The Achensee Region – Paradise for Nature Lovers and Holidaymakers in the Heart of Tirol
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Presse-Info Achensee, Tirols Sport & Vitalpark Winter & Summer 2018 and 2019 The Achensee region – paradise for nature lovers and holidaymakers in the heart of Tirol. Nestled in the breathtaking scenery of the Rofan and Karwendel Mountains is Tirol’s largest lake – Lake Achensee. The region around this natural gem is renowned for its unrivalled scenic beauty, while its wide range of sporting and leisure activities make it an enticing destination for visitors. Since the Achensee region was first opened up to tourists, it has become one of the most popular destinations for holidays and excursions in Tirol. In 1887 the first steam ship, the St. Josef, cast off onto the lake and the resultant Achensee Shipping Company remains a tourist magnet to this day. The same is also true of the historical Achensee railway. Every summer, year after year, this steam-powered cog railway puffs its way from Jenbach station towards Achensee, covering an incredible 400 metres in altitude over 6.7 km, with a maximum gradient of around 16 %. The towns and villages dotted around Lake Achensee have also long been popular for winter tourism. Gently undulating hills are particularly suitable for family skiing, while an extensive network of cross-country trails has helped to build the region’s reputation as the best cross-country skiing area in Tirol. The Achensee region also became famous for its “black gold” – Tiroler Steinöl®. This fossil oil has been mined in the region for over a century and has been used in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments. Lake Achensee – the Tirolean fjord When looking out over the dark blue waters of Lake Achensee and its unparalleled mountain backdrop, comparison with the fjords of Norway springs immediately to mind. Formed during the last ice age, the largest lake in Tirol is flanked by the slopes of the Karwendel and Rofan Mountains and plays host to swimmers, surfers and sailors every summer. The Achensee is fed by subterranean tributaries from the Ampelsbach and Dürrach streams, and from the Achenkircher springs. In 1927 an underground shaft was constructed from the tip of the lake to the hydroelectric power plant in Jenbach, making Lake Achensee into a natural reservoir. It also serves as a reservoir for the power station of the same name in Jenbach. In order to take full advantage of Lake Achensee’s hydroelectric power, the lake’s southern outflow was re-routed to the power station in Jenbach. The drop in height of 400 metres is used to generate energy. As part of the reservoir management, more water is removed from Lake Achensee during the winter months (October to April) than flows into it, causing the water level to drop by up to five metres. Precipitation, melt water and tributary streams replenish the lake’s water reserves until the summer months, and the water level usually returns to its previous level by the middle of June at the latest. Lake Achensee has some of the most favourable wind conditions of any lake in Austria, with winds even reaching a strength of five on some days thanks to strong gusts from Bavaria. Divers will be in their element too, as the bottom of the lake holds plenty of historical treasures just waiting to be discovered. Achensee Tourismus | Achenseestraße 63 A-6212 Maurach am Achensee Fon: +43 (0) 59 | 5300-0 [email protected] | www.achensee.com Lake Achensee – the statistics Altitude: 929 metres, 400 metres above the Inntal valley Area: 719 hectares Depth: 133 metres Temperature: Approximately 20 degrees in the summer months Cruises: May until early November Karwendel und Rofan – the mountain landscape around Lake Achensee Lake Achensee and the Achental valley form the border between the Karwendel and Rofan Mountains. The Karwendel Mountains are a 40-km range belonging to the Northern Limestone Alps. The name Karwendel can be traced back to the Bajuwaric settler by the name of Gerwentil who settled in the area around the year 1,000. Today the Karwendel Mountains form the largest region in Central Europe that is not permanently inhabited. With approximately 200 peaks, this secluded mountain paradise is an enticing destination for alpine climbers, photographers and nature lovers from all over the world. The Karwendel range is also home to Austria’s largest nature reserve – the Karwendel Nature Park. The park has an above-average level of natural habitats and is home to countless indigenous species of alpine flora and fauna such as golden eagles, sandpipers and German tamarisk. Karwendel Alpine Park – the statistics: Area: 920 km² (of which 727 km² is in Austria) Flora and 1,305 species of plant, 2,035 species of animal, the highest fauna: concentration of golden eagles in the Alps Altitude: 600 to 2,749 metres (the Birkkarspitze) Land usage: 101 alpine pastures with approximately 10,000 hectares of forage area Visitor Approximately 1 million visitors per year numbers: Known simply as “Rofan” to the locals, the Rofan Mountains loom large between the Inntal valley and Lake Achensee. These mountains most likely took their name from a hefty rock fall in the 4th or 5th century BC. In pre-Roman Alpine language the word “rova” was equivalent to “landslide” or “mudflow”. The Rofan Mountains are famous for their jagged rock formations which enclose broad high alpine pastures. Hikers and climbers can be found here during the summer months, while it is transformed into a paradise for skiers and ski tourers in the winter. Flora and fauna in the Achensee region – a natural alpine paradise The Karwendel Nature Park and Lake Achensee itself are an unsurpassed refuge for countless species of plant and animal. There are few other spots that offer as undiluted an experience of alpine nature. The region has also become a retreat for endangered species and is home to golden eagles, chamois, adders, alpine newts, bullhead and the sandpiper. This rare bird can find the safe retreat that it needs in the Karwendel Nature Park. Specially protected areas ensure that its breeding ground is preserved and that this sensitive wader is able to survive. Achensee Tourismus | Achenseestraße 63 A-6212 Maurach am Achensee Fon: +43 (0) 59 | 5300-0 [email protected] | www.achensee.com For many years it was feared that the golden eagle, the king of the skies, was at risk of complete extinction. It has since found a new home in the Karwendel Nature Park. With 21 breeding pairs, the Karwendel now has the highest concentration of golden eagles in the Alps. Its jagged ridges and peaks are the perfect habitat. The rare alpine rose can also be found in abundance in the Karwendel Mountains, while the moist northern slopes are home to magnificent mixed woodlands consisting of larch, spruce, birch, fir and beech. However, it is the sycamore maple that is most characteristic of this region. The largest stand of maples, which consists of approximately 2,500 specimens, is located in the area around the Almendorf Eng pastures. These giant gnarled trees with their flaming red leaves create an especially impressive natural spectacle in autumn. Despite the lively boating activity on the lake, it is home to a diverse range of fish. The cool waters contain char, roach, tench, perch, pike, and lake and rainbow trout. Secluded, tranquil bays provide nesting places for countless wild ducks. Towns and attractions in the Achensee region Five towns and villages around Lake Achensee have joined forces to create a tourist region: Achenkirch, Maurach, Pertisau, Steinberg am Rofan and Wiesing. Achenkirch Height above sea level: 930 m Inhabitants: 2,168 This 22-km long municipality stretches from the northern shores of Lake Achensee to the German border and thus represents the shortest connecting route between the Inntal valley and Munich. This favourable location was used to erect a defensive fortification as far back as during the Thirty Years’ War. Achenkirch has several cultural and scenic attractions that are well worth a visit. The Sixenhof, a 650-year-old farming estate situated right by the lake, provides visitors with an insight into farm life in the Achensee region. History is brought vividly to life in the Sixenhof’s 19 rooms. Young and old alike can marvel at farming and commercial equipment, a blacksmith’s forge, a cobbler’s shop and a weaving mill, along with exhibits related to hunting and fishing. In winter, the Christlum ski resort and an extensive network of cross-country skiing trails provide winter sports fans with countless leisure activity options, while the largest private Lipizzaner stud farm in Europe really gets horse riders’ adrenaline pumping. Municipality of Eben: Maurach am Achensee and Pertisau Height above sea level: 950 m Inhabitants: 3,191 A 15-minute drive along the main Achensee road from Wiesing brings you to the town of Maurach, which belongs to the municipality of Eben. Situated on the southern shores of Lake Achensee, this rambling village has been the terminus of the Achensee railway for over 120 years. This steam-powered cog railway is the oldest of its kind in Europe. Just as in imperial times, the train puffs its way along the seven kilometres to the Seespitz station in Maurach in just 45 minutes. The railway transports around 100,000 guests in the summer months. Achensee Tourismus | Achenseestraße 63 A-6212 Maurach am Achensee Fon: +43 (0) 59 | 5300-0 [email protected] | www.achensee.com The municipality of Eben is famous for being the area where Saint Notburga lived, worked and died. Probably the most popular Tirolean patron saint, the simple maiden Notburga would not let her hard-hearted masters sway her from her belief and her commitment to the poor and needy.