The Lesachtal Valley

The most ecological valley in Europe
The most natural valley in Europe
European mountain landscape of the year

The Lesachtal Valley lies in south-west Austria. This high altitude valley stretches from Val Pusteria and continues south of the country between the Gait Alps and the imposing Dolomites of Lienz to the north and the Carnic Alps to the south, which act as the border with Italy.

The Lesachtal valley is a cradle for water, religion, culture, nature and many kilometres of trails.

The Lesachtal valley - the valley of 100 mills

The valley of one hundred mills, as the Lesachtal Valley is still known today. In its heyday, “the clack of 200 mills rose above the sound of the babbling brook”. The farmers exploited the force of the water not only to grind their wheat, but also to operate their ploughs, hoists, threshing machines and saws. As industrialisation increased, the mills disappeared one after the other.

The path of mills is a short walk, taking you from the Bäckwirt inn to the five old water mills. If you follow the path, you can visit the Mill Museum, watch wheat being ground and linen spun in the “Brechelstube“, see the water-operated cable lift and watch a short video entitled "Das Tal der hundert Mühlen” (The valley of one hundred mills).  Return via Oberluggau (the village of Helena, founder of the church) and the Convent of the Servites at the Pilgrims’ Sanctuary in Maria Luggau, to end the trail at the “Bauernladen“, the farm shop selling local products from the valley.

Guided tours: Fridays at 10:00 a.m. throughout the summer season until September
Meeting point: “Bauernladen“, the farm shop in Maria Luggau

Basilica of Maria Luggau / Sanctuary of Maria Luggau

Maria Luggau is the religious centre of the valley. A popular destination for pilgrims, it is famous far beyond the boundaries of Carinthia.

During the Marian festivities in autumn each year, to keep the vow made, groups of up to 500 people come on a pilgrimage from afar: from bordering Italian towns, Sappada, Forni Avoltri, but also from Oberdrauburg in the Drau valley, and from Sesto and Valle di Casies in Alto Adige.

Today, pilgrimages continue to be made on foot. The itinerary for the Italians leads across the main Carnic ridge, whereas from Oberdrauburg the pilgrims arrive in Maria Luggau by following an old path, “Kirfatsteig“ (Pilgrim’s path), still visible across the mountains. Nowadays, however, pilgrims prefer to walk mainly along the roads. 

A favourite is the “Kofelweg”, the road which leads from East Tirol to Maria Luggau.
The “Marienpilgerweg”, the path of the Marian pilgrims, was opened in 2013. It attempts to encourage people to slow down and make them consciously reflect on themselves and their own life - 10 stages, 266 km.

Source of energy of Radegund

In the ditch, between St. Lorenzen and Wiesen, beneath the Radegund bridge, idyllically close to the brook, is the themed Radegund trail. If you follow this path you will find the source of energy, “Nature”, to help you relax and recharge your batteries, the source of energy “Water”, the propulsive force behind the mills and the craft workshops (blacksmith), the source of energy “Culture”, the foundation of man’s identity and the source of energy “Religion”, the precious foundation for the spirit.

Guided tour every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. from the beginning of June to September

Meeting point: “Mühlrad“, (Mill wheel), in front of the Radegundbrücke bridge (at the western exit of the village of St. Lorenzen)

You will also visit:
•    The Church of St. Radegund – the oldest building in the Lesachtal valley (1085)
•    The mill
•    The electrical power station (to produce electricity)
•    The blacksmith’s old workshop
•    and more.

Excursion particularly suitable for children

Guided tour of the herbs

A 2-hour guided tour, which will teach you some extremely interesting facts about cultivated herbs and the wild herbs from our fields. What is plantain? Did you know this plant is an effective remedy for blisters on your feet? 

Take a walk round the Hotel and you’ll find yourself looking differently at things that at first sight appeared insignificant. At the end of your tour, a tasting of local NATURSCHATZ-Kräutermanufaktur products awaits you: juices, fruit jellies, vinegar and oil, pesto sauce, depending on the season.

Guided tour every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.  Meeting point: Mühlenstüberl inn in Obergail.

To book, please contact Simone Matouch on the number +43 650 8830657. Groups can book other dates! Prices: guided tour, manuscript and tasting included - adults EUR 17.00, children free.

Alternatively, the herb garden of the workshop at the Convent “Klostermanufaktur” in Maria Luggau
Guided tour of the Convent garden: every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. from May to September
Duration: approx. 1 hour. Contribution charge: EUR 5.00 Minimum number of persons: 6
Bookings until the Wednesday before at the Lesachtal tourist information office.

Rural craft and local products from the Lesachtal valley

The “Bauernladen” farm shop in Maria Luggau, directly below the Sanctuary of Maria Luggau, is a tiny, yet extraordinary place, where you can find a large variety of handmade products and local homemade products from Europe’s most natural valley.

About sixty producers sell their products in the evocative rooms of an old farmhouse.

... Take home a “piece of Lesachtal” with you...

The variety of products ranges from the delicious Lesachtal homemade bread to the homemade jams and juices, from honey and grappa to sheep products, different types of cheeses, wicker objects, knitwear, carved wood objects, from wax products, ceramics and felt to lovely handmade souvenirs.