Click on Berwang or Flora and Fauna for more information about Berwang and its surroundings, or scroll down for information on Berwang and the Surrounding Villages.

The village of Berwang was first mentioned in historic documents in 1358 and was originally founded as a collection of dairy farms.  Close by, and in the parish of Berwang, are two other villages: Bichlbach and Rinnen; and a collection of five tiny hamlets:  Kleinstockach, Bichlbachle, Groben, Brand and Mitteregg.

                   Kleinstockach                                      Bichlbach                                            Bichlbachle

All these villages and hamlets are a good walk from the centre of Berwang; the hamlets are tucked away out of sight in valleys where the road just comes to an end.  Alternatively, they are easily accessible by car or bicycle, either during 'free time' on a day of music sessions or as part of an excursion.  A fun way to visit is by taking a 'toy train trip' (difficult to say after a couple of grosse Biers!!):  the 'toy train' has a motorised engine with three carriages comprising seating for about 50 people.  It chugs along very slowly, allowing time for its passengers to absorb the wonderfully dramatic mountain scenery along the way, with plenty of opportunities for photographs and, yes, even a stop for a hot chocolate and apfelstrudel!  

Along with Berwang, both Bichlbach and Rinnen are substantial  villages having hotels, bars and restaurants.  However, the hamlets, which cling perilously to the mountainside, each comprise little more than a couple of farms, a Gasthaus and a tiny chapel.  Each chapel is delightfully small, seating no more than 10-12 people, and has its own distinctive character, being beautifully decorated with murals and flowers.  For  the most part, the buildings are old, typically Tyrolean in style and bedecked with flowers – no hurry here – life just moves at a much slower tempo!  

It is fascinating to watch the farmers operating on extremely steep terrain, using one type of machine to cut the meadow grass; another to turn the grass for drying; and finally using tractor and trailer for collecting the hay.  The intermediate-stage patchwork of uncut and cut meadows adds to the overall beauty of the scenery.  The hay is stored in large barns to feed the cattle throughout the long winter months.