Thomatal lies among the gentle hills of the Nock Mountains and flowering alpine meadows. Its history in Bundschuh dates back to the 16th century, when mining and smelting took place here. A pilgrimage church, a castle ruin and seasonal opportunities for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing offer a range of different highlights for your trip.

Mining History and Edenfest Castle Ruin

Mining and smelting in Bundschuh date back to the 16th century. The Stuckofen furnace in Bundschuh, a district of Thomatal, is an industrial heritage site related to the history of mining. The Josefshütte in Schönfeld also tells the story of work connected with ore mining: it was originally a barn where fodder was stored for the oxen used in the mines. The rebuilt hut has stood here since 2009 and now serves as an alpine church.

Another historic destination is Edenfest Castle Ruin, first mentioned in a document in 1147. In 1978, the Thomatal tourist association built a visitor trail across the northern face of the rocky hill to the ruin. Check current trail conditions before setting out on a hike.

Pilgrimage Church, Grotto and St. George’s Ride

The Parish and Pilgrimage Church of St. George in Thomatal, in the Lungau region, is a pilgrimage church for farmers and livestock breeders. Its features include a well-preserved Mauracher organ dating from 1883. The so-called church tower grotto forms the lower level of the tower of St. George’s Pilgrimage Church in Thomatal. Since the death of priest Valentin Pfeifenberger (1914–2004), seven memorial plaques there have commemorated him.

St. George’s Ride is another special tradition connected with the village church. Every year, on the Sunday after April 23, St. George’s Day, farmers from Thomatal bring “Sauhaxn” (pig’s trotters) as offerings. They place the offerings in a bowl beneath the statue of St. George in the pilgrimage church. The first written records of such offerings to St. George date from 1538; Valentin Pfeifenberger revived the tradition in modern times after it had later been forgotten.

Visiting and Special Features

The Valentinum presents the historical legacy of priest Valentin Pfeifenberger to the public. It is freely accessible and free to visit; the exhibits can be viewed from outside, as visitors do not enter an indoor space. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Another cultural highlight is the Holy Family, carved directly from living Swiss stone pines that still stand on site.

Winter Trails and Summer Activities

In winter, walking routes along the meandering Kremsbach stream lead through snow-covered fields, forests and gentle hills. For cross-country skiing, the Schönfeld Rosanin high-altitude trail offers 8 km of tracks for classic technique and, in some sections, skating. Since trail conditions can vary seasonally, check them before your outing.

Schönfeld lies at an altitude of 1,730 metres and is a starting point for hikes and trekking tours. In summer, Thomatal-Schönfeld is also a starting point for hiking and cycling tours in the Lungau mountain region. Allow about two hours for a hike to the Franzenshütte. Depending on the season, different activities take centre stage: winter walks and cross-country skiing in winter, and hiking and cycling in summer.

Discover more destinations: Tamsweg, Zederhaus, Unternberg, Schellgaden, Tweng, Wölting, Sankt Margarethen Im Lungau and Zankwarn.

Return to the main travel overview: Tamsweg.