KulTour - Castle Route Alpbachtal

Starting from Rattenberg, the Castle Route begins directly in front of the city gate "Kundler Gate". The nicely laid-out path runs along the impressive town wall and ascends briskly via a cross path. After about half an hour, you reach the Stadtberg Chapel on a forest clearing. In the small wooden chapel, you will find a place of peace.

At the junction above the clearing, continue for about a quarter of an hour upwards on the left path, then the path leads partly over wooden bridges slightly downhill to Brixlegg to the district of "Mariahilfbergl". Surefootedness is required on this section! Upon reaching the houses, follow the narrow asphalt road upwards again according to the "Castle Route" signpost. At the highest point, you have a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. The walk continues steeply down to Brixlegg past the farm on the right to the school center. Turn right and go via Badgasse to the Church of Saint Bartholomew in the district Mehrn, Brixlegg. Cross the Alpbach, then go left and uphill via Marienhöhe to the main road, cross it, and on the opposite side go a short way uphill to the district "Mühlbichl". Now always follow the signposts "Castle Route" and "Matzen Park".

Don’t miss a look at the impressive ruins of the "Rolandsbogen" after the last house on the left. Now you hike along the left side of the park grounds of the "Matzen Park" past "Lipperheide Castle". Directly at the main entrance of the castle park, follow the Castle Route signposts again. The path goes between the lion pond and carp pond, past the "Nymphaeum" and further to the exit by the "Matzen Castle" and "Gut Matzen". On the north side of the house of "Gut Matzen", take a look at the house wall. Here you find all the coats of arms and reign periods of the estate owners since its existence. Directly after the house, turn right again and slightly uphill past "Matzen Castle" to the forest playground. Now downhill again, past the tennis courts to the "Matzen Gate", the east entrance of the park.

Cross the federal road here and hike on the Inn Cycle Path along the Inn to Rattenberg. Alternatively, you can walk a short distance along the road and take the opportunity to visit the center of Brixlegg. There are many shopping and dining options here.

RATTENBERG: One of the highlights of the hike awaits you at the end – the smallest town in Austria! Enjoy the round in this little town. Visit the beautiful parish church, the nailsmith houses, or the Augustinian Museum. The Schlossberg Rattenberg is also worth a visit. Here on the Schlossberg, the world-famous painter Egon Schiele was inspired by the old walls and the medieval gem Rattenberg. From here you have a wonderful view over the town and the Inn valley.

Note: total duration of the round including visits and stops: approx. 4 hours