Lessach can be discovered from two perspectives: its mountain scenery and tangible evidence of local history. The town is located in the protected core zone of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Salzburger Lungau. Lessach offers opportunities to hike to clear mountain lakes, as well as village walks, cycling options, winter activities, and cultural details. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether hiking, cycling, winter sports, or culture will be your main focus.
Hiking and Cycling
The Salzburger Arnoweg trail passes through the village of Lessach, as does the Lungauer Kulturwanderweg. There are also opportunities to hike to clear mountain lakes. This gives you two different hiking experiences: routes through the village and mountain lakes as hiking destinations. The cycling routes have specific figures: the “Lessacher Winklweg – Hinteres Lessachtal” cycling route is 6.7 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 85 metres. The “Wildbachhütte über Zoitzachalm” mountain bike trail is 7.1 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 610 metres. The routes are similar in length, but their elevation gains differ considerably: the mountain bike trail is 0.4 kilometres longer and has 525 metres more elevation gain.
Gumma and Winter Trails
Gumma is the local mountain of the people of Lessach and is normally a popular ski touring destination. The mountain hike to Gumma takes you to avalanche cones—stone structures built to protect the town of Lessach from avalanches. The hike therefore also leads to protective structures whose purpose is directly connected to Lessach. Another winter activity is the 8-kilometre cross-country ski trail through the Hinteres Lessachtal nature conservation area. Ski touring and cross-country skiing offer different winter experiences. Check trail conditions before you travel.
Church, Cemetery, and History
The parish church of Lessach is dedicated to Saint Paul. Since the 17th century, all graves in the cemetery have been uniformly designed as so-called Truhengrabmäler, also known as Sarchen. The cemetery is unique worldwide and significant from an art-historical perspective. Both names refer to the same uniform grave design; they do not denote two different types of grave.
Cemetery and church tours can be booked through the municipal office by calling 06484/812 and take place by appointment. Arrange a tour with the municipal office in advance rather than planning it as a spontaneous activity. Thurnschall was built around the year 1200. This date is much earlier than the uniform grave design introduced from the 17th century onward, providing another historical point of reference.
Season and Date Planning
Schafaufbratln takes place in Lessach only in September and October. If this event is important to your travel plans, check the specific local dates in advance. This is a different consideration when choosing when to travel than the winter activities: Schafaufbratln is limited to these two months, while ski touring and cross-country skiing are winter activities.
Discover more destinations: Zederhaus, Muhr, Begöriach, Ramingstein, Weißpriach, Thomatal, Sankt Andrä Im Lungau, Mariapfarr
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