Katschberg: Ski Hotel Search and Excursions in the Pöllatal Valley

In winter, a free ski bus connects Rennweg with the ski area in just a few minutes. In addition, the surrounding area offers varied destinations for days away from the slopes, including the Pöllatal Valley, the Bacherlebnisweg nature trail and historic churches.

Key facts on the topic

• A free ski bus connects Rennweg with the Katschberg ski area in just a few minutes in winter.
• The Pöllatal nature reserve extends into Rennweg am Katschberg.
• The Inneres Pöllatal core zone has had the status of a European protected area since 2009.
• In summer, the Pöllatal Valley can be reached from the barbecue area or P1 car park on foot, by bicycle or by the Tschu-Tschu train.
• The Tschu-Tschu train can carry up to 62 people and is offered for family and group excursions.
• The Bacherlebnisweg nature trail runs along the Lieser; information boards enable children to explore nature.
• The adjoining section of the Katschberg Advent Trail is approximately 2 km long and can only be covered on foot.

Plan your winter location with the ski bus

If access to the Katschberg ski area is your main priority, you should take the documented bus connection from Rennweg into account when looking for accommodation. The ski bus operates free of charge in winter and takes just a few minutes to reach the ski area. This means you can plan your daily journey differently than you would with accommodation from which you could walk directly to a slope or valley station. You should therefore check the specific location of the accommodation, the transport of your equipment and the appropriate stops separately before booking.

The connection may also be relevant for mixed travel groups. While some members of the group travel to the ski area, others can pursue day plans in the village or the wider surrounding area. When choosing a ski hotel, the first consideration is therefore whether the planned journey to the ski area matches your own requirements for the stay.

Pöllatal Valley: Nature experiences with various access options

In summer, the Pöllatal Valley is a destination in its own right. From the barbecue area or P1 car park, you can reach the valley on foot, by bicycle or by the Tschu-Tschu train. The three options mentioned involve different planning decisions: those who want to cover the route themselves can choose between walking and cycling; the train is also available for family and group excursions. It can carry up to 62 people through the valley.

The Bacherlebnisweg nature trail runs along the Lieser. Information boards give children the opportunity to explore nature, without any specific duration or difficulty of the route being implied. The protected character of the area is also part of its classification: the Pöllatal nature reserve extends into Rennweg am Katschberg, and the region around the Inneres Pöllatal core zone has held the status of a European protected area since 2009.

You should consider the Katschberg Advent Trail separately when planning your day. The adjoining section is approximately 2 km long and can only be covered on foot. This restriction is particularly relevant if you want to combine a winter walk with another excursion destination. It describes access to this section, not accessibility to every other attraction in the surrounding area.

Culture between the Katschtal Valley and Oberdorf

The cultural attractions also give your accommodation search an additional direction. The parish church of St. Peter in the Katschtal Valley in Rennweg was first mentioned in documents in 1351. Most of the altars and statues date from around 1700. Since the Late Middle Ages, St. Peter near Rennweg served as the hereditary burial place of the Lords of Katsch. Those interested in church art and local history will find several points of reference from different periods here.

The present-day subsidiary church of St. Georgen in the Katschtal Valley is a late Baroque new building dating from 1780 to 1782. The central painting of its late Baroque high altar was completed by Josef Messner in 1861. The historic Pocherhaus in Oberdorf was the centre of mining in the Pöllatal Valley; gold and silver were extracted there. These destinations complement a winter stay or provide ideas for planning a day without skiing.

Choose accommodation for different travel plans

For a stay focused on skiing, the free connection from Rennweg to the Katschberg ski area is a specific factor to consider when choosing a location. For summer trips or additional activities, access to the Pöllatal Valley, the Bacherlebnisweg nature trail and the Tschu-Tschu train may carry more weight. Travellers interested in history can include the churches in Rennweg and St. Georgen, as well as the Pocherhaus in Oberdorf, in their plans. Compare these priorities with the location of the respective accommodation before deciding on a hotel or other accommodation.

For comparing other places, you can also view Thomatal, Mauterndorf, Begöriach, Mariapfarr, St. Martin, Sankt Michael Im Lungau, Sankt Margarethen Im Lungau and Göriach.

FAQ

How do you get from Rennweg to the Katschberg ski area in winter?

A free ski bus connects Rennweg with the Katschberg ski area in just a few minutes in winter.

How can the Pöllatal Valley be reached in summer?

The Pöllatal Valley can be reached from the barbecue area or P1 car park on foot, by bicycle or by the Tschu-Tschu train.

How many people is the Tschu-Tschu train designed for?

The Tschu-Tschu train can carry up to 62 people through the valley and is offered for family and group excursions.

How long is the relevant section of the Katschberg Advent Trail?

The adjoining section is approximately 2 km long and can only be covered on foot.

What protection status does the Inneres Pöllatal core zone have?

The region around the Inneres Pöllatal core zone has held the status of a European protected area since 2009.

Which historic destinations are located in the surrounding area?

They include the parish church of St. Peter in the Katschtal Valley in Rennweg, the subsidiary church of St. Georgen in the Katschtal Valley and the historic Pocherhaus in Oberdorf.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tamsweg District.