Walking in the Austrian Tyrol can be can be as long or short, adventurous or easy as you wish. Our expanded walking and hiking programme means there is a choice of hundreds of free walks, and guided walks. Resorts particularly good for scenic gentle walks such as lakeside promenades include Seefeld and Pertisau on Lake Achensee, the Tyrol’s largest lake. For lower alpine regions the picturesque villages of Ellmau and Alpbach offer a good base. Mayrhofen in the stunning Ziller Valley has spectacular high mountain walks with 1700 km of walking paths in its four valleys. There is even a first-ever yodel hiking trail in Königsleite with eight yodel stations.
What’s more, many of our Tyrolean resorts offer guests a FREE resort card providing free use of transport, local and regional lifts and cable cars, hiking tours and guided walks. In addition free or reduced entrance to museums and attractions – so you can explore this wonderful region at your leisure.
Then there’s Kitzbühel, home of the famous men’s downhill race the Hahnenkammrennen. With 1000 km of well-marked hiking trails, 1200 of bike routes, and four golf courses it is a hive of activity during the summer. It’s also close to Austria’s largest National Park Hohe Tauern where you will find some of the country’s best-known peaks including Austria’s highest mountain the Grossglockner at 3789 meters.
Our many cycling options range from a gentle flat tour to full-on mountain biking or the ease of an electric bike. Most of the resorts we feature have hundreds of kilometers of scenic marked cycle routes.
Spas and Relaxation
Austria has been at the forefront of the “Wellness” revolution and in the Tyrol, there is no shortage of alpine retreats and spas, natural hot springs, thermal baths and mineral healing.
Kitzbühel even has a 10 km. Kitztrail Balance Trail that goes to places to soothe your soul, such as the Paths of Silence, designed for nature and wilderness experience and quiet time for reflection.
St. Anton am Arlberg has an excellent swimming, saunas and fitness centre with indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzis, whirlpools and numerous saunas of different temperatures on multi-levels, including the green roof area with a dry heat sauna and lounge.
Another magnificent spa with daily activity programmes and a large scenic indoor pool is at Krumers Post Hotel & Spa in Seefeld. This stylish, modern spa with a comprehensive treatments menu is ideal for relaxation after the popular, The Lakes of Mittenwald walk.
Food and Drink
Bacon, cheese, cold meats or any kind of dumpling, often served in a clear soup, and served with sauerkraut are just a few Tyrolean staples. Then there are the desserts, Kiachl, a fried yeast dough pastry dusted with sugar and served with cranberry jam inside, Moosbeernocken, wild mountain blueberries in a pancake sprinkled with sugar and strudel varieties native to the region. On the savory side, Tiroler Gröstl is a delicious bacon, onion and potato fry up served with a fried egg on top.
Kasspatzln is a pasta or soft egg noodle with grated cheese and oven-baked with fried onion. A typical starter will be a plate of cold meats, “Marend”, dry-cured and smoked speck (bacon) local cheeses, gherkins and horseradish. And while not strictly speaking from the Tyrol, don’t leave without trying Kaiserschmarrn, a shredded pancake baked in butter and stewed plums, named after Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. Nearly every village or town has its own local beer or microbrewery and there are many excellent wines. Many of the cozy Tyrolean inns and stubes are award winning restaurants where it is customary to end a meal with a Schnapps, usually offered by your host.
Festivals
In Austria festivals are an excuse to party. Everything is celebrated from cows to dumplings and there are many opportunities to find village festivals with food stalls, dancing, and Tyrolean bands playing live music. St Johann is no exception and best known for its “knödelfest” the world’s largest dumpling festival in September. Seefeld holds one of the largest flower festivals in Europe in August where local floats entered by all the hotels and businesses decorated with hundreds of flowers parade through the village. Kitzbühel holds an annual culinary and wine festival in early September. A gourmet delight of regional delicacies made by local chefs and a chance to taste Austrian wines.
Families
Austria is a great destination for a family holiday and provides a range of activities to suit all ages and abilities. Some of our Austrian hotels provide facilities for children such as children pools, play areas and indoor games rooms. We are also pleased to offer free holidays and special child prices for children ages 2-11 for selected flights and hotels.
