Easy hikes and walks around Fritzens

Hotel Speckbacherhof, St. Martin, Gnadenwald The Alpenhotel Speckbacherhof has a long tradition and was built in 1753 as a farmhouse under the original name "Koandl". The hotel's history is shaped by more than 70 years of loving management by the Mayr family. The hotel was taken over by the Andreas Hofmann family in 2003 and has since been known for its high quality and traditional Tyrolean style. Text / Source: Hotel Speckbacherhof, St. Martin, Gnadenwald https://www.speckbacherhof.at/

History of St. Martin in Gnadenwald As early as the 11th century, a hunting lodge with a chapel in honor of Saint Martin is said to have stood on the site of the present-day monastery. The first documented mention is in a will from 1337 by the Tyrolean court master Heinrich von Rottenburg. A second mention occurred in 1382. Around the same time or not long after, a hermitage was founded here, inhabited by two forest brothers. Magdalena Getzner, the daughter of the wealthy Hall citizen Jörg Perl, entered the St. Magdalena monastery in Halltal together with her daughter in 1486. This was possible because her father donated a considerable amount to the St. Magdalena monastery annually. The daughter of Magdalena Getzner, also named Magdalena, had health problems, probably a mental disability, which is why the bishop allowed her to leave the St. Magdalena monastery and settle in a healthy place in monastic habit. Magdalena Getzner and her daughter now chose St. Martin in Gnadenwald as their new place of residence. This is evidenced by a document from 1497 from the Baumkirchen parish archive. In addition, some sisters went with them to St. Martin, so that a monastery was established there, with Magdalena Getzner the Elder as its abbess. On October 7, 1520, the Augustinian monastery in St. Martin in Gnadenwald burned down. The 30 nuns found refuge in the St. Salvator chaplaincy in Hall and remained there until 1566. The era of the Peasants' Wars and the Reformation was not the age for rebuilding burnt-down monasteries. Thus In 1826, the entire little church was renovated, and in 1836 it received a new high altar with an altarpiece, presumably by Arnold Schöpf. The frescoes by Milldorfer remained. During the Nazarene period, the little monastery received its Christmas nativity scene with figures over 80 cm tall. In 1935, the Tertiary Sisters from Hall moved into the cells that had been vacant for so long, and since 1939 they have operated a guesthouse here. This was a valuable place of refreshment, especially for pilgrims during their hikes. Unfortunately, the rental business was discontinued in 2019, and the Tertiary Sisters no longer live in the monastery. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourism, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

History of the founding of St. Martin in Gnadenwald As early as the 11th century, a hunting lodge with a chapel in honor of St. Martin is said to have stood on the site of the present-day monastery. The first documented mention dates back to 1337 in a will of the Tyrolean court master Heinrich von Rottenburg. A second mention occurred in 1382. Around the same time or not long after, a hermitage was also founded here, inhabited by two forest brothers. The daughter Magdalena Getzner of the wealthy Hall citizen Jörg Perl entered the monastery of St. Magdalena in Halltal together with her daughter in 1486. This was possible because her father annually donated a considerable sum to the monastery of St. Magdalena. The daughter of Magdalena Getzner, also named Magdalena, had health problems, probably a mental disability, which is why the bishop allowed her to leave the monastery of St. Magdalena and settle in a healthy location in monastic habit. Magdalena Getzner and her daughter now chose St. Martin in Gnadenwald as their new place of residence. This is evidenced by a document from 1497 from the parish archive of Baumkirchen. In addition, some sisters went with them to St. Martin, so that a monastery was established there, of which Magdalena Getzner the Elder became the abbess. On October 7, 1520, the Augustinian monastery in St. Martin in Gnadenwald burned down. The 30 nuns found refuge in the St. Salvator chaplaincy in Hall and remained there until 1566. The era of the Peasants' Wars and the Reformation was not the age for rebuilding burnt-down monasteries. Thus In 1826, the entire chapel was renovated, and in 1836 it received a new high altar with an altarpiece, presumably by Arnold Schöpf. The frescoes by Milldorfer remained. During the Nazarene period, the small monastery received its Christmas nativity scene with figures over 80 cm tall. In 1935, the Tertiary Sisters from Hall moved into the long-vacant cells and operated a guesthouse here from 1939 onwards. This was a valuable place of rest for pilgrims during their journey. Unfortunately, the rental was discontinued in 2019, and the Tertiary Sisters no longer live in the monastery. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourism, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

Kloster St. Martin in Gnadenwald That St. Martin in Gnadenwald was chosen as one of our places of power is actually self-evident. When you arrive there, you already feel the special aura of this place. Primarily, St. Martin is a place of recreation – both physical and spiritual. In our fast-paced times, "coming to rest" is extremely important. The Cretan or classical stone labyrinth located to the left below the monastery symbolizes the human path of life. Labyrinths have been found in many cultures for more than 5000 years and are shaped by the need for inner peace and home. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourismus, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

Kloster St. Martin in Gnadenwald That St. Martin in Gnadenwald was chosen as one of our places of power is actually self-evident. When you arrive there, you already feel the special aura of this place. Primarily, St. Martin is a place of recreation - both physical and mental. In our fast-paced times, "finding peace" is extremely important. The Cretan or classical stone labyrinth positioned to the left below the monastery symbolizes the human life path. Labyrinths have been found in many cultures for over 5000 years and are shaped by the need for inner peace and home. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourismus, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

Besinnungsweg Absam – Hike to St. Martin in Gnadenwald This peaceful hike connects Absam with the special place of power, St. Martin in Gnadenwald. The Besinnungsweg (meditation trail) leads along quiet forest paths through gentle terrain, accompanied by spiritual stations and expansive views of the Karwendel and Tux Alps. This hike is part of the Hall, Wattens & Watten- und Voldertal hiking region, which is considered one of the most diverse hiking areas in the Inn Valley with its tranquil alpine pastures, scenic high-altitude trails, and varied circular routes. On the Besinnungsweg to St. Martin Monastery From the information portal at the entrance to the car park, follow the road for about 160 meters in a northerly direction into the Halltal valley. At the signpost "Besinnungsweg Absam – Gnadenwald", turn right, cross a wooden bridge, and follow the wide hiking trail in a northeasterly direction. The path continues through forest terrain in a gentle up-and-down fashion towards Gnadenwald. After crossing a small valley, a short ascent follows. Afterwards, you reach an unmarked fork that leads a few meters downhill to the right to the Walderkapelle chapel. This short detour is worthwhile. Back on the main path, continue following the nine stations of the Besinnungsweg, cross two debris flows, and hike towards Gnadenwald. After reaching the access road to the Hinterhornalm, keep left briefly, then immediately turn right again to follow the Besinnungsweg, along above the monastery. Then, turn right via a narrow path down to a chapel and continue right to the monastery of St. Martin with its monastery church. Text / Source: Almenrausch.at https://www.almenrausch.at/touren/detail/besinnungsweg-absam-gnadenwald/

Lovely restaurant to stop and have a drink, snack or ice-cream. In good weather there is pleasent outdoor seating and a big playgrouns for kids

Comfortable route with many beautiful places