Strass in the Zillertal: Cycling Routes and the Way of St. James

Strass in the Zillertal lies at the entrance to the Zillertal, where the Ziller flows into the Inn. The Inn borders the town to the north, the Ziller to the east and the Rotholzer Bach to the west. These waterways and the location at the valley entrance provide clear geographical orientation. There are different focal points to consider when planning a holiday: cycling routes, a pilgrimage route and cultural and historical topics. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether cycling, the pilgrimage route, or architectural and church history should shape your stay.

The Chapel, Parish Church and Castle History

The Raffl Chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, stands at the Rafflhöfe farmsteads. Jakob Singer built it in 1743; it was renovated and reconsecrated in 1977/78. These two dates distinguish the chapel’s construction from a later phase of renewal. It is a tangible point of interest for travellers interested in sacred architecture and history. A 36-page church guide is also available at the parish church of St. James.

Schloss Rotholz was originally called Thurnegg. Archduke Ferdinand II, the ruler of Tyrol, had it built between 1575 and 1585 as a hunting and pleasure palace. Its original name, period of construction and intended use give the castle a different historical profile from the Chapel of the Virgin Mary: here, the focus is on a stately building, while the chapel is associated with later renovation and reconsecration.

Cultural points of interest also feature on the fifth stage of the Inn Cycle Path: at the entrance to the Zillertal, the route passes Schloss Rotholz and offers lovely views of the pilgrimage church of Maria Heimsuchung on Brettfall. This provides a different point of reference for planning your tour than the longer sequence of towns along the Zillertal Cycle Path or the route of the Way of St. James.

Cycling and Practical Bike Planning

The Zillertal Cycle Path runs from Strass along the left bank of the Ziller through Schlitters, Fügen and Uderns to Kaltenbach. It is an easy, family-friendly route with no significant climbs. Most of the path is paved; only short sections are gravel. When planning a day of cycling together, you can take both the route description and the stated surface into account.

The Zillertal Railway also offers practical services for planning a cycling trip: rental bikes from ZVB AG are carried free of charge on the trains, provided there is space available. City bikes, children’s bikes, child seats and helmets can be hired and returned at Zillertal Railway stations. Children’s bikes, seats and helmets are useful details for families planning their trip; when bringing a rental bike on board, available train capacity remains the determining condition.

The Tyrolean Way of St. James as a Different Focus for Your Trip

The Tyrolean Way of St. James leads from Strass along the Lindenallee and continues to Rotholz, Jenbach and Stans. The named routes therefore have clearly different focuses: the Zillertal Cycle Path runs along the left bank of the Ziller and is described as a cycling route, while the Way of St. James continues along the Lindenallee to the towns listed above. This comparison can help you weigh cycling and the pilgrimage route as different focal points for your stay.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider what takes priority in your travel plans: a family-friendly cycling route, the Tyrolean Way of St. James, or cultural and historical interests such as the Raffl Chapel and the history of Schloss Rotholz. The Zillertal Cycle Path starts in Strass; the Way of St. James also continues from there. If family members have different interests, you can first agree on the kind of trip you want and then search specifically for a holiday apartment in Strass in the Zillertal.

Discover more destinations: Aschau in the Zillertal, Maurach, Ramsberg, Hippach, Schwaz, Stans, Mayrhofen, Kaltenbach.

Go to the main travel overview: Schwaz.