An alpine pasture area above the tree line, paths to Riedberg Chapel and the Zillertal High Alpine Road give a trip to Ried im Zillertal a range of possible focuses. You can plan your stay around a short chapel route, a hike with a stated duration or a drive along the High Alpine Road.
Forest, Alpine Pastures and Hiking Trails
Above the tree line lies an alpine pasture area of around 200 hectares, which is still used for alpine farming. Forest also shapes the area: forest covers a good 50 percent of the municipality. Together, these details offer a glimpse of the landscape you can take in on hikes and excursions.
Two different route details can help you plan your time. The Ried–Kaltenbach–Stumm–Ried circular hiking trail is 4.3 kilometres long and takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. The Ried–St. Pankraz Church–Ried hiking route covers 8.2 kilometres and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. The second route is therefore 3.9 kilometres longer, and its stated duration is also 1 hour and 15 minutes longer. Seasonal local conditions can affect walking times.
You can reach the Ried–Kaltenbach–Stumm–Ried circular hiking trail by taking the Zillertalbahn train or bus to the Ried im Zillertal railway stop. Check seasonal services for your travel dates. This lets you factor the journey to the trail into your day’s plans.
To Riedberg Chapel and along the Way of the Cross
Riedberg Chapel is located in the middle of the forest. From Taxach, a district of Ried, a field and forest path leads to the chapel in about 15 minutes. The Way of the Cross, by contrast, starts at the Riedbach bridge in Ried, follows the Riedbach stream and climbs uphill along a forest path. This gives you different routes to choose from for a visit to the chapel.
Along the Way of the Cross, the 14 Stations of the Passion of Jesus Christ are depicted in three dimensions in simple chapels. Hermann Wildauer designed the sculptures; Walter Rom of Kundl cast the individual panels in bronze. The Way of the Cross can also be walked as a contemplative path. Riedberg Chapel itself was built in honour of the Mother of God and is dedicated to Marian devotion.
Religious services also provide a seasonal point of reference: May devotions are currently held at Riedberg Chapel every year in May. If you would like to combine your visit with one of these events, check the dates before your trip.
Art and protected heritage in the village
In the parish church of St. John the Baptist in Ried, the high altar is adorned with a relief by sculptor Josef Bachlechner. Another glimpse of the village’s architectural heritage can be found at the old section of the cemetery, with its cemetery chapel, and at the Widum at Kirchweg 2: both are protected by ordinance. Together with Riedberg Chapel, these sites form a cultural focus alongside the hiking trails.
A drive along the Zillertal High Alpine Road
The Zillertal High Alpine Road is open to visitors and has five access roads, including one in Ried. If you want to experience the entire road, you should start the climb in Ried. The road reaches its highest point at Melchboden, at 2,020 metres. Schönblick Wildlife Park, which has a playground, is also located along the High Alpine Road at an elevation of 850 metres.
The Hochzillertal-Hochfügen ski area is also just a few minutes’ drive from Ried im Zillertal. Check access and operating conditions for the season before setting out. The excursion options therefore differ considerably: hikes can be planned around stated distances and times, while access to the High Alpine Road and the ski area’s seasonal operations play a role in planning.
Find the right accommodation for your stay
When looking for a hotel in Ried im Zillertal, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip. A short walk to Riedberg Chapel, the Way of the Cross starting at the Riedbach bridge, one of the routes with a stated duration, or the High Alpine Road will each lead to a different daily itinerary. Compare these options based on how much time you want to allow for hiking, culture and drives.
Discover more destinations: Gerlos, Hippach-Schwendberg, Schöneben, Hainzenberg, Terfens, Fügen, Hochpillberg, Juns
Go to the overview of the wider region: Schwaz.
