Roppen reveals itself through several layers of time and different kinds of paths. Finds at Burschl point to early settlement; there is also a chapel with a depiction dating to around 1480 and the foundations of a Gothic village church, discovered in the area of the cemetery chapel. Roppen is also home to the Lourdes Chapel, built in 1899. Paths follow old irrigation systems, run above the village and join the Way of St. James. This lets you focus on culture, landscape and activity according to your interests.
Chapels and Historic Traces
The Bruder Klaus Chapel at Burschl stands on a rocky outcrop covered in vegetation, dropping steeply down to the Inn. Inside the chapel is a depiction of the hermit dating to around 1480. Archaeological finds also offer a glimpse into the history of Burschl: pottery and bone finds from the Bronze Age, around 800 BC, point to early settlement there. The finds and the depiction provide different points of reference in time, from the Bronze Age to the late 15th century.
In spring 2020, the foundations of a Gothic village church built around 1460 were discovered in the area of Roppen’s cemetery chapel. This medieval church building adds another historical point of interest to the village. The Lourdes Chapel offers another architectural layer of history: built in 1899 in the Neo-Gothic style, it stands on the site of the former Church of St. Leonard. Inside, it houses a Lourdes grotto with a statue of Our Lady. Its year of construction, architectural style and predecessor church give this chapel a different historical context from the finds and depiction at Burschl.
Paths Between Local History and Landscape
The Oberfeldwaal Roppen circular trail starts at the sports ground and follows old irrigation systems that once watered the fields. Its route therefore combines outdoor activity with the fields’ former use. The Höhenweg Roppen offers a different focus: it starts right in the centre and runs above the village through forests and lush meadows. When choosing between the two trails, you can consider their stated starting points and themes: historic irrigation on the Oberfeldwaal, and woodland and meadow scenery on the Höhenweg.
The Way of St. James starts in Roppen on the left bank of the Inn. The Römerbadl, a Kneipp facility at the foot of the 2,370-metre-high Tschirgant, lies right on the route. The Römerbadl is a popular, refreshing stop for pilgrims and hikers. Here, the pilgrimage route and the Kneipp facility meet, while the Oberfeldwaal circular trail is distinguished above all by its historic irrigation systems.
More Options for Active Days
The Forchheimer Weg starts in Roppen and leads via the Maisalm to the ErlangerhĂĽtte. One section of the Inn Valley Cycle Path runs between Roppen and Haiming. Both descriptions offer specific guidance for different ways to explore the surrounding area: the Forchheimer Weg names a stop along the way and a destination, while the cycle path identifies a section between two places.
Those interested in geology can explore the Forchet Geology Trail in the Tschirgant rockslide area between Roppen and Haiming. The Roppener Gorge is also associated with Roppen and its surroundings as a destination for rafting. Together with the chapels, paths shaped by cultural history and routes along the Inn, these options offer a range of focuses for planning a trip, without requiring all activities to be part of the same route.
Discover more destinations: Mieming, Sankt Leonhard Im Pitztal, Nassereith, Mötz, Köfles, Umhausen, Oetz, Jerzens
Return to the regional travel overview: Imst.
