Heading to Austria? Visiting Innsbruck? Here'a an easy Daytrip high in the Tirol, taken directly from my recent guidebook Daytrips Austria:
Trip 24
Kitzbühel
A Daytrip from Innsbruck
Long regarded as one of the world’s premier winter ski resorts, Kitzbühel makes an excellent destination in the warmer seasons as well. The town itself is quite picturesque with its traces of a thousand-year history, and there are numerous easy walks in the region as well as two mountains – both offering great views – that can be ascended by cable car.
“Kitz,” as it is often called, dates originally from Celtic times although its first recorded mention was around 1180. Once surrounded by a moat, it grew along a ridge between two Alpine streams. The medieval town received its first municipal charter in 1271 and flourished with the development of silver and copper mines, especially in the 16th century. Today it is a fashionable resort catering to an international clientele.
GETTING THERE:
Trains depart Innsbruck’s main station several times in the morning for Kitzbühel. Some require a change at Wörgl. Direct trains take about one hour; indirect trains a bit over 1½ hours. Return service operates until mid-evening.
By Car, Kitzbühel is about 95 km (59 miles) east of Innsbruck. Take the A-12 east to Wörgl, then the B-170 into Kitzbühel.
PRACTICALITIES:
Those coming during the warmer seasons won’t need any special attire other than good walking shoes. The Tourist Information Office is in the old town at Hinterstadt 18, T: (05356) 777, W: kitzbuehel.com.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Tennerhof (Griesenweg 26, 500 meters north of the historic churches) One of the truly great restaurants of Austria, serving contemporary Austrian cuisine. Reservations a must, T: (05356) 631-81, W: tennerhof.at. €€€ and €€€+
Eggerwirt (Gänsbachgasse 12, a block east of the historic churches) Local specialties in an Alpine setting. T: (05356) 624-37, W: eggerwirt-kitzbuehel.at. X: off-season. € and €€
Huberbräu Stüberl (Vorderstadt 18 in the old town) A friendly beer hall with typical Austrian cooking. T: (05356) 656-77. €
SUGGESTED TOUR:
Numbers in parentheses correspond to numbers on the map. Click on map to enlarge.
Kitzbühel’s Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) (1) lies about a half-mile (.8 km) north of the old town. Walk straight ahead on Bahnhofstrasse, cross the stream, and turn left on Josef-Pichl-Strasse, following that around to two historic churches on the right. The Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) (2) dates in part from 1373 and is noted for a massive square tower that seems much too large for the rest of the structure. Its upper floor was added in 1490 and redone in the Baroque style during the 1730s, with latter Rococo additions. Of particular note is the ceiling fresco depicting the Coronation of the Virgin by the local artist Simon-Benedict Faistenberger. Also noteworthy are the ex-votos, the grille, and the 17th-century altar painting of the Virgin done in the manner of Cranach.
Nearly adjoining this is the 15th-century Pfarrkirche St. Andreas (3), a parish church of some distinction. Although redecorated in the Baroque style in 1750, many of the original Gothic features remain in the triple nave. The same artist who added much to the Liebfrauenkirche (above) also contributed some of the ceiling frescoes. His grandfather, Benedict Faistenberger, created the high altar.
Continue down Vorderstadt, bearing right onto Hinterstadt and passing the tourist information office. Straight ahead is the local Heimatmuseum (Museum Kitzbühel) (4). Housed in Kitzbühel’s oldest structure, a 12th-century grain store, this regional museum celebrates local history from prehistoric to modern times, including a section on winter sports. T: (05356) 672-74. Open mid-March to mid-June, Rues.-Sat. 10-1; mid-June to mid-Sept., daily 10-6; mid-Sept. through Ocr., Tues.-Sat. 10-1; Nov., Sat. 10-1; Dec., Wed.-Fri. 3-6, Sat. 10-6. €.
You can get a good view of Kitzbühel and the Alps surrounding it from the tops of two nearby mountains, both easily ascended by cable car. The best panorama is from the summit of the *Kitzbühler Horn (5). From an elevation of 6,550 feet (1,996 meters), the *view extends from the Kaisergebirge peaks in the north to the Grossglockner in the south. While up there, you can also visit the Alpine Flower Garden, where some 120 varieties bloom between June and August. T: (05356) 628-57, W: bergbahn-kitzbuehel.at. Cable car operates mid-May through early Oct. and late-Dec. through March, daily 8:30-4, until 5 in summer. Round trip €€€€.
The other easily-ascended mountain top is the Hahnenkamm (6), world-famous for its ski runs. In summer, visitors can take short scenic hikes (photo, above), dine high above the town at Restaurant Hochkitzbühel, and visit a summit museum devoted to cable cars. T: (05356) 628-57, W: bergbahn-kitzbuehel.at. Cable car operates daily late May through Oct. and Dec.-mid-April. 8:30-4, 4:30 in summer. Round trip €€€€.
An easy walk that can be taken from the town is to and around the Schwarzsee (7). This lovely lake lies just over a mile (2 km) northwest of Kitzbühel, reached on foot or by car by taking Franz-Reisch-Strasse (Route B-170) in the direction of Kirchberg. Trail #12 goes around the lake, a nearly level distance of 2 miles (3.2 km).
Text and map copyright © 2008 by Earl Steinbicker
Top photo copyright © by Kitzbühel Tourismus.
Bottom photo courtesy of Kitzbühel Bergbahn.
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This is a great article on Kitzbuehel. There was a wonderful Tyrolean Chalet there, which dates back to 1271. I hope it is still there as it was a first-class hotel with antique lounges, open fireplaces with conveniences such as central heating, restaurants, pools etc. all near the Schwarz See. Good entry, Earl !
The Castle Lady
Posted by: Evelyn, The Castle Lady | October 15, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Oh, I forgot to mention the name of the Chalet which is Goldener Greif. The name may have changed.
Evelyn
Posted by: Evelyn, The Castle Lady | October 15, 2009 at 09:11 PM