Roppen: Chapels, Archaeological Traces and Trails

In Roppen, historical traces and a variety of trails come together: chapels and archaeological finds tell stories from different periods, while hiking, cycling and water activities offer other perspectives on the village and its surroundings. This mix makes it easy to decide what you want to focus on during your holiday. Would you like to explore history, discover the landscape on foot, or also include cycling and water sports? Your answer can be a good starting point when looking for a holiday apartment in Roppen.

Chapels and Archaeological Traces

In spring 2020, the foundations of a Gothic village church built around 1460 were discovered near the cemetery chapel. Almost six centuries separate the time of discovery from the date of construction. The Lourdes Chapel was built in 1899 in the Neo-Gothic style on the site of the former Leonhard Church. Inside is a Lourdes grotto with a statue of Our Lady. Two aspects can be distinguished here: the Neo-Gothic style describes the building’s design, while the grotto is part of its religious furnishings.

Landscape and history also meet at Burschl. The Bruder Klaus Chapel stands on a vegetated rocky outcrop that drops steeply down to the Inn. Inside the chapel is a depiction of the hermit dating from around 1480. Bronze Age pottery and bone finds from around 800 BC point to early settlement at Burschl. The finds and the depiction belong to very different periods; together, they offer insight into Roppen’s archaeological and art-historical heritage.

Trails through Meadows, Forests and Historic Irrigation Systems

The Höhenweg Roppen starts right in the village centre and leads through forests and across lush meadows above the village. The Rundweg Oberfeldwaal takes a different approach: it starts at the sports ground and follows old irrigation systems that once watered the fields. This offers a direct comparison between a route through the landscape and a trail that also recalls how it was used in the past.

The Forchheimer Weg starts in Roppen and leads via the Maisalm to the Erlangerhütte. The Way of St James starts in Roppen on the left bank of the Inn. As trail conditions may vary by season, it is advisable to check the current route before setting off. When choosing trails, you can weigh up different landscape and historical themes rather than treating every route as part of a single itinerary.

Geology, Cycling and Activities on the Water

The Forchet Geology Trail offers an opportunity to explore the Tschirgant rockslide area between Roppen and Haiming. The Inn Valley Cycle Path also includes a section between Roppen and Haiming. Both offer a different perspective on the area than trails through forests and meadows or along old irrigation systems: here, the focus is on the geological landscape and cycling, respectively.

Rafting through the Roppen Gorge is one of the sporting activities associated with Roppen and its surroundings. The Römerbadl Kneipp facility offers a different experience: it is in Roppen at the foot of the 2,370-metre-high Tschirgant and directly on the Way of St James. It is a popular, refreshing stop for pilgrims and hikers. Rafting and the Römerbadl thus show two different sides of spending time by the water—sporting activity on the one hand and a refreshing break on the other.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Holiday

When choosing a holiday apartment in Roppen, it helps to first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay. The chapels, Burschl and archaeological traces offer a cultural and historical focus. The Höhenweg and Oberfeldwaal combine the landscape with different trail themes, while the geology trail and the Inn Valley Cycle Path provide further ways to explore the area.

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