Pertisau
Village on the western shore of Lake Achensee, at the foot of the Karwendel
Inn valley
Rotholz
Hamlet near Jenbach with Schloss Rotholz and the Bibelweg to the Rottenburg
Rotholz is a small place in the Inn valley, close to Jenbach and the entrance to the Zillertal. Administratively it belongs to the municipality of Strass im Zillertal (Schwaz district), which lies at about 522 m. It is close to Buch in Tirol, where the walk to the Rottenburg often starts. From Niederau it is easy to reach by motorway.
The place is dominated by Schloss Rotholz. This castle was built between 1575 and 1585 as a hunting and pleasure palace for Archduke Ferdinand II and was originally called Thurnegg. Since 1879 it has housed an agricultural training institution; it is therefore not a museum but a working school complex. The school keeps a collection of about 800 historic farm implements.
For families the Bibelweg is the highlight: a path of about 3 km past wooden sculptures and the Notburga spruce, at 53 m the tallest spruce in Tyrol, leading to the Rottenburg ruins and the Notburga chapel at about 710 m. Allow about 1.5 hours for the round trip. Rotholz itself has few facilities; it suits those who want a short, quiet walk with a bit of history.
- Drive from Niederauapprox. 40 min.
- RegionInn valley
- Best forSuits families after a short walk, castle atmosphere and history.
What to see and do
- Schloss Rotholz, built 1575-1585 and an agricultural school since 1879 (view from outside; not a museum).
- The Bibelweg, about 3 km, with wooden sculptures and the Notburga spruce (53 m, tallest in Tyrol).
- Rottenburg ruins with the Notburga chapel at about 710 m, a round walk of about 1.5 hours.
- A collection of about 800 historic farm implements at the agricultural school; ask about access beforehand.
- Jenbach and the start of the Zillertal are close by.
From Niederau
About 40 minutes by car from Niederau: via Wörgl onto the A12 Inn valley motorway towards Innsbruck, exit Jenbach/Wiesing, then on to Buch and Rotholz.
Always check times, prices and opening dates with the provider beforehand; they can change.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Schloss Rotholz?
The castle is a working agricultural school, not a museum. You can view it from outside; ask in advance about visiting the collection.
How long is the walk to the Rottenburg?
The round walk via the Bibelweg takes about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace (about 230 m of ascent); the ruins lie at about 710 m.
More places in Inn valley
Achenkirch
Village at the northern end of Lake Achensee, with lake, mountains and cross-country skiing
Maurach
Village at the southern end of Lake Achensee with steam railway and Rofan cable car
Ehrwald
At the foot of the Zugspitze, home of the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn
Leutasch
High valley in the Olympiaregion Seefeld with the Geisterklamm and Gaistal
Kirchbichl
Inn valley village with a warm mud-bottom lake and the prehistoric Grattenbergl hill
Breitenbach am Inn
Sunny Inn valley municipality with the Berglsteinersee and the Blessenberg
Angath
Small Inn valley village near Kufstein with a rich river-shipping past
Useful guides
Day trips from Niederau: 7 outings with route and programme
Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Kufstein, Achensee, Zillertal and more, with drive times and day plans.
Getting to Niederau: by car, train, plane and on the spot
Everything about the trip to the Wildschönau and getting around the valley, from motorway to ski bus.
When to visit Niederau: month by month
From ski season to autumn colours: what is open and how busy it gets, period by period.
Stay in Niederau Partner
Hotel Wastlhof, partner of Niederau.nl, is a family-run hotel with an indoor and an outdoor pool, wellness and its own riding stables, right in the village. For more places to stay and information you can also contact the Wildschönau tourist office. Personal recommendation, no payment involved.
To Hotel Wastlhof · Wildschönau tourist office · More about staying in Niederau