Hiking & Wellness Hotel in East Tyrol

In East Tyrol, water is everywhere. It rushes through the valley as a glacial stream and collects in tranquil mountain lakes high above the alpine pastures. At the Naturhotel Outside, a hiking & wellness hotel in East Tyrol, this element is particularly cherished—during hikes to mountain lakes and along the Isel River, as well as later while relaxing in the Natur SPA with its saltwater bath and Deferegger healing water. This allows guests to experience the element of water both outdoors in nature and indoors at the hotel.

Water heals

An astonishing variety of bodies of water can be found around Matrei. East Tyrol is home to about 160 mountain lakes, many of which lie hidden among alpine meadows and rocky landscapes. They are perfect destinations for mountain hikes.

At the same time, the Isel, the last free-flowing glacial river in the Eastern Alps, shapes the region. The famous Iseltrail runs along its turquoise waters—a long-distance hiking trail offering spectacular views of gorges, waterfalls , and finally to the river’s source at the glacier. Particularly impressive are the roaring Umbal Falls, where Europe’s first water trail offers interesting insights, or the new suspension bridge over the Isel Gorge, which hovers high above the roaring river.

Last but not least, you can rediscover the healing power of water at the Naturhotel Outside’s spa. Whether swimming in the natural pool or soaking in a Deferegger healing saltwater bath.

Water - Hiking - Wellness — © Naturhotel Outside

This combination of tranquil mountain lakes and wild glacial waters is what makes hiking around Matrei so special. Many sections of the Isel Trail can be planned directly from the Naturhotel Outside—ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy several days of hiking in the region while staying at a fixed accommodation.

Tour Tip: The 3-Lake Loop

Daniel Ganzer, the host at Naturhotel Outside, recommends a particularly beautiful water tour: the 3-Lake Loop starting from the Matreier Tauernhaus.

This challenging hike leads from one lake to the next through an impressive high-mountain landscape. The Grünsee is particularly captivating with its intensely green water and tranquil setting amidst the mountains. The tour offers varied scenery and is a wonderful opportunity to explore the alpine water world of East Tyrol.

If you’re looking for a moderately difficult hike, you can also hike just as far as the Grünsee, linger there, enjoy the view, and then turn back. Ask at the Naturhotel Outside; they’ll be happy to help you with tips and guided tours.

Guided hike in East Tyrol on the Iseltrail, where it follows the wild Isel River.

The natural pool at Naturhotel Outside refreshes after a hike in Hohe Tauern National Park.

A woman looks at a waterfall in the forest while hiking on the Iseltrail in East Tyrol.

The Innergschlöss Glacier Educational Trail is a guided hike from Naturhotel Outside.

Relaxing in the natural pool at Naturhotel Outside after a hike in Hohe Tauern National Park.

A woman steps out of the brine bath with Deferegger healing water at Naturhotel Outside in Matrei.

Beautiful natural pool at the Naturhotel Outside in Matrei in East Tyrol – relaxing wellness and hiking holiday at the Wanderhotel Outside, surrounded by nature.

From Mountain Water to the Natural Spa

After a day spent among tranquil mountain lakes, roaring waterfalls, and a wild glacial river, guests return to the Naturhotel Outside—where the theme of water continues in a relaxing way. In the new Natur SPA, the power of water transforms into pure relaxation: for example, in the 20-meter natural pool in the SPA garden, whose water is purified entirely without chemicals by plants and microorganisms—much like in a natural mountain lake.

The 35°C brine bath with Deferegger healing water is also particularly soothing. This East Tyrolean healing water, approximately 600,000 years old and drawn from a depth of 1,850 meters, is considered one of the most effective in the world and supports skin and respiratory health. The offering is complemented by a warm outdoor pool and various treatments using healing water cosmetics.

Thus, everything comes together around the Naturhotel Outside to create a harmonious experience: the pristine mountain water from outside is brought indoors, offering soothing tranquility in the Natur SPA. A retreat where the natural cycle of water becomes palpable, from the wild mountain water outside to the relaxing wellness element in the Natur SPA.