The main locality of the Defereggen Valley features the Oberhauser Zirbenwald, the largest closed stone pine forest of the Eastern Alps
Image gallery: St. Jakob in Defereggen
Altitude: 1,389 m a.s.l.
St. Jakob in Defereggen is surrounded by a stunning alpine landscape. Due to its proximity to the High Tauern National Park, also the fauna is special: Golden eagle, black woodpecker, chamois, marmot, mountain cock and alpine mountain hare have their natural habitat here.
Water is the main topic during the summer months, e.g. during a walk on the family-friendly Water Experience Trail Defereggen, or during a visit at the Deferegger Healing Water World, a place of strength which tells about Europe's oldest deep water. Furthermore there are Lake Obersee on the Staller Sattel, a pass between the Defereggental valley and the Valle Anterselva in South Tyrol in Italy, as well as the Maria Hilf Waterfall at the entrance of the Staller Gorge. It is one of the main natural spectacles in the valley and features a height of 40 meters.
A real challenge for mountain bikers, however, is the Rieserferner Tour around the eponymous mountain range. The route is characterised by a lenght of 104 km and 888 m of altitude difference. If you plan your winter vacations here, St. Jakob awaits you with several ski slopes which are connected in the Brunnalm Skiing Area above the village. The winter fun continues in the valley, on the 60 km long cross-country ski network and on the many winter hiking paths...
