In Sankt Martin bei Lofer, protected landscapes and a history of churches and pilgrimage offer different starting points for planning a trip. The Vorderkaser Gorge lies between St. Martin bei Lofer and WeiĂźbach bei Lofer; the Maria Kirchental pilgrimage church and the Catholic parish church of St. Martin offer another cultural focus. The themes you would like to explore in greater depth make a good starting point for planning your stay.
Nature and geological history
The Vorderkaser Gorge was declared a natural monument in 1977. At the St. Martin Geology Park, visitors can learn about traces of the ancient sea, mountain formation and the effects of glaciers during the last ice ages. These topics offer different points of interest: the gorge’s status as a natural monument takes center stage at the gorge, while the Geology Park focuses on geological history and the formation of mountains. As you plan your stay, you can consider whether you are more interested in protected landscapes or geological connections.
Trails and experiences
The hike along the Moserpromenade and Moosweg trails passes the Gasthof Hochmoos and returns to Sankt Martin bei Lofer through an underpass beneath the main road. Separately, the Moosweg trail’s route describes the section across the raised bog to the main road and its connection to the Lofer–Sankt Martin walking and cycling path. The information addresses different planning questions: the first describes a hike that returns to the village, while the second outlines the Moosweg trail and its connection to the walking and cycling path. Local trail conditions may vary; check them before setting out.
The Stone Age Adventure Trail is a hiking trail about two kilometers long, with six different play stations. Information boards there cover the history and way of life of the Stone Age. The visitor-accessible show cave section of Lamprecht Cave offers a different experience: the route leads about 700 meters into the mountain and climbs 70 meters to a spacious viewing platform. The focus of each is therefore distinct: play stations and learning are central to the Adventure Trail, while the cave offers a route inside the mountain and a viewing platform. Check the latest access information before visiting the cave.
Churches and pilgrimage history
The Maria Kirchental pilgrimage church in Sankt Martin bei Lofer was built between 1694 and 1701 by master builder Stefan Millinger, based on plans by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. The Salzburg monument register, as of June 30, 2025, lists the church as protected under a formal designation decision. Almost 1,200 votive tablets have been preserved at Maria Kirchental—a distinct point of interest alongside the architecture of the pilgrimage church. The register for the same date also lists the Catholic parish church of St. Martin and the cemetery in Sankt Martin bei Lofer as protected monuments; both are protected by regulation.
Plan a stay that suits you
When choosing a hotel, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like to explore nature and geological history, discover trails, or learn about church architecture and pilgrimage? When planning your route, distinguish between the described return through the underpass and the Moosweg trail route as far as the walking and cycling path. This lets you plan around the topics that genuinely interest you, rather than trying to fit every offering into a single itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Kaprun, Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer, Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer, PaĂźthurn, Taxenbach, Niederland, Wald im Pinzgau, Walchen
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