Altitude: 1,185m/3,888ft Population: 2,300 Seefeld lies halfway between Innsbruck and the German town of Mittenwald in a wide expanse of Alpine meadows on the Seefelder Sattel, formed by a glacier in the last Ice Age. This health resort with its extensive skiing areas, surrounded by forest covered hills and numerous higher peaks, is one of the most popular winter sports attractions in Tirol, and in summer it is an equally popular base for walkers and climbers. During the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck in 1964 and 1976 Seefeld hosted the Nordic Skiing Competition, and in 1985 the Nordic World Skiing Championships were held here.
Nearby, the less fashionable resort of Scharnitz (964m/3,163ft), is a good base for walkers and climbers. A road (closed to cars) leads northeastward to the Karwendelhaus (five hours on foot) and from there the Bikkarspitze can be climbed in 3.5 hours.
Between the Wetterstein massif and the Miemingergebirge the Gaistal, the valley of the Leutascher Ache, runs westward from Leutasch for some 15km/9mi. A narrow road through this valley (closed to cars) gives access to a large area of walking and climbing country.
To the northwest of Seefeld extends the Leutaschtal, one of the most beautiful mountain valleys in northern Tirol, extending below the Wettersteingebirge to the German frontier. The various villages which make up the commune of Leutasch (1,130m/3,710ft; pop. 1,500) are quiet little winter sports and summer vacation resorts. There are chairlifts from Leutasch-Weidach to the Katzenkopf (1,400m/ 4,595ft) and from Leutasch- Moos to the Rauthütte (1,610m/5,253ft). Leutasch-Mühle, just short of the frontier, is the starting point for the ascent of the Grosse Arnspitze (2,195m/7,202ft; four and a half to five hours).
Accessible via a beautiful footpath from Seefeld in Tirol, the quiet little hamlet of Mösern (1,250m/3,950ft; pop. 100) lies in a magnificent setting high above the Inn valley. From Mösern, the place with the longest period of sunshine in the whole of Tirol, there is a splendid view of the Tirol mountains. Surrounded by flower covered meadows with beautiful larches Mösern is a fine place in which to relax; there are well-marked paths for walkers.
This center in Seefeld has a covered swimming pool with sauna and a heated outdoor pool (radioactive stream) as well as rooms for seminars and conventions. There are also facilities in Seefeld for tennis and golf (two courses).
Although best known for hosting the cross country ski events at two Winter Olympics, Seefeld also boasts downhill skiing that appeals to beginners and intermediates. With curling, tennis, squash, some 50 swimming pools and saunas, this year-round resort features great intermediate skiing on the Gschwandtkopf and the Rosshütte.
Seefeld stretches out over the valley, its center marked by the parish church of St Oswald (15th C.), with its Late Gothic doorway (scenes depicting the miracle of the Host and the martyrdom of St Oswald). Highlights of the interior include the fine frescos (scenes from the life of St Oswald), sculptures, the Gothic font with a wooden Renaissance canopy of 1608, the wall relief showing the miracle of Pentecost and the 16th C. pulpit by Peter Drosser. A little way to the southwest stands the Seekirchl, a circular church of 1628.
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Leutaschtal, Austria
