Thanks to the mild climate and the location at the entrance of the Defereggental, Hopfgarten is a popular active holiday resort
Image gallery: Hopfgarten in Defereggen
Altitude: 1,107 m a.s.l.
Hopfgarten and its hamlets Dölach, Lerch, Plon, Hof and Rajach are located in the Defereggen Valley. It was already settled in the 7th century, above all due to the ore deposit in the surroundings. In 1569 AD, the village was pest-ridden and in the following years mining industry did not boom any longer. That is why timber industry became an important branche in this area.
The surroundings can best be explored during a bike tour, e.g. on the Hopfgarten-Mellitzwald Cycle Route which follows the course of the Schwarzach river for 4 km. More challening is the MTB trail Zwenewald in the Villgraten Mountains, featuring a lenght of 7.6 km. By foot, however, butterflies can be discovered along the "In the reign of Apollo" trail, dedicated to the mountain Apollo. The path is very picturesque and stretches on the sunny slope of the Defereggen Valley.
From a cultural point of view, the village comes up with different sights: Among them there are the restored Böckin Mill and the monument for Josef Plattner, a freedom fighter. In winter, however, the Mühlegg Ski Lift in Hopfgarten in Defereggen, which takes you up to 1,250 m a.s.l., is the right quiet place for beginners and children. About 15 km away, high above the village of St. Jakob in Defereggen, the Brunnalm Ski Center awaits you for even more fun on the slopes.
