Hohe Salve

1,828 m

Austria

Elevation: 1,828 m
Prominence: 1,007 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jun–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

3D Preview

SACT2HikeNormal route

The standard summit walk on the Hopfgarten side: from the middle station of the Salvenbahn, paths and tracks across the Innersalvenberg meadows to the Speichersee reservoir and the Kälbersalve Alm by the Salvensee, then the steep south slope to the pilgrimage chapel and summit restaurant. About 650 m of ascent and 2 hours; return by gondola.

Elevation Profile

approximate line

Distance: 5.6 km; one way
Ascent: +659 m; start → summit
High Point: 1,828 m
Time Up: 2h 53m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 2h 03m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Take the Salvenbahn I gondola from Hopfgarten im Brixental (about 620 m) to the middle station. Trails 99 and 90 head east across the Innersalvenberg, passing under the lift cables and through meadows and small woods to the Foischingbahn chairlift and on to the Speichersee Hohe Salve, a 135,000 m³ snowmaking reservoir built in 2013 with a kiosk. Continue to the Kälbersalve Alm by the small Salvensee. From the Salvensee the path turns up the south slope of the cone, the steepest part of the walk, to the summit (1,828 m). On top are the Salvenkirchlein, described as Austria's highest pilgrimage church, the Gipfelalm restaurant with its revolving dining room, a transmitter mast and the top station of the Salvenbahn II; the view takes in the Wilder Kaiser close to the north and the Hohe Tauern and Zillertal Alps to the south. The usual descent is by the Salvenbahn II and I gondolas to Hopfgarten, or by gondola down the north side to Söll. On foot, the full ascent from Hopfgarten takes about 5 hours (1,265 m). Alpine huts and restaurants are scattered all over the mountain, and the many intersecting paths are well signposted with numbers.

Start

Salvenbahn Mittelstation1,169 m

Salvenbahn I and II, Hopfgarten (summer 2026 season 14 May – 26 October); also a gondola from Söll on the north side
Train (Salzburg–Tyrol line via Wörgl) to Hopfgarten im Brixental, then a short walk or bus to the Salvenbahn valley station.

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Salvenbahn Mittelstation → Hohe Salve	5.6	659	0	2h 53m

Waypoints

Lift:
Salvenbahn Mittelstation1,169 m
Waypoint:
Kälbersalve Alm1,542 m
By the Salvensee; start of the steep south slope
Summit:
Hohe Salve1,828 m

Key Passages

Speichersee Hohe Salve
Salvensee and Kälbersalve Alm
Steep south slope to the summit chapel

Equipment

0/3 packed

Safety

Sun protectionsouth-facing slope with little shadeRecommended

Footwear

Hiking shoes or bootssteep path on the south slopeRequired

Clothing

Waterproof jacketRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 75%

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Overview

A near-freestanding grassy cone of 1,828 m between Söll and Hopfgarten, directly south of the Wilder Kaiser. Gondolas reach the summit, with its pilgrimage chapel and revolving restaurant; on foot it is a 2-hour walk from the Hopfgarten middle station or a 5-hour climb from the valley.

The Hohe Salve stands at the north-western edge of the Kitzbühel Alps, between the Söll basin and the Brixental, almost isolated from the surrounding ridges. Its regular cone shape and free position give it one of the widest views in Tyrol: the limestone walls of the Wilder Kaiser close by to the north and, on clear days, a long row of glaciated peaks from the Zillertal Alps to the Großvenediger and Großglockner to the south. It is sometimes called the 'Rigi of Tyrol'.

This is a developed mountain. Gondolas from Hopfgarten and Söll run to the summit, which carries the Salvenkirchlein (described locally as Austria's highest pilgrimage church), the Gipfelalm restaurant with a revolving dining room, and a broadcasting mast. In winter it is at the centre of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental, with pistes down to Söll, Itter, Hopfgarten and Brixen im Thale. In summer the slopes are covered with numbered paths, alpine restaurants, reservoirs and family attractions such as the Hexenwasser at Söll, and the summit is a popular paragliding launch.

For walkers, the attraction is an easy, well-serviced summit with a large view, or a long valley-to-summit climb for training. It is not a wilderness objective.

Climbing Notes

From the Salvenbahn middle station above Hopfgarten the walk to the summit is about 650 m and 2 hours on marked paths (99 and 90), steep only on the final south slope; most people ride down. The full climb from Hopfgarten (about 1,265 m, 5 hours) makes a good fitness day early or late in the season. Several loops of 1½–3 hours link the summit with the Rigi, Salvensee and Kleine Salve.

No technical skills are needed. Ordinary hill-walking kit is enough in summer; on the south slope take care on wet grass and allow for afternoon thunderstorms, as the summit is exposed to lightning. In winter the mountain is a ski area, and walking up the pistes is subject to the lift companies' rules.

History

A chapel on the summit is first mentioned in 1589; according to local tradition it was built by a farmer from Brixen in thanks for recovering from an illness, and it became a place of pilgrimage dedicated to St John. The chapel belongs to the parish of Westendorf. The name is often linked to the Latin 'salve' (greeting), though Wikipedia gives a likely Rhaeto-Romance origin.

Season

Best Jun–Sep

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Good
June: Best (best window)
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Possible
December: Possible

Jan: SkiWelt ski area; summit reachable by gondola, not a walking objective
Feb: Ski area in operation
Mar: Ski area in operation
Apr: Ski season ends; spring snow on the paths
May: Summer lifts from mid-May (14 May in 2026); snow patches possible near the top early in the month
Jun: Lifts and huts open
Jul: Main season; busy; afternoon thunderstorms
Aug: Main season
Sep: Often clear, good for views
Oct: Summer lifts run until late October (26 October in 2026)
Nov: Lifts closed between seasons; early snow possible
Dec: Ski season starts

Access & Permits

Fees

Salvenbahn lift tickets; discounts with the Kitzbüheler Alpen guest card

Rules

In winter the slopes belong to the SkiWelt ski area; uphill walking or skiing on pistes is subject to the lift companies' rules

Getting There

Hopfgarten im Brixental (also Söll)

Innsbruck Airport (INN); Salzburg Airport (SZG) is a similar distance

Train to Hopfgarten im Brixental on the Wörgl–Kitzbühel–Salzburg line; Salvenbahn valley station in Hopfgarten
Car: A12 motorway to Wörgl, then the B170 into the Brixental to Hopfgarten; or to Söll for the north-side gondola

Hazards

Weather