Discover Vils: Medieval Heritage, Nature and Trails to Vilser Alm

Vils combines impressive medieval heritage with varied trails into the mountains. Those planning a trip can experience historic craftsmanship, distinctive churches and rows of medieval-style houses alongside days spent hiking and cycling. When looking for a holiday apartment in Vils, the desired combination of culture, nature and active time outdoors is therefore a sensible starting point.

Medieval Heritage and Distinctive Craftsmanship

One defining site in the town’s history is the Historic Hammerschmiede in Vils. In the Middle Ages, it served the Lords of Hohenegg as a weapons forge. Today, it houses an exhibition about iron production in the Middle Ages, the craft of weapons forging and Engelbert Hartmann, one of the last smiths. The visits of the royal Bavarian family under Ludwig II are also covered in the exhibition. This makes it possible to understand at a specific location the importance that smithing and iron production had for the history of Vils.

The medieval character is also evident in the medieval-style rows of houses along Stadtgasse and Hintergasse. Above one of the most important north–south trade routes, the small ring-wall castle of Vilsegg, with its residential tower and palas, was built around 1220/30 by the noble Lords of Hohenegg. The ruins remained the residence of the Lords of Hohenegg until around 1540. For travellers interested in culture, this creates an engaging contrast between town lanes and a historic castle complex.

The churches also preserve remarkable details. Five bells hang in the tower of the parish church of the Assumption of Mary. They include the Susanna bell from 1524, weighing 1,200 kilograms, and the approximately 60-kilogram death bell from 1769. St. Anne’s Church is now often used as a wedding church. Vils is also the hometown of the organ builder Johann Konrad Wörle, also known as Giovanni Corrado Verlè, who lived from 1701 to 1777 and attained great renown in Rome. Vils was once widely known as a centre of lute and violin making.

Hiking, Cycling and Outdoor Discoveries

For active days on holiday, more than 180 kilometres of cycling and mountain-biking routes are available around Vils. Vils also offers a variety of hiking and mountain-biking trails leading up to Vilser Alm. Those who prefer manageable stages can use the GEO Trail. It allows nature lovers to experience the mountain landscape from different perspectives on four half-day tours.

Another special feature is the Celtic Tree Circle in Vils. The tree nature trail is designed to deepen knowledge of native trees in a playful way. It provides a natural-history complement to longer hikes and can be particularly interesting if, while out and about, you want to do more than simply cover ground and would also like to learn about the surrounding area. During the Christmas season, many families in Vils open their doors for the traditional Krippele-Luagar and offer insights into this centuries-old art.

Practical Information for Visiting the Castle Ruins

A forest track suitable for pushchairs leads to Vilsegg Castle Ruins from the free car park at the sports ground in Vils. The ascent takes about 15 minutes from the settlement. However, the final 80 metres to the castle ruins can only be reached via a narrow footpath. You should take this difference in trail conditions into account when planning your day, especially if you are travelling with small children or bringing a pushchair.

Vils is therefore a suitable base for a variety of holiday days: you can focus on historic sites and craftsmanship, choose the GEO Trail, set off for Vilser Alm or explore the surrounding area by bicycle and mountain bike. A holiday apartment or other accommodation in Vils can be selected to suit the preferred focus of your trip.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

In addition to Vils, you can also view the pages for Boden, Pfafflar, Grän, Elmen, Pinswang, Weißenbach Am Lech, Stanzach and Plansee.

For the higher-level travel overview: Reutte.