The parish church of Buchboden was built around 1687 and is dedicated as the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of the Nativity. It combines an approximately dated building history with a clear religious dedication, offering a tangible insight into the village’s cultural history.

Church and historic spa house

Another historic building type is the old Bad Rothenbrunnen spa house, built in 1834. Compared with the church, built around 1687, it dates from a later period; at the same time, pilgrimage and spa culture represent different cultural themes. These two perspectives can be considered separately when planning a cultural itinerary. This puts the dates roughly a century and a half apart; however, the date of the church is only approximate.

Gorge, forest and core zone

Kessi Gorge is a natural monument. The water is turquoise blue, and the Lutz River has shaped the gorge over thousands of years. Gadental is a core zone of the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve, where nature can develop without human influence. The forests of Gadental contain Swiss stone pines and spruce trees. Deadwood is an important part of the forest ecosystem there and provides a livelihood for many animals. Two natural processes are therefore central: the river’s long-term shaping of the gorge and the importance of deadwood to forest ecosystems and animals. Please respect the conservation principles of the core zone during your stay.

Water spots and sulphur spring

A hike to water spots in the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve includes, among other places, the Kessi Gorge natural monument, the Bad Rothenbrunnen iron spring, the tufa spring and the sulphur spring. The route brings together different types of water features, and conditions may vary. Check the current conditions before setting out on the hike. The Lutzschwefelbrunnen is also located in the valley of the Lutz River, near Buchboden. One of Austria’s strongest sulphur springs rises there, and it has been newly enclosed. Use of the Lutz sulphur bath and the sauna wagon is reserved exclusively for club members. Keep this access restriction in mind if you are planning a visit.

Hike to Gadenalpe and a place to eat

Choose your destinations according to your preferred focus: the gorge and springs on the one hand, or Gadenalpe on the other. Gadenalpe is an idyllic alpine pasture with three huts. To hike there, take regional bus L570 to the “Sonntag Seilbahn Stein” stop, change there and take on-call bus L571 to the “Buchboden Kirche” stop. Check the timetables and your connection at the transfer point before travelling. The Bad Rothenbrunnen alpine inn serves traditional or light regional cuisine, as well as hearty home-style dishes. The menu and opening arrangements may change; check both before planning a meal there.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Gallenkirch, Sankt Anton Im Montafon, Schruns, Bartholomäberg, Sonntag, Lorüns, Thüringerberg, Innerbraz

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