This major valley separates the Venediger and Granatspitz groups north of Matrei. Between Matrei and its head near the Matreier Tauernhaus, it’s a narrow, steeply walled valley, fed by only a few tributaries: the Frossnitztal being the most important on the west side; the Landecktal and valley of the Steinerbach on the east. Although there are paths working along the Tauerntal, both in its bed and on the east flank, the following routes are concentrated on the ridges of the lower Granatspitz, being accessible from Matrei via the Goldried Bergbahn, whose top station is at 2156m.
| Start | Europa Panoramaweg Goldried (2156m) |
| Distance | 9km |
| Height gain | 278m |
| Height loss | 278m |
| Grade | 1–2 |
| Time | 3hrs |
| Location | East of Matrei |
Don’t expect to have this walk to yourself, for the Europa Panoramaweg is one of the most popular in the Hohe Tauern region. With cableway access, good refreshment facilities and a famed 360° panoramic view that is supposed to include 63 summits of 3000m or more, it’s no wonder it should be high on the list of visitors to Matrei or Kals (there’s also cableway access from Grossdorf near Kals am Grossglockner).
Leaving the top station of the Goldried cableway head to the right on a broad and easily-graded track which curves round the hillside, and in a little under 1hr brings you to a saddle and the privately owned Kals-Matreier-Törlhaus (2207m, accommodation and refreshments) at a junction of paths.
Take the path on the right-hand side of the hut which heads north and is signed for the Sudetendeutscher Höhenweg. It climbs the ridge above the hut, continues over the 2387m Pfarrerbüchel and reaches the high point of the walk at the 2434m Kalser Höhe. Along the ridge views grow in extent, but if you’re lucky with clear visibility when you summit the Kalser Höhe, the panorama will reward with a wealth of mountains (if not the full 63 summits) stretching in every direction. Both Grossglockner to the northeast, and Grossvenediger to the northwest rise above their neighbours and capture your attention with their glacial armoury.
On the Europa Panoramaweg
The way now descends to a path junction where you leave the Sudetendeutscher route by veering right down a steep trail to another junction near the top station of the cableway from Grossdorf. Once again, turn right and wander along the broad path which leads back to the Kals-Matreier-Törlhaus, where you then retrace your earlier route along the track back to the Goldried Bergbahn.