St. Johann im Walde

St. Johann im Walde combines the Isel, the Iseltrail and a remarkable church landscape. Those looking for a holiday apartment in the area can combine nature experiences, physical activity and regional culture here. The place is particularly interesting for travellers who want to vary their days: on a stage of the Iseltrail, during a walk along the river, by bike or while exploring old chapels and local customs.

The Isel and the Iseltrail as a common thread

The Isel flows through Sankt Johann im Walde. It is considered the last freely flowing glacial river in the Eastern Alps and therefore shapes an important part of the landscape experience. Walks and hikes along the banks of the Isel offer an opportunity to relax, while rafting and kayaking tours towards Lienz can also be started on the Isel. Depending on the day's plans, your stay can thus be combined with peaceful riverside paths or a more active experience on the water.

Sankt Johann im Walde is also integrated into the route of the Iseltrail. The first stage ends here, while the second begins here and leads to Matrei in Osttirol. The start of the second stage can be reached by bus 951 to the “St. Johann i. W. Ort” stop, followed by crossing a bridge. This information can serve as a practical point of reference when choosing accommodation if you are planning a trip with multi-stage hikes.

Culture between the parish church and chapels

The parish church of Sankt Johann im Walde is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Its oldest part, the present-day baptistery, dates from 1177. The new church windows were consecrated in a solemn service on 14 April 2024. The church also hosted the “KlangLICHTER” church concert series, which combines sound and light.

The local church landscape includes four chapels that are regarded as historic architectural monuments. The chapel in Oberleibnig has a particularly striking location: it stands high on the edge of a precipice and looks out far across the valley. For a holiday with cultural discoveries, Sankt Johann im Walde therefore offers various points of interest, without requiring every day to have the same focus.

Cycle path, winter and local customs

The surroundings are also interesting for a cycling trip. The Iseltal Cycle Path leads via Oberlienz and Ainet to Sankt Johann im Walde. There, the cycle path is interrupted and crosses a bridge to the western side of the river. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment as a base for various activities can take this route into account alongside the hiking and water-based activities on the Isel.

In winter, a cross-country ski trail is available when there is sufficient snow. An ice rink for skating is then set up in front of the clubhouse. Local customs include the Iseltaler Ranggler association; Rangglen is a traditional popular sport practised throughout the Alpine region. Every year, the local rural youth association creates the harvest crown for the harvest festival. The “St. Johanner Krampustage” included house visits by Saint Nicholas and the Krampuses on 1, 2 and 3 December.

Other places for planning your trip

If you would like to expand your accommodation search beyond Sankt Johann im Walde, you can also include Gaimberg, Niedermauern, Thurn, Obertilliach, Raneburg, Matrei In Osttirol, Erlsbach and Sankt Jakob In Defereggen in your comparison. Which holiday apartment is the best fit depends primarily on whether you want to focus on the Iseltrail, the river, the cycle path, culture or winter activities.

For the overarching travel overview: Lienz.