Alpbach, Austria: A Weekend of Hiking, Fine Dining & Relaxing in the Alps

Austria has always held a special place in my heart as it was the second country to which I traveled outside of the United States. Stephen and I visited Austria between Christmas and New Years Eve back in 2016, and I immediately fell in love with the snow-capped Alps and the towns dotting the countryside. We’ve continued to return to Austria time and time again on many road trips throughout 2018.

In early September, I was planning to visit a nearby cow parade/cattle drive in the area. When a friend told me about Reith im Alpbachtal and showed me a few photos from previous years, I was hooked. I knew I had to make the trip down to Austria to see the cows come down from the mountain for the winter. My weekend turned into so much more than just attending the Almabtrieb (cattle drive) though — which deserves its own post entirely. I spent a much needed weekend getting back in touch with nature, seeing the sunrise, relaxing at the spa, indulging in some delicious food, and gazing at the abundance of flowers all over Alpbachtal Seenland.

In this post, you’ll find my recommendations on where to stay, how to get around, the best hiking routes, and other towns to visit within Alpbachtal Seenland.

Table of Contents

Where to Stay

I stayed in the village of Alpbach, named “the most beautiful village in Austria”. I was hosted at Hotel Natur & Spa Resort Der Alpbacherhof, which earned every bit of its 4-star rating. From Prosecco on the deck overlooking the lush green valley while I checked in to the warm welcome message with apples and chocolates awaiting me in my room, I immediately felt at home in Alpbach, Austria. My room was spacious, much more so than the typical European hotel room. It included a double bed, couch, chair, desk, tv, fireplace, and a good-sized balcony. The walk-in rainfall shower was amazing. The toilet closet would certainly come in handy when traveling as a couple or with multiple companions. And the best part of all is they’re pet-friendly!

I found their wellness center to be relaxing and rejuvenating — the perfect place to visit after a day full of activities. The center included a Finnish Sauna, Emotional Shower, and an Herbal Steam Bath among other amenities. The relaxation rooms were some of the most peaceful I’ve discovered, between the “room of the senses” with cozy waterbeds and the “panorama relaxation room” with swings that made keeping my eyes open a challenge. They also have an indoor and outdoor pool, which is heated year-round.

Relaxing room with waterbeds
Indoor pool

I very much enjoyed staying at this beautiful resort. The staff was friendly, it was in a convenient location, and it met all of my requirements — parking on site, free wifi, breakfast included, & pet-friendly. Visit their website below for more info!

Website: https://www.alpbacherhof.at/en/our-hotel/
Address: Alpbach 279, 6236 Alpbach, Austria (link to Google Maps)

Where to Eat

For breakfast, Hotel Alpbacherhof has an incredible range of options from fresh fruit and bread to scrambled eggs and bacon. They even have gluten-free options along with an assortment of milk (almond, soy, lactose-free) and local cheese.

If you’re looking for other places in Alpbach for breakfast, try Hotel Zur Post, which has some of the best scrambled eggs, in my opinion. Their breakfast buffet (plus an order of scrambled eggs) cost 15€ and was delicious. They had a nice range of juices, meats and cheeses, and bread.

You must experience the dinners while staying at Hotel Natur & Spa Resort Der Alpbacherhof. Every evening is a different culinary experience and the range of flavors that I consumed was simply out of this world. On Friday night, while alone amongst a mature crowd, I very much enjoyed the intimate experience of eating my dinner and listening to the harpist. It was a pinch-me moment and one that I’ll think about forever (also because I’m still craving the fish from that night). The dining room itself will take your breath away with its dark wood paneling. Each table was decorated with a rose and a candle that is lit upon your arrival. They suggest certain drinks for the aperitif and the main course, and I would highly recommend the blueberry mojito!

Each dinner included a salad buffet, appetizer, soup or juice, the main course, and dessert. There were also cheese boards available throughout the meal near the salad bar. An example of a meal I had one evening included:

Oven fresh bread with lentil spread
Fresh salad buffet with Alpbacherhof dressing
(Appetizer) Riesling-risotto with shiitake and orange
(Soup) Foam soup of smoked trout with Pernod and dill “nockerl”
(Main course) Chicken with Jaipur-curry and radishes
(Dessert) Chocolate and chili — one evening there was an apple strudel buffet

The portions are small, but as you can see above, there are a lot of courses served. By the end of every meal, I was satisfied and full, but not stuffed. If you’re looking for more hearty portions, venture out to a restaurant in town. I would recommend the pizzeria Messner’s in Alpbach, which is said to have excellent pizza, but I can only attest that they have one of the best pumpkin soups that I’ve ever had in my life.

Other places I wanted to try but didn’t have time:
Alpengasthof Rossmoos & Jausenstation Zottahof

Alpbachtal Seenland Card

I’m always looking for ways to save money and the best deals/packages when traveling. With any stay in the Alpbachtal region, you will receive a free Alpbachtal Seenland Card. During the summer, this card gives you access to lifts, museums, buses, lakes and swimming holes in the region. Below are just a few of the daily services you’ll receive free of charge:

Weidersbergerhornbahn Alpbach with the “Lauserland” (cable car)
Regiobus Alpbachtal Seenland (bus services)
Sightseeing Bus Jenbach – Stans – Schwaz
Tennis center Kramsach (indoor & outdoor)
Bathing lake in Reith im Alpbachtal
Museum of Tyrolean Farmhouses Kramsach
Juppi Kid’s Club Reith i. A. (5x a week childcare Mon – Fri)

And so much more. It was super convenient and saved me a ton of money when I took the lift up to the Weidersbergerhorn in Alpbach. To see all that’s included, visit here for more information! You might even check out what they offer during the winter as well.

How to Get Around

Alpbach, Austria is only a 3.5-4 hour drive from where I currently live in Germany. I am a huge advocate of driving and/or renting a car whenever possible. I personally think it’s so convenient to be able to go where I want, when I want, and not have to wait for public transportation. Also, when traveling with a dog or multiple people, driving tends to be more feasible. My hotel was located in a great spot in Alpbach where I could park, leave my car, and walk around town to cafes or trails nearby. I never had a problem finding parking at any hiking locations or in any of the villages that I visited.

If you’re not going to rent a car or drive, you can easily get around using the bus system (which is conveniently included in the Alpbachtal Seenland Card you’ll receive at your accommodation). The bus stop is located right in the downtown of Alpbach and you can find the bus timetables here.

What to Do Near Alpbach, Austria

Alpbachtal Seenland has some of the best hiking scenery. I couldn’t pass up getting out in nature and seeing the incredible Alps both mornings during my stay. I had read here that sunrise hikes were popular, so I decided to try it for myself.

Sunrise Hike to Gratlspitz (1,893 m)

And the verdict is…I can’t recommend this sunrise hike enough. It was hard. It was cold. Yet, it was one of the most satisfying things I’ve done in a long time. The fear I felt hiking solo in the pitch dark for an hour up to the Gratlspitz summit quickly faded when I caught a glimpse of the sun beginning to rise over the mountains. It was worth the struggle and the heart-racing moments to get to the top.

The best spot to begin the hike is from the parking lot here near Berggasthof Holzalm. I recommend starting 1.5-2 hours before sunrise (a quick Google search will help you find that day’s exact time). The road to Holzalm was a bumpy forest/gravel road for the last 10 minutes, so you’ll want to have a good vehicle that can manage the terrain. Once you arrive at Holzalm, parking is free in the lot and the trail is easy to follow up past the building. It took my 1-year old Bernese Mountain Dog and me about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the summit, about 45 minutes before the sun was set to rise.

Getting to Gratlspitz requires sure footing as there are lots of roots along the trail and toward the end, it required some scrambling. If you’re going to do the sunrise hike, you’ll need a well-lit headlamp, sturdy hiking boots, and hiking poles (optional).

Once I arrived at the top, I relaxed and threw on lots of layers as I sat and waited for the sun to rise. I brought with me a coat, scarf, and gloves as it was below freezing at 6:30 in the morning mid-September. There were others amongst us at the summit who were also waiting for the sunrise. Some sipped on warm drinks and snacks, while I snapped as many photos as I could as the sun rays beamed on the mountain tops around us. It was quiet and tranquil that early in the morning and I could see for miles. It felt like hours before the sun came up, but once it did, my face and heart were instantly warmed. I was so happy that I had conquered all of my fears to get to this point. If you’re staying near Alpbach, Austria, I highly recommend doing this sunrise hike.

Gratlspitz Summit

View of Alpbachtal Seenland from Gratlspitz near Alpbach, Austria

Dog friendly hike in Alpbachtal Seenland, Gratlspitz from Holzalm

Cows grazing along the path to Gratlspitz in Alpbachtal Seenland, Austria

Weidersbergerhorn Panorama Path Hike (2,127 m)

Another top hike in the area, that is extremely dog-friendly, is the Weidersbergerhorn Panorama Path. Using the Alpbachtal Seenland Card, I took the Weidersbergerhornbahn (cable car) from the station in Alpbach. Dogs are not included in the seenland card, but the cost is only 3€ round trip. They didn’t require that I put a muzzle on Sven, but I always carry one in my backpack just in case. The lift to the top was beautiful as we passed over farmhouses and fields of cows along the way.

Riding in the Weidersbergerhorn lift up to the top in Alpbach, Austria

Once arriving at the top, the signs made it very easy to find the Panorama Path. We passed a few goats and beautiful horses grazing along the way to the start of the hiking trail. The 4.5 km path goes all the way around the Weidersbergerhorn with excellent views of the surrounding Alpbachtal Seenland and Alps. We could have gone left or right at the split. I chose to go left and the views did not disappoint. It was a cloudy overcast day, but mountain peaks were still visible miles away. The trail was easy and there were benches along the way to stop and enjoy the scenery. I loved pausing to photograph the wildflowers leftover from the end of the summer, in their purple and pink hues.

View of the valley as seen from the Weidersbergerhorn Panorama Path

After reaching the halfway point, there is a split where you can continue along the Panorama Path or go up to the summit. I chose to go up to the Weidersberghorn as it promised even better views of Alpbachtal Seenland and Alpbach, Austria. It’s a steep path that requires good footing, but it is worth it! I signed the summit book with my name and date, snapped some photos, and then Sven and I continued down the path back towards the lift. We cut the panorama path in half, proceeding down the other side of the summit path, back to our original starting point. By around 10 on Sunday morning, the trail was becoming crowded, so I’m glad we had started right at 9 am when the lift opened.

Looking down from the summit back to the Hornalm along the Weidersbergerhorn

By the time we returned to the bottom, it was time for lunch! Berggasthof Hornboden at the bottom of the trail came in clutch with a delicious lunch and beverage to top off a great weekend. They had a band playing out on the patio and I enjoyed my last few minutes in Austria watching families and children playing on the playgrounds and the “Lauserland”. I admired the vibe of the whole place and I felt like a part of something, even as a solo traveler.

A visit to the Weidersbergerhorn can’t be missed. It’s very kid and dog-friendly and it’s something you’ll want to add to your list if you’re spending your holiday in Alpbach, Austria!

Towns in Alpbachtal Seenland to Visit

I could easily have spent days walking down the streets of Alpbach, admiring the unique wooden buildings adorned with flowers brightening the balconies, the sloping hills, old farmhouses, the church and its beautiful cemetery, and the many shops along the main street. However, if you’re looking to venture toward the other towns of Alpbachtal Seenland (which include Alpbach, Brandenberg, Breitenbach, Brixlegg, Kramsach, Kundl, Muenster, Radfeld, Rattenberg, & Reith im Alpbachtal), I suggest exploring the medieval town of Rattenberg and the village of Reith im Alpbachtal.

Sunset in Alpbach, Austria — Sunset in Alpbach

Rattenberg

Rattenberg is Austria’s smallest historical town. The medieval pedestrian zone features lots of cafes, restaurants, and lovely shops displaying their glass. While walking along the main street, you can even catch a glimpse of Schlossberg, Rattenberg’s castle ruins. I enjoyed a cappuccino at one of the cafes after a stroll along the walking path by the river and looking in at a few shops along the way.

Pedestrian Zone of Rattenburg, Austria — Rattenberg, Austria

Reith im Alpbachtal

Reith im Alpbachtal is another town that shouldn’t be missed. The entire village is adorned in flowerbeds during the summer and you’ll find some big events held throughout the year — including the famous Almabtrieb (cattle drive) in late September.

My weekend in Alpbach, Austria was one of the most refreshing ones I’ve had in a long time. Between hiking, fine dining, and relaxing at the spa, I felt rejuvenated after just a few nights at Hotel Alpbacherhof. I loved how dog-friendly the area was, and I felt safe as a solo female traveler. Add visiting the incredible mountain village of Alpbach to your list — because you won’t be disappointed!

Have you been here before? Would you like to visit? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear your feedback.

**Special thanks to Alpbachtal Seenland Tourism for their outstanding hospitality. This article is part of a sponsored collaboration between Alpbachtal Seenland Tourism and Outside This Small Town. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.