Habichen: Lake, forest trails and bell-founding history

Habichen can be explored through two distinct highlights: the small Habicher See on the edge of the forest and the history of the Grassmayr bell-founding family. Forest trails lead to the lake; historic buildings and chapels are also located along the route. If you are choosing a destination for your stay, these natural and historical features can help guide your decision. The following places and trails give you specific points of reference for planning.

Through the forest to Habicher See

Habicher See is a small, blue-green pond on the edge of the forest near Habichen. It is about 25 metres wide and 50 metres long. These approximate measurements convey its compact size; the lake is therefore a clearly defined focus for a hike, rather than a vast body of water. The “9 Treasures” hike leads through the forest towards Habichen and branches off to the lake. The route thus combines a stretch through the forest with a named destination.

One path to the lake first passes the Antonius Chapel and then branches off towards the water. If you are travelling with a pushchair, an alternative route through the Lindenwald is an option: it is described as suitable for pushchairs all the way to the lake. Trail conditions can vary, so it is a good idea to check them before setting out. The “9 Treasures” hike and the Lindenwald alternative offer different routes to the same destination. When choosing a route, the main consideration is whether you would like to take the alternative that is specifically described as suitable for pushchairs.

Bell foundry and protected architectural heritage

The history of the Grassmayr family is linked to Habichen. In 1599, Bartlme Grassmayr cast the first bell in his family’s bell foundry in Habichen, laying the foundation for the family business. The Grassmayr family’s bell-founder’s house stands along the route to Habicher See; its façades are decorated with frescoes. This means you encounter the history of bell founding not only as a historical account, but also through a named building along the route.

Another building with its own heritage-protection status is the Graßmayrhaus in Habichen: it is protected as a historic monument by official order. The house and the bell-founder’s house are specific points of interest for anyone who would like to take local and architectural history into account alongside the landscape during their stay. The information about the buildings reflects different aspects: the Graßmayrhaus’s heritage-protection status, and the family connection and frescoes on the façades of the bell-founder’s house.

Ice cellar and return route

The ice cellar adds a connection between natural conditions and past use to these themes. Currents inside the rock keep the temperature there consistently between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius. The ice cellar was used as a natural refrigerator until the 1960s. The coolness of the rock and its historical use are thus directly connected: a specific feature of the place explains what it was once used for.

The return route offers another named point of interest. On the way back, the route passes the Burgstall Chapel. The chapel has a small viewing balcony with seating. This distinction can be helpful when planning: the lake is the scenic destination, while the chapel and balcony are on the return route. This makes it possible to organise the different stops according to whether you want to focus on the path to the pond, architectural history or the return route and its viewpoint.

Habichen is therefore a suitable search destination for travellers who would like to include nature and history in their plans for a stay. The lake, forest trails, frescoes on the bell-founder’s house and the history of the ice cellar each offer a distinct focus. If you are looking for a hotel, you can choose Habichen as your destination and consider which themes matter to you during your stay based on these specific interests. The places and trails mentioned here can help guide you, while keeping in mind that the individual stops are not all alike: the range of highlights extends from the small pond and family history to the ice cellar’s former use.

For the wider travel overview: Oetz.