Wald: Walder Carnival, Church and Earth Pyramids

With the Walder Carnival, the Church of St. Thomas and the earth pyramids, Wald brings together local traditions, history and geological heritage. There is also a wildlife adventure trail, a view over the Inn Valley and a route with a suspension bridge. These different themes offer a range of reasons to discover Wald.

The Walder Carnival, held every four years

The Walder Carnival takes place every four years in the hamlet of Wald. After the midday bells ring, more than 200 men and boys put on their masks and parade through the village. The masked parade is a defining feature of the event. If you are mainly interested in nature or history, these themes can be the focus of your trip independently of the festival date.

Church and history

The Church of St. Thomas, a subsidiary church in Arzl Wald, is located in Wald. A chapel dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle was built there as early as 1493. After another fire in 1909, master builder Hörmann from Mötz gave Wald’s subsidiary church its present appearance. The dates mark distinct historical milestones: 1493 refers to the construction of the chapel, and 1909 to the church’s present appearance after another fire. This gives the church’s history a clear timeline, from the late 15th century to the changes made after the fire.

Earth pyramids, wildlife and views of the Inn Valley

The earth pyramids are a geological feature and the result of centuries of erosion. The Earth Pyramids circular trail includes a short detour to a waterfall. Here, long-term landscape formation and a specific point along the route offer two distinct nature experiences. Along the wildlife adventure trail, visitors can learn interesting facts about the lives of the region’s wild animals. The trail is in Arzl/Wald, near the “Waldeck” snack station. The “Innblick” viewing platform offers a view over the Inn Valley. If you are travelling with children, you can use these differences as conversation starters: How does erosion shape the landscape over centuries, what can you learn about the lives of wild animals, and what view of the Inn Valley can you enjoy from the platform?

Routes and practical information

The “Arzl – Benni-Raich Bridge – Wald” route leads from Arzl towards Wald as far as the “Pitzenebene” settlement. There you can admire the suspension bridge, which spans 137.7 m. The Earth Pyramids circular trail, by contrast, is distinguished by its short detour to a waterfall. When choosing between the two routes, you can go by what you would most like to see: the suspension bridge and its span on one route, or the earth pyramids and waterfall detour on the other.

Route “Wald 3” can be reached by bus to the Wald Feuerwehr stop. If you plan to travel this way, check the timetable before your trip.

Families can plan their trip around two different questions: Should the Walder Carnival be the main focus of your stay, or are nature and cultural attractions more important? If you are visiting for the carnival, the event date is an important point of reference; for other interests, you can focus on the attractions you would like to see. With this priority in mind, you can search for a holiday apartment in Wald that suits the purpose of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Leins, Ried.

Return to the main travel overview: Arzl Im Pitztal.