Aigen im Ennstal combines distinctive landscapes with traces of its own local history. Lake Putterersee and Kulm offer different highlights for those who enjoy spending time outdoors; churches, monuments and regional culture complete the picture. You can shape your stay around the landscape, outdoor activities or history.
Lake, Kulm and Mountain Views
At 13 hectares in area and 8 metres deep, Lake Putterersee is the warmest alpine moor lake in Styria. These dimensions and its classification as an alpine moor lake give the body of water a distinct landscape profile.
Kulm is an isolated mountain in Aigen im Ennstal. It rises around 270 metres above the valley floor of the Styrian Enns Valley, and its summit is 918 metres above sea level. A hike to the top offers 360-degree views across the entire Enns Valley, as far as the Dachstein and Gesäuse. There is a small summit cross and a resting place at the top.
Another hike leads to Hohe Trett above Aigen. From there, the views extend to Grimming, the Ausseerland, the Dachstein and Gesäuse. Kulm and Hohe Trett thus offer two different perspectives on the surrounding landscape.
Cycling and Getting Here
There are also several options for cycling. The Enns Cycle Path offers an opportunity to ride in Aigen im Ennstal. The Eichschacherl Trail, next to the Putterersee campsite, is a suitable introduction to mountain biking for children. Check the trail’s local operating conditions before setting out.
For the Wünschelrutenweg, bus routes 940 and 941 serve the “Putterersee” stop near the starting point. As timetables can change, it is advisable to check the current connection before travelling. The nearest railway station is Stainach-Irdning in Stainach, 6 kilometres from Aigen; check current train connections for this journey too.
Churches, Heritage Protection and Local Culture
Floriani Church combines contemporary architecture with an extraordinary synthesis of rock, glass and wood. It was consecrated on 3 May 1992. Its design adds a modern note to the municipality’s historic and listed sites.
The Puttererschlössl with its castle chapel, as well as the Catholic subsidiary church of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist on Hohenberg, are designated as protected monuments. The Hallstatt-period settlement and burial mounds on Kulm near Aigen are also protected. Kulm is therefore not only a destination for the views, but also bears archaeological traces of the Hallstatt period.
The Aigner Dirndl is a distinctive local cultural tradition: the Aigen Women’s Movement created it in 2006. Its pattern stylises the butter striezel and the little tree from the municipal coat of arms. The Stalingrad Cross was erected in memory of those who fell in the Battle of Stalingrad, from 22 November 1942 to 2 February 1943; the memorial chapel was consecrated on 8 September 1973.
Pichlarn Castle also has a historical connection to sacred history: it once had a castle chapel dedicated to Saint Nepomuk and Saint Otmar. Together with the churches, memorial chapel and archaeological monuments, this represents another side of Aigen beyond its trails and viewpoints.
Discover more destinations: Irdning, Sankt Martin Am Grimming, Furrach, Gleiming, Weyern, Ruperting, Lassing Bei Liezen, Gams Bei Hieflau
For the main travel overview: Liezen.
