Birgitz: Trails, History and Tobogganing

Birgitz combines historical insights with trails through the landscape and a winter tobogganing opportunity that depends on sufficient snow. If you are looking for accommodation in Birgitz, you can plan your stay according to whether you are mainly interested in experiencing culture, exploring on foot or including a toboggan run in your itinerary. The different destinations do not require a uniform daily schedule.

History around Hohe Birga

Hohe Birga lies north of Birgitz. More than 2,000 years ago, it was a settlement of the Rhaetians. The Birgitz Rhaetian Museum displays finds from Hohe Birga and a reconstruction of a Rhaetian house. This makes it possible to understand the history of the area not only through the settlement site itself, but also through archaeological finds and an illustrative reconstruction.

Another cultural landmark is the parish church of the Visitation of Mary. Its interior was renovated in 2008. The altars date from the same period as the church building. A particular time restriction applies to the high altar painting, The Annunciation, by Johann Georg Grasmair: it is displayed only during Advent. If you would like to include this special aspect in your plans, Advent is therefore a suitable time to travel.

Hiking trails with different focuses

For longer hikes, the Panorama Trail of the Western Mittelgebirge leads from Mutters via Natters, Götzens, Birgitz and Axams to Grinzens. There are sufficient benches along the panorama trail for resting. This is just as relevant to planning your day as the route itself, since the trail connects several communities and can be viewed as a route through the Western Mittelgebirge as a whole.

A more Birgitz-focused option is Birgitzer Alm Hiking Trail 22. It starts at the church in Birgitz, leads through beautiful meadows and continues uphill along a forest road. Anyone looking for a trail with a clear starting point in the village and an ascending route can include this hiking trail separately in their plans. There is also a small resting area directly by the Hohe Birga archaeological excavation site.

Tobogganing when there is sufficient snow

There is also a specific option for a winter outing. When there is sufficient snow, the second section of the Birgitzer Alm – Adelshof – Birgitz toboggan run can be extended from Adelshof to Birgitz. Snow conditions are a decisive requirement; the option described does not imply year-round use. For your travel planning, this means that tobogganing should be regarded as a seasonal focus and cannot be scheduled independently of winter conditions.

Choosing Birgitz for your travel purpose

The attractions in Birgitz appeal to different interests: Hohe Birga and the Rhaetian Museum represent archaeology and local history, the panorama trail and Birgitzer Alm Hiking Trail 22 offer outdoor activity, and the toboggan run adds another option when there is sufficient snow. There is also a small mini-golf course near the village square.

For comparison with other destinations, you can also consider Mils Bei Hall, Mieders, Kolsass, Steinach Am Brenner, Volderau, Trins, Thaur and Gnadenwald.

For the broader travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.