Lofer: Trails, Gorge and Culture
Accommodation in Lofer
When choosing a hotel in Lofer, your interests during your stay can provide a starting point. The parish church offers a historical focus; the Almenwelt, Waterfall Trail and chapel offer trails and viewpoints, while Steinbergbad and Teufelsschlucht describe different water experiences. The Triftsteig adds another route, whose course and information boards highlight the history of timber rafting. This lets you group the destinations mentioned according to culture, landscape or activity.
Church and Local History
Lofer Parish Church is a Gothic building extended in the Baroque style. Its north tower was built between 1315 and 1338; the church was first mentioned in a document in 1417. The side-aisle additions date from 1678. The dates offer different insights: 1417 marks the first documentary mention; the other dates refer to the tower and the side-aisle additions. This distinction makes the cultural connection specific without reducing the church to a single construction date.
Trails and Views
The Almenwelt Lofer offers seven circular hiking trails and four panoramic peaks. These are two different ways to find your bearings: circular trails provide a choice of routes, while the peaks offer specific destinations. The Waterfall Trail to Almenwelt Lofer is about 3.1 km long; the distance may vary slightly if the trail changes, so treat it as an approximate figure. This length describes one route, unlike the number of circular trails and panoramic peaks. The chapel on Kalvarienberg offers a magnificent view over the Loferer Basin. While the panoramic peaks in the Almenwelt offer several destinations, the chapel’s view is specifically of the basin. This lets you distinguish between different viewpoints according to what each one overlooks.
Water at Steinbergbad
Steinbergbad Lofer has a large swimming pool, a water slide, a baby pool and a natural pool. A natural stream also flows through the swimming area, where visitors can explore it on inflatable rings or mats. The swimming pool therefore offers several pools and a slide, alongside another kind of water experience in the stream. Opening is seasonal and weather-dependent. If you plan to visit Steinbergbad, check the opening conditions before your visit.
Triftsteig and Teufelsschlucht
The Triftsteig runs downstream along Teufelsschlucht to the district of Au. Information boards along the trail explain the history of timber rafting on the Saalach. Teufelsschlucht now attracts international kayakers and canoeists every year. These are different considerations when planning your trip: the Triftsteig and its historical connection, and the gorge as a destination for kayaking and canoeing.
Comparing the Trails
When comparing the trails, the type of information provided is key: the Waterfall Trail has an approximate length of about 3.1 km, while the Triftsteig has a stated direction along the river and endpoint at Au. This lets you weigh whether a distance or a route with a historical connection is more important for your plans.
Discover more destinations: Lenzing, MĂĽhlberg, Kaprun, Lend, Sankt Georgen, Niedernsill, Saalfelden Am Steinernen Meer, Gumping
Return to the main travel overview: Zell Am See.
