Huge spruces and a hidden castle - a winter walking-tour
On a hidden rock the Rottenburg ruin peeps out of the wood above Rotholz (approx. 700 m).
Our winter walking tour goes through a breathtaking track with the highest Tyrolese spruce trees.
"Pure idyll" is the motto of this tour (height: about 150 m., duration: approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes. In Rotholz (highway exit Jenbach or Zillertal) you can orientate at "Gasthof Esterhammer" (bus connection from Rattenberg or Schwaz to Rotholz). After this stop you can begin your route making your way southbound (there are some park areas).
Following the sign "Bibelweg Rottenburg" or "Rottenburg" you will walk up the town and finally reach a forestal path which gently snakes uphill through the wood. This route is not cleared from snow (so make sure you have sturdy shoes and trusty sticks), but this very aspect creates a sort of eternal and charming atmosphere. This route is easy to walk through but conditions may change as new snow falls hard on the path.
Now you can turn right and make your way to the so called "Notburgafichte" (Notburga spruce tree) or you can go on walking along the forestal route). You will reach the tallest spruce tree in Tyrol which has the incredible height of 53 meters. At this point the two paths cross again. Just walk alongside the forestal route, in a few minutes you will reach the hidden Rottenburg ruin on the left-hand side. Going up the “conciliation stairs” you can reach the highest place of the whole ruin site; The Notburga Chapel. This chapel can also be visited. On the way back you can pass the archway walking downhill through a lovely, large footpath (in the wood just walk down along the channel and follow the sign "Buch"). You will then reach the original route. Don’t forget your sled, it’s worth it!
