PlanetSKI Visits St Jacob’s Cross as Our Summer Trip to the Tirol Continues
4th July 2023
Last modified on July 7th, 2023
We popped in on our way from Kitzbuhel to Innsbruck. In Kitzbuhel we strode down the Streif as we hiked the Hahnenkamm. UPDATED
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Following from hiking the Hahnenkamm and ahead of our journey to Innsbruck we went to Jakobskreuz – Jacob’s Cross.
It is perched on top of Buchsteinwand Mountain, near Kitzbuhel and is a stunning vantage spot above the Pillersee Valley.
It is the world’s biggest summit cross and was constructed in 2014.
It is 29.6 meters tall and stands at an altitude of 1,456m.
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
You can either hike up to it or take a chairlift.
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
There are views of Loferer and Leoganger Steinberge Mountains, Wildseeloder Peak and the summit of Kitzbüheler Horn.
North:
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
South:
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
East:
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
West:
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
Inside it is light and tranquil with exhibition space.
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
At its base is a small chapel.
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
St Jacob’s Cross, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
After an hour or so soaking up its atmosphere and attractions it was time to move on.
Next stop Innsbruck.
Our final destination on this PlanetSKI summer Tour of the Tirol…
Innsbruck in the summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Earlier in Kitzbuhel we walked down the Streif race course – scene of the world-famous Hahnenkamm.
The gondola ride up is a treat as the cabins are dedicated to each racer that has won the slalom or the downhill crown.
The legends are remembered.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Though is seems some are having a rest.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
And of course GB’s own Dave Ryding has his own gondola.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
He won the slalom back in January 2022.
Like the man himself, his cabin goes by at speed.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Where better place to start our visit to Kitzbuhel than the top of the Streif race course, the most famous downhill course of them all.
Kitzbuhel, the Tirol. Image © PlanetSKI
It is one of the top attractions of the resort in summer.
The course itself is 3,312m long with an 860m vertical descent.
Above is the view the racers have as they accelerate out of the start gate.
It is a sharp right hand gate, immediately into a tight left a turn.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
And then the Mausefalle (Mousetrap).
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
They fly 80m through the air on this slope.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
There are remnants of the TV coverage.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
The steepness continues with the Steilhang (Steep Slope).
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Next is the flattish gliding section of the course.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
It may not have the challenges of the steep section, but real skill and technique is required to get as much speed as possible out of the skis.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Next up there are fabulous views over to the Kitzbuler Horn, though the racers undoubtedly have their mind on more than the view.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Austria easily tops the leaderboard for the amount of wins with 117.
- Switzerland – 36
- France – 35
- Norway – 19
- Italy – 13
- Germany – 11
- USA – 10
- Luxembourg – 7
- Croatia – 5
- Lichenstein – 5
- Canada – 4
- Finland – 2
- Slovenia – 2
- Great Britain – 2
As well as Dave Ryding the other victory was taken by Gordon Cleaver in 1931 when he won the Alpine Combined.
Apart from the course itself the hike offers some great terrain and stunning views.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
In the summer the Sedlalm seems to have some good grazing ground.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
On our walk down the course we opted for a leisurely lunch at Seidlalm.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
An hour or so later we were back on course.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
The hiking path is on the Streif most of the time but there are scenic diversions into the woods that offer a bit of variety.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Finally the finish area comes into view from the Hausberg- the race ends on the Kitzbuhel golf course.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
We passed the start of the slalom – scene of Dave Ryding’s triumph that earned him that gondola.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
And then the final stretch – the Zielschuss where the racers are going pretty quick.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
The fastest racers complete the Streif in under two minutes.
In 1997 Fritz Strobl of Austria set the fastest time of 1:51.58.
Our hike took us just under two hours – 1 hour and 58 minutes to be precise.
The fellow Austrian racer Michael Walchhofer recorded the fastest speed of 153 kms per hour in 2006 – our fastest speed was 8.7kms per hour with an average of 2.9kms per hour.
Next season the Hahnenkamm races take place January 15th – 21st 2024.
Having hiked the course and seen it with my own eyes it will be an altogether different experience watching it on TV next season.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
And what about the town itself?
Kitzbuhel itself is one of the prettiest in the Tirol and no more so than in summer.
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Follow this link for more about Kitzbuhel.
We began our summer trip to the Tirol with a spot of skiing, glacier exploring and hiking in Hintertux.
Hintertux in the summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Hintertux in the summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Then it was across to St Johann for e-mountain biking and some more hiking.
Summer in St Johann. Image © PlanetSKI
St Johann in summer. Image © PlanetSKI
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