Assling – Nature, Culture and Alpine Experiences

Nature, outdoor activities and history each offer a different focus in Assling. Topics to consider when planning your trip include Assling Wildlife Park, the Pustertal Alpine Pasture Trail, historic churches and the Vitalpinum, as well as a summer toboggan run. If you’re looking for a hotel in Assling, you could start by considering which of these interests will shape your stay.

Nature experiences between the wildlife park and alpine pasture trail

Assling Wildlife Park covers 80,000 m² of meadows and woodland. On a circular walk of about 1.5 hours, you can observe deer, marmots, lynxes and other Alpine wildlife; the walk also provides information about their characteristics. The Pustertal Alpine Pasture Trail offers a different kind of nature experience: along the trail, you’ll encounter rare plants and animals as well as numerous alpine huts. Local people call these huts “Kasern”. If your main interest is observing particular wild animals, the circular walk offers a clearly defined time frame; the alpine pasture trail focuses on observing nature and on the local name for the huts.

Active pursuits

The Assling summer toboggan run combines an uphill ride on a small drag lift, a fast descent and views of the Lienz Dolomites. The Compedal ski hut is a popular destination for ski tourers. Its southwest-facing terrace has room for about 70 people. The ViTHAL leisure centre is in Thal, right beside the Drau Valley Cycle Path. These activities therefore offer distinct options, ranging from the toboggan run to ski touring and cycling, without forming a single route.

Churches and history

The branch church of St. Korbinian was built in 1460/1465 during the rule of Count Leonhard of Gorizia-Tyrol and consecrated in 1468 by Auxiliary Bishop Kaspar of Salzburg. It is open only during services. Church visits can be arranged by calling parish coordinator Christa Czopak in advance on +43 681/20424350. Be sure to arrange your visit by phone beforehand.

For the parish church of St. Justina, it helps to distinguish between its first documented mention and the present building: it was first mentioned in a document in 1177, but the current church was built around 1500. Its interior was given a Baroque makeover in 1633, when the church was reconsecrated. Archaeological excavations on the church hill suggest that an important and extensive castle complex once stood there. On the north wall inside the church is a Gothic winged altarpiece attributed to the Master of Barbara, a pupil of Friedrich Pacher.

The branch church of St. Ulrich in Oberthal also offers art-historical details: its high altarpiece depicts the church’s patron saint, St. Ulrich, and the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Gothic features of the church may point to a construction date of around 1400. The Assling Archaeology Room presents finds from a different period, displaying the most important objects from archaeological excavations in the municipality of Assling.

Medicinal plants and essential oils at the Vitalpinum

At the Vitalpinum, you can experience nature with all your senses. Across 6,500 m², the site offers insights into the extraction and production of essential oils, the effects of medicinal plants and essential oils, and the history of the Unterweger brothers, who founded the first pine oil distillery in Tyrol. The Vitalpinum thus combines an immersive nature experience with insights into plant knowledge and business history. It offers a different focus from the wildlife park: there, the emphasis is on observing animals and learning about wildlife, while the Vitalpinum focuses on plants and the production of essential oils.

Discover more destinations: Kartitsch, Dölsach, Gaimberg, Oberlienz, Lienz, Amlach, Kals am Großglockner, Sillian

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