Discover the region!

A natural paradise on your doorstep. With its picturesque mountain villages of Hopfgarten, St. Veit, and St. Jakob, Defereggental is one of the most unspoilt high mountain valleys in the Alps. Its sparse population and location within the Hohe Tauern National Park ensure that its close bonds with nature and tradition are preserved. Relax in a pristine mountain world, far away from the everyday hustle and bustle, stress, and worries. Inhale the fresh air, let your gaze wander over the vastness of the landscape, and experience a sense of boundless freedom. Around 300 kilometres of hiking and walking trails are ready to lead you through the spectacular landscape. Right in front of the Jesacherhof, the lifts take you up to the Brunnalm: a skier’s delight in winter and a hiking enthusiast’s dream in summer.

St. Jakob is the main village of Defereggental. Among other things, the village is known for the Deferegger healing water, emerging from a natural spring in the fossil-rich rock. Surrounding the village is the Eastern Alps’ largest contiguous Swiss stone pine forest. This is also the source of the wood that generously adorns the Jesacherhof and exudes a cosy warmth throughout the building. From the Jesacherhof, you can reach St. Jakob on foot in just a few minutes.

Covering 1,856 square kilometres, the Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest nature reserve in the Alpine region. An imposing summit landscape with over 300 three-thousand-metre peaks, flowering Alpine pastures, and a cultural landscape centred on mountain farming make the area a place of discovery par excellence. Towering glaciers, often referred to as Austria’s crown, converge at the nation’s tallest peak, the Großglockner.
In the Hohe Tauern National Park, you will experience the Alpine force of nature like hardly anywhere else and will understand why we have dedicated ourselves to this force at the Jesacherhof. As you traverse this natural paradise, the sight of the diverse flora and the iconic “big five” of the Alpine wilderness – ibex, golden eagle, bearded vulture, marmot, and chamois – will leave you awestruck. A visit to the Hohe Tauern National Park promises year-round wonder and enchantment!

While the peaks of Defereggental captivate, the Lienz Dolomites also present a compelling case for a visit! Rugged rock massifs and lush green Alpine pastures make for ideal hiking and climbing excursions at all levels of difficulty. In the colder months, the family-friendly Hochstein-Lienz ski resort is a must-visit. With the “SkiHit” ski pass, you can access a total of eight ski resorts in East Tyrol with just one pass. For cross-country skiing, on the other hand, the Dolomite cross-country ski trail is a great option. Highlights in the Lienz Dolomites include the Galitzenklamm gorge, the Pustertaler Höhenstraße mountain road, and Tristachersee lake.