22. From Franzensfeste to Villach. Pustertal.
Comp. Maps, pp. 134, 124, 162, 198.
131 M. Railway in 5-7½ hrs. (fares 19 K. 60, 14 K. 70, 9 K. 60, express
25 K. 50, 19 K. 10, 12 K 50 h.). Provisions should be taken, as the railway-
restaurants are few and far between; dinner (2 K.) will be handed into the
carriage at Lienz, if ordered beforehand from the guard.
The Pustertal, one of the longest valleys in Tyrol, consists of the
valleys of the Rienz and the upper Drave or Dran, separated by the low
saddle of Toblach. The scenery is pleasing, but has no claim to grandeur
except at Franzensfeste, near Lienz, and at a few other points. The Val
Ampezzo, Ahrntal, Iseltal, Mölltal, and other lateral valleys afford many
beautiful excursions.
Franzensfeste (2450 ft.), see p. 146. The train passes through
the fortifications and crosses the Eisak by an iron bridge, 260 ft. above
the impetuous torrent in the gorge beneath. At (3 M.) Schabs the
line passes through the watershed between the Eisak and Rienz by
means of long cuttings, and turns to the left into the Pustertal. On
the right is the conspicuous castle of Rodeneck. — 5 M. Mühlbach
(2540 ft.; Sonne; Linde), in a sheltered situation at the mouth of
the Valser-Tal, is frequented as a summer-resort. Beyond Mühl-
bach the train enters a narrow ravine called the Mühlbacher Klause,
once defended by fortifications, which were destroyed by the French
in 1809. Beyond it the valley expands. — 10 M. Vintl, near the
village of Nieder- Vintl (Post), at the mouth of the Pfunders-Tal.
The train crosses the Rienz. 11½ M. St. Sigmund. — 14 M.
Ehrenburg, with a château of Count Künigl. Several deep cuttings.
Near (18 M.) St. Lorenzen (Rose; Post) the train crosses the Gader,
descending from the Enneberg valley (see below). To the left is
the dilapidated monastery of Sonnenburg; on a rock to the right, the
ruined Michaelsburg.
The Enneberg or Gader Tal, about 27 M. in length, is chiefly inter-
esting on account of the dolomites at its upper end. The language spoken
is , 'Ladin' (p. 147), but German is universally understood. The road (dili-
gence to Corvara daily in 9 hrs.; 4 K. 40 h.) ascends from St. Lorenzen by
the profound and romantic gorge of the Gader to (2 hrs.) Zwischenwasser
or Longhiega (inn), at the junction of the Vigil-Tal. In the latter, 1 hr. farther
up, lies St. Vigil (3940 ft.; Hôt. Monte Sella; Post; Krone), frequented as
a summer-resort, at the foot of the Kronplatz (p. 168). For expeditions
and passes to the Val Ampezzo, Prags, etc., see Baedeker's Eastern Alps.
At Zwischenwasser the road crosses the Vigilbach (to the S.W., the
Peitlerkofel, 9440 ft.), and leads viâ (1 hr.) Picolein to (3hrs.) Pedratsches,
opposite St. Leonhard or Abtei (Ladin Badia; 4510 ft.; Craffonara), at the
foot of the Heiligkreuzkofel (9550 ft.). Before (1 hr.) Stern the valley forks.
In the S.E. branch lies (2 hrs.) St. Cassian (5060 ft.; inn), where fossils
abound. The road follows the S.W. branch, finally crossing the Corvara-
Bach or Grossbach to (1¼ hr.) Corvara (5110 ft.; inn), a finely situated vil-
lage. About ½ hr. farther up, to the W., is Colfosco (5,400 ft.; inn), the most
picturesque point in this interesting dolomitic region. To The GrÖden
Valley over the Grödener Joch (7010 ft.; 3½ hrs. to Wolkenstein), at-
tractive (see p. 147 ).
20 M. Bruneck (2670 ft.; Hôt. Tirol; Post; Hôt. Bruneck,
near the station; Stern), the chief place in the W. Pustertal, with
2600 inhab., charmingly situated at the mouth of the Tauferer-
Tal, is much frequented in summer. The Church, destroyed by a