KulTour - Burgenwanderweg (castles loop tour) Alpbachtal

The castles loop tour start at the "Kundler Tor" in Rattenberg. The beautifully laid out trail leads along the imposing city wall over a Way of the Cross path briskly uphill. After approx. ½ hour you will reach the Waldkapelle (forest chapel) in a clearing. The small wooden chapel is a haven of peace. At the crossroads above the clearing, continue uphill on the left-hand trail for about ¼ hour. The trail then leads slightly downhill, partly over wooden bridges, to Brixlegg to "Mariahilfbergl". Surefootedness is required on this section of the trail! Arriving at the houses, follow the narrow tarmacked road uphill and follow the "Burgenweg" signs. Once you reach the highest point, you will be treated to a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. Continue steeply downhill to the right past a farm to Brixlegg to the schools. Turn right on to the Badgasse and the St. Bartholomew church in Mehrn, Brixlegg. Cross the Alpbach Stream, turn left and walk uphill via Marienhöhe until you reach the main road, cross it and walk uphill again on the opposite side of the road for a short distance until you reach the "Mühlbichl". Follow the "Burgenweg" and "Matzenpark" signs.

After the last house on the left, don't miss having a good look at the imposing "Rolandsbogen" ruins. Continue walking on the left side past the "Matzen Park"  car park to "Lipperheide Castle". At the main entrance to Matzen Park follow the Burgenweg signs. the path leads between the lion pond and carp pond, past the "Nymphäum" and on to the exit at "Burg Matzen" and "Gut Matzen". The path leads between the lion and carp ponds, past the "Nymphäum" and on to the exit at "Matzen Castle" and "Gut Matzen". Take a look at "Gut Matzens'" northern wall. You will see the coats of arms and regency periods of the estate owners since its foundation. Turn right after the house and walk slightly uphill past "Matzen Castle" to the forest playground. Walk downhill past the tennis courts to the "Matzentor" and the east entrance to the park.

At the main road, cross the road and follow the Inn Valley Cycle Path to Rattenberg. Alternatively, you can walk a short distance along the road and take the opportunity to visit Brixlegg, where you will find several shops and eateries. 

RATTENBERG: One of the hikes highlights awaits you at the end - the smallest town in Austria! The town is the perfect place to round off a day of sightseeing. Visit the beautiful parish church, the Nailsmith's Houses or the Augustinian Museum. The Rattenberg castle ruins are also worth a visit. The world-famous painter Egon Schiele was also inspired by the old walls and the medieval gem of Rattenberg. From up here you have a wonderful view over the town and the Inn Valley.  

Note: total time incl. visits and stops: approx. 4 hours

Additional information

www.alpbachtal.at

Author’s recommendation

All along the route you will find spots and buildings that give you a glimpse of earlier times, where you can pause and relax. A visit to the Augustinian Museum is definitely recommended. Especially the view from the bell tower is memorable.

Sights along the way

• Augustinian Museum, Rattenberg
• Nailsmith's Houses, Rattenberg
• Parish church, Rattenberg

• Tyrolean Museum of Mining and Metallurgy, Brixlegg

• Matzen Castle Park, Brixlegg

Castles along the way

• Castle ruins, Rattenberg
• Matzen Castle, Brixlegg
• Lipperheide Castle, Brixlegg
• Lichtwerth Catsle, Brixlegg

Directions
Rattenberg - car park East/cemetery or train station - "Kundler Tor" - Stadtberg Chapel Rattenberg - Maria Hilf church - Hoch Chapel - St. Bartholomew church in Mehrn - Rolandseck, Mühlbichl - Percha - Matzen Park - Gut Matzen - forest playground - tennis courts - entrance gate to Matzen Park - bike stop lido Brixlegg on the Inn cycle path - Inn Valley cycle path to Rattenberg and the car park/train station
Author

Alpbachtal Tourismus