Reith: Innersbachklamm, Saalach and Local History

Reith offers several different ways to plan a stay: a circular walk to the Innersbachklamm gorge, the footpath to the bathing area at Gaissteig, and historic sites such as Reith Church and Brechler Chapel. If you’re looking for a hotel in Reith, you can plan around the places that interest you: would you like to walk or cycle, include the bathing area as a destination, or explore local history? The destinations differ in their routes, scenery and historical connections.

Paths along the Saalach and to the gorge

A short circular walk to the Innersbachklamm gorge starts at the car park by the Reith Saalach Bridge. The short gorge runs between rocks, steps and a stream. There is a rock pool at the entrance; strong currents can occur there after prolonged rain or thunderstorms. Take this possibility into account when planning your visit.

The bathing area at Gaissteig is another option by the water. From the village of Reith, an approximately 1 km-long footpath leads towards Unken. The bathing area is a flat, stony stretch on the bank of the Saalach, where the current is moderate. As river conditions can change with the water level, check them before your visit. Parking for Gaissteig is provided in the area at the entrance to Reith. Parking options may change, so check the current situation in advance.

A walking and cycling path also follows the Saalach to the Reith Saalach Bridge. It complements the footpath to Gaissteig and the circular walk to the gorge with a route specifically intended for cycling as well. When planning, you can therefore choose between a route to the gorge, a footpath to the bathing area and a walking and cycling path along the river.

Scenery between Reiter Alm and the Saalach

The small village of Reith lends its name to the Reiter Alm mountain range. The elevation rises gently from the summit of Drei Brüder to the Reither Alm above. The Drei Brüder rise up as three gigantic, pointed-cone-shaped rocks; for a long time, an eagle’s nest was located beneath one of the Drei Brüder. These names and landscape features offer different points of reference for the natural surroundings: the mountain range, the alpine pasture, the rocky peaks and a historical reference to wildlife.

Church, chapel and local history

Reith Church was built in 1670 and dedicated to Saint Emperor Henry. Brechler Chapel stands across the Saalach, near Reith Bridge, not far from a bus stop and a short walk towards Lofer. Brechler Chapel is almost certainly at least 300 years old. The church can be dated to a specific year, while the chapel’s age is an estimate.

On the way to the inn “Zu den Drei Brüdern,” you’ll pass an old Brechel or Badstub’n. The Innersbach also has a historical connection to the use of the landscape: in the 16th century, it served as a small feeder stream for floating timber from the Reith mountains to the Reichenhall saltworks. Local history thus ranges from church buildings and an old Brechel or Badstub’n to the former use of the stream for transporting timber.

Another historical reference to Brechelstuben can be found in Unken. There, heated Brechelstuben were commonly used as sweat baths until the 18th century, and in some cases even longer.

Discover more travel destinations: Lenzing, Wald Im Pinzgau, Hollersbach Im Pinzgau, Bramberg, Piesendorf, Zell am See, Mühlberg, Sulzau.

Go to the main travel overview: Zell Am See.