local materials.

The specific location of an accommodation remains a separate selection criterion and should be considered on the basis of the respective address.

Church and Rural Cultural Heritage

Außervillgraten also offers independent destinations beyond winter activities. The parish church of St. Gertraud preserves a late Gothic Pietà dating from 1400. The Wurzerhof farm complex represents the rural and craft traditions of the village; its buildings and furnishings are summarized in the FAQ. This allows a stay at accommodation in Außervillgraten to be combined with excursions that do not depend solely on skiing.

For further comparisons with other places, you can also include Tristach, Hinterbichl, Lienz, Hopfgarten In Defereggen, Dölsach, Huben Im Ötztal, Sillian and Lavant.

FAQ

What does the Außervillgraten valley run mean?

The piste list for the Sillian Hochpustertal Ski Center includes a run named Außervillgraten valley run. This is the documented name of that run; it does not automatically follow that other pistes are also located in Außervillgraten.

What requirement applies to the Hochgrabe ski tour?

The Hochgrabe ski tour via Außervillgraten requires safe avalanche conditions for both variants. This requirement applies to both of the described variants. It does not constitute a statement about the current situation at any given time.

How do you reach the Tilliachalmweg trail?

The Außervillgraten Reiterstube stop is served by bus route 966 and provides access to the Tilliachalmweg trail. There is also a car park for the Tilliachalmweg near the Reiterstube.

What is included in Herz-Jesu Sunday in June?

On Herz-Jesu Sunday in June, the church holds the renewal of the Sacred Heart League vow from 1796, followed by a procession. The celebration also includes lighting on the mountains and houses, as well as a concert by the Außervillgraten brass band in the church square.

What can you see at the Wurzerhof farm complex?

The farm complex consists of a single-farm dwelling and several ancillary buildings. These include a laundry or smokehouse, a chapel, and a grain mill and sawmill. The Wurzerhof also comprises a small smithy with a forge, a bread oven, and a workshop with tools and traditional craft objects from the region.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lienz District.