Rest benches in the Alpbachtal tell the most beautiful stories

Updated on 25.06.2024

The Alpbachtal tourism region is offering its guests a new acoustic experience. Launched this summer, the "Rastbankg'schichten" can be heard at selected locations in Reith im Alpbachtal. The barrier-free circular tour takes a good 1.5 hours.

Reith im Alpbachtal - Imagine sitting on a wooden bench, leaning back and enjoying the view while listening to an entertaining story about this beautiful place. This is exactly the experience on offer in Reith im Alpbachtal.

Five places with good accessibility and guaranteed accessibility for people with limited mobility have been selected. Each station tells its own story - from the medicinal herbs of Hildegard von Bingen, mining, castles and a special chapel, the Brandach ski lift to the legends surrounding Lake Reither See. "The stories have grown from the hands of contemporary witnesses and have been made accessible to the present day thanks to technology," explains Markus Kofler, Managing Director of the tourism region. All stations are barrier-free.

And this is how it works: the audio stations run without electricity, but with your own muscle power. A simple hand movement is all it takes for the station to start talking. "This innovative solution is designed so that people with limited mobility or sight can experience the fascinating stories," says Kofler. The description is also written in Braille on the steles. The content in German and English was produced in professional recording studios.

The circular hike to the individual "Rastbankg'schichten" is barrier-free and therefore accessible to all hiking enthusiasts. The 5.7 km tour takes around 1.5 hours. The tour includes the Reither See lake, the herb garden, the "Blattform" viewing platform, the Hubkapelle chapel and Brandach. It is suitable for pushchairs and is particularly accessible for people with limited mobility. For wheelchair users, the lower three stations are easily accessible without motorised assistance, while the steeper sections towards Hubkapelle and Brandach are recommended with a "Swiss Trac". Refreshment stops in the village centre of Reith offer regional specialities. Click here for a detailed tour description.

The project enriches the cultural programme and creates inclusion. "It creates a new dimension of encounter with history that is educational, entertaining and can be experienced by everyone," says Kofler. The audio stations guarantee an impressive experience for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities.

The "Rastbankg'schichten" will initially start in Reith im Alpbachtal and will be extended to the entire region in further stages. Information at: www.alpbachtal.at/rastbank