On a plateau in the Brixen Valley, Westendorf is surrounded by patchwork fields, forests, rolling hills and mountain peaks. Buses, trains, gondolas and a network of walking and cycling paths link it to popular summer villages such as Söll, Ellmau and Kitzbühel. The Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality glimmers on many a trail too, so expect superbly signposted and maintained routes. On bright days, the village basks in full sunshine – ideal for kicking back with a schnapps on a mountain-view terrace.
Pull on your hiking boots in the beautiful Brixen Valley
This patch of the Alps offers every flavour of footpath. The Westendorf Wellbeing Trail ambles by dappled forest glades and rivers. For a longer stroll, walk over wooden bridges and past waterfalls to neighbouring Hopfgarten – a market town and gateway to Hohe Salve’s mountain trails. The Windau Valley carves its way south from Westendorf, steering cyclists and hikers to green riverside paths, while more challenging routes scale the local mountain of Nachtsöllberg via pretty alpine mountain huts. Fancy saving your energy? The Alpenrosen cable car takes out much of the leg work in reaching the Nachtsöllberg summit, and the Brixen lift rises from Brixen village into the Bergwelt, where trails lead in all directions.
Summer in Westendorf
Both villagers and visitors wholeheartedly embrace summer in Westendorf, taking to the café terraces with plates of schnitzel, alpine ales and herby lemonades. In fact, the whole town seems to burst into flower, with streets that once won gold as Europe’s most beautiful village in bloom. Even the St. Nicholas church is painted a cheery buttercup-yellow; the dome has watched over the village for centuries. Don’t miss the weekly market, where local craftspeople set out stalls piled high with hand-knitted gloves, truffle cheeses, wooden bird houses and bottles of berry schnapps.
Alpine adventures for families
Family activities in Westendorf come with a side of mountain views. The swimming pool is open-air, enclosed in gardens and views of the Kitzbühel Alps. Meanwhile, the Alpenrosen cable car takes families to the Alpinolino playground, where kids can put on their detective hats while learning about the animals and wildflowers of the Alps. Catch the gondola from neighbouring Brixen for the Filzalm Lake – a sky-high picnic spot with play areas and wildlife hides.
From the mountains to Munich
Trains depart like clockwork from Westendorf station, about a 10-minute walk away from the village centre. The swish summer resort of Kitzbühel is only a 15-minute trundle along the valley and you can also swap the mountains for Munich in just one hour. This Bavarian city might be best known for Oktoberfest, but there’s also an old town with a turreted city hall straight out of a Brothers Grimm tale.
Why book a summer holiday in Westendorf 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 the Brixental's best walking routes and activities at your own pace.
With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Westendorf 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 in resort can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.
