Reutte is a historic market town and administrative center in the Ausserfern region of Tyrol, Austria, located at 853 meters above sea level in the Lech Valley, near the German border. Known as the “Gateway to the Tyrolean Alps,” Reutte is a vibrant hub surrounded by the Ammergau, Lechtal, and Tannheim Alps, offering a blend of outdoor adventure, cultural heritage, and accessibility to nearby attractions like Neuschwanstein Castle. With a population of 6,915 (as of January 2024), it serves as the economic and cultural heart of the Reutte District, boasting a charming old town, medieval castles, and a burgeoning tourism industry. Below is a detailed description of its history, geography, attractions, architecture, and visitor experience, incorporating reliable sources.
Reutte’s architecture blends medieval, Baroque, and modern alpine
styles, set against a stunning Lech Valley backdrop:
Old Town
(Obermarkt/Untermarkt): The pedestrianized old town features
pastel-colored, frescoed buildings from the 16th–18th centuries, with
gabled facades and ornate signs. The Altes Rathaus (1654), with its
stepped gable, and Gasthof Zum Mohren (1765) exude Tyrolean charm. The
Zeillerhaus, with Baroque frescoes, houses the Grünes Haus Museum.
Religious Sites: The Pfarrkirche St. Anna (1490s, Gothic with Baroque
upgrades) boasts a ribbed vault and frescoes, while the Herz Jesu Kirche
in Breitenwang (1654–1656) features a Baroque onion dome. The
Franziskanerkloster (1628) adds monastic elegance.
Castles: The
Burgenensemble Ehrenberg, 2 km south, includes Ehrenberg Castle (1290),
Klause (fortified gate), Schlosskopf (1745), and Fort Claudia (1646),
showcasing medieval to Baroque fortifications.
Modern Infrastructure:
The Hahnenkamm Cable Car (1970s, renovated 2010) and modern hotels like
Hotel Maximilian blend wood and glass, complementing the alpine setting.
The Highline179 bridge (2014), spanning 406 meters at 114 meters high,
is a striking steel structure.
Setting: Reutte’s Lech Valley
location, with “breathtaking” views of the Säuling, Zugspitze, and
Tannheimer Tal, creates a “storybook” alpine ambiance, per Tripadvisor.
The Lech River and surrounding forests, part of the Naturpark Tiroler
Lech, enhance its natural allure.
Reutte offers a diverse range of activities, from skiing and hiking
to cultural exploration, bolstered by its proximity to Bavarian castles:
Winter Sports:
Hahnenkamm Ski Area: Located in Höfen, 3 km from
Reutte, it offers 16 km of pistes (40% blue, 40% red, 20% black), 5
lifts, and a snowpark, ideal for families and intermediates. Open
December–March, with 80% snowmaking. Lift tickets: €35–45/day (2025
season).
Cross-Country Skiing: 120 km of trails in the Lech Valley
and Tannheim Valley, including the 10-km Lechtal Loipe.
Winter
Hiking: Snowshoe trails to Ehrenberg or the Alpenbad Lechaschau outdoor
pool.
Summer Activities:
Hiking: Over 400 km of trails include
the Lechweg (125 km, multi-day), Säuling ascent (6 hours), and
family-friendly routes to the Stuibenfälle waterfall. The Naturpark
Tiroler Lech offers guided wildlife tours.
Cycling: The Via Claudia
Augusta cycle path (60 km to Füssen) and e-bike trails like the
Tannheimer Tal circuit are popular. Bike rentals at Reutte Station
(€15–25/day).
Climbing: Via ferratas on the Gehrenspitze and boulder
fields in the Lechtal Alps attract adventurers.
Cultural
Attractions:
Burgenensemble Ehrenberg: A museum complex with guided
tours (€8–12), medieval festivals, and knight’s suppers. The Ehrenberg
Castle, with its 13th-century keep, is a highlight.
Grünes Haus
Museum: In the Zeillerhaus, it showcases Tyrolean art, mining history,
and Baroque frescoes (€5 entry).
Pfarrkirche St. Anna: Open for
visits, with guided tours via the tourism office, featuring Gothic
frescoes.
Highline179: The 406-meter suspension bridge connects
Ehrenberg and Fort Claudia, offering “thrilling” views (€8 adults, €4
children).
Nearby Attractions:
Neuschwanstein and
Hohenschwangau Castles (20 km, 25 minutes): Bavarian fairytale castles,
accessible via Füssen.
Linderhof Palace (30 km): A Baroque
masterpiece by Ludwig II.
Zugspitze (30 km): Germany’s highest peak,
with cable car access from Ehrwald.
Events:
Reutte Advent
Market (December): Held in Obermarkt, with crafts, Glühwein, and carols.
Ehrenberg Medieval Festival (July): Features knight tournaments, music,
and markets.
Lech Valley Cycle Festival (June): Celebrates the Via
Claudia Augusta with races and tours.
Wellness: The Alpenbad
Lechaschau (3 km) offers pools, saunas, and thermal springs, while
hotels like Hotel Goldener Hirsch provide spa facilities.
By plane
The nearest international airports
are in Innsbruck (distance approx. 88 km) and to the north of Munich
Munich Airport (also "Franz Josef Strauss", distance approx. 169
km). The Allgäu Airport in Memmingen is also within reach (89 km).
Close to Reutte is the Reutte-Höfen airfield for gliders,
powered aircraft, helicopters and ULs; Info:
www.flugsportverein-reutte.at.
By train
Reutte
station is a station on the Ausserfernbahn, which runs from
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (in D) over the German-Austrian border,
Lermoos, Bichlbach, Heiterwang-Plansee, Reutte and Pfronten to
Kempten. Private page to KBS 976
In the street
From the
south, Innsbruck area: from the A12 towards Bregenz via Mötz and the
Fernpass to Reutte.
From the Munich area: on the A95 motorway via
Garmisch, Lermoos to Reutte.
From the Stuttgart area via the A8
towards Munich, from the Ulm junction on the A7 via Memmingen,
Kempten and Füssen to Reutte.
The center of Reutte is the area around the monastery with the
Obermarkt (and Untermarkt).
In winter, a free ski bus runs
throughout the Reutte valley basin for all visitors with winter
sports equipment.
Reutte lies in the upper Lech Valley, where the Lech River flows north toward Bavaria, framed by the Ammergau Alps (east), Lechtal Alps (southwest), and Tannheim Alps (northwest). Covering 100.92 km², the town includes the main settlement, hamlets like Ehenbichl and Breitenwang, and alpine pastures reaching 2,596 meters at the Krinnenspitze. Its moderate altitude ensures a mild alpine climate, with cold winters (-5°C to 5°C) and warm summers (15°C–25°C), ideal for skiing, hiking, and cycling. The Lech River, one of Europe’s last wild rivers, supports diverse ecosystems, recognized as a Natura 2000 protected area. Reutte’s proximity to the Fernpass trade route and the German border (10 km to Füssen) enhances its role as a regional gateway, with scenic views of peaks like the Säuling (2,047 meters) and Zugspitze (2,962 meters, 30 km away).
Reutte’s history reflects its strategic position as a trade and
border hub, evolving from a Roman outpost to a modern tourism center:
Prehistory and Roman Era: The Lech Valley hosted Neolithic and
Bronze Age settlements, with the Via Claudia Augusta, a Roman road built
in 15 BCE, passing through Reutte (then a minor stop between
Veldidena/Innsbruck and Augusta Vindelicorum/Augsburg). Archaeological
finds, like coins and pottery, confirm Roman presence.
Medieval
Period (8th–15th Centuries): First mentioned in 1278 as “Ruote” (from
Old High German rod, meaning clearing), Reutte was settled by Bavarians
and Swabians under the Counts of Tyrol. By 1296, it was a mining
settlement, extracting silver and copper from the Ehrenberg region. In
1489, Archduke Sigismund granted Reutte market rights, boosting trade.
The Ehrenberg Castle, built in 1290 by the Counts of Tyrol, became a key
fortress, controlling the Fernpass and protecting against Bavarian
incursions.
Early Modern Period (16th–18th Centuries): The
16th-century mining boom enriched Reutte, funding the Gothic Pfarrkirche
St. Anna and Burgenensemble Ehrenberg (a complex of four castles). The
Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) saw Ehrenberg fortified, but Reutte
suffered plunder. In 1632, the Schwabenviertel (Swabian quarter) was
established, reflecting Bavarian influence. The 1703 Bavarian Rummel
briefly disrupted Tyrolean control, with Ehrenberg resisting occupation.
Baroque additions to churches, like the Herz Jesu Kirche, marked
post-war recovery.
19th Century: The 1805 Napoleonic Wars saw Reutte
briefly under Bavarian rule until the 1814 Treaty of Ried restored it to
Austria. The 1846 opening of the Arlberg Railway (though bypassing
Reutte) and the 1889 Fernpass road improvements spurred tourism.
Reutte’s clean air attracted spa visitors, with early hotels like
Gasthof Zum Mohren emerging.
20th Century: Reutte became the
Ausserfern’s administrative center in 1900, with the 1912 Lech Valley
Railway connecting to Germany. World War II brought hardship, with
Ehrenberg used as a military outpost, but Reutte escaped major damage.
Post-war, the 1960s saw ski tourism grow, with the Hahnenkamm ski area
opening in 1968. The 1985 opening of the Reutte bypass eased traffic,
preserving the old town’s charm.
21st Century: Reutte’s tourism
boomed, driven by its proximity to Neuschwanstein (20 km) and the 2014
opening of the Highline179, the world’s longest pedestrian suspension
bridge. The Burgenensemble Ehrenberg’s restoration as a museum and event
space, alongside sustainable initiatives like e-bike trails, aligns with
Tyrol’s eco-tourism goals. Reutte’s 2018 designation as a “Climate
Alliance Municipality” reflects its environmental commitment.
Reutte is praised for its “charming” old town, “stunning” alpine
scenery, and proximity to Bavarian castles, earning 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor
(1,200 reviews) and high Booking.com ratings (e.g., Hotel Maximilian:
9.0/10). Key aspects include:
Positives:
Scenic Beauty:
Visitors describe Reutte as a “hidden gem” with “breathtaking” views of
the Lech Valley and Alps, ideal for photography, especially from
Highline179 or Ehrenberg.
Outdoor Activities: The Hahnenkamm’s
“family-friendly” slopes and extensive hiking/cycling trails are
“well-maintained,” per tyrol.com. The Lechweg is “unforgettable” for
nature lovers.
Cultural Heritage: The Burgenensemble Ehrenberg and
Grünes Haus Museum offer “fascinating” insights into Tyrolean history,
with medieval festivals adding “authentic” flair.
Accommodations:
Options include Hotel Goldener Hirsch (★★★★, €100–180/night, spa and
central location) and budget guesthouses like Gasthof Lilie
(€60–100/night). Reviewers praise “cozy” rooms and “excellent” service.
Dining: Gasthof Zum Mohren serves Tyrolean classics like Wiener
Schnitzel (€15–25), while Café Konditorei Valier offers “delicious”
pastries (€3–7). Mountain huts like Hahnenkammstube provide “hearty”
alpine fare.
Accessibility: Reutte Station (Lech Valley Railway)
connects to Füssen (20 minutes) and Kempten (1 hour), with buses to
Hahnenkamm and Ehrenberg (5–10 minutes, €2–4). Innsbruck Airport (90 km)
offers transfers (€40–60).
Challenges:
Limited Nightlife:
Reutte’s après-ski is “quiet” compared to Kitzbühel, with bars like
Gasthof Krone catering to a relaxed crowd.
Small Ski Area:
Hahnenkamm’s 16 km of pistes is “modest” for advanced skiers, who may
prefer Seefeld (25 km) or Ehrwald (15 km).
Crowds: Summer
day-trippers to Neuschwanstein can clog roads, requiring early starts.
Language: English is widely spoken, but some local menus are
German-only, though staff assist with translations.
Access:
By Car: From Innsbruck (90 km, 1 hour), take A12 to Mötz,
then B189. From Füssen (10 km, 15 minutes), use B179. Free parking at
Obermarkt or €5/day at Hahnenkamm.
By Public Transport: Reutte in
Tirol Station connects to Füssen (20 minutes), Innsbruck (1.5 hours),
and Munich (2 hours) via DB/ÖBB. Bus Lines 110/120 link to Hahnenkamm
and Ehrenberg (€2–4). Innsbruck Airport transfers available (€40–60).
By Foot/Bike: Reutte’s old town is walkable, with buses to ski areas.
The Via Claudia Augusta cycle path offers scenic rides, with rentals at
Reutte Station (€15–25/day).
Costs:
Ski Lift Tickets:
€35–45/day (Hahnenkamm, 2025 season).
Highline179 Entry: €8 adults,
€4 children.
Dining: €15–25/main course at Gasthof Zum Mohren; €3–7
for coffee and strudel at Café Valier.
Accommodations: €60–180/night,
depending on season and hotel.
Museum Entry: €5–8 (Grünes Haus).
Contact:
Reutte Tourism: +43 5672 62336, info@reutte.com,
www.reutte.com.
Burgenensemble Ehrenberg: +43 5672 62007,
info@burgenwelt-ehrenberg.at, www.burgenwelt-ehrenberg.at.
Visitor Tips:
Visit in winter (December–March) for skiing or summer
(June–August) for hiking and the Ehrenberg Festival. Autumn (September)
offers vibrant foliage and fewer crowds.
Book Neuschwanstein tickets
early (www.hohenschwangau.de) to avoid sell-outs.
Use the Ausserfern
Guest Card (included with stays) for discounts on lifts, buses, and
museums.
Combine with Neuschwanstein (20 km), Linderhof (30 km), or a
Lechweg hike for a multi-day itinerary.
Bring sturdy shoes for trails
and warm clothing for winter’s cold temperatures.
Reutte’s multicultural heritage, blending Tyrolean, Bavarian, and Swabian influences, is evident in its name (“Ruote”) and historic Schwabenviertel. Its 13th-century mining wealth, Ehrenberg Castle’s defensive legacy, and survival through wars reflect resilience, preserved in the Grünes Haus Museum and Burgenensemble. The town’s role as Ausserfern’s administrative hub since 1900 and its Olympic proximity (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 40 km) highlight its regional importance. Events like the Reutte Advent Market and the Highline179 bridge underscore its modern cultural vibrancy, while the Naturpark Tiroler Lech ties it to Tyrol’s environmental ethos.