Walchen: Hiking, Views and Local History

Walchen offers several different highlights for planning your trip: the Cultural Landscape Trail to Naglköpfl, a fishing stretch on the Salzach River and traces of cultural history. You can plan your stay around an easy hike, time by the water or an interest in local history.

Hike to Naglköpfl

The Piesendorf Cultural Landscape Trail runs from Fürth through Piesendorf and Walchen to the viewpoint on Naglköpfl. The short, easy hike has no major climbs, is suitable for children and can be walked almost year-round. Naglköpfl rises above Walchen; from there, the view stretches across the Salzach Valley.

A traditional woodcutter’s bark hut has been reconstructed along the route to Naglköpfl using original materials. This gives the trail an architectural feature that complements its cultural landscape character, in addition to the viewpoint. The hut and the viewpoint represent different aspects of the trail: one is a reconstructed wooden structure, while the other opens up views across the Salzach Valley.

Getting your bearings and getting there

Walchen station is served by the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn from both directions. From the station, follow the path towards the village of Walchen. The Bachweg branches off 50 metres west of the church; from there, signs for the Cultural Landscape Trail point the way to Naglköpfl. If you are travelling by train, check the timetable for your travel date. The sequence of station, village, church and turn-off provides specific landmarks for starting the trail.

Fishing on the Salzach

Another activity awaits you on the Salzach: fishing is permitted along a 17.8-kilometre stretch between Walchen and Gries. The river is home to brown trout and grayling, and offers views of the Pinzgau panorama. Unlike the Cultural Landscape Trail, this activity focuses on fishing along a named stretch of the Salzach; the hiking trail leads to Naglköpfl and its views across the Salzach Valley. The two options therefore differ both in activity and in their geographical setting.

Culture and local history

The chapel on Naglköpfl houses the four saints traditionally associated with the farming community: Saint Ambrose, Saint Joseph, Saint Leonard and Saint Hubert. This selection establishes a connection with the farming community and gives the chapel its own cultural significance on Naglköpfl.

Another historical trace is the first Walcher Castle. It was built in 1160 as the ancestral seat of the Lords of Walchen; today, only sections of wall remain. Walchen is also home to the large Vögeigut farmhouse, which once belonged to the “farmer kings” of the Pinzgau. The castle’s history is marked by a specific year and surviving remains, while the Vögeigut’s former ownership is significant to local history. Together, these places reveal different facets of Walchen’s cultural history.

Discover more destinations: Paßthurn, Weißbach Bei Lofer, Jochbergthurn, Schüttdorf, Bramberg, Berg, Krimml, Sulzau

View the broader travel overview: Zell Am See.