Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
ALPBACHTAL
Village charm & gorge-ous views
Between the Kitzbühel Alps and the Rofan Range lies picturesque Alpbachtal, a region of Tirol with quaint villages hidden among its rolling hills and piercing peaks.
Alpbach is a prime example. Not only is it the largest village in Alpbachtal Valley but it has also been officially recognised as ‘the most beautiful in Austria’ and this is in no small part thanks to its traditional timber houses and the pretty flower boxes that adorn them. Hikes and bike trails around this tranquil village will often lead to hidden gems. The easy-going ‘Alpbach Nature and Heritage Trail’ traipses past historical sights and down the Mühlbach Path of Contemplation – a route that encourages you to pause and reflect by each one of its natural sculptures – or you can look to scale to the top of the Wiedersbergerhorn, accessible via the Wiedersbergerhornbahn found just outside the village.
Next to the River Inn sits the historic town of Rattenberg. With just 400 inhabitants, it’s Austria’s smallest but famous throughout the valley thanks to its medieval centre and artisanal glass craft. Must-visit sites of interest include the Augustinian Museum, which houses more than nine centuries of Tirolean art, and the Glass Factory Kisslinger to see the glass blowers at work.
If castles charm you, then keep heading west from Brixlegg, to get to the fairytale like Matzen Castle. From here are several paths that lead up to Reith im Alpbachtal, an attractive village with herb gardens and a lake at its centre, from which you can take the Reitherkogelbahn to ramble on Reither Kogel, complete with impressive vistas over the Ziller and Inn valleys.
To cool down from the heat of the summer day, head north from the banks of the Inn to the municipality of Kramsach.
There are four lakes popular with swimmers to find here and this area is also renowned for the Tirol Farmstead Museum, which offers a fascinating insight into a past way of life.
Be sure to traverse the Tiefenbach Gorge trail (found between Kramsach and Brandenberg) to hear the rush of the Brandenberger Ache Rivers’ torrents or take to the pathways of Kaiser Gorge, once said to be a favourite of Emperor Franz Josef and his beloved wife Sisi, centuries ago. You’d be hard-pressed not be charmed by this region too.