Amlach: Forest Trails, Pilgrimage Sites and Mountain Views

Amlach lies south of the city of Lienz, at the foot of Rauchkofel. Forests, quiet woodland trails and river coves shape the landscape in and around the village. A small stream flows through the central park, which offers a place to relax for nature lovers. This means nature experiences range from paths through the woodland to time spent by the water.

Hiking trails between forest and lake

One specific option is the circular hike “Lake Tristach via the Nature Trail”. It starts and ends at Ulrichsbichl in Amlach, is 7.8 kilometres long, takes about two and a half hours and is rated moderate. The nature trail to Lake Tristach passes the “Alter See” nature reserve, reaches the lake and follows its southern shore. A named nature reserve and the lake itself are therefore among the waypoints on this hike. The approximate duration and moderate rating provide practical guidance for planning your day, without reducing the tour to just its route length.

The Dolomitenhütte also adds a striking mountain highlight. It is located in Amlach at an altitude of 1,616 metres and offers views of the peaks of the Lienz Dolomites. Forest trails, the route to Lake Tristach and the views from the hut offer different ways to enjoy the area: a hike through the landscape, time by the lake or views of the surrounding peaks.

Pilgrimage sites and history

Amlach’s history includes the Church of St. Ottilia, which is believed to have existed even before its first documented mention in 1382. It is part of a pilgrimage tradition in which St. Ottilia, St. Lucy and St. Apollonia were venerated; even then, many pilgrims came here. Amlach was also once a popular pilgrimage site for people with eye ailments. Alongside its nature trails, this historical context gives the village a distinctive cultural focus.

The Chapel of St. Ulrich stands between the municipal centres of Amlach and Tristach. Ulrichsbichl became a popular pilgrimage site. The Hoch und Heilig mountain pilgrimage trail also passes the chapel on Ulrichsbichl, continues into the village of Amlach and then on to the Church of St. Ottilia: its first stage links the two religious sites mentioned above along the route. If you would like to include cultural history in your travel plans, you can visit the chapel and follow the pilgrimage trail as well as seeing the church.

A nature experience on the Drau

The Galitzen Gorge, at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites, offers a different kind of nature experience. It is an adventure park on the Drau Cycle Path; the entrance to a unique nature experience is located where the Galitzenbach stream meets the Drau. The Galitzen Gorge snack station is right by the Drau Cycle Path and the Galitzen Gorge water adventure park, and serves traditional home-style food. So, alongside Amlach’s forest and lakeside trails, you can enjoy a nature experience on the Drau and stop for traditional food with a regional flavour.

Choose the focus that suits your stay

When looking for a holiday apartment in Amlach, you can start by considering your interests. Would you like to focus your stay on forest trails and the circular hike to Lake Tristach, or are you especially interested in the pilgrimage sites and their history? The tour details help you plan the timing of a specific hike; the church, chapel and pilgrimage trail offer a different focus from the lake and mountain views. The central park, with its stream, also offers its own opportunity to relax in the village.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sankt Jakob in Defereggen, Bruggen, Matrei in Osttirol, Sillian, Assling, Innergschlöß, Außervillgraten, Strassen.

Return to the main travel overview: Lienz.