This alpine village in Tyrol sits at 794m elevation, with access to SkiWelt's 275km of slopes and the Filzalmsee mountain lake. Home to the historic Antlassritt horse procession and Celtic ruins.
Brixen im Thale lies at 794 meters above sea level in Austria's Tyrol region, with the Kitzbühel Alps rising around it. In this village of 2,600 residents, you'll find children splashing in the Filzalmsee mountain lake's water playground, skiers gliding down the slopes of SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser, and locals celebrating centuries-old traditions like the Antlassritt horse procession. Just 10 kilometers from Kitzbühel, Brixen im Thale is the main settlement of the Brixental valley.
Getting to Brixen im Thale
Take the train from Vienna to reach Brixen im Thale in about 5 hours, changing trains once during the journey. The village is an hour's drive from Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Munich. Year-round bus services connect to neighboring towns and ski areas.
Winter Sports at SkiWelt
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental encompasses 275 kilometers of slopes served by 81 lifts with heated seats and weather protection bubbles. You'll find three snow parks ranging from beginner to expert level, speed measurement tracks, and night skiing in nearby Söll from Wednesday to Saturday. When you ski the KitzSkiWelt Tour connecting to the KitzSki area, you'll complete the world's longest ski circuit.
Summer Activities at Filzalmsee
At Hochbrixen's Filzalmsee area, walk the Giant Trail's one-hour path with hands-on science experiments, or take the Giant Lake hike past Brantlalm and Jochstubn lakes. Cool off at the water playground, step into the Kneipp water therapy basin, or watch alpine fish through underwater viewing stations.
Mountain Biking and Cycling
From Brixen im Thale, pedal along the Sun-Trail at Hochbrixen on mixed asphalt and gravel surfaces. Mountain bikers can climb forest paths to mountain inns at Kandleralm and Choralpe. The Brixental Kitzbühel Cycle Route runs through the village, linking to the region's wider cycling network.
The Antlassritt Tradition
During Corpus Christi, farmers from Brixen im Thale, Kirchberg, and Westendorf ride in the Antlassritt procession on horseback. This 17th-century tradition commemorates local villagers who defended against Swedish troops at the Klausenbach river during the Thirty Years' War.
Historical Background
Celtic settlers first inhabited this area, leaving behind axes, swords, and an urn cemetery discovered by archaeologists. In 1481, Wilhelm Taz established the Taz Library, which still operates today. The village's name has Celtic roots, reflecting centuries of continuous settlement in the area.
