Lasberg: Hiking Trails, Castle and Blacksmithing Tradition

Rolling landscapes, lush pastures and shady forests shape Lasberg’s network of hiking trails. The area also has places where the market town’s history is reflected in castles, churches and traditional crafts. You can shape your stay around a mix of outdoor activities and cultural discoveries.

Hiking Trails Through the Landscape and Valley

Lasberg has more than 60 km of well-marked hiking trails. They lead through rolling countryside, past pastures and through shady forests. One example of a shorter walk is the Meditation Trail: starting at the railway stop, it follows the Feistritz Valley for about 2 km. The La 8 – Elzer Trail offers a short detour to the Pechölstein in Elz.

The green loop of the Market Culture Hiking Trail offers a different kind of walk. It includes a steep, 6 km detour to the Buchberg rock. The routes therefore differ both in length and in the kind of terrain described: the Meditation Trail follows the valley for about 2 km, while the green loop’s detour is steep and 6 km long. When planning your hiking days, you can use these details to help choose a route.

Exploring on Horseback or in the Water

Hiking is not the only way to explore the municipality actively. The developed network of bridleways offers opportunities to get out on horseback. For a stay that includes swimming, the Splash outdoor pool has around 400 m² of water, with a sports pool as well as leisure and children’s pools. The three types of pool offer different experiences and complement the trails and riding options with another leisure activity.

Buchberg and Dornach Castle

Locally, Buchberg is also known as Hoh-Haus or Burgberg. At the entrance to the castle rock, the moat and earth rampart are still visible; in the early Middle Ages, a wooden refuge castle is thought to have stood here. High above the Feistritz Valley, the wooden Hoh-Haus observation tower stands on the historic castle rock at Buchberg.

Dornach Castle also combines a striking location with a rich history. It stands on a block of rock beside a steep-sided river valley and has a massive round tower. Dornach Castle ruins were built around 1200 by the Barons of Lasberg and were first mentioned in historical records in 1416. The site is protected as a historic monument. Poetry readings are held at Dornach Castle every year.

Church and Blacksmithing Tradition

Lasberg Parish Church is protected as a historic monument and is featured in the Mühlviertel Gothic Route guidebook. Its interior has been digitised for a virtual tour. The Children’s Way of the Cross offers another way to experience religious heritage: this meditative Stations of the Cross is characterised by numerous sound reliefs.

The Old Market Blacksmith’s Forge operated as a farrier’s and wheelwright’s workshop from 1526 to 1953. Groups are asked to register in advance for visits. Fürstenhammer also tells the story of local blacksmithing: the forge was built in 1570 and operated until 1970. At the Fürstenhammer open-air museum, visitors can watch the water-powered hammer in action on weekends by prior arrangement. Please arrange your visit in advance.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Lasberg, your preferred focus for the trip can help guide your decision: are you planning days of hiking and outdoor activities, or would you also like to include architectural history and traditional crafts? If you are considering travelling by train, note that the ÖBB Lasberg/St. Oswald railway stop is 3 km from the town of Lasberg, and check the timetable in advance.

Discover more destinations: Wullowitz, Leopoldschlag, Rainbach im Mühlkreis, Waldburg, Freistadt, Sandl, Kefermarkt, Neumarkt im Mühlkreis.

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