Trip Duration: Full Day—Multiple Visits Recommended ⛰️ Difficulty Level: Easy, depending on the activities chosen 🚸 Trip Date: August 2026
Hochstein is not simply one family attraction. Between the activities near the valley station, the playground and petting zoo around Moosalm, Adventure Golf, the chairlift journey towards Sternalm and the reservoir hidden beyond it, there is an extraordinary amount to experience.
We arrived expecting to spend a day exploring the mountain. It did not take long to realise that seeing everything would be impossible—especially when each of our three children discovered something different they wanted to do.
Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, our family eventually divided into smaller groups and followed different interests. Even after a full day, we left with plenty of reasons to return.
Quick Overview
- Location: Hochstein, Lienz, Osttirol, Austria
- Parking: Free parking at Iseltaler Straße 27, 9900 Lienz
- Getting there: The cable car travels from the valley station to the Moosalm area. From there, a two-seater chairlift continues towards Sternalm and the reservoir.
- Pushchair: Suitable for the main family areas, although many attractions are close together and younger children may prefer to explore on foot.
- Facilities: Available around the cable-car stations.
- Official website: https://www.lienzer-bergbahnen.at/
Our Adventure
Arriving Among the Hochstein Regulars
When we arrived at the cable-car station, groups of people dressed for all kinds of adventures were gathering around the entrance. We were stunned by the pace of the traffic. Everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going and what they had come to do—as though this were part of their everyday routine.
After passing through the gate, we paused in confusion. Chairlifts and cable-car cabins were travelling along the same line, something we had never encountered before. For a moment, we assumed that it did not matter which one we boarded or where we waited.
By observing everyone around us, we gradually worked it out. The chairlifts appeared to be used mainly by mountain bikers, with separate attachments carrying their bikes uphill. The enclosed cable-car cabins were better suited to families and larger groups like ours.
We moved towards the far side of the station and waited for a cabin. All seven of us managed to fit inside, and soon we were travelling up the mountainside.
Compared with some of the higher-altitude destinations we had visited during our holiday, Hochstein felt relatively low, taking us to around 1,000 metres above sea level. But it quickly became clear that its appeal was not simply about reaching a dramatic elevation. This mountain was filled with different ways to play, explore and spend the day.
A Mountain Station That Felt Like a Village
When we stepped out of the cable car near Moosalm, it felt as though we had arrived in another small village. Houses and cars surrounded us—an unusual sight compared with the more isolated mountain stations we had visited during our holiday.
We turned right towards Moosalm and soon reached the entrance to the petting zoo. It was crowded inside, with very little space to get close enough to see the animals, so we continued around the other side towards the playground.
After climbing a steep hill, the entire play area revealed itself below us. A long, twisting yellow slide occupied one side, while a water-play station zigzagged down the opposite slope. The playground was completely fenced, presumably to prevent any curious animals from the neighbouring petting zoo wandering through the gate.
Our youngest was hesitant to try the long slide at first. Once he gathered the courage, however, it turned out to be great fun. He and our daughter disappeared down it together, only to reappear ready for another turn.
Eventually, the water-play station captured the younger children’s attention, and we remained there for quite some time. Meanwhile, our eldest stood at the top of the playground studying the Adventure Golf course, which stretched out just beyond the play area.
After several journeys down the slide and a picnic break, we managed to persuade most of our group to move on. Golf plays a significant part in our family, so we were particularly curious to discover what Hochstein’s version of Adventure Golf had to offer.
A Second Chance at the Petting Zoo
As we moved towards Adventure Golf, our daughter returned to the petting zoo. By then, the earlier crowd had thinned, giving her much more space to see the animals.
Before long, she was sitting with a guinea pig resting on her lap. She looked incredibly proud as she carefully held the tiny creature, taking her responsibility very seriously. After the excitement of the playground and water station, it was lovely to watch her slow down and patiently care for it.
What we had initially dismissed as being too crowded became one of her favourite moments of the day. Sometimes, moving on and returning later is all that is needed to experience an attraction in a completely different way.
Dividing the Family at Adventure Golf
Adventure Golf turned out to be a miniature golf course with 14 holes rather than the traditional 18. The rules were strict: only those taking part were permitted onto the course, and non-players could not accompany them.
Naturally, our group of seven had to divide. The decision was made a little sweeter by the ice cream sold at reception, where players could also collect their clubs and scorecards.
After a quick ice-cream break—and once our daughter had said goodbye to her guinea pig—we set off on two separate Hochstein adventures.
Our eldest stayed to play golf with Dad and Grandma. Meanwhile, our two younger children joined me and Grandad for a ride on the chairlift towards Sternalm.
A Chairlift Through the Forest
The chairlift station stood directly in front of the cable-car station. With no queue ahead of us, we boarded the open two-seater chairs and began our journey towards Sternalm.
The lift stretched into the distance as far as we could see. Just when we appeared to be reaching the highest point, the line dipped downhill again before carrying us towards the final station.
Below us, the route passed through the forest, while the bare peaks of the Lienz Dolomites rose dramatically beyond the trees. After the activity and crowds around Moosalm, sitting on the chairlift gave us a chance to slow down and simply enjoy the view.
Once we arrived, we set off in search of the reservoir, which was signposted as approximately a ten-minute walk away.
A Hidden Reservoir Beyond the Fence
We initially followed the path beneath the chairlift before turning into the woods, guided by more yellow signs.
After around ten minutes of walking at the children’s pace, however, we reached what appeared to be a dead end. A barbed-wire fence blocked our way. Crossing it did not feel right, but we could not see another route ahead.
A local dog walker soon arrived and climbed through the fence without hesitation. He even offered to lift the children across for us. I politely declined, still unsure whether we were actually supposed to follow him.
Then we noticed another group in the field beyond the fence. They were chatting excitedly after catching their first glimpse of the reservoir. Apparently, we really were heading in the right direction.
Eventually, we carefully crawled beneath the wire. It was not particularly difficult, although the sight of a barbed-wire fence had been nearly enough to make me turn everyone around.
Goodness, I am glad we continued.
At the top of the hill, we discovered the entrance to the reservoir—and what a gem it was. We stood there speechless.
The small man-made lake looked like a crystal hidden within the forest. There was plenty of space around the water to settle down and enjoy a picnic. We quickly kicked off our shoes and dipped our toes into the cold mountain water.
Still Water and Warning Signs
Sitting at the edge of the reservoir, the children threw stones into the water and watched each one disappear beneath the surface before settling on the bottom. The water was remarkably clear, with very little visible movement beneath it.
Despite signs stating that swimming was not permitted, we saw a few visitors enter the water and swim across the reservoir. We were content simply dipping our toes and enjoying the stillness around us.
It was an incredibly peaceful place. A wide path circled the lake, with benches and plenty of space to stop and rest.
Walking around the opposite side, I found several information boards explaining the importance of the reservoir as a dragonfly habitat. The signs gave us another reason to appreciate the quiet, protected environment around the water.
I also noticed another path disappearing into the forest at the far end of the reservoir. Hoping to find a quiet, open space where I could safely launch the drone, I followed it beneath the trees.
Before long, I reached another dead end. This time, a notice from the local hunting association warned visitors not to enter the animals’ resting area.
My imagination immediately began to wander as I turned around. What kind of animals were resting in those woods? Whatever they were, I certainly did not want to disturb them—or find myself being chased back towards the reservoir by one of them.
Reuniting Beside the Reservoir
After completing their round of Adventure Golf, my husband and our eldest travelled up to meet us at the reservoir.
With everyone reunited, it was much easier to persuade the children to leave. Rather than crawling beneath the intimidating barbed-wire fence again, we followed a route across one of the ski slopes towards the chairlift. It was a far less dramatic return journey.
Racing the Storm to the Osttirodler
Back at Moosalm, we found my mum resting on one of the double wooden loungers. As we gathered our belongings and prepared to descend, we heard thunder rumbling in the distance.
After what had happened during our first Osttirol adventure at St. Jakob, none of us needed convincing. We packed up quickly and headed straight towards the Osttirodler station.
The Osttirodler is a 2.7-kilometre alpine coaster running from Moosalm down towards Lienz. Children under three years old are not permitted to ride, so our group had to divide once again.
The grandparents remained at Moosalm with our youngest and planned to return to the valley by cable car. They waited beside the station while the rest of us joined the queue, just in case either of the older children changed their mind at the last moment.
Neither did. There was only excitement.
I climbed into one toboggan with our daughter, while my husband and our eldest took another. As the queue moved slowly forward, the sound of the approaching thunder made us increasingly anxious.
This time, however, the storm changed direction and passed us by. We were all able to enjoy a completely dry ride.
Zigzagging Down to Lienz
While our daughter and I sat in the toboggan waiting for the green light, we had a clear view into the Adventure Park below. It was extremely busy, with families and groups moving between the activities hidden among the trees.
Then the light changed, and it was our turn.
We gathered speed as we followed the track through the woods, twisting from one corner to the next. Our daughter screamed with delight as we zigzagged down the mountainside, while my husband and our eldest followed in the toboggan behind us.
Towards the end of the ride, we began catching up with the riders ahead. The track changed from wide zigzags into two circular spirals, causing the toboggans to gather closer together.
This was slightly disappointing because the automatic camera was positioned in the same area. Alongside everyone’s excited expressions, the photograph also recorded the speed of each toboggan—but by then, we were no longer travelling quite as fast.
At the bottom station, we tried to find the photographs taken during our descent. Unfortunately, the afternoon sunlight had faded the display so much that we could barely see the images on the screen.
We eventually gave up and left that particular souvenir for another visit.
What We Left for Next Time
Even after spending most of the day at Hochstein, we experienced only part of what the mountain has to offer. With three young children interested in different activities, trying to fit everything into one visit would have left us rushing from place to place.
Mountain Bike Park
The number of mountain bikers around the lift station immediately caught our attention. We watched their bikes travel uphill on special carriers while the riders used the chairlifts.
Exploring the mountain-bike trails was not part of our family plan this time, but it was clearly an important part of the Hochstein experience.
Adventure Park
We caught glimpses of the Adventure Park while waiting to ride the Osttirodler. It was busy with families and groups moving between the activities among the trees.
We did not have enough time to explore it properly, so it remains on our list for another visit—particularly when the children are old enough to take part together.
A Relaxed Meal on the Mountain
Although we passed the restaurants around Moosalm and Sternalm, our picnic and full schedule meant that we did not stop for a proper meal.
Next time, I would allow more time to sit down, try some local food and enjoy the mountain atmosphere without immediately moving towards another activity.
Why Each Child Loved Hochstein
Hochstein offered something different for each of our children. That variety was one of its greatest strengths, but it was also why moving the entire family from one attraction to the next proved difficult.
Why Our Youngest Loved It
- Throwing stones into the reservoir
- Travelling by both cable car and chairlift
- Exploring the playground and water-play area beside the petting zoo
Why Our Daughter Loved It
- Proudly caring for a guinea pig at the petting zoo
- Playing on the long twisting slide
- Exploring the water-play station
- Screaming with delight as we descended on the Osttirodler
Why Our Eldest Loved It
- Playing Adventure Golf with Dad and Grandma
- Running freely around the reservoir
- Riding the Osttirodler with Dad
Practical Tips for Parents
Choose Your Main Activity Before Arriving
There is too much to experience comfortably in one day. Decide which attraction is the family’s priority and treat everything else as a bonus.
If you want to combine the mountain activities with Adventure Golf, the Adventure Park and the Osttirodler, consider spreading your visit over more than one day.
Be Prepared to Divide the Family
Children of different ages may not be able—or willing—to participate in the same activities. Our family divided several times so that each child could follow something appropriate for their age and interests.
Travelling with grandparents made this much easier for us.
Return When an Area Is Less Crowded
The petting zoo was too crowded for us to enjoy when we first arrived. When our daughter returned later, she had enough space to sit quietly with a guinea pig on her lap.
If one of the smaller activity areas feels overwhelming, move on and try returning later in the day.
Let the Children Explore at Their Own Pace
The playground, water features, animals and reservoir may hold a young child’s attention for much longer than expected. Avoid creating a schedule that requires everyone to move on quickly.
Take the Chairlift When You Need a Break
The chairlift journey towards Sternalm offered a welcome pause after the busy attractions around Moosalm. We could sit down, enjoy the forest and admire the bare peaks of the Lienz Dolomites.
Check the Osttirodler Age Restrictions
Children under three years old cannot ride the Osttirodler. If travelling with a toddler, plan for an adult to accompany them back to Lienz in the cable car.
In our case, the grandparents stayed with our youngest while we rode with the two older children.
Pay Attention to the Weather
Mountain weather can change quickly. After our stormy experience at St. Jakob, hearing thunder in the distance was enough to make us pack immediately.
Check the forecast before visiting, but remain alert to changing conditions throughout the day.
Follow the Signs Around the Reservoir Carefully
The route we followed led us to a barbed-wire fence, and it was not immediately clear whether we were supposed to cross it. On our return, we found an easier route across one of the ski slopes.
Check the available route information before setting out and do not enter any areas marked as protected animal resting zones.
Would We Visit Again?
Absolutely—but next time, we would arrive with a much clearer priority rather than attempting to fit everything into one day.
Hochstein is the kind of destination where every member of the family discovers something different. Our eldest was drawn to Adventure Golf, our daughter treasured her quiet encounter with the guinea pig, and the younger children could have remained at the playground and water station for hours. All of us appreciated the peaceful reservoir above Sternalm.
We would love to return for the activities we missed, particularly the Adventure Park. I would also leave enough time for a relaxed meal on the mountain rather than trying to move immediately towards the next attraction.
Perhaps Hochstein is not meant to be completed in one visit. It is a place to return to, choosing a different family adventure each time.
A Moment to Remember
After the crowds, playgrounds and competing possibilities around Moosalm, the reservoir felt like an entirely different world.
Our youngest threw stone after stone into the clear water. Our daughter dipped her toes into the cold lake, while our eldest eventually arrived after his round of golf and began running around its edge.
For a little while, nobody needed to choose what we were doing next.
We had found a quiet place where all three children could simply explore in their own way—and, in a destination filled with attractions, that peaceful moment became one of the most memorable parts of our day.
