Savour the wonderful views from the Schneckgasse, the "Balcony of Brixen"!

From the centre of the village, a short, rather steep path leads you to the so-called "Schneckgass".

It is not just the village that comes into view along this atmospheric pathway, past ancient trees and fields of wild flowers. The whole of the upper Brixental, from Kirchberg to the Ice Age plateau of Westendorf spreads itself in front of you. Learn intersting facts about the land and the folk fron the information boards along the route. – What better place to get your first impressions of your holiday resort, from this, 'the balcony of Brixen'? Hazelnut and other trees line this scenic route, with the view of the mountain meadows full of wild flowers ahead of you.

From the area of Lauterbach the route continues along the valley to Weiler Feuring, which has maintained much of its original farming character. The shaded path weaves its way through pine and fir forests. To the sides of the path you can make you way silently over the soft moss covered ground, the scent of the moss and fern mixed together. Before you come to the Brixentaler Ache and near the village, you will pass by 'nature's workshop'. This section of farmland has been redesigned and returned to its natural state following the building of the by-pass and the village regeneration. Alder and willow trees create a green curtain over the stream, with the suns rays glittering through the branches. Suring the warmer months of the year the swimming pool and bathing lake are great places to go to cool off.

The village centre of Brixen is dominated by the church with its two towers. This is one of the most beautiful classical designed religious buildings in the Tyrol. The relatively new church stands on the site of no less than four previous churches, of which the deepest remains date back, most likely to the roman ages. The interesting facts along with important finds were the result of an archeological project in 1978. A small exhibition on this can be viewed to the rear of the church.

The stately courtyrd and the church, as well as the square to the front of the church grounds is full of character. This is also the starting point for the Antlassritt, the horseback procession which takes place on the Corpus Christi.

An easy hike across woodland and meadows. This route is not suitable for pushchairs because of the steeper sections on the Schneckgasse and Hofer Wald.

Some 500m to the west of the village centre, the road swings up towards the Sonnberg. A reasonable uphill walk takes you past typical Bixental farmhouses and the flowering fields of the Sonnberg. You will reach the start section of the Brixner Gangl by taking the left turn towards Unterguggenhausen on the Sonnbergstraße. Those who wish can save time and energy by using the gondola instead of making this part of the journey on foot.

Those who want to set their pulse rate just a little higher, can reach the Filzalmsee via the steeper Gugg-Graben route. In this case turn left off the Sonnbergstraße after about 500m and head in the direction of Untertreichl. At Untertreichl take another left turn away from the road, cross the narrow Weg den Graben, where you will then reach the other side of the old, steep route up the Hohe Salve. From Untertreichl there is also another interesting possibility. Continue along that road for some 15minutes until you arrive at Hof Obertreichl, where there is a lovely herb garden to enjoy. (Guided tours for 5 persons or more, reservations on 05334-8429).

Regardless of the route you have chosen to follow, you will arrive at Brixen's highest relaxation area, the Filzalmsee. The lake here is one of Austria's largest reservoirs, used for artificial snow making during the ski season. The beauty of the landscape and location of this lake draw in both guests and locals alike

Both young and old visitors will find plenty of interesting and educational things in the surrounding area to discover: A giant appears from the water, bringing the lake to life and casting his giant eye over the pastures and the lake, daring young and old legs to wade through knee-deep mud - let yourself enjoy the surprises.

A 16th century wooden building houses modern seminar technology and is the venue for exhibitions, mountain festivals and other events, The Filzalmsee is the starting point for a number of larger circuit walks. As you start off in the direction of Söll the Wappenweg splits in two, known as the big and the small Giant's Paths (großen and kleinen Riesenweg). On the upper path, the big Giant's Path, visitors will find many things magnified to giant sizes. On a terrace overlooking the lake, you can study the working functions of a giant's eye in detail, and at the Frankalm a giant hand points a finger towards a like wooded area where you can play on a giant xylophone.

On Söll territory the big Giant's Path turns towards the Silleralm and onto the small Giant's Path. At Brunnentrog a model of a giant cow allows you to take a closer look at the body functions of this alpine meadow dweller.

The route continues back towards the Filzalmsee through mountain woods and meadows, along the banks of streams where young visitors will enjoy playg in the water and the sand. The two Giant Paths together make up a walk of approximately two hours long. On the big Giant's Path, you can also continue along the route to Hochsöll and the "Hexenwasser“.

Those who want to climb more than a thousans meters can make their way onto the steeper path up to the summit. An alternative is to take the gondola. On a clear day you can enjoy the views of the Bavarian Alps, the Salzburg Chalk Alps, the Hohe Tauern and Zillertal Alps, and right back round to the Karwendal mountains next to the Bavarian border. You can also enjoy typical Tyrolean food on the revolving terrace of the summit restaurant.

The Salvenkirchlein, Austria's highest pilgrim church, cannot accomodate the number of visitors it attracts to the mountain masses, held on specific days throughout the season, including Anna's Day. The mass now takes place at an altar in the open, outside the chapel.

The descent from the peak takes you past a place where you can watch the marmots in their natural habitat.

In the height of summer, the Kohlröserl, a rare small orchid blooms along both sides of the route, giving off it's own special vanilla scent. It is highly protected, and survives here without extra help and cultivation.

On the flat ground of the Kalbeisalve, you will come across a small chapel, featuring pictures of Jesus's baptism in Jordan. Local folklore dictates that the water from the spring near to the Jordan-Kapelle has healing effects on the eyes. Filzalmsee will soon come back into view below you, and a circuit walk of thelake gives you a great opportunity to do something good for your feet and legs, A 'foot bath' in the mud pit, or a leg massage on the vibration machine perhaps.

The walk comes to a close at the gondola station, or you can choose to walk back down the mountain via the Salvenbergstraße. When you come to the Gugg-Graben path and the farmhouse of the same name, the view opens up over the Brixental and the Kitzbüheler mountains. The route continues along wide, winding roads down to the Sonnbergstraße. From there, follow the road through the area of Hof and back into the centre of Brixen.

Filzalmsee – Hohe Salve: 550 altitude meters / 1,5 hours.

To reach the Filzalmsee, it is possible to take the same route as described in the Wappenweg, or there are alternative routes to choose from. Via the Schneckgasse and the route no. 97, the path follows a relatively steep course to the Kaufmann and Rotschwendt farmhouses. The trail then continues along the Sonnbergstraße to the Berggasthof Nieding, from where the road to the Filzalmsee takes a sharp turn to the right. In around half an hour you will arrive at the mountain station of the gondola lift. Continue on straight ahead to the lake, where a forest road heads off to the right in the direction of Holzalm and Jochstubn.

After following this path for some 20 minutes, and approximately 200m after the turn off for the Berggasthof Brantlalm, you will come to a small quarry. You will notice deep blue and green coloured stones, created by the azurite and malachite in copper ore. It is not so easy to spot the lead grey traces of a lighter ore, which contains a considerable amount of silver. In the past centuries the silver and copper mines of Brixen flourished here, as they likely did in prehistoric time

The path continues on over mountain meadows, used in winter as ski slopes. Mountain pastures and farms play an important role in the agricultural strength of the Brixental, for the health of the animals and also for the higher quality of the produce. To the rear of the Holzalm the path splits: continue straight on for a few hundred metres to reach the Holzalmjoch, or to the right the farm track leads to the Jochstubn and the Jochstub‘n lake, a great place to visit for the whole family. You con continue on from there to the Brandstadl (and the “Kaiserwelt” play area) or to the Hartkaser (“Ellmi’s Magical World”).

Just a few paces to the east you will come across a high mountain marshland. The small mud ponds light up like sapphires in sunny weather, and – typical of such high marshes – they go on unchanged in any way for centuries if the climate remains the same. High marshlands are particularly sensitive eco-systems and will tolerate only the minimum of pressure, so a little request and tip: if you are interested in nature, and wish to step into the muddy ground, please do so only with bare feet! In doing so you will preserve the floor of the marsh and at the same time you will enjoy a very special hiking experience.

The descent from Längmoos takes you through peaceful woodland with blueberry bushes, and it could happen that a large bird flies out and startles you. You will have entred the territory of the usually shy ‘Capercaillie’. Please make as little unnecessary noise and commotion as possible. Just below the woods you will come onto a forest track taking you past idyllic mountain farms and leading towards the Obing-Alm. Before you pass Seiblschwendt farm, take a sharp turn to the right, passing through Ragging-Graben. Before reaching the village of Brixen there is a chance to extend the walk along the Lindenweg. The path lies between the mountainside and an Ice Age plateau – in the spring and early summer months this area transforms into a veritable orchid paradise, with some rare species to be found

From the area of Lauterbach the road heads into the Brixenbachtal. Just before the bridge of the Brixenbach a foot path turns off to lead onto the Western face of the Gaisberg and to the Brixenbachalm. Newly restaured stations along the route depict the forms of pilgrims making their way to the Harlaßangerkirche.

Idyllic nature in the BrixentalThe absolute importance of the Gaisberg for Brixen becomes clear at this point: this is the source of drinking water for the Brixen community, natural spring water which is very clean and of exceptional quality, thanks to the following geological reasons. This natural spring has a water quality that not all shop bought mineral water brands can match. It is of a level of water purity that is rarely found.

Above the Brixenbachalm the walking path continues relatively steeply uphill, and those who wish to take it a little easier can use the forest road. The closer you come to the chalk stone of the Gaisberg, the denser the dwarf-pine growth becomes. This species of pine is related to coniferous pine, however it grows in a very different way. Instead of a straight main trunk, this type of tree sprouts many supple branches close to ground level, that are resilient to avalanches and rock falls. Also on this side of the mountain you will see larch, and in autumn these trees turn the mountain forests into a magical riot of colours.

The Wiegalm is not only an important agricultural landmark, but from here you can also follow the trail of a “prehistoric drama”. The short path heading south from the Wiegalm follows a geological line, which is particularly noticeable in early summer when the wild flowers are in full bloom. To the left of the line, gentian, harder species of alpine rose and other high mountain flora bloom in their cool colours, and to the right of the path, you see flowers such as the rusty coloured alpine rose with its deep red leaves.

Hidden in the fascinating colours of these different flowers is a local geological sensation. At this point the oldest rock formations of the Gaisberg (200 million years old) join the rock formations of the surrounding area that are at least twice as old. The Gaisberg is an ‘island mountain’ constructed of somewhat younger rock formations, settled in the middle of the ancient rock massifs from the earth’s prehistory. The answer to this mystery: in the course of the mountain formation, around 40 million years ago, rocks from the Chalk Alps were pushed from the south towards the north over long distances – the Gaisberg is formed from a left-over mass of rock and sediment from this movement. When you step just a meter or two from the left to the right of the path, you literally cross a physical geological timeline of more than 200 million years.

There are a number of different options from the Wiegalm. Those who have the inclination to climb up a further 250 metres on a narrow track will reach the summit of the Gaisberg, and from there can enjoy the amazing views that surround them. A path takes you from the peak down to the Harlaßangerkapelle and the Kobinger Hütte.

You can also make your way as far as the first plateau above the Wiegalm. A large rocky boulder lies in the middle of the pasture land, providing an interesting contrast to its surroundings. In contrast to the clalky rocks of this area, this particular boulder is covered in lichen. It does not actually originate from this area, but rather was “torn away” from the Hohe Tauern massifs during the Ice Age glacier movements, and was deposited in its current resting place by the powerful glacial melts towards the end of that era.

During the spring and early summer months, you can hike from this relic of the Ice Age, across a veritable sea of flowers down to the Kobinger Hütte, where you join up with the main path linking back to the Wiegalm. The Harlaßangerkapelle, alongside the Salvenkirchlein, is the second “branch church” in Brixen. Mountainside masses are held at this chapel. Regardless of your religious beliefs, you are welcome to spend a few minutes of peace and contemplation in this simple farmers’ shrine.

In the church you will notice the many funeral cards with photos of the dead. This chapel has been used for many years as a place to pray that loved ones who have died will be protected by the Almighty and that visitors to this shrine will take time to remember.

The path continues down the eastern slope of the Gaisberg in the direction of the mountain station of the Gaisberg lift. Below the Bärstättalm you cross a trench with fossilised remains of stones from a sea that existed some 190 million years ago. The view along the valley of the Sperrtental is marked with the imposing peak of the Rettenstein, and down below you see the start of the Brixental leading in to the Kitzbühel area. The Gaisberg lift can save you the walk down the last 450 metres, or there is of course a pleasant path leading down into Kirchberg. Once in the valley you can continue your hike back towards Brixen, away from the traffic, along the walking and cycling path of the Brixental. Along this path you will come across the Seestüberl. In earlier times there was a lake here, however it has long since been filled in and only a few fields with marsh type growth indicate the lake’s location. Before you reach the village centre in Brixen, you will pass through Weiler Feuring with its charming farmhouses and tall lime trees.

Walk along the Brixentaler Ache and take the forest road towards the Kandleralm. Some 300 metres along the path you come to a left hand turn off leading towards Gruberwald, continuing on to Rechentalalm. Above this prettily situated mountain farm, a newly built path turns towards the right, climbing up to the Brixenbachalm along another woodland trail. (Up until this point you can also take the same route to the Brixenbachalm, as in the ‘Urzeit Weg’.) At the end of the road way you access the somewhat steeper mountain trail taking you in the direction of the Talkaseralm. You cross a ditch, and the steep flank of the mountainside takes you quickly uphill to higher pastures. As you near the Talkaseralm the route levels off and forms a bowl shaped valley. From the Talkaseralm you can take the direct route up the Einködlscharte, although the following detour is well worth the extra distance. After the Talkaseralm continue along the winding path on the opposite side of the valley and cross onto the narrow and variable climb up towards the Wiegalm. You will hear the calls of the marmots in summer, while you climb a section of the north side of the Gampen in the shade of the larch and fir trees that line the route. Having reached the northern edge, the path continues on through wood and open pasture, linking back to the Wiegalm.

From the Wiegalm there are two possibilities. The easier option is to take the path leading to the Wildenfeldalm and on to the Kreuzjöchlsee. Not so long ago this lake was constructed to provide a reservoir for the snow-machines used on the ski slopes of Westendorf, however its location and design give it the appearance of a natural mountain lake. From here the hike to the Einködlscharte is relatively light and you can enjoy the view of the Windau and further on into the Inn valley.

You want to go higher and another 500 metres altitude is no problem? The the climb up the Gampenkogel is the right variation for you. Taking the above described route to the Kreuzjöchlsee, you then turn off towards the Gampenkogelspitze (1.957m). In early summer you walk through a sea of Alpine Roses, and where in the winter months the hard weather covers the vegetation in a thick protective blanket of snow. From the summit you can look down upon the Talkaseralm, and take in the panorama views of the icy peaks of the Hohe Tauern.

The descent down the wind-exposed westerly side takes you past winter-hardy shrubs and mossy undergrowth, typical plant life for the build-up of snow on this side of the mountain. From the Einködlscharte the path continues round to the east side towards the Fleidingalm and on to the mountain station of the Alpenrosenbahn. Tired hikers can take the lift down into Westendorf, then finish the circuit along the footpath or by bus.

You shouldn’t miss out the last section of the Alm- Rose path. The mountain station of the Alpenrosenbahn is also the starting point for the “Alpinolino”, where young and old can test their knowledge of nature. This path takes you up to “Chor” in around half an hour. From here you have a full view of the Brixental, from Wörgl all the way out to Kitzbühel.

The descent from here takes you on a steep path over the Santenbach Hoch- and Niederalm, or alternatively down the back of the mountain and on the easier forest road to the Kandleralm. The Santenbachalm faces a northerly direction and consequently it is a wild flower paradise in early summer. The shady forest track continues down into the valley, joining up with the Brixentaler Ache and finally leading back to Brixen.