To the Jagdhaus Hut in the Defereggen Valley

Our hike starts from the car park at the Alpengasthaus Oberhaus in St. Jakob in Defereggen. To get there, we drive along a toll road (summer 2025: 9 €) that branches off from Erlsbach in Defereggen. Our destination is the Jagdhausalmen, an alpine village consisting of 15 huts and a chapel. The characteristic stone buildings of this area are known as "Little Tibet".

We take the large forest path which is popular also with cyclists. Alternatively you can complete the first section along path no. 111 branching off on the left. Both paths parallel the Salzach stream which flows near our path until the final destination. You could visit the impressive wildlife observation tower which is not far from the forest path. After one hour of walking in the wonderful alpine landscape we reach the malghe Seebachalmen. The alpine pastures are delimited by typical dry stone walls.

Soon after we need to tackle an ascent, however, it is fair to say that the elevation gain of this hike is moderate. One hour later we arrive at the Jagdhausalmen in the High Tauern National Park which are run by the farmers of the Valle Aurina. In summer, besides caring for the animals on the pastures, the shepherds prepare delicious meals for their guests. Some patience is required here as the mountain hut is small but still very popular with hikers and cyclists.

Information panels along the path and in the proximity of the malga provide visitors with interesting details on the area and its origins. Above malga Jagdhausalm we discover a unique attraction: the Pfauenauge biotope with a small mountain lake, accessible in a 15-minute walk. We return to the valley by taking the same path until malga Seebachalm. Below the hut we follow path no. 111 instead of the forest path for a little change.

Author: AD

Experienced: August 2025