The Hohe Tauern National Park borders Stall, and the surrounding mountain ranges reach up to majestic peaks over 3,000 metres high. At the same time, local history spans from a parish church first mentioned in historical records in 1336 to a school built in the 20th century. Visitors planning a stay can explore a range of interests: trails from the valley into the high mountains, ecclesiastical heritage and individual activities whose conditions vary depending on the season.
Hiking Between the Valley and the High Mountains
There are around 90 kilometres of well-maintained agricultural and hiking trails around Stall. They lead from the valley past rustic alpine pastures and huts into high-mountain regions. The Marterle–Stall stage of the Alpe-Adria-Trail is a specific route: it is 10.8 kilometres long and descends towards Stall along the historic Staller Kirchweg. Protected alpine flowers accompany the hike.
This gives you different reference points for planning: a network of trails with a variety of routes, or a single stage with a specified length and direction. As trail conditions can change, it is worth checking the latest situation before setting out on a hike.
Church History and Places of Remembrance
The parish church of Stall was first mentioned in historical records in 1336. After a devastating fire, it was rebuilt and rededicated on 21 August 1831. Inside are preserved statues from the 16th and 17th centuries; the three Neo-Gothic altars and the pulpit were installed in 1847. The church interior thus brings together several layers of history.
Gold and silver mining also form part of the area's history and are thought to have contributed to the early settlement of Stall. Mining in the Hohe Tauern region reached its heyday in the 15th and 16th centuries. In Steinwand, the “Fercher von Steinwand Memorial School” was built from 1930 to 1932; the “Josefikirchlein” chapel was built next to the school. Another annual tradition is the pilgrimage on St James’s Day, which begins at Stall parish church. If you plan to take part, confirm the current date locally in advance.
Herb Tours and Water Activities
On a guided tour of the herb farm, visitors learn about various wild plants and traditional medicinal herbs from monastery gardens. After the tour, they collect various herbs and turn them into natural products, including pesto, juices, balms, tinctures and spice blends. The tour also includes tastings of herb-based syrups, teas, liqueurs and spreads. The programme combines learning about plants with gathering, processing and tasting them.
Other activities focus on getting active. Canyoning in the Wölla Gorge near Stall involves abseiling, jumping, sliding and swimming. The “Wake Stall” facility on Lake Gößnitz offers a wakeboarding cable system, where riders travel between supports 200 metres apart. The two activities are therefore quite different in nature.
Winter Activities and Seasonal Planning
In winter, Schattseite has a five-kilometre cross-country ski trail with a skating lane. Conditions may vary. The “Tauchnerfeld” lift is around 200 metres long and offers children and beginners in particular the opportunity to learn to ski or improve their technique. As it is a seasonal facility, operating dates may vary. Stall also has a heated swimming pool; its opening is seasonal. If any of these activities are important to your trip, check conditions and opening times for your travel dates.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests
There are different ways to explore Stall: trails lead from the valley into high-mountain regions, while the parish church and the sites in Steinwand offer a glimpse into local history. The herb tour, canyoning and wakeboarding provide different ways to get involved. When choosing your travel dates, it is especially important to consider whether you want to take part in a seasonal activity or attend the annual pilgrimage.
Discover more destinations: Spittal An Der Drau, Eisentratten, Katschberghöhe, Kleblach Lind, Pattendorf, Teuchl, Weissensee, Obergottesfeld.
Back to the main travel guide: Spittal An Der Drau.
