Surrounded by meadows and forests and set against the Gratlspitz peaks, Alpbach is a village from the pages of a fairy tale. Wooden houses with flower-filled balconies decorate peaceful streets, while many of the surrounding farms have been run by the same families for centuries. This makes it one of the best places for digging into mountain food – just the fuel you need for hiking. Gondolas glide up to mountain tracks, footpaths meander along meadows and valleys, and three gorges line up some seriously dramatic vistas.
Wiedersbergerhorn gondola
There are around 900 kilometres of marked paths around Alpbach – and the Wiedersbergerhorn gondola is a great introduction to them. It whisks walkers up to the highest slopes above Alpbach, where some of the most beautiful hikes in the Kitzbühel Alps unroll. For more of a challenge, clamber to one of the three peaks of Gratlspitze mountain for views into the valley far below. There are also plenty of wanders between the villages, farmsteads and serene chapels along the valley floor. Not sure where to begin? Join a guided walking tour from the tourist office.
Alpbach Valley style
Many of the houses, shops and cafés in Alpbach haven’t changed since the first log was laid. They all showcase a distinct woodcarving technique that shapes everything from gables and altars to the furniture in hotels and restaurants. However, one building has broken the mould. The Congress Centre - which hosts the annual scientific and political European Forum Alpbach - blends into the mountainside like a glass Hobbit house.
Architecture isn’t the only thing special about Alpbach. Alpbachtal Hüttenjause food platters lay out Tyrolean specialities such as mountain sausages and hay-milk cheese (tastier than it sounds). Most ingredients are plucked from the farms of the Alpbach Valley, some of which have been in the same family for over 300 years. Go to the Alpine Farmers’ Museum, about a 20-minute bus ride away, to see how people lived in centuries past.
Mountain coasters and enchanted forests
Alpbach is a paradise for young children - the Wiedersbergerhorn lift is the gateway to Lauserland – a mountain playground with an alpine rollercoaster, panoramic towers and rope courses. Further along the Alpbach Valley, another lift goes from Reith im Alpbachtal to the tree swings and wobbly bridges of Juppi’s Enchanted Forest. Reith is also the spot for swimming in the village’s picturesque lake.
Gorge hikes and exploring on bikes
There are three gorge walks within easy reach of Alpbach. A 1.5-hour ramble along Tiefenbach Gorge winds past a turquoise river and otherworldly rock formations, the speedy waters of the Kaiser Gorge are a favourite with white-water rafters and experienced kayakers, and the Kundl Gorge lays out an easy path along one of the most dramatic canyons in Austria.
Cyclists are in their element in Alpbach too, with routes including forest tracks, high-altitude paths between mountain huts and quiet mountain roads.
Why book a summer holiday in Alpbach with Inghams?
At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Alpbach’s best walking routes and activities at your own pace.
With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Alpbach include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team overseas can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.
