The Piesendorf Cultural Landscape Trail leads from Fürth through Piesendorf and Walchen to the viewpoint on Naglköpfl. The remains of Walcher Castle and the large Vögeigut farmhouse also offer insights into local history. Walchen therefore offers a choice of different activities: an easy hike, views across the Salzach Valley, fishing on the Salzach and cultural and historical discoveries. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first consider which of these interests will be the deciding factor for your stay.

Hiking to Naglköpfl

The Piesendorf Cultural Landscape Trail is a short, easy hike without any major climbs. It leads from Fürth through Piesendorf and Walchen to the viewpoint on Naglköpfl. The trail is suitable for children and can be walked almost all year round. If you are looking for a manageable hike with a clearly defined destination, Naglköpfl is the notable endpoint. This gives the tour a specific focus: the trail connects several villages with a viewpoint above Walchen.

The Walchen stop is a useful starting point for the trail: it is served by the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn from both directions. From the stop, follow the path towards the village of Walchen. Fifty metres west of the church, the Bachweg branches off; from there, signs for the Cultural Landscape Trail point the way to Naglköpfl. These landmarks make it easier to follow the route. If you are travelling by train, check the timetable before setting off. A Holzknecht bark hut has also been rebuilt along the route to Naglköpfl using original materials. It is another distinctive feature of the trail, alongside the named viewpoint.

Scenery and fishing

Naglköpfl rises above Walchen and offers views across the Salzach Valley. The Salzach offers a different focus for your stay: fishing is possible along a 17.8-kilometre stretch between Walchen and Gries. Brown trout and grayling can be found there, along with views of the Pinzgau panorama. The options differ clearly: at Naglköpfl, the hiking trail and valley views take centre stage; on the Salzach, it is fishing and the fish species found there. If you would rather fish than hike, this distinction can help with planning.

Chapel, castle and farmhouse

The chapel on Naglköpfl houses four saints traditionally associated with the farming community: Saint Ambrose, Saint Joseph, Saint Leonard and Saint Hubert. Their names give the chapel a clear cultural connection to farming traditions. The first Walcher Castle was built in 1160 as the ancestral seat of the Lords of Walchen; only the remains of its walls survive today. The large Vögeigut farmhouse adds another historical connection: it stands in Walchen and once belonged to the “farmer kings” of the Pinzgau.

As a cultural theme, the chapel and its four saints differ from the secular connections of the castle and farmhouse: the castle was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Walchen, while the Vögeigut once belonged to the “farmer kings.”

Discover more destinations: Erlberg, Paßthurn, Neukirchen Am Großvenediger, Vorderglemm, Mühlberg, Rain, Berg, Jochbergthurn

Return to the main travel overview: Zell Am See.