Looming over the village to which it has given its name, the mighty Heinfels Castle was built in the 5th century by early settlers in East Tirol to defend themselves from the Avars.
Today it is the proud symbol not only of the municipality of Heinfels but of the entire eastern section of the Pustertal Valley. Over 1,000 people live in this village perched at an altitude of 1,078m close to the Italian border at the entrance to the idyllic Villgratental Valley. At its heart stands the Bannbrücke, a 16th century wooden footbridge which crosses the Villgratenbach stream and is well worth a visit in its own right. The area around Heinfels offers many walks, hikes and treks for all fitness levels, including into the remote and wild Villgratental Valley or along the Carnic Alps High Trail. Mountain bikers and families will enjoy the trip to the Tessenberger Alm hut with its crystal clear Lake Tessenberger. As soon as winter arrives and the first snow falls, skiers and snowboarders head for the Sillian-Hochpustertal ski area offering a wide range of pistes up to 2,400 metres above sea level.
Today it is the proud symbol not only of the municipality of Heinfels but of the entire eastern section of the Pustertal Valley. Over 1,000 people…
