Völs am Schlern: Culture and Nature

Völs am Schlern combines architectural history and archaeological traces with ponds, hiking trails and seasonal experiences. When planning your stay, it is worth considering the different highlights: historic sites, a route to seven ponds, or seasonal activities around Lake Völs.

Cultural History in the Castle, Church and Landscape

Prösels Castle was built around 1200 by the Lords of Völs. In the early 16th century, Leonhard von Völs expanded the complex into a Renaissance castle. Its architectural history therefore spans from its medieval origins to its later Renaissance expansion.

The churches also tell stories of different eras. The parish church of the Assumption of Mary in Völs am Schlern is Late Gothic. Next to it is St. Michael’s Chapel, also known as the cemetery chapel. It dates from the Romanesque period and now houses an archaeological collection as well as the Völs Parish Museum.

The historically significant hill of Peterbühl lies west of the town centre. It is where Völs am Schlern and the entire Schlern area began; people settled there many millennia before Christ. The Peterbühl themed trail documents finds from various periods, from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Middle Ages. Information boards show, among other things, house pits, perimeter walls and fortifications. The trail therefore focuses on both the area’s long history of settlement and specific archaeological finds.

Ponds, Nature Park and Hiking Trail

Lake Völs lies at the foot of the Schlern, in the heart of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. It covers one hectare, sits at an altitude of 1,036 metres and reaches a maximum depth of 3.5 metres. The lake has a public bathing jetty and a sunbathing lawn. It is used for swimming in summer and ice skating in winter; check local conditions before your visit.

The 7-Pond Trail links the Salmseiner Weiher, Gflierer Weiher, Lake Völs, Huber Weiher, Umser Weiher, Oachner Weiher and St. Konstantiner Weiher between Völser Aicha and St. Konstantin. Sections pass through varied natural landscapes and an ancient cultural landscape, as well as the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Allow about four hours for the trail; it is 13.2 kilometres long and unsuitable for strollers. Visiting the lake on its own and taking the route to seven bodies of water are different planning options: for the route, distance, duration and stroller suitability are the main considerations.

From May to October, shuttle bus no. 13 runs from Völs am Schlern via St. Anton directly to Lake Völs. As this service is seasonal, check the timetable before travelling. You can therefore consider a visit to the lake and the longer hike as separate options when planning your trip.

Seasonal Highlights for Planning Your Trip

The Völser Kuchlkastl takes place in Völs am Schlern from 1 to 31 October 2026. It focuses on seasonal, mainly local produce, including meat from Völs cattle, local game, and vegetables and fruit from the growers’ own gardens. As the event is held regularly, check the dates for your travel year if you would like to plan your trip around it.

First decide whether cultural history, the 7-Pond Trail, Lake Völs or a seasonal event is the deciding factor for you.

Discover more destinations: Karneid, Eggen, St. Ulrich in Gröden, St. Christina in Gröden, Wolkenstein in Gröden, Welschnofen, Kastelruth, Tiers

Back to the overarching travel overview: Salten-Schlern.