The best walks and hikes around Hechtsee

a beautiful little stream between the lakes

It's better to take the riverside path instead of the wide gravel path.

Today's Sachs Bridge consists of two steel bridge sections that were placed on reinforced foundations by helicopter in 2019 to better protect and stabilize the bridge against weather and flood damage. Walking across the bridge offers impressive views of the dam and the small lake dammed above it, as well as back into the depths of the gorge with its rushing water and steep rock faces – a truly special experience on a hike through the Gießenbach Gorge.

The alpine pasture offers a welcoming place to stop for refreshments and rustic Bavarian cuisine: Snacks, homemade cakes, bacon, and schnapps made on-site are among the specialties. The petting zoo, playground, and Bobby Car downhill track are particularly appealing to families. The location and views create a wonderful atmosphere: The alpine pasture is situated at an altitude of approximately 600 meters, surrounded by alpine meadows and forest, with a beautiful view of the Inn Valley and the surrounding natural landscape.

Lake Pfrill near Kufstein is a small but idyllic natural gem amidst dense forests. It lies about 100 meters above Kufstein at 612 meters above sea level and is the smallest of the six bathing lakes west of the city. Lake Pfrill is freely accessible and free to use. In summer, it serves primarily as a bathing lake and excursion destination; hikers appreciate it as part of the "Four Lakes Hike," which also includes Lake Längsee, Lake Egelsee, and Lake Hechtsee.

The Thierberg Castle ruins lie above Kufstein in Tyrol at an altitude of approximately 721 meters and are among the oldest castles in the region. They were built around 1280 by the Lords of Freundsberg as a small hilltop fortress to secure the Inn Valley. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times – among other things, it belonged to Bavaria for a time before falling to Tyrol in 1504. The striking keep has been preserved to this day and offers impressive panoramic views of Kufstein, the Inn Valley, and the Kaiser Mountains. Within the old walls lies the Thierberg Chapel, a popular pilgrimage site with numerous votive images and a quiet, spiritual atmosphere. A hermit traditionally lives next to the chapel to look after the site. Today, the Thierberg Castle ruins are a historic tourist destination that combines history, nature, and faith in a unique way.

The castle or rather ruin serves as a viewpoint and cultural site. Exhibitions and historical information in the castle keep and the chapel offer insights into regional history.

In addition to predatory fish such as pike and zander, Lake Hecht is home to various non-predatory fish species, including carp. Carp tend to prefer shallower areas or shore zones with reeds, underwater plants, and bottom structures where they find food (e.g., insect larvae, worms, and plant parts). Due to the lake's considerable depth (maximum of approximately 57 meters) and clear water, carp likely retreat to coastal shore areas during warmer months, where food availability and temperatures are more favorable. Their well-being is limited in cooler depths.