Those who, reasonably enough, want to alternate their high mountain hikes with a few jaunts into the forest, a mountain bike ride, an atmospheric outdoor yoga session, a barefoot walk to observe the wildlife, or a moment to immolate to relaxation and personal well-being, will find the ideal solution precisely in the resort spread out close to the peaks of the Hohe Tauern Park, which soar up to three thousand meters.
Gradonna Mountain Resort, the beauty of the mountains without stress
To start packing your backpack and give yourself a break from work stress and the city heat, Gradonna ****S Mountain Resort Châlets & Hotel at the foot of the Hohe Tauern National Park-the largest protected area in Austria, at an elevation of 1,350 meters in East Tyrol.
It can be reached by car conveniently via the Felbertauern Pass or the Pustertal Valley and by train to the Lienz stop and is the perfect destination for stress-free, traffic-free mountain living. And that’s not just a figure of speech, because cars here are banned and remain locked in the hotel’s underground garage for the duration of your stay. You only get around by foot, bike or e-bike.
Gradonna is a futuristic hotel devoted to sustainability, consisting of a central body, flanked by a 12-story mirrored tower, where twelve exclusive suites are located. Those, on the other hand, who prefer absolute privacy and an even more immersive experience with nature can choose one of the 41 chalets distributed in the forest, of various sizes and able to accommodate up to 8 people. All chalets are equipped with a fireplace, lounge area, sauna, private wellness area and a super-equipped kitchen.
Biking, hiking, yoga, climbing: sports for everyone
Gradonna is a magical place to savor the best of the mountains, whether you are traveling with your children, partner or friends. Biking, hiking, yoga, climbing, from the easiest and most accessible trails to the most demanding challenges for experienced hikers-the resort’s weekly program caters to all tastes. Try the evocative sensory experience of walking barefoot on a trail to connect deeply with nature. Or: hikes with rangers from the Hohe Tauern National Park to observe wildlife up close. The resort is also the starting point for biking and mountain biking routes.
Such as the Mountain-Bike-Trail, a breathtaking route that winds through the picturesque mountain landscapes of East Tyrol. Certified as a “Hotel for bike and mountain bikers” (there is a bike service, the possibility to rent bikes, as well as the perfect nutrition for the cyclist and information about routes in the region), the“Kals-Tyrol Bike Road” also starts from the resort – for those who want to explore the beauty of the region on two wheels along paved roads.
Then there are over 250 kilometers of hiking trails surrounding the resort. The dream destination for any experienced climber is, of course, the Großglockne: the hike to the summit is a truly unforgettable adventure, but so is the journey to the starting point along the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße, the most famous alpine road that winds through breathtaking scenery and ends at the foot of the Großglockner.
Nordic-Walking enthusiasts can tackle 15 trails and runners a trail network of as many as 105 kilometers. There is no shortage of adrenaline-pumping experiences with Tandem-Paragliding, canyoning, rafting, via ferrata climbing or the bouldering gym located inside Gradonna itself. Neither is yoga, to invigorate the body and mind, especially when practiced outdoors on the lawn in front of the resort.
Gradonna: endless pleasures from palate to spa, with the environment in mind
A delightful experience is then the restaurant: high-quality regional products are transformed into extraordinary culinary creations by award-winning chef Michael Karl and his team. In the restaurant with panoramic views of the Großglockner mountains and the mountain village of Kals, you can enjoy the freshest, km 0 products, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free solutions.
Finally, Kals marble, wood and fresh spring water make thespacious wellness area with indoor and outdoor pool, natural pond and sauna a magical place for rest and relaxation. Among the offerings to experience at the award-winning spa are rituals made with the 100% vegan, organic and cruelty free cosmetic line “Magdalena’s – Made in Tyrol” created, developed and produced consciously in Tyrol.
The emphasis at Gradonna ****S Mountain Resort Châlets & Hotel has been on sustainability and the environment from the very beginning: the property has been awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 Sustainability Certificate from TÜV Austria, which is part of a series of international standards covering the Environmental Management System and ensuring that all operations carried out on a daily basis are conducted in a sustainable and prudent manner. Gradonna is also the first hotel in East Tyrol to achieve the prestigious recognition and has adhered to the Green Pearls Unique Places Collection concepts in terms of eco-sustainability and energy conservation.
GRADONNA****s Mountain Resort Châlets & Hotel
Burg 24 – 9981 Kals am Großglockner
Tel. +43 / 4876 / 82 000
www.gradonna.at
Photo © by Gert Perauer
