Far away from mass tourism, the valley has developed into a holiday destination. What is now a special asset is being consistently and sustainably protected: an intact, incomparable natural landscape. The three municipalities of St. Jakob, St. Veit and Hopfgarten together form this unique holiday region, which covers an area of 140 km² in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

You don't have to look far to find the very special and unique characteristics of the Defereggen Valley. It lies in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park and is surrounded by the mountains of the Defereggen Range, the Rieserferner Group, the Lasörling Group and the Schober Group.

Hardly any other valley in the Alps offers as many opportunities for enjoyment, adventure and relaxation around water as the Defereggental. In addition to its scenic attractions, this has decisive and formative consequences. The protection of the Hohe Tauern National Park makes the Defereggental one of the most untouched high mountain valleys in the Alps.

With its villages of Hopfgarten, St. Jakob and St. Veit, in Defereggental is one of the least populated areas in the Austrian Alps. You can see and feel this – there is no hustle and bustle and no big parties. Instead, there is peace, unspoilt nature and authenticity. You will hardly find another place in Osttirol that is more authentic and genuine. However, there is no need to worry. Despite all its authenticity, time has not really stood still in Defereggental.