Ampass: Archaeology, Culture and Hiking Trails

Anyone looking for a hotel in Ampass will find a place with a distinctive archaeological and cultural-historical profile. In relation to its area, Ampass has the highest density of archaeologically significant sites in Tyrol. The Viertlsäule and the parish church of St. John add two specific cultural landmarks to this profile; hiking trails around the village and a weather-dependent ice rink offer other travel highlights. This allows you to plan your trip around local history, outdoor activities or a seasonal pursuit.

Getting here and location

A VVT timetable lookup dated 9 July 2024 listed the Regiobus 505 service, with a connection from Ampass to Innsbruck and Hall. It ran every half hour from Monday to Saturday and continued to Mils. These details reflect the situation at the time; check the current timetable before travelling. Ampass lies on the south bank of the Inn along the old Salt Road to Hall. This location gives the village historical context, while the bus information provides specific travel days and a service frequency. A historical transport connection and practical travel-planning information thus go hand in hand.

Culture and history

The Viertlsäule stands on the Sonnenbühel hill along the road to Hall. It is considered the most significant late Gothic image column in North Tyrol from an art-historical perspective. The precise location, Sonnenbühel, helps place this monument within the municipality; its art-historical significance extends beyond the village.

The Gothic parish church of St. John adds another layer to the village’s history. It burned down completely in 1567 after being struck by lightning. During restoration work in 1955, a fresco of St. Christopher dating from the early 16th century was discovered on the south side of the choir. The fresco therefore predates the fire, but only came to light centuries later during restoration work. The parish church is also known as a popular wedding church. Its building history, the fresco and this role offer different ways to explore St. John’s.

Hiking trails and protected landscapes

The Innsbrucker Almenweg is a hiking trail around Ampass. The Kaspar Sautner Trail also runs around Ampass. It is named after a Tyrolean freedom fighter who had ties to Ampass. The names thus distinguish one route from a trail named after a historical figure. If you are planning a hike, check current trail conditions locally.

The small Taxerhofsee, also known as Köglmoor, offers a different connection with nature. It lies within the municipality of Ampass; its reed beds and wet meadows are protected. This sets the themes surrounding the lake apart from the named hiking trails: here, the focus is on protected landscapes, while the trails around Ampass are distinguished by their different names and associations.

A weather-dependent activity

The Ampass natural ice rink adds an ice-based activity to the hiking and cultural offerings. The rink measures approximately 55 × 25 metres and is suitable for ice skating, ice hockey and Bavarian curling. Its operation depends on the weather. If this activity is an important part of your trip, take the weather into account when choosing your travel dates. Along with the timetable information, these are practical conditions you can factor into your plans in advance.

Discover more destinations: Aldrans, Navis, Pettnau, Seefeld in Tyrol, Volderau, Unterweg, Patsch, Pfons

Go to the overview of the wider region: Innsbruck-Land.