Matrei in Osttirol

Matrei in Osttirol is a market village of 4,600 residents in the Virgen Valley of East Tyrol, at the southern foot of the Grossglockner and the Hohe Tauern National Park. At 975 m elevation, Matrei is the largest settlement in the Virgen Valley and the most important base for hiking, mountaineering, and winter sports in the eastern Hohe Tauern.

The village has preserved its Tyrolean character with traditional farmhouses, a Gothic parish church, and the 13th-century Weiherstein Castle. Matrei is also known for the Matrei Skis (a family-driven ski area with 23 km of slopes) and as the southern terminus of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The surrounding landscape — known as the Defereggen Mountains and Venediger Group — provides world-class mountain scenery.

By Plane

Klagenfurt Airport (KLU) is 140 km south (2 hr by car via the B100). Innsbruck Airport (INN) is 160 km north (2.5 hr via the Felbertauern Tunnel).

By Train

The nearest railway station is Lienz (30 km south on the B108). Regional buses (PostBus) run from Lienz station to Matrei (45 min, hourly).

By Car / Road

From Lienz, take the B108 Felbertauern Road north (30 min). From Innsbruck, the Felbertauern Toll Road (€14) from Mittersill passes through the tunnel and descends to Matrei (2.5 hr). From the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, descend south via Heiligenblut and the B107/B108.

Matrei village is walkable. A local bus connects the village to the Goldried gondola base. The ski bus is free with a lift pass. Hiking trailheads in the Hohe Tauern are best reached by car.

• Hohe Tauern National Park — Austria's largest national park (1,856 km²) stretching across Tyrol, Salzburg, and Carinthia. The Matrei sector includes the Venediger Group and the Grossvenediger (3,666 m).

• Weiherstein Castle (Burgruine Weiherstein) — A 13th-century hilltop castle ruin with panoramic valley views, reachable via a 30-minute walk.

• Pfarrkirche Matrei — A late Gothic parish church (1470) with a Baroque high altar and a winged altar from 1500.

• National Park House (Nationalparkhaus Matrei) — Visitor centre with interactive exhibits on the Hohe Tauern geology, wildlife (marmots, ibex, bearded vultures), and Alpine farming. Free entry.

• Goldried ski area — A gondola-served mountain (1,295–2,488 m) with hiking trails, an Alpine roller coaster (Mountaincart Goldried), and the Goldried mountain restaurant.

• Hiking to the Venedigerhütte — A 5-hour hike from Matrei to the Venedigerhütte (2,457 m), a mountain hut at the foot of the Grossvenediger glacier.

• Hiking the Adlerweg — The long-distance Adlerweg (Eagle Trail, stage 20) passes through Matrei on its way across the Hohe Tauern.

• Skiing at Goldried — 23 km of slopes (mostly blue and red) with a gondola from the village. A day pass costs €34.

• Mountaincart Goldried — A summer toboggan-like ride on a wheeled cart, descending 3.5 km from the Goldried mountain station.

• Winter hiking — 15 km of cleared winter trails in the Virgen Valley.

• Goldried Bergrestaurant (top of the Goldried gondola) — Panoramic mountain dining. Tyrolean specialities. Mains €10–14.
• Gasthof Rauter (village centre) — Traditional East Tyrolean inn. Known for Schlipfknödel and Kaiserschmarrn. Mains €9–13.
• Café Goldried — Coffee and homemade cakes in the village centre.

The village bars serve Austrian beer and local schnapps. The Goldried Bergrestaurant has a sun terrace with Venediger views. The Nossler bar in the village centre is a local hangout.

• Budget: Gästehaus Hohe Tauern — Guesthouse with mountain views. Doubles from €50.
• Mid-range: Hotel Rauter — 3-star family hotel with spa. Doubles from €80.
• Upscale: Nationalpark Hotel — 4-star eco-hotel with local organic food. Doubles from €130.

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

• Großglockner High Alpine Road (20 km west) — Scenic drive to Austria's highest mountain.
• Heiligenblut (25 km south) — Alpine pilgrimage village at the foot of the Grossglockner.
• Lienz (30 km south) — East Tyrolean capital with the Bruck Castle and Lienz Dolomites.
• Defereggental (15 km east) — Scenic valley with the St. Jakob church and skiing.
• Kals am Grossglockner (10 km west) — The Tyrolean side of the Grossglockner base village.