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Salvenkirchlein

The highest pilgrimage church in Austria

High up on the 1,829-metre summit of the Hohe Salve sits the Salvenkirchlein - one of the most impressive pilgrimage sites in Tyrol and also the highest pilgrimage church in Austria. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and has been attracting pilgrims and visitors for centuries.

The early baroque high altar from 1666, which features a painting of the baptism of Jesus and the statues of St. John the Baptist and St. Bartholomew, is particularly worth seeing. The Salvenkirchlein is not only a place of spirituality, but also a popular excursion destination. It can be reached via hiking trails as well as by cable car from Hopfgarten and Söll. Of course, in summer you can also reach the pilgrimage church on foot on a wonderful hike.

A visit to the Salvenkirchlein not only offers an insight into the rich history of Tyrol, but also a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding Alps.

History

The chapel was first mentioned in a document in 1589. According to tradition, the farmer Andreas Schwender from Brixen im Thale had the little church built as thanks for his recovery. The first holy mass was celebrated here as early as 1617. Due to the growing number of pilgrims, the chapel was extended in 1625. After a devastating lightning strike in 1640, it was rebuilt until 1643. The current building dates back to 1641 and a wooden porch was added in 1972.

How do I get to the Hohe Salve?

Mountain railroads to the Hohe Salve

  • Hopfgarten: Salvista run I + II
  • Söll: Hexenwasser gondola lift + Hohe Salve cable car
  • Itter: Salvistabahn (only up to the Kleine Salve - hike up to the Hohe Salve possible - 380 m difference in altitude)

Events on the Hohe Salve

Wanderung auf Hohe Salve_(c)Magdalena Laiminger
Panoramic Hike to the Hohe Salve
Mo., 26.05.2025
Information office Hopfgarten, Hopfgarten im Brixental
09:00 o'clock
Today you will follow the trail of the KAT Walk, the hiking runway of the Kitzbühel Alps. With the Salvenbahn, you ascend to the middle station of the Hohe Salve. Together with our hiking guide Lous, you will hike over lush alpine meadows on the sunny side of arguably the most beautiful panoramic mountain in Tyrol, our Hohe Salve! This half-day hike requires endurance and fitness, as approximately 650 meters in altitude will be covered. Changes due to fitness level and weather are possible. Meeting place: tourist information office Hopfgarten, Brixentalerstraße 41, 6361 Hopfgarten Registration: until 4 p.m. the day before online, at the tourist information offices of the Region Hohe Salve or by phone +43 680 3207548 Equipment: sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, sufficient fluids and sun protection, snack Costs with Kitzbüheler Alpen guest card: free of charge (excl. lift ticket up and down) Costs without Kitzbüheler Alpen guest card: € 22,00 per person (excl. lift ticket up and down) Duration: approx. 4 hours Participants: min. 2 to max. 12 Difficulty: middle Reduction: Children under 7 years are free of charge! Please register anyway. Attention: no liability will be accepted if other hiking trails are used or if you return independently during this hike.
Dirndl und Lederhosen Tag 2022
Dirndl and Lederhosen days - Region Hohe Salve
Fr., 13.06.2025
Hohe Salve und Kleine Salve, Hopfgarten im Brixental
More information will follow soon...
Sonnwendfeier auf der Hohe Salve
Midsummer celebrations on top of the Hohe Salve
Sa., 21.06.2025
Hohe Salve, Hopfgarten, Hopfgarten im Brixental
19:00 o'clock
The Summer Solstice has a long tradition in the Hohe Salve region and is a true spectacle. The mountain peaks are ablaze when the longest day meets the shortest night. On June 21st, fires are ignited on the mountain tops. These fires are meant to enhance the power of the sun and keep evil at bay from both humans and animals. Experience unique traditions at the summit of Hohe Salve. The fires in the evening mountain atmosphere will captivate you! From the mountain peaks, the view is overwhelming and showcases another facet of the impressive mountain world of the Kitzbühel Alps in Tyrol. TIP: The summit restaurant on Hohe Salve is open! There will be excellent musical entertainment and culinary delights. (A reservation is advisable) Evening operation of the cable cars in Hopfgarten from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Rates of the mountain railway for a mountain & valley ride (valid hiking and season passes pay half the fare) Adults | € 26.00 Youth | € 19.50 Children | € 13.00 Only in good weather! For more information, visit www.hohe-salve.com/sonnwend  
Wanderung auf Hohe Salve_(c)Magdalena Laiminger
Panoramic Hike to the Hohe Salve
Mo., 26.05.2025 - So., 26.10.2025
Information office Hopfgarten, Hopfgarten im Brixental
09:00 o'clock
Today you will follow the trail of the KAT Walk, the hiking runway of the Kitzbühel Alps. With the Salvenbahn, you ascend to the middle station of the Hohe Salve. Together with our hiking guide Lous, you will hike over lush alpine meadows on the sunny side of arguably the most beautiful panoramic mountain in Tyrol, our Hohe Salve! This half-day hike requires endurance and fitness, as approximately 650 meters in altitude will be covered. Changes due to fitness level and weather are possible. Meeting place: tourist information office Hopfgarten, Brixentalerstraße 41, 6361 Hopfgarten Registration: until 4 p.m. the day before online, at the tourist information offices of the Region Hohe Salve or by phone +43 680 3207548 Equipment: sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, sufficient fluids and sun protection, snack Costs with Kitzbüheler Alpen guest card: free of charge (excl. lift ticket up and down) Costs without Kitzbüheler Alpen guest card: € 22,00 per person (excl. lift ticket up and down) Duration: approx. 4 hours Participants: min. 2 to max. 12 Difficulty: middle Reduction: Children under 7 years are free of charge! Please register anyway. Attention: no liability will be accepted if other hiking trails are used or if you return independently during this hike.
Dirndl und Lederhosen Tag 2022
Dirndl and Lederhosen days - Region Hohe Salve
Fr., 13.06.2025 - So., 15.06.2025
Hohe Salve und Kleine Salve, Hopfgarten im Brixental
More information will follow soon...
Midsummer celebrations on top of the Hohe Salve
Sa., 21.06.2025
Hohe Salve, Hopfgarten, Hopfgarten im Brixental
19:00 o'clock
The Summer Solstice has a long tradition in the Hohe Salve region and is a true spectacle. The mountain peaks are ablaze when the longest day meets the shortest night. On June 21st, fires are ignited on the mountain tops. These fires are meant to enhance the power of the sun and keep evil at bay from both humans and animals. Experience unique traditions at the summit of Hohe Salve. The fires in the evening mountain atmosphere will captivate you! From the mountain peaks, the view is overwhelming and showcases another facet of the impressive mountain world of the Kitzbühel Alps in Tyrol. TIP: The summit restaurant on Hohe Salve is open! There will be excellent musical entertainment and culinary delights. (A reservation is advisable) Evening operation of the cable cars in Hopfgarten from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Rates of the mountain railway for a mountain & valley ride (valid hiking and season passes pay half the fare) Adults | € 26.00 Youth | € 19.50 Children | € 13.00 Only in good weather! For more information, visit www.hohe-salve.com/sonnwend  
Sonnenuhren Hohe Salve
On the Sundial Trail (Sonnenuhrenweg), the witches reveal two of their deepest secrets – and you will gain a completely new understanding of time. With the help of a shadow stick, you can observe how the sun maintains its rhythm throughout the day and year. Come along and discover why time does not pass, but simply is! In case of bad weather = alternative programme -> witch umbrellas (Hexenschirme)
Di., 01.07.2025 - So., 31.08.2025
Read more
St. Anna's day at the Hohe Salve
At 11.00 a.m. there will be a St. Anna Summit Mass in the Salvenkirchlein on the top of Hohe Salve, framed by the Brixen brass band. This is followed by a morning pint at the Gipfelalm.
So., 27.07.2025
Read more

Contact us

Pfarre Brixen im Thale
Dorfstraße 88
AT-6364 Brixen im Thale

Email: pfarre.brixen@eds.at
Telefon: +43 5334 8161

aussichtsberg-panorama-sommer-hohe-salve-in-soell-hopfgarten-in-skiwelt-wilder-kaiser-brixental-mit-kirche-am-berg-gipfel-10

Tyrol's No. 1 panoramic mountain

Hohe Salve summit

A well-developed sports and activity mountain; with a 1,829 meter high summit. The free-standing location of the Hohe Salve allows me to enjoy magnificent views of the Kitzbühel Alps and the Zillertal Alps, the Wilder Kaiser massif and the Hohe Tauern in good weather...