Kartitsch in the Gailtal, the highest located valley in East Tyrol, is also a pilgrimage site thanks to the small Mary Help of Christians Church
Altitude: 1,356 m a.s.l.
Already millennia ago, Kartitsch was located along an ancient Roman road. Due to this fact, it was already inhabited in early times and was first mentioned with the name of "Kartisa". After having been affected by Black Death and locust infestation, this place was frontside in WWI. In the surroundings there are still partly preserved trenches and shelters remembering those times.
Its position in the heart of the Dolomites and the Carnic Alps makes the alpinist village a perfect starting point for tours to the surrounding peaks. Here starts the hike to the Obstansersee Mountain Hut and Lake Obstans, one of the largest mountain lakes of East Tyrol. The rock faces above this special place hide the impressive Obstans Ice Cave, which is made accessible during the summer months by the alpine guides of the Hochpustertal Alpine School AAH.
During the cold months of the year, the Gailtal valley is one of the valleys of East Tyrol which is snow-sure. The two lift facilities of the Kartischer Liftgesellschaft take you on 4 km of ski slopes, starting at 1,820 m a.s.l. Furthermore, the winter offer includes several winter hiking paths, the 10 km long Dorfberg high-altitude cross-country ski track and the cross-border Grenzland Trail of 25 km. The Bärenloch and Seeland toboggan runs, however, invite you to a funny sledge ride.
