Geography Of Wildschönau
Wildschönau is a valley in the Tyrolean Alps that has Niederau in the east and connects to Wörgl and Hopfgarten im Brixental by roads. On the west side, there is a watershed where Oberau joins the Wildschönauer Ache and the Mühltal area. The Ache river runs from south to north, starting from the Siedeljoch and going through Auffach and Mühltal until it reaches the Kundler Gorge and flows into the Inn river. A road in Mühltal goes up quickly to the west, leading to Thierbach and ending at the foot of the Gratlspitze. The Sauluegstraße starts near the Endtalhof, close to a church at 1086 meters above sea level. This road is a small, one-lane gravel road that passes by the Lehenlahn silver mine on its way to Kundl. The road becomes asphalt at about 880 meters above sea level.
The western valley is surrounded by these mountain ranges from north to south: Gratlspitz (1899 m), Schatzberg (1898 m), Joelspitze (1964 m), Lampersberg (2202 m), Kleiner Beil (2197 m), Großer Beil (2309 m, the highest mountain in the valley), and Sonnjoch (2287 m) are some of the mountains nearby. The Alpbachtal is the western border of this mountain range.
The eastern valley is enclosed by the Wildschönauer Ache and has these mountains on its eastern side: Roßkopf (1731 m), Feldalphorn (1923 m), Schwaigberghorn (1990 m), Breitegg-Gern (1981 m), Wildkarspitze (1961 m), and Breiteggspitze (1868 m) are the names and heights of some peaks.
The Siedeljoch pass (1689 m) connects the mountains mentioned above at the south end of the valley and gives access to the Langen Grund (Kelchsau).
The Roßkopf and Markbachjoch peaks, both 1440 meters high, define the south edge of the eastern valley at Niederau.
The northern valley is different from the Inn valley by a lower mountain range. From west to east, these are some of the important peaks along the way: Gratlspitze, Thierbacher Kogl (1312 m), Collar Joch (1425 m), Sonnberger Jöchl (1285 m), and Möslalmkogl (1109 m). The Kundler Gorge splits the paths of Thierbacher Kogl and Collar Joch.
Location
Wildschönau is in the Austrian state of Tyrol, in the western part of the country. It is part of the Tyrol Unterland region and belongs to the district of Kufstein. The valley is located in the Kitzbühel Alps, an Eastern Alps mountain range. The valley is about 6 kilometers south of Wörgl, the nearest town, and about 70 kilometers east of Innsbruck, Tyrol’s capital. The valley is reachable by car, train, and plane. The B 178, which runs through the villages of Niederau and Oberau, is the main road that connects the valley to the Inntal valley. The Zillertalbahn, a narrow-gauge railway that connects the valley with Jenbach and Mayrhofen, serves the Oberau railway station. The nearest airport is Innsbruck Airport, which is approximately 80 kilometers from the valley.
Boundaries
The valley is surrounded on all sides by mountains, which serve as its natural boundaries. The valley’s western border is formed by the following mountains (listed from north to south): Gratlspitz, Schatzberg, Joelspitze, Lämpersberg, Kleiner Beil, Großer Beil (the valley’s highest mountain), and Sonnjoch. The Roßkopf, Feldalphorn, Schwaiberghorn, Breiteggern, and Breiteggspitze (listed from north to south) are in the east. The valley is separated from the Inntal valley in the north by a much lower mountain chain, which is carved by the Kundler Klamm, a gorge that follows the Wildschönauer Ache, an Inn river tributary. The Kragenjoch, a pass that connects the valley to the Alpbachtal valley, is located above the gorge. The Schafsiedeljoch, which connects the valley with the Kelchsau valley, is located at the valley’s end.
Climate
The climate in the valley is continental, with cold winters and warm summers. In January, the average temperature is -2°C, and in July, it is 18°C. The valley receives approximately 1000 mm of precipitation per year, the majority of which falls as snow in winter and rain in summer. Wildschönau is best visited between May and October, when the weather is mild and sunny. The valley has a microclimate, which means that the weather varies greatly within it depending on altitude, exposure, and local conditions. The foehn, a warm and dry wind that blows from the south and can cause sudden changes in temperature and humidity, also has an impact on the valley.
Landscape
The valley’s landscape is diverse and beautiful, with a variety of natural features and habitats. Meadows, pastures, and fields cover the valley floor, where local farmers cultivate crops and raise livestock. There are also several forests in the valley, mostly made up of spruce, fir, beech, and larch trees, which provide wood and shelter for wildlife. Several streams and rivers, including the Wildschönauer Ache, Schönangerbach, and Klausbach, flow through the valley, creating waterfalls, rapids, and pools. There are several lakes and ponds in the valley, including the Salvensee, Schönangersee, and Zireiner See, which are popular for fishing, swimming, and boating. The valley contains several mountains and peaks that provide breathtaking views of the valley and the surrounding Alps. The valley has a number of hiking trails, cycling routes, and ski slopes for visitors to explore and enjoy the scenery.
Natural Resources
The valley has several natural resources that are used for a variety of purposes by both locals and visitors. The valley has mineral resources such as silver, copper, iron, and lead, which were mined in the past and are now displayed in the Lehenlahn Silver Mine, a museum that depicts the valley’s mining history and techniques. Water resources in the valley include springs, wells, and reservoirs, which provide drinking water and irrigation water. Crops, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers are among the agricultural resources grown in the valley and used for food, medicine, and decoration. Animal resources such as cows, sheep, goats, horses, and chickens are raised in the valley and used to produce milk, cheese, meat, wool, and eggs. The valley has energy resources like wood, solar, and hydro that are used for heating, lighting, and electricity.
