Dorfheim: Castle, Plague Cross and Hiking Trails

Dorfheim offers visitors several specific points of interest: a protected castle, a memorial site and routes with different historical and scenic focuses. When choosing your accommodation, the planned focus of your stay may be the deciding factor: cultural sights, a hike or both. The History Experience Trail leads through the Dorfheim district; other hikes include Dorfheim along their routes. The themes range from the Ice Age and Roman times to unspoiled trails and a winter hike.

Dorfheim Castle and the Plague Cross

Dorfheim Castle, at Dorfheimerstraße 25, is a protected monument. The Federal Monuments Office’s monument list dated 30 June 2025 lists it as a monument. Its high hipped roof and two corner towers stand out. Another historical landmark is the Plague Cross, a memorial to people who fell victim to plague epidemics. Dorfheim thus offers both an architectural landmark and a place of remembrance.

Discover the history and get to know the trails

The History Experience Trail is for travellers who want to learn about local history through themed stops: it comprises 13 partly interactive stops covering the Ice Age, Roman times and other historical periods. The route follows Dorfheimer Straße to Dorfheim Castle, through the Dorfheim district, and branches onto Abdeckerweg about 350 metres beyond the castle. The content at the stops may be updated; check the current route description if particular topics are important to your plans.

The trail starts at Saalfelden railway station. The station can be reached from Saalfelden town centre by Postbus; services and timetables may change. The S7 Plague Cross Loop offers a different route: it reaches the historic Plague Cross and then follows a narrow asphalt road into the Dorfheim district. The route connects the memorial site with a specifically identified section on asphalt.

Hikes through Dorfheim

The Lenzing Loop is moderately difficult, 12.4 kilometres long and listed as taking 3 hours and 5 minutes. It leads through Dorfheim and has a variety of surfaces, including unpaved trails. After the Plague Cross, it follows a field path along the Saalach. The length and stated duration help you plan your time; the surface types also describe the character of the route.

Another option is the Great Saalfelden Loop, a winter hike that passes through Euring, Dorfheim, Bachwinkel and Wiesing. Along the way, it passes Dorfheimer Schlossstüberl, a place to stop for refreshments. From the “Saalfelden Wiesing (B311)” bus stop, it is about a ten-minute walk to the starting point of the loop. The route description therefore provides a specific guide to the starting point as well as the places it passes through.

The routes mentioned may change. Check the latest route information before setting out; Postbus services and timetables may also change.

For the wider travel overview: Saalfelden Am Steinernen Meer.