From Hopfgarten in Defereggen we hike to the mountain hamlet of Rajach and further along a panoramic path, which is dedicated to the Apollo butterfly
Image gallery: Hike on the panoramic butterfly path
It is beginning of March, spring is approaching also in the Defereggental valley in East Tyrol. In Hopfgarten in Defereggen, a few hundred metres after the village centre into the valley, we take the well-signposted panoramic path "Im Reich des Apollo" (In the Reign of Apollo). The asphalted road leads us immediately to a hiking path towards the forest, always along the sunny side of the Defereggen Valley. Proceeding uphill we can enjoy fantastic views on the valley and the Dolomites and gorgeous viewpoints to take a rest before we reach the hamlet of Rajach at 1,400 m a.s.l., a settlement of lovely farmyards. Here the actual panoramic path starts, it is dedicated to the Apollo butterfly, a critically endangered and fully protected butterfly in Europe.
His home is in the High Tauern National Park. The sunny meadows above the valley which alternate with wetter areas attract a range of various butterflies. In Rajach we follow the signpost "Im Reich des Apollo" - we leave the asphalted road again towards the forest and towards Ratzell, an alpine hamlet. At the "Tröglingsschupfen" the central rest and information station is located. Here in Ratzell the cable car brings us down to the valley again, to the parking space in Dölach.
Author: BS
-
- Starting point:
- Hopfgarten in Defereggen (alternative Rajach or Ratzell)
-
- Time required:
- 03:00 h
-
- Track length:
- 7,4 km
-
- Altitude:
- from 1.103 m to 1.713 m
-
- Altitude difference:
- +610 m | -194 m
-
- Route:
- Hopfgarten - Rajach - path "In the Reign of Apollo" - Ratzell - Dölach Cable Car
-
- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
- Download GPX track:
- Hike on the panoramic butterfly path
If you want to do this hike, we suggest you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
