The holiday resort of Westendorf
Discover Westendorf, the charming Tyrolean village that delights visitors with its breathtaking mountain scenery and a wealth of leisure activities.
Whether it’s skiing or hiking – you’ll find everything you need for an unforgettable holiday here . Let yourself be enchanted by rustic huts and warm hospitality whilst enjoying regional specialities. Find out about upcoming events and insider tips for your perfect stay.
Westendorf is a picturesque village in the Kitzbühel Alps/Brixental region with a population of around 3,400. Situated at an altitude of around 790 metres above sea level, the village offers a breathtaking backdrop for active holidaymakers. As well as excellent hiking and skiing opportunities, Westendorf charms visitors with its friendly village community and culinary delights. In winter, the popular ski practice slope is particularly appreciated by families and beginners, whilst the Alpenrosenbahn cable car serves as a shuttle service in both summer and winter. Once at the top, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountain peaks and the picturesque Brixental valley, which invites you to linger and marvelling at the scenery in both summer and winter.
Westendorf in summer
Westendorf in summer is a true paradise for nature and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Alpenrosenbahn cable car takes you effortlessly up to higher mountain regions, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. A particular highlight for families is the Alpinolino Himmelsteig.
Up on the mountain, rustic huts and stunning mountain lakes await, inviting you to linger and enjoy the scenery. Whether it’s a leisurely hike or a challenging cycle ride, there’s a wide range of options on offer.
The tourist board also offers a varied weekly programme featuring exciting experiences for young and old alike.
Westendorf in winter
Experience winter in Westendorf with a wide range of activities for the whole family:
From professional ski schools and hire shops to a wide variety of mountain huts and restaurants.
The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental, one of the largest and most modern ski resorts in the world, offers over 280 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes and more than 90 modern lifts.
As well as skiing, the programme also includes cross-country skiing, tobogganing and winter walking.
Discover the tourism board’s varied programme of winter weekly events and enjoy unforgettable days in the snow!
History of Westendorf
An overview of the story
The earliest finds in Westendorf date back to the Bronze Age, although the cremation graves discovered there were destroyed during the construction of Bahnhofstrasse in 1926. The finds made at that time are now housed in the Ferdinandeum Provincial Museum. The artefacts display several distinctive features: on the one hand, there is a considerable quantity of them; on the other hand, some of the objects found are not made of bronze originating from Tyrol.
In Roman times, Westendorf belonged to the province of Noricum, with the village situated directly on the border. In 476, this province was dissolved by Odoacer, which undoubtedly led many inhabitants to move to neighbouring Raetia.
Westendorf is first mentioned in a document in 1234, specifically in a deed of donation by Count Otto of Wasserburg to Rott Abbey. There are several indications that the village and the church existed even earlier:
In 902, the nobleman Radolt handed over his estate in the Brixen Valley to the Bishop of Regensburg. It is reasonable to assume that the bishops of Regensburg built a church in the area near Westendorf in order to assert their own claim against the Bishop of Brixen. Furthermore, the church is dedicated to St Nicholas, which suggests it was built in the 11th or 12th century.
At the Fourth Lateran Council, the establishment of the Diocese of Chiemsee was decided in 1215. The entire Brixental valley was also assigned to this new diocese, with the Bishop of Chiemsee holding secular and ecclesiastical authority, whilst the Archbishop of Salzburg retained the rights of patronage and tithes. In 1385, following a sale agreement, the Brixental valley passed entirely to the Archdiocese of Salzburg, although ecclesiastical jurisdiction remained with the Diocese of Chiemsee.
St Nicholas’ Church in Westendorf is first mentioned in a document in 1320. The Gothic building was rebuilt by Andre Huber in 1771.
Westendorf was subject to the court of Itter, to which Emperor Maximilian I also conferred high jurisdiction in 1514. In the 16th century, mining was a thriving industry around Westendorf.
In 1803, as a result of the secularisation promoted by Napoleon, the Archdiocese of Salzburg passed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and, in 1805, to Austria. In 1809, Salzburg, like Tyrol, became part of Bavaria, and it was not until 1814 that it returned to Austria.
On 1 May 1816, following a decree by Emperor Franz I, the entire Brixental valley became part of Tyrol, and in the same year Westendorf was elevated to the status of an independent municipality.
Today, there are farms near Westendorf bearing the names ‘Burwegen’ and ‘Burweg’. Looking at a map of this area, one finds a plateau bordered by streams, which, due to its location, was well-suited to serving as a fortress. Whilst it was previously thought that this was a prehistoric fortification, it is now believed that a medieval earthwork castle with wooden elements once stood on the site. Unfortunately, neither the remains of walls nor any other finds have been discovered in the area, and there are no written sources relating to the structure either.