Schlitters: Cycling Path, Lake and Local History

Cycle Path and Schlitterer See

The Zillertal Cycle Path runs right by Schlitterer See, but bypasses the village of Schlitters. These are two different things: the route lies directly beside the lake, but does not pass through the village. If you are planning excursions, this distinction is helpful so you do not automatically assume that the lake and a visit to Schlitters are on the same route. The cycle path is particularly family-friendly because it is almost flat. For families considering a cycling tour, the route’s character and location by the lake offer practical points to consider.

Schlitterer See was created from a fishpond established in the 16th century and has a total area of 22,000 m². Its origins give the lake a historical connection, while the area figure describes its size. Together with the cycle path running directly beside it, the lake is a distinctive local landmark for exploring cycling and local history.

The Zillertalbahn offers bicycle transport in connection with the Zillertal Cycle Path. If you would like to include both your bike and the train in your tour plans, you can make use of this bicycle transport. Thus, alongside the route itself, the option of transporting bicycles is another practical aspect of cycling around Schlitters.

Parish Church, Chapel and Historical Traces

The present-day Schlitters Parish Church was first mentioned in a document in 1330. It is Gothic and was given a Baroque makeover in 1740. The two dates refer to different historical details: 1330 marks the first documented mention, while 1740 marks the later Baroque makeover. This makes it possible to distinguish the church’s recorded history from its architectural alteration.

Archaeological finds provide clear evidence of a Roman-era settlement in the immediate vicinity of the present-day parish church. These traces of settlement add an earlier historical connection to the church’s later documented history. The finds are in the immediate vicinity of the church; they should not be confused with the date of its first documented mention.

Schlitters is also home to the listed Chapel of St. Mary, also known as Margreiter Chapel. It is a separate landmark alongside the parish church: its name and listed status identify another historic building in the village. Visitors interested in historic buildings will find more than one church-related landmark in Schlitters.

Mining and Waterfall

The area’s former resource extraction is also part of its local history. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, silver, copper and mineral pigments from malachite and azurite were mined in Schlitters. The materials extracted thus included mineral pigments as well as metals. This economic aspect adds another perspective on the area’s past, alongside its architectural history and archaeological settlement traces.

The Schlitterer Waterfall is another natural attraction. It is located at the end of the Öxlbach Valley and cascades over the rocks in several tiers. The walk to the waterfall takes 45 minutes. This makes the waterfall a distinct attraction alongside the cycle path by the lake and the historical themes of the parish church and mining.

Discover more destinations: Bruck Am Ziller, Ramsau Im Zillertal, Distelberg, Stans, Buch In Tirol, Maurach, Schöneben, Weer

Return to the regional travel overview: Schwaz District.