Wattenberg: Mountain Trails, Lizum and Local History

Wattenberg is situated at an altitude of around 1,000 metres in a scenic location high above the Inn Valley. The village combines an Alpine landscape with remarkable traces of regional history: In the Wattental Valley, trails lead into the Wattener Lizum, small chapels characterise the villagescape, and traditional farmhouses have been lovingly and stylishly renovated in recent years. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, Wattenberg is therefore a destination where nature experiences, culture and different daily plans can be combined.

Between Mölssee, Alpine Pastures and Stone Pine Forest

The Wattener Lizum forms the eastern end of the Wattental Valley and includes several Alpine pastures. The Lizumer Zirbenweg trail leads through an old stone pine forest from Lager Walchen to the Lizumer Hütte. A particularly striking destination in this landscape is Mölssee: It lies at an altitude of 2,238 metres, is 144 metres long, no more than 65 metres wide and has an area of 8,430 m².

Mölssee can only be reached on foot. Because of its location in a military restricted area, it may not always be accessible. This restriction should be taken into account when planning your day if you choose the lake as your destination. The “Lizum – Mölser Berg” route starts at Lager Walchen in Wattenberg and leads to Mölssee in around 4.5 hours. If you are planning a longer hike, you can note the “Mölstal – Lizumer Hütte” circular hike: It starts and ends at Lager Walchen and takes around 6.5 hours.

Hikes for Different Daily Plans

In addition to the routes into the Lizum, Wattenberg offers shorter options. The “Waldrunde Wattenberg” starts and ends at the Gasthof Mühle and takes around 3 hours. The “Kleine Rundwanderweg” starts and ends at the Gasthof Hanneburger in Wattenberg and, with a duration of around 2 hours, is another option. The “Lizumer Zirbenweg B” leads from Lager Walchen to the Lizumer Hütte and takes around 2.5 hours.

The Wuzelschellweg is an option for a moderately difficult hike. The route is 6.10 km long, includes 378 metres of elevation gain and takes around 2 hours. Another hiking experience is offered by the long-distance trail “Traumpfad from Munich to Venice”, which leads through the Wattental Valley to the Lizumer Hütte.

Chapels, Mining and Cheese from Wattenberg

Wattenberg also has noteworthy facets away from the trails. A church service takes place every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in Sägerkirche. Numerous small chapels invite visitors to linger. On the Lizum military training area, there is also a church at an altitude of just under 2,000 metres; it is one of the highest-altitude churches in Austria.

A look into the region’s earlier history leads to the iron mine in the Mölstal Valley. It opened in 1315 and is considered the oldest mine in North Tyrol. Cheese production is also part of the local tradition: At the Außermelang Alm in Wattenberg, its own cheese has been produced since 1996. Near the Lizumer Hütte, the Lizumer Almkäserei offers “Lizumer Almkas” and “Lizumer Kasermandl” (Tilsiter) in a self-service refrigerator.

Summer and Winter Experiences

In summer, guided llama trekking through the Wattenberg forest takes place every Friday at 2 p.m. The small Wildstättlift is also interesting for families with children, as it is suitable for children, beginners and those returning to the sport. The “Kreuztaxen” toboggan run is located in the immediate vicinity of the Wildstättlift. In the mountain area around the Lizumer Hütte, there are also ski touring routes with varying levels of difficulty. When planning your holiday, you can therefore choose between a summer forest activity, a short winter outing and more challenging tour destinations without making every holiday day the same.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Wattenberg, it is worth using your planned experiences as a guide. Would you like to combine short walks through the village, chapels and Sägerkirche with hikes, or is the Wattener Lizum with its routes and Mölssee the main focus? The season also changes the possible focus: In summer, llama trekking is an option, while in winter, ski tours and the Wildstättlift appeal to different interests. A holiday apartment or holiday house in Wattenberg provides the right setting for planning your trip, while you choose your specific daily destinations based on route, duration and programme.

Other Places to Choose From

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Wattenberg, you can also visit the following location pages: Völs, Volderau, Ellbögen, Wildermieming, Fulpmes, Reith Bei Seefeld, Kolsassberg and Sistrans.

For the higher-level travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.