Each June, the quiet town of Matrei in Osttirol transforms into a vibrant haven for mountain enthusiasts and film lovers alike during the Bergfilm Festival. This unique festival celebrates the spirit of alpine adventure through a curated selection of films that capture raw mountain challenges, breathtaking landscapes, and human stories forged on rugged terrain. The atmosphere pulses with a practical energy—here, adventure is shown not as fantasy but as experience tested by the elements.

Set against Matrei’s imposing peaks, the festival offers more than cinematic thrills. After screenings, guests engage in discussions with filmmakers and mountaineers, gaining insights into preparation, risk, and respect for the mountains that dominate the region. The town itself feels alive, with mountain air daring visitors to explore beyond the theater seats. Nearby trails stretch into forested paths and rocky ridges, inviting you to test your own limits.

Matrei sits at roughly 975 meters elevation, framed by the Venediger Group, where hiking options vary from relaxed valley strolls to demanding alpine routes with elevation gains surpassing 1,000 meters. These paths carry you through dense spruce woods, over glacial streams that seem to push forward with a restless current, and open into panoramic summits where peaks stand fiercely themselves against a wide sky. Walking here, you gain a tangible sense of why these mountains compel such storytelling.

The festival itself runs for about a week, offering a diverse program from dawn screenings to evening talks. Practical advice shared at these events emphasizes gear choices, weather awareness, and sustainable mountain travel—essentials for any adventurer. Schedules encourage visitors to arrange their hikes around film times, balancing active days on trail with evenings immersed in mountain tales projected onto big screens.

For those planning to attend, footwear suited for mixed terrain is a must: expect a blend of dirt, roots, and stone. Early summer can still hold pockets of snow higher up, and unpredictable mountain weather calls for layered clothing. Hydration is crucial on steeper outings—the air here can feel dry despite the lush landscapes.

Beyond the festival, Matrei serves as a gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park, where the alpine wild asserts its presence with glaciers, lynx sightings, and birdcalls that punctuate the stillness. The Bergfilm Festival captures both the spirit and practical realities of these mountains—whether projected on screen or found on a well-chosen trail, the adventure waits not to be conquered but understood and respected.