HOHE TAUERN In the centre of Austria’s Eastern Alps is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Europe, the Hohe Tauern National Park that measures eighteen hundred square kilometres and extends across three federal states, Carinthia, Salzburg and East Tyrol. The three thousand metre high Ankogel mountain group makes up the eastern section of the Hohe Tauern where the impressive mountain scenery shows both its wild as well as its romantic side. Numerous walking routes such as the Seebachtal Nature Trail are not only a good way by which to enjoy the scenery but also provide valuable information about the region. A good starting point for various trips into the Grossglockner area is the village of Heiligenblut that has a population of around a thousand and is one of the highest mountain villages in Austria. At the foot of the Hohe Tauern in the Saltzburg section of the Glockner Group, is Kaprun, that, together with Zell am See is a popular tourist centre. At this high altitude the lake is an amazing sight yet it did not originate naturally but was created by Man: the picturesque Mooserboden Reservoir is part of the Glockner-Kaprun Power Station. Sankt Veit is located at an altitude of fifteen hundred metres above sea level and is the highest mountain spa in Austria and features centuries old farm houses and a fine village church. The vast variety and originality of this region highlight the unique value of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Indeed, within this special place in the heart of Europe is one of nature’s final sanctuaries.