Lölling Graben: Church, Mining History and Routes

For a stay in Lölling Graben, you can plan cultural history and outdoor activities around specific themes. The Lölling parish church, evidence of ironworking and two different routes give your trip a range of focal points. When choosing, it is worth distinguishing architectural and industrial history from the hike around Plankogel and Cycling Route 4 Linden–Klippitztörl. This will help you decide whether you would prefer to spend your time exploring historic buildings, hiking or cycling.

Church Architecture and Chapel

The Lölling parish church is Late Gothic and has a Gothic polygonal choir. Inside, there is a mural dating from 1602 depicting a donor from the Rauscher family, who were mine operators. The architecture and the painting create different focal points: the polygonal choir draws the eye to the many-sided end of the choir, while the dated mural brings the donor family into focus. Both its Late Gothic form and the specific subject of the painting are therefore relevant to understanding the church.

The small Neo-Gothic St. Barbara’s Chapel in Lölling is a listed building. The hike around Plankogel passes it. Compared with the parish church, it differs in size and in being classified as Neo-Gothic rather than Late Gothic; at the same time, it is a named point along this hike. Those interested in historic religious buildings can thus consider two different architectural forms and the role each plays in its respective description.

Roman Finds and Evidence of Ironworking

Remains of smelting pits and wind furnaces from Roman times have been found in Lölling. The former steam engine house in Lölling is a listed building. The blacksmithing and locksmithing museum is a historic forge in the cellar of the Neugebauer country inn. One of the museum’s bellows was used at the Lölling ironworks in the 19th century. The entrance to the Lölling Erbstollen mine near Lölling is also a listed building.

These traces differ in age and subject matter: archaeological remains, a former steam engine house, a historic forge with a specific piece of equipment, and the entrance to an Erbstollen mine. For an overview of metalworking, it is worth comparing the Roman-era finds with the bellows that was used at the ironworks in the 19th century. Not all the evidence mentioned, then, represents the same period or the same kind of facility.

Hiking or Cycling

Hiking and cycling offer different points to consider when planning your trip. The hike around Plankogel passes the small Neo-Gothic St. Barbara’s Chapel. Cycling Route 4 Linden–Klippitztörl runs through Löllinger Graben, past farms and woodland, and follows winding roads with steep climbs. On the hike, the route connects with a historic building; on the cycling tour, the road layout and climbs shape the experience.

If you would like to include a cultural point of interest on a hike, St. Barbara’s Chapel is a specific landmark along the described route. For the cycling tour, the winding roads and steep climbs are important factors in your own planning. The two descriptions therefore focus on different things: one is a trail featuring a named building, while the other is a cycling route shaped by farms, woodland and challenging stretches of road.

Trout Farming

At the Forellen-Gasthof Lauchart, the family raises trout in its own pond, which is fed by the Löllinger Bach. If you are considering a visit to the inn, check the latest information in advance.

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