Austria is an incredibly popular holiday resort at any time of the year. Nature lovers in particular get their money’s worth here and can experience a lot. If you are still looking for an exciting excursion destination in the Alps, you should definitely stop by the Alpbachtal in Tyrol. Not only is the area one of the best ski resorts in the country, but it has many other highlights to offer. Some of them are presented in more detail in this article.
Location of the Alpbach Valley
The Alpbachtal is located in the northwest of the Kitzbühel Alps and is a popular destination for holidaymakers in Austria. The entrance leads via the municipality of Brixlegg in the direction of Alpbach and other small villages, all of which are located in the middle of an alpine valley. High mountains tower all around, including the Großer Galtenberg (2425 m), the Großer Beil (2309 m) and the Sonnenjoch (2287 m). The Alpbachtal is strongly influenced by tourism, both in summer and winter. The region is therefore designed for activities for young and old. By the way, the Alpbachtal Card is recommended to save money with participating partners.
What to experience in winter
1. Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau
The region around the Alpbachtal has a lot of ski resorts to offer, but probably the best place to start is the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau. There is a choice of 117 kilometres of slopes for skis and snowboards, covering a wide range of experienced winter sports enthusiasts from beginners to professionals. There are also 45 modern ski lifts spread throughout the area, as well as 25 different alpine huts with cafés and restaurants for a refreshment in between. For winter sports enthusiasts, there really is nothing left to be desired here.
2. Relax with wellness offer
Winter is also the best time to relax, end the year and recharge your batteries. The Alpbachtal also has a wide range of accommodation to offer for this, many with their own wellness area. Whether sauna, massage or whirlpool, the range of hotels is huge and there is sure to be something for every taste.
3. Enjoy the Advent season
The Alpbachtal region has a long Christmas tradition, which you should not miss when visiting during Advent. On the one hand, there is the beautiful Rattenberg Christmas market, which attracts visitors with many different stalls and culinary highlights. In the middle of the traditional old town, the many lights and the decorated Christmas tree really come into their own. The Brixlegg Christmas and the Advent market there are also absolutely worth a visit. Another highlight is the Perchten, an old tradition that is supposed to drive away evil spirits.
4. Taste the culinary delights
Although many of the specialities can be tasted all year round, many culinary highlights from the Alpbachtal really come into their own in winter. Many traditional inns entice with hearty dishes from the region, including above all the Alpbachtal hay milk cheese, bacon and homemade bread. But desserts are not neglected either, with the extraordinary Brandenberg Prügeltorte or the classic Kaiserschmarrn.
What to experience in summer
1. Hikes in the Alpbachtal
Thanks to its location, the Alpbachtal offers a wonderful alpine panorama if you dare to go up high. There are countless hiking trails to discover, from easy to difficult, everything is there here. Excursions towards the sunny plateau, which offers a great view over the surrounding mountain ranges, are recommended. There are both guided tours and routes that can be done alone. The many gondolas are also a good way to get a better view of the valley.
2. Castles and palaces
Austria and the Alps have a long history, which is why there are plenty of castles and palaces to be found among the many mountains and forests. In the area around Brixlegg there are a lot of old buildings to visit, including the Kropfsberg castle ruins, the Rottenburg ruins, Matzen Castle or Lichtwerth moated castle. Each of these destinations has its own history and all of them are worth a visit.
3. Enjoy the cool water
If you want to cool off after a strenuous hike, you can make use of the many clear mountain lakes in the Alpbachtal. In the forests and mountains there are countless small bathing lakes to discover, which are just waiting to be visited. At the same time, there is a beautiful view of the mountain panorama while enjoying the warm sun.
4. Experience the Tiefenbach Gorge
Further north is the Tiefenbachklamm, a deep gorge in the middle of the Alps. The area is a popular destination for families and impressively shows the power of nature. Wild rivers and waterfalls rush past you, which have dug through the rock over many millennia. In addition, the many gorges are a great photo motif. The Tiefenbachklamm is only open in the summer months and when the weather is nice.
5. Museum of Tyrolean Farms
Tyrol brings with it a lot of tradition that is deeply rooted in Austria’s culture. If you want to learn more about it, you should definitely stop by the Museum of Tyrolean Farms. The open-air museum shows historical buildings from former farms and how important goods for trade were produced there at that time. A visit brings you closer to the history of Tyrol and the Alpbach Valley. The open-air museum is only open in summer.
