Lesachtal - Obertilliach

Obertilliach – a mountain village in Austria’s Lesach Valley – lies surrounded by forests, alpine meadows, and rugged peaks. For generations, people here have lived from livestock farming, forestry, and crafts.

The forests are vital: at over 1,500 metres, spruce trees take 80 to 100 years to mature. Their slow growth yields dense, high-quality timber – an investment across generations.

But climate extremes have left their mark. Drought, storms, and heavy snow weakened the forest. In 2021, the bark beetle spread, favoured by stressed trees, mild winters, and the absence of frost even at high altitudes.

Large spruce stands died off, leaving behind a wounded landscape. Scattered larches stand like sentinels. From afar, the ridge lines resemble the mangy fur of a sick animal.

Where ski trails and hiking paths once wound through dense forest, the slopes today are bare, lined with stumps.