Messern – Hiking, History and the Taffa Valley

Messern combines relaxing hikes in the Taffa Valley with a history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Messern will find a place where paths through nature, historical traces and unusual discoveries can be combined to create varied days of travel. The Angelika Trail passes the Taffa and two mills. The Sandbach Trail starts at the main square in Messern and leads over Kirchenberg past Wildberg Castle.

Hiking between the Taffa and Sandbach

The area around Messern and the Taffa Valley is ideal for relaxing hikes in largely unspoilt nature. The Angelika Trail is a moderately difficult, 4.80-kilometre hiking route starting in Messern. It follows the Taffa and passes two mills. This gives you a specific opportunity to combine exercise and scenery with historical traces along the way.

The Sandbach Trail starts at the main square in Messern. It leads over Kirchenberg past Wildberg Castle and then continues on well-maintained forest and field paths to Irnfritz-Bhf. For planning your day, you can choose between a circular route starting in Messern and a route whose course is described as far as another destination. The “mir schmeckt´s” experience trail can be explored on foot or by bicycle in Messern and the surrounding area.

Another path passes the Illy Mill. The Illy Mill was built in 1570 as a powder mill for the production of gunpowder. Individual stops like these give a hike a special historical connection without requiring the day to consist exclusively of a museum visit. Those wishing to accommodate different interests within their travel group can combine one route with a cultural discovery and another section with a nature experience.

History around Messern and Wildberg

Messern was first mentioned in historical documents in 1210 by Engilbert von Meizzare. In 1513, Emperor Maximilian granted the settlement market-town status. Further reminders of earlier forms of jurisdiction can be found in the townscape: the pillory in Messern dates from 1677 and is a sign of the former lower jurisdiction.

From the outset, the history of Messern was closely connected with Wildberg Castle, situated high above the Taffa Valley. At the end of the 16th century, Hans von Puchheim converted Wildberg Castle into a Renaissance castle and reinforced it for defensive purposes. Galgenberg is also part of this historical context. The three round pillars on Galgenberg are the remains of a medieval gallows; Galgenberg was an execution site connected with Wildberg Castle.

The private Brick Museum, with a collection of more than 3,000 bricks, is another part of the town’s cultural heritage. During a guided tour booked in advance, the Brick Museum provides information about the production of bricks and the significance of the symbols incorporated into them. For a day of holiday centred on craftsmanship, regional history and details that could easily be overlooked in passing, this tour is an independent complement to the hiking trails.

Nature Experiences and Choosing Your Accommodation

A natural pond is located nearby at the edge of the forest on the road from Irnfritz-Ort to Messern. The Irnfritz-Messern market municipality issues fishing permits there. This destination offers a different way of structuring your day than a hike over Kirchenberg or along the Taffa. When choosing accommodation for several days, you can therefore consider whether you would like to use Messern as a starting point for the Angelika Trail or the Sandbach Trail, and which combination of history and exercise suits your travel plans.

A holiday apartment in Messern is well suited to travel plans in which you use the town as a starting point for the Angelika Trail or the Sandbach Trail and choose further experiences according to your interests. For a culturally oriented day, the historical landmarks of Messern, Wildberg and Galgenberg take centre stage. The described trails are ideal for a more active day; those who enjoy thematic variety can also add the Brick Museum, booked in advance, or the “mir schmeckt´s” experience trail to their plans. This keeps your choice of accommodation connected with your preferred pace of travel and holiday themes, without restricting you to just one way of exploring.

Compare further destinations

If you would like to compare further destinations in this travel offer in addition to Messern, you can find Sankt Marein, Gars Am Kamp, Meiseldorf, Rosenburg, Horn, Röschitz, Straning-Grafenberg and Eggenburg here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Horn.