Kappl

Kappl is an Alpine town in the Paznaun Valley in Tyrol, Austria. It borders to Ischgl upstream to the south-west, and to See downstream to the north-east. With ca. 2600 inhabitants it is the largest town in the Paznaun Valley.

Understand

The picturesque parish church in winter

• 🌍 Tourist Info (Tourismusverband Infobüro Kappl), Dorf 112, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Winter: M-F 08:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00, Sa 08:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00, Su 09:00-12:00, 16:00-18:00; Summer M-F 08:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00, Sa 08:00-12:00, Su 09:00-12:00. Tourist information, with free hike and ski maps. (updated Feb 2019)

History

Kappl's history dates back to the 13th century, when strategic control over the lower Paznaun Valley was transferred from the Counts of Ulten to the Counts of Tyrol in 1248. Its strategic position in the valley made it to a battleground many times throughout its history, starting in 1408 when it was invaded for the first time by Zeinisjoch. Until the Napoleonic Wars, the town was on a constant military alert.

Kappl's source of income was cattle herding, and its cheese was appreciated as far as Bavaria. Kappl's population thus grew rapidly, from 550 residents in 1427 to 1850 inhabitants halfway the 18th century. Towards the end of that century, the first school was built.

The 19th century brought disaster upon Kappl. It had to stand its defence against invading French and Bavarian forces, and was struck by avalanches, mud flows, floods, fires, and plagues. The Kapplers managed to stand ground, and successfully repelled invading armies, thereby proudly capturing a Bavarian banner which is still in proud possession of the Kappl riflemen to this day.

Kappl played a role in the First World War when it lost 66 soldiers, and again in the Second World War when it had to allow passage of the retreating German army in 1945 when they were pursued by French troops.

Get in

Kappl does not have a train station, and can only be reached over the road. Bus 260 connects Kappl once or twice per hour (depending on time of day) with the other towns and villages in the Paznaun Valley, all the way to 🌍 Landeck-Zams . At the station, take bus 260 on platform C right across the station entrance. The journey to Kappl takes ca. 40 minutes, and no transfers are needed. A ticket costs €5.40 when purchased in advance online. Get off at 🌍 Kappl Dorf.

For long distance travel options, see Paznaun Valley.

Get around

Kappl is small enough to traverse by foot or ski. Alternatively, bus 260 offers a frequent connection between the 🌍 Kappl Dorf in the town centre and the 🌍 Kappl Bergbahn.

See

Langesthei Church

• 🌍 Langesthei Church (Pfarrkirche St. Hieronymus), Langesthei 29. A Baroque church built in 1694 and since 1891 the parish church of Langesthei. The interior of the building is richly decorated with paintings from Leopold Puellacher in 1823. The Baroque altar, added in in 1973, carries a cross from the 17th century. The organ was built by famous musician Franz Weber in 1871 and renovated in 1973. (updated Feb 2019)
• 🌍 St. Antonius Church (Pfarrkirche hl. Antonius), Kappler Str. 115. Kappl's principal church, built in 1726 in a Baroque style with Gothic tower. It stands at the location of a 14th century chapel, which gave the municipality Kappl its name. Worth a visit, the choir is decorated by a crucifix from the hand of Johann Ladner from 1754, and paintings by PHilipp Jakob Greil from 1774. The organ was added last, in 1797, by Johann Anton Fuchs, and restored in 1966 by Reinisch-Pirchner. The interior is richly decorated with wall paintings by Heinrich Kluibenschädel , added in 1907. (updated Feb 2019)

Do

Bergstation Diasbahn in summer

Winter sports

From mid December until mid April, Kappl's small ski resort is open for business from 08:30 to 16:00 daily. A day pass costs €41.50 for adults and €26 for children. It is considered one of the sunniest ski resorts in the Paznaun valley, with great snow certainty due to its elevation up to 2690 m.

Name	Tel.	Altitude	/ /	/ /
Ski Resort Kappl	[phone]	1180 - 2690 m	6 Lifts: 1 / 3 / 2	40 km Pistes: 10 / 25 / 5

The only access lift to the ski resort is the 🌍 Dias-Kabinenbahn. Expect waiting lines during the winter season in the morning and in the evening, since there is no marked ski descent (German: Talabfahrt) to Kappl.

Buy

• 🌍 Intersport Ladner, Kappl 551 (near Talstation Diasbahn), ☎ [phone]. daily 08:00-18:00. Ski rental shop in close proximity of the base station of the ski lift. (updated Feb 2019)
• 🌍 Sport Siegele, Kappl 271 (in the historic centre), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 08:00-12:00, 14:00-18:30; F 08:00-18:30, Sa 08:00-19:00, Su 08:00-18:30. Rental of winter sports equipment and safety gear (helmets etc.). (updated Feb 2019)
• 🌍 SPAR (Kaufhaus Kleinheinz), Kappl 310 (in the historic centre), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Supermarket with general foods, drinks, and convenience items. (updated Feb 2019)

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• 🌍 Hotel Auhof, Au 330, ☎ [phone]. Alpine hotel in chalet style, with close proximity to the ski lift aimed at winter sports fans. (updated Feb 2019)

Connect

Go next

• Paznaun Valley

• 🌍 Galtür — Alpine village that turns into a ski resort in winter, internationally known for the 1999 avalanche that almost completely wiped it of the map.
• 🌍 Ischgl — one of the largest ski resorts in the Alps, with a young tourist demographic.
• 🌍 See — first town in the Paznaun Valley with impressive architectural heritage.

• 🌍 Landeck — transport hub in the Upper Inn Valley, famous for its 🌍 Castle.
• 🌍 St. Anton — one of the oldest and best ski resorts the Alps.
• 🌍 Samnaun — a Swiss town outside the Swiss customs area (making it a popular destination for duty-free shopping) which can be reached from Ischgl by ski.