Steinberg Am Rofan lies on a sunny, secluded high plateau above Lake Achensee and is surrounded by three distinct mountain ranges. Several clearly distinct themes come together here for trip planning: a parish church with a long history, easy circular hikes, a challenging stage of the Eagle Walk and seasonal cross-country ski trails. First decide whether culture, short hikes, a longer mountain tour or winter sports will be the focus of your stay.
Landscape and Special Places
The Steinberg Am Rofan Kraftplatz is a viewing platform made of local larch wood and built by the Austrian Federal Forests. It can be reached by bicycle. The Gaismoos Tunnel offers a different kind of experience: carved into the rock, it is unlit and in its natural state. Together, these two named features show different aspects of the village, without requiring the same kind of outing.
Circular Trails and Mountain Tours
The Bärenwald Loop is an easy circular hike covering 4.9 kilometres with 170 metres of elevation gain. It starts and ends at the parish church. The Steinberg Panorama Loop also starts and ends there. The easy circular hike to Steinberger Loch leads from the church through Steinberger Loch and back to the starting point; it is 2.9 kilometres long. This makes it shorter than the Bärenwald Loop. An elevation gain of 170 metres is also specified for the latter. When choosing between the two routes, you can therefore compare the stated distances without assuming an unspecified elevation gain for the shorter loop.
The challenging Eagle Walk Stage 07 is on a different scale: covering 18 kilometres, it leads from Steinberg Am Rofan through the Brandenberg Alps (Rofan) to Erfurter Hut. It is therefore clearly different from the short circular trails that start and end at the parish church. Check current trail conditions before setting out; for the Eagle Walk stage, you should also factor alpine conditions into your plans.
Cross-Country Ski Trails and Winter Sports
The S2 Guffert Trail starts at the cross-country skiing centre at an elevation of around 1,000 metres. It runs for 7 kilometres through varied terrain, with some steeper sections and around 150 metres of elevation gain, and is rated as a moderately difficult, challenging trail. The S1 Steinberg Village Trail has short climbs and descents and is recommended for experienced cross-country skiers. The two trails therefore differ in their stated route characteristics and recommended level of experience.
The Rofanlifte ski area offers manageable slopes for beginners. It has a drag lift, a platter lift and a rope tow. Cross-country trails and the ski area are seasonal offerings: before travelling, check the grooming and snow conditions as well as the current lift operating conditions.
Church and Alpine History
The parish church was first mentioned in a document in 1188 and was rebuilt in the Late Gothic style from 1419 to 1434. Inside, the left side altar features a depiction of the personified Trinity above the Sorrowful Mother of God. The Steinberg Stabat Mater cycle comprises twelve numbered stations. These details also make a church visit interesting for travellers looking for a specific art and cultural history focus alongside a hike.
Another precise date belongs to Alpine history: in 1911, Hans Dülfer and Hans Fiechtl were the first to climb the Guffert’s south ridge. Steinberg Am Rofan has been one of the “Mountaineering Villages” since 2021.
Getting There and Practical Information
Regional bus routes 4080 and 7801 run to Steinberg Am Rofan. Get off at the “Steinberg a. R. Kirche” stop; check the current timetable before departure. Free parking is available at the municipal office. Check the parking conditions on site before planning your journey around it.
Discover more destinations: HinterriĂź, Mayrhofen, Bruck Am Ziller, Vomp, Zell Am Ziller, Wiesing, Acham, Schwaz.
Back to the main travel overview: Schwaz.
