Cozy circular hike starting in Rattenberg, the smallest town in Austria. The route continues with many impressions of old castles, palaces, and Matzen Park.
Starting from Rattenberg, the Castle Path begins directly in front of the town gate "Kundler Tor." The nicely designed path leads along the imposing city wall over a wayside cross steadily uphill. After about half an hour, you reach the Stadtberg Chapel on a forest clearing. In the little wooden chapel, you’ll find a place of peace.
At the crossing above the clearing, continue about 15 minutes uphill on the left path, then the path leads partly over wooden bridges gently downhill to Brixlegg to the district called "Mariahilfbergl." Surefootedness is required on this section! When you reach the houses, follow the narrow asphalt road uphill again following the signs "Castle Path." At the highest point, you have a magnificent view of the surrounding mountain landscape. The hike continues steeply downhill past a farm to Brixlegg to the school center. Turn right and go through Badgasse with a view of Lanegg Castle to the Church of Saint Bartholomew in the district Mehrn, Brixlegg. Cross the Alpbach, left and uphill via Marienhöhe to the main road, cross it and go a short distance uphill on the opposite side to the district "Mühlbichl." Now always follow the signs "Castle Path" and "Matzen Park."
Don’t miss a look at the impressive ruins of the "Rolandsbogen" after the last house on the left. Now, you hike on the left side past the park area of "Matzen Park" to "Lipperheide Castle." At the main entrance of the castle park, again follow the Castle Path signs. The path leads between the Lion Pond and Carp Pond, past the "Nymphaeum," and continues to the exit near "Matzen Castle" and "Gut Matzen." On the north side of the house of "Gut Matzen" take a look at the house wall. Here you find all coats of arms and reign periods of the estate owners since its existence. Directly after the house, turn right again and gently uphill past "Matzen Castle" to the forest playground. Then downhill again past the tennis courts to the "Matzen Gate," the east entrance of the park.
Cross the federal road here and walk along the Inn Cycle Path to Rattenberg. Alternatively, you can walk a short distance along the road and take the opportunity to visit the center of Brixlegg. Here you will find many shopping and dining options.
RATTENBERG: One of the highlights of the hike awaits you at the end - the smallest town in Austria! Enjoy ending the route in this little town. Visit the beautiful parish church, the Nail Smith Houses, or the Augustiner Museum. The Rattenberg Castle Hill is also worth a visit. Here on the castle hill, the world-famous painter Egon Schiele was inspired by the old walls and the medieval gem of Rattenberg. From here you have a wonderful view over the town and the Inn Valley.
Note: total duration of the route including sightseeing and stops: about 4 hours
Author’s recommendation
Along the entire route you will find places and buildings that give you a small insight into earlier times and where you can wonderfully relax.
A visit to the Augustiner Museum Rattenberg is recommended. Especially the view from the only accessible church tower in Tyrol offers a wonderful panorama.
Sights along the route
- Augustiner Museum, Rattenberg
- Nail Smith Houses, Rattenberg
- Parish Church, Rattenberg
- Tyrolean Mining and Metallurgy Museum, Brixlegg
- Matzen Castle Park, Brixlegg
Castles along the route
- Castle Ruin, Rattenberg
- Matzen Castle, Brixlegg
- Lipperheide Castle, Brixlegg
- Lichtwerth Castle, Brixlegg
Monument
- Make a detour to the "Ludwig Steub Monument" at Mühlbichl in Brixlegg
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Restaurant Gut MatzenTips and suggestions
Roadbook
Rattenberg East Parking Lot P5 or Rattenberg Train Station - "Kundler Tor" - Stadtberg Chapel Rattenberg - Little Church Maria Hilf - High Chapel - Church of Saint Bartholomew in Mehrn - Rolandseck, Mühlbichl - Percha - Matzen Park - Gut Matzen - Forest Playground - Tennis Courts - Entrance Gate Matzen Park - Lido at Bike Stop Brixlegg on the Inn Cycle Path - Inn Cycle Path to Rattenberg - Parking Lot or Train Station
Mary, Help of Christians Church
Hoch Chapel
Tyrolean Museum of Mining and Metallurgy
Mehrn - St. Bartholomäus fillial church
Ludwig Steub Denkmal
Matzen Castle Park
Bushaltestelle St. Gertraudi Schloss Matzen
Schloss Lipperheide
Burg Lichtwerth
Matzenpark
Restaurant Gut Matzen
Handicraft Museum Rattenberg (Nail Smiths´ Houses)
Rattenberg castle ruins (Schlossberg)
Lichtwerth Castle
Rattenberg, Österreichs kleinstes Städtchen
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Train: Rattenberg Train Station
Bus:
- Outbound: from Alpbach Bus 620 - Brixlegg Train Station - continue with Bus 621 to stop Rattenberg Radfeld Middle School
- Return: Stop Rattenberg Radfeld Middle School to Brixlegg Train Station 621 then continue with Bus 620 to Alpbach
Directions
A12, Kramsach/Brixlegg motorway exit, direction Brixlegg, direction Rattenberg, through the tunnel, then immediately turn left to East Parking Lot P5
Parking
Rattenberg East side parking lot P5 and P4 or West side P1, P2, P3
all paid parking
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Mayr XL Edition hiking map Alpbachtal No. 428
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
good footwear, rain and sun protection, Mayr XL hiking map Alpbachtal No. 428
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions