Neukirchen: Forest Trails, Taferlklaussee and Viechtau Culture

The trails described here, Taferlklaussee and Viechtau culture offer different themes for a stay in Neukirchen. If you are looking for accommodation in Neukirchen, you can first consider whether you are more interested in hiking and nature or in architectural and craft history. The specific points of interest range from a forest nature trail to the history of a Baroque altar.

Forest trails and elevation

The WWW Windlegernweg is a forest nature trail from Neukirchen to Windlegern. It highlights the forest's special features and functions. Its theme is therefore clearly defined: the forest is at the heart of the trail not only as a landscape, but also for its functions and distinctive qualities. The BergeSeen Trail 01 leads to Neukirchen at an elevation of 743 m. From the square in front of the church, signs point to the Viechtau local history museum and the Windlegernweg. The elevation and signposted destinations provide different points of reference for planning.

The Neukirchen–Almgasthof Windlegern–Neukirchen circular route is another named hiking option. After a short descent, it leads to the Almgasthof Windlegern. Unlike the forest nature trail, the features described here are the circular route and the descent to the mountain inn. This allows you to distinguish a trail focused on forest topics from a route with a specific destination along the way. If you are planning a hike, it is advisable to check current trail conditions.

Taferlklaussee: nature and circular walk

The Taferlklaussee nature reserve includes a particularly valuable raised bog and very rare plant species. As well as the lake, the natural area is characterised by its bog and plant life. Taferlklaussee can be circled in about half an hour on a well-maintained walking trail, with the lake remaining in view throughout the walk. The description of this circular walk therefore gives you its approximate duration, the nature of the trail and the uninterrupted views of the lake.

The Echoblasen takes place at Taferlklaussee every year on 15 August. Several groups of brass players perform melodies, yodels and folk tunes across the lake. If you would like to plan your visit around this tradition, check the exact event date in advance. The lakeside walk and the Echoblasen offer different highlights: an approximate duration for a stroll, and an annual musical event.

Church and Viechtau local history museum

The parish church of Neukirchen bei Altmünster is dedicated to Maria Schnee (Our Lady of the Snows). This simple Baroque church dates from 1754 and has a barrel vault. A barrel vault is a lengthwise, arched ceiling. The Baroque high altar also has its own story: it originally stood in Vienna's Minoritenkirche and was installed in Neukirchen around 1780. This gives two dates to note: the year the church was built and the approximate date when the altar was installed.

The Viechtau local history museum is housed in Rabenwies, a building on a hill above the village of Neukirchen, built in the typical architectural style of the Viechtau. It illustrates how people lived around a hundred years ago. Traditional home crafts are a particular focus, especially carving and woodturning. Woodturning involves rotating and shaping a workpiece; together with carving, this woodcraft forms a central part of the museum's focus. The church and the local history museum offer different perspectives on cultural history: Baroque architecture and the altar's origins on the one hand, and life in the past and traditional home crafts on the other.

Plan your journey

Bus route 517 from Gmunden to Neukirchen, route 522 between Gmunden and Großalm, and the Neukirchen b. Altmünster/Postamt stop are listed for Neukirchen; check the routes and stops mentioned before setting off. Plan your journey using the current timetable and check travel times and stops before you leave. This lets you factor the bus connections listed into your plans without assuming a specific departure time.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut, Gschwandt, Grünau Im Almtal, Rindbach, Scharnstein, Gmunden, Traunkirchen, Gosau.

View the overview of destinations in the wider area: Gmunden District.