Kirchdorf the real Austrian Tirol  

I am willing to bet that you have never heard of a village called Kirchdorf in the Austrian Tirol. Don’t feel bad, few have. It is one of those places that can easily slink in under your radar, if you get my drift. In the olden days there were summer visitors from South Africa, then Rhodesia and Australia, but now it is mostly German folk that are in the know. Mores the pity; Kirchdorf in Tirol has a very respectable variety of activities on offer.

First of all is its location. Just about 4km from St. Johann in Tirol and about 10km from the well known resort of Kitzbuehel, Kirchdorf is an ideal and inexpensive place from which to base yourself while exploring the Tirol. It’s an easy drive to Salzburg too for that matter. Kirchdorf is not far from Germany and its position almost directly under the imposing Wilden Kaiser mountain range provides some splendid scenery, great walking, climbing and hiking opportunities. As well clear, sunny evenings produce an amazing dusk light show created solely by the sun’s rays bouncing off the dominant mountain range. For this extravaganza, the majestic Wilden Kaiser is strictly limited to a supporting role. You can marvel at this show of light without sound as you enjoy your evening dinner and drinks in one of the restaurants at the base of the mountain.

However one of the greatest assets of this Tyrolean village is its laid back pace. For Kirchdorf, dear viewer is no metropolis. Here one can forget the “if this is Tuesday it must be Belgium” syndrome and just relax over a long, late, breakfast and bask in the fresh mountain air. This is not to say that the village has nothing to offer. Just that it is no, say, Innsbruck or Salzburg with activities, dining and culture galore. Kirchdorf is a place to stay if you really want to experience the Tirol without the normal tourist enhancements.