Easy hikes and walks around Hochburg-Ach

There is also the start of the Mühlenweg

Unfortunately, the chapel was closed

The current structure, a steel and concrete bridge, was inaugurated in 1963 – three years after the "New Bridge" further upstream. Locals still refer to it as the "Old Bridge," as it was first mentioned in 1272 and had several predecessors, which were completely or partially destroyed at least 12 times by floods and 6 times by ice jams. In 1809, Austrian troops rendered the bridge unusable to hinder Napoleon I Bonaparte's advance to Vienna. During a minor flood in 1959, a work platform that broke loose from the "New Bridge" severely damaged the "Old Bridge," before the major flood of the same year destroyed the temporary bridge that had been erected at short notice; for a time, there was no permanent crossing of the Salzach River near Burghausen, only a ferry service. This flood – with a maximum water level of 8.14 meters, one of Burghausen's worst – was the catalyst for the construction of the flood protection wall.

The bronze sculpture "Icarus" on the Old Bridge is by Bernd Stöcker. Stöcker is one of the most important living German sculptors. Since 1997, the Bremen native has shared his studio in Triftern, Lower Bavaria, with his wife, the sculptor Ingrid Baumgärtner.

A bridge over the Salzach at this location was first mentioned in 1272. Even after that, salt from Hallein continued to be transported here by boat, but was only permitted to be landed and paid customs duties in Burghausen. The salt toll made the town and the Wittelsbach dynasty, who ruled here, wealthy in the late Middle Ages. The Old Bridge connected Burghausen with Hochburg-Ach, which belonged to the town, on the opposite bank. Only after the Innviertel region—all areas east of the Salzach and Inn rivers—was ceded to Austria in 1779 following the War of the Bavarian Succession did Hochburg-Ach develop its independence. Following devastating floods in 1959, the Old Bridge was rebuilt and opened to traffic on August 23, 1963. It was extensively renovated in 2000 and 2025.

A bridge over the Salzach at this location was first mentioned in 1272. Even after that, salt from Hallein continued to be transported here by boat, but was only permitted to be landed and paid customs duties in Burghausen. The salt toll made the town and the Wittelsbach dynasty, who ruled here, wealthy in the late Middle Ages. The Old Bridge connected Burghausen with Hochburg-Ach, which belonged to the town, on the opposite bank. Only after the Innviertel region—all areas east of the Salzach and Inn rivers—was ceded to Austria in 1779 following the War of the Bavarian Succession did Hochburg-Ach develop its independence. Following devastating floods in 1959, the Old Bridge was rebuilt and opened to traffic on August 23, 1963. It was extensively renovated in 2000 and 2025.

The Naturfreunde forest inn in Hochburg-Ach is located at an elevation of 450 meters above sea level, about seventy meters above the Salzach River, directly opposite the Bavarian border town of Burghausen. From the terrace, guests have a magnificent view of Burghausen's picturesque old town and the imposing castle complex. Lodge owner Marek Duda opens his forest inn Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursdays to Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays.

Since the late Middle Ages, this view has been offered to all travelers coming to Burghausen from the east. They no longer had to cross the Salzach by boat, but could use the bridge, first mentioned in 1272.