Discover Elmen: Lech, Nature and Culture

Elmen combines the wild Lech with nature experiences, regional history and a wide range of opportunities for active days on holiday. The Lech flows through the municipality from south to north, while Elmen is also located at the entrance to the Bschlab Valley. This brings the river landscape and alpine surroundings together and gives your choice of location a clear focus: you can shape your stay around walks, nature exhibitions, culture or winter activities.

Experience Nature on the Lech

A notable place is the Klimmbrücke Nature Park House near Elmen. It stands on a bridge over the Lech and houses the “Wild River Adventure” exhibition. Anyone interested in the special features of a free-flowing river will find an appropriate introduction to the landscape there. The “The Last Wild One” nature exhibition presents dry gravel banks, riparian forests, steep side valleys, as well as animals and plants along the wild Lech.

The surroundings can also be experienced in various ways beyond the exhibitions. In Elmen, there are walking paths through the Lech floodplains, across green meadows and through forests. Comprehensive information about the Tyrolean Lech Nature Park is also provided at the midpoint of the Lech Cycle Path. This allows you to combine nature observation with a closer understanding of the river landscape without limiting your stay to a single activity.

Hiking and Winter Activities

For a manageable hike, the Vorderhornbach–Elmen circular trail is a good option. This easy circular hike takes around two hours and connects Vorderhornbach, Martinau and Elmen along the Lech. Bus route 110 serves the “Elmen Martinau” stop, providing access to this circular trail. This is useful information for anyone who wants to combine their day planning with public transport.

During the cold season, the range of options expands to include several sporting activities. There are cross-country ski trails around the fields of Elmen, with good connections to the Lechtal cross-country ski trail. An ice-skating rink is available for skating, and ice stock sport is also possible. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore consider whether accommodation in Elmen suits their preferred balance between activity, nature and more leisurely discoveries.

Culture and History in the Village

Elmen also offers cultural points of interest. The parish church of the Holy Three Kings has a Baroque nave and a Gothic tower. In the village district of Klimm, the Trinity Chapel is listed as a protected monument in the List of Protected Monuments in Elmen. These different architectural styles make a walk through the village an opportunity to explore the region’s church and architectural history in greater detail.

Another historical story is associated with the “Clever Women of Elmen.” It concerns an event from 1632 in which women used a ruse to persuade Swedish soldiers to retreat. The parish of Elmen also mentions a so-called “Dance of Death” by Anton Falger from Elbigenalp, depicting traditional old Lechtal dress. Anyone who wants to learn about regional traditions alongside the landscape and sporting activities will find specific themes here to include in their travel plans.

The Right Base for Planning Your Trip

Accommodation in Elmen can be chosen according to your preferred focus: nature lovers can place the Lech, the Lech floodplains and the exhibitions at the centre of their stay, while hikers can plan the circular trail or the Lech Cycle Path. Cross-country skiing, ice skating and ice stock sport are available for winter days. Those interested in culture can complement their stay with the churches, the chapel and the story of the “Clever Women.” This allows Elmen to remain a destination where different interests can be combined into an individual trip.

More Places for Your Search

If you would like to expand your search to other places, you will find additional destinations here: Pflach, Hinterbichl, Häselgehr, Tannheim, Schattwald, Steeg, Pinswang and Boden.

To the higher-level travel overview: Reutte.