Discover Bichl: Hiking Trails, Mountain Views and Smelting Furnace History

Bichl combines paths through larch forests, impressive mountain views and a unique trace of the region’s history. The hamlet is an interesting option for you to consider when planning a holiday centred around hikes, winter trails, a cycling tour and specific discoveries in the landscape. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth looking first at the activities you have planned and then deciding which accommodation location suits your travel rhythm.

Through the Larch Forest to the Viewpoint

A particularly memorable experience is the section of the High Alpine Pilgrimage Trail from Bichl to the Stabanthütte. The well-marked and signposted hiking trail leads westwards through open larch forest and climbs gently. You should allow about an hour for the route. At the end of the Bichl Forest Trail, a panoramic view opens up of the three-thousand-metre peaks of the Lasörling Group. This allows you to combine a hike through the forest with a clear destination and a striking impression of the landscape.

There is also a bird-feeding station on the Bichl Forest Trail. Birds there eat from visitors’ hands. In addition to the panorama, this unusual stop offers another specific opportunity for observation. If you are travelling with different interests, you can thus combine nature observation and exercise in the same activity without adding extra attractions to the route.

Winter Hiking Trails and the Ascent to the Sajathütte

Bichl also offers various route options in winter. The Prägraten–Bichl Forest Trail winter hiking route, which is also called the Sun Balcony, leads from the tourist information office in Prägraten a. G. to the hamlet of Bichl in about 30 minutes. The Bichl–Hinterbichl winter hiking route initially follows the municipal road to the hamlet of Bichl and then continues towards Hinterbichl. These two details help you distinguish between a route starting in Prägraten and a route with Bichl as one section when planning your trip.

Those planning a longer mountain excursion will find a considerably more extensive option in the main ascent to the Neue Sajathütte. The ascent leads from the hamlet of Bichl via the Blumenweg along moderately difficult paths and trails and takes 3.5 hours. You should take this time indication into account when planning your day.

Starting Point for Hiking and Cycling Routes

The Bichl car park, also known as the Stabant-/Sajathütte hiking car park, is listed as the starting point for the hike to the Stabanthütte, at an altitude of 1,490 m. In addition, cycling route Stabanthütte No. 130 passes through Bichl on its way to the Stabanthütte. This route has an ascent of 500 metres. Hiking and cycling can therefore be included as different options in your travel planning, without requiring the same level of exertion from your holiday day.

A Smelting Furnace as a Historical Trace

In addition to its paths, Bichl also has evidence of the local mining history. A smelting furnace that still exists today separated copper ore from waste rock. The copper ore was mined at Kreuzspitze in the 15th century. The smelting furnace makes this history visible at a specific location and complements the experiences of the landscape with a cultural and historical aspect. If your trip is not only about views and exercise but also about looking for traces of earlier work, this site is one of Bichl’s noteworthy details.

Choose Accommodation According to Your Desired Travel Pace

When looking for accommodation in Bichl, you can base your decision on the type of holiday you are planning: The Bichl Forest Trail offers a marked, gently ascending path with panoramic views, the winter hiking trails follow different sections, and the ascent to the Neue Sajathütte requires different day planning with its 3.5-hour duration. The cycling route adds a 500-metre ascent to this selection. This keeps your choice of holiday apartment or holiday home closely connected to the experiences you actually want to undertake.

More Places to Consider

If you would also like to check other places for your accommodation search, you can include Schlaiten, Kartitsch, St. Veit In Defereggen, Obertilliach, Thurn, Arnbach, Sankt Leonhard and Huben Im Ötztal in your further selection.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lienz.