Natur
Drau
Drava
Die Drau ist ein Nebenfluss der Donau, der im italienischen Südtirol entspringt, dann durch Osttirol und Kärnten (Österreich) sowie durch die Untersteiermark (Slowenien), Kroatien und Ungarn fließt.
What it is
The Drava is a major river of the eastern Alps, and near the Dolomites you're seeing it right at its source area: it rises close to Innichen (San Candido) in the Puster Valley of South Tyrol before flowing east through Austria toward the Danube. This upper stretch is a modest alpine river rather than the broad waterway it becomes further downstream — worth a stop for a walk along the water and the valley scenery, not for river sports or dramatic gorges.
Getting there
Access is via Innichen/San Candido in the Puster Valley. There's no single "city centre" for this natural feature — it runs alongside the valley's towns and cycle paths, so you'll typically reach a stretch of it by car or bike rather than heading to one fixed point.
Time to allow
A short stop of 30–60 minutes is enough to see the river and its immediate surroundings, longer if you're walking or cycling a section of the valley path alongside it.
When to go
Morning or late afternoon light suits photos along the water. Summer is the busiest season in the Puster Valley generally, as it's peak hiking and cycling time; spring meltwater can make the river fuller and faster.
Combine with
- Puster Valley (9.1km) — the wider valley the river runs through, with towns and the long-distance cycle path.
- Dürrensee (10.4km) — a lake worth pairing with a river stop for a half-day of easy walking.
- Dreischusterspitze (7.7km) and Helm (10.3km) — for those wanting a mountain view or hike to round out the day.
Quellen: offene Daten von Wikipedia und OpenStreetMap · Aktualisiert 5. August 2026 · Redaktion die World by City-Redaktion
