Reichenau: Nockalm Road, Local Traditions and Mountain History

Ebene Reichenau lies at the foot of Turracher Höhe and is the starting point for the Nockalm Road. The scenic route, mountain experiences and cultural history each offer a different focus. When looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth first deciding which experiences you want to shape your stay, then comparing the accommodation’s exact location with the places you want to visit.

Nockalm Road and Nock Mountains

Along the Nockalm Road, you will find exhibitions, viewpoints, mountain huts, playgrounds and natural spectacles. This variety makes the route appealing if you want to plan a day around more than one theme. The municipality of Ebene Reichenau is part of the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, which extends from Patergassen via Ebene Reichenau to Turracher Höhe. High-altitude villages and the Nockalm Road offer opportunities for short walks into the fascinating world of Nockberge National Park.

The ski slopes on Turracher Höhe are within the municipal boundaries of Reichenau. If winter sports are part of your holiday plans, keep the seasonal nature of operations in mind: conditions and opening schedules can vary, so check the latest information before your trip. Bus route 5234 is also a practical travel option: it runs from Feldkirchen railway station to Ebene Reichenau and continues directly to Turracher Höhe. Check the current timetable before travelling, as routes and seasonal services may change.

Ebene Reichenau has a Spar supermarket, a post office service point, a petrol station, a bank with an ATM, a country inn and a café. These local amenities may be useful when planning your stay. If you rely on a particular service, check its current status in advance, as local offerings can change.

Church History and Local Traditions

St. Martin’s parish church in Ebene Reichenau was first mentioned in a document in 1384 as a chapel dedicated to Saints Andrew and Martin. This date marks the first documented mention of the chapel, not necessarily the year the parish church was built. The Franzosenstein is located on the road from Ebene Reichenau towards St. Lorenzen. It marked the former border between Austria and the French Kingdom of Illyria. The church and the stone thus point to different historical contexts: an early ecclesiastical reference and a former state border.

Every year on 15 August, a pilgrimage travels from Ebene Reichenau to St. Anne’s Church in St. Lorenzen. Afterwards, a large traditional festival is held outdoors without amplification; wrestling is part of its longstanding tradition. If you plan your trip specifically around this date, check the local arrangements in advance.

Experiences on Turracher Höhe and at Falkert

At Kranzelbinder on Turracher Höhe, you can pan for gold and crack open geodes. The alpin+art+gallery impresses with crystal giants weighing several tonnes and ancient petrified giant trees. At Falkert, the Heidi-Alm children’s adventure park has a circular trail with more than 100 lovingly designed figures. These attractions offer different experiences: geological activities, giant crystals and tree fossils, or a circular trail featuring figures. As visitor attractions can change, check the latest information for each one before your visit.

Choose a Holiday Apartment That Fits Your Travel Plans

A stay focused on the pilgrimage has a fixed date: 15 August. For a trip centred on the Nockalm Road or experiences on Turracher Höhe or at Falkert, the places you choose to visit are more central to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Hochrindl, Albeck, Simonhöhe, Alt-Ossiach, Briefelsdorf, Steindorf on Lake Ossiach, Hochrindl-Alpl.

Back to the main travel overview: Feldkirchen.