Defereggen Valley

The Defereggen Valley lies in East Tyrol, between the Puster Valley and the Virgen Valley. It runs roughly east to west and is framed by the High Tauern National Park. The valley’s peaks belong to four ranges: the Defereggen range, the Rieserferner Group, the Lasörling Group and the Schober Group. The Schwarzach river flows through the valley floor. Three small municipalities share the valley floor and the upper slopes. The valley has been settled since the 7th century, when people crossed the Staller Saddle and the Klammljoch from what is now South Tyrol. South Tyrolean farmers still hold grazing rights in the upper valley. St Jakob in Defereggen is the oldest village in East Tyrol. In the 17th century half the valley’s population left the Roman Catholic church and became Protestants. After refusing to return, they were expelled in 1684, leaving children behind and selling their homes. Most settled in what is now Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The valley is protected by the Hohe Tauern National Park and remains one of the least populated and least changed valleys in the Alps. Its 60-kilometre length makes it one of the longest valleys in the Austrian Alps. The road called the Defereggentalstraße winds through the valley, linking the villages and opening access to high pastures and quiet forests. Visitors find unspoiled meadows, clear streams and views of the surrounding peaks.