Holidays to Ellmau

Combining a cinematic village setting with easy access to the surrounding - and spectacular - Wilder Kaiser region

Ellmau lies in the wide valley that separates the dramatic peaks of Wilder Kaiser mountains to the north and the gently rolling hills to the south. The views around here are straight out of a film set. Well, TV set, technically; this little Tyrolean village is the filming location of the popular German-Austrian TV show Der Bergdoktor (which translates to the mountain doctor). However, don’t be fooled by its bucolic setting, Ellmau is for those who want to get stuck into the action, with footpaths, cable cars, a golf course and mountain-view outdoor swimming pools. There’s also an excellent bus network that connects Ellmau with the other villages dotting the valley of the Wilder Kaiser, like nearby Söll.

Wilder wanders

The tourist information office in the centre of the village is a great first stop on a walking holiday in Ellmau. Discover short village circuits via river, forest and meadow footpaths, easy day walks exploring nearby Hintersteinersee (a glistening blue lake with mountain backdrop), or longer hikes complete with strategic refreshment stops at remote mountain huts.

Fancy taking things up a notch (and up 1,000 metres)? Hop in the cable car from Ellmau the Hartkaiser. At the top is a restaurant where you can pull up a chair and marvel at the mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see. Once you've refuelled with Tyrolean delicacies like schlutzkrapfen (half-moon stuffed pasta) and kaiserschmarr'n (sweet pancakes), head back to the cable car station – or out onto the panoramic mountain trails.

Get to know Ellmau

Learn all about the folk history of Ellmau at Heimatmuseum, a grand 19th-century house built by a master carpenter. There's a lively weekly market and music evenings in July and August. Restaurants include one of the best pizzerias in the Wilder Kaiser, as well as alpine inns with roasted pork, dumplings, lake trout and sauerkraut on the specials boards. Walk to the Visitation Chapel for one of the most impressive views in town – a panorama with the Kaiser Mountains as a backdrop.

Making a splash in the outdoors

The Kaiserbad offers swimming pools and saunas with mountain views. There are flow channels, turbo slides, a playground, an indoor climbing wall, and a reed-lined pond made for almost-wild swimming. Adults can enjoy the pine sauna and wellness area with herbal steam baths. In nearby Going, the Badesee swimming lake offers outdoor swimming and water slides. Families with smaller children should keep the mountains in their sights too. The cable car in Ellmau leads to the enchanted forests of Ellmi’s Magic World.

Follow the post routes to Innsbruck and Salzburg

The grand old post office is a reminder of Ellmau’s once-vital spot on the trade route between Innsbruck and Salzburg. These days, the road sees more tourists than parcels, with buses transporting walkers between the villages of the Wilder Kaiser valleys. Söll is just a 15-minute journey west – the gateway to the footpath-packed Hohe Salve mountain – and the baroque town of St. Johann in Tirol lies to the east. Or you could trundle to the medieval riverside town of Kufstein, where the Kaiserlift - a single-person chairlift - offers a different view of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range and Inn Valley - a real hidden gem.

Why book a summer holiday in Ellmau with Inghams?

At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Ellmau’s best walking routes and activities at your own pace.

With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Ellmau include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team in resort can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.

Added value

Free use of the Kaiserjet bus with guest card

Hotels in Ellmau

  • from£1359pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    4.5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 66 rooms
Hotel Hochfilzer, Ellmau, Austria - Terrace Exterior.jpg

Chic, cosy, and traditional, the four-star family-run Hotel Hochfilzer is located in the centre of Ellmau. Love fine food and wines? Enjoy delicious regional dishes and the extensive wine list in the Wine Cellar bar. Head to the spa to relax with a Wilder Kaiser view.

  • from£1149pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    3 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 15 rooms
Small Garden Hotel Flora, Ellmau Swimming Pond

Formerly the Garni Claudia, the Small Garden Hotel Flora is a lovely guesthouse in a central but quiet location. You'll enjoy cosy accommodation and a beautiful garden with a natural swimming pond and sunbathing area. The accommodation benefits from Half Board evening meals at the four-star Hochfilzer Hotel.

  • from£1459pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    4.5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 62 rooms
Hotel Der Baer, Ellmau, Austria, Infinity pool with views to Wilder Kaiser.jpg

Tyrolean cosiness meets contemporary chic at Hotel der Bär. Soak in the panoramic views from the 20-metre outdoor infinity pool, relax in the spa, and enjoy superb cuisine in their award-winning restaurant. Whether you're looking for an active holiday or a relaxing alpine escape, Hotel der Bär is an excellent choice.

Excursions

Pre-book your excursions online or give us a call

Grossglockner from £48/32 per adult/child (full day)

This spectacular journey takes you over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, an incredible feat of engineering with stunning views. From the Franz-Josef's Höhe you'll see the Pasterze glacier and maybe catch a glimpse of 3,798-metre summit of the Grossglockner. Keep a look out for the wild marmots and Ibex too - they love the high alpine conditions. You can visit the free museums and exhibitions to learn about the National Park or enjoy a walk round the area and a tasty Austrian mountain meal.

Departs: Tuesdays

Salzburg from £42/26 per adult/child (full day)

Salzburg is a city full of culture, history and music. Visit Mozart’s birthplace, enjoy the view from the Hohensalzburg Fortress, or wander the famous Getreidegasse shopping street. Immerse yourself in history as you explore the medieval Old Town, discover museums and Baroque churches or visit the Salzburg Residenz Palace - the DomQuartier. There is an optional guided walking tour which is a great way to see more of the city (payable locally, approx. €12 per person).

Departs: Thursdays

Berchtesgaden from £42/26 per adult/child (full day)

There's a few options for you to choose from on this interesting trip to Berchtesgaden. Spend the day discovering the pretty Bavarian town of Berchtesgaden itself, or choose one of the optional extras that you can add on to your day (difference payable locally).

The most famous is the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest). Explore the historic building and surrounding area, with spectacular views on a clear day over the King's Lake. The house is famous for being Nazi-constructed and was used for government and social meetings by Hitler and the Nazi Party. Alternatively, head underground to see the Salt Mines. A network of tunnels and slides take you on an underground adventure discovering this once very important industry (optional add-ons are payable locally - Eagle's Nest approx. €30.80 per person, Salt Mines approx. €22.50 per person).

Departs: Fridays

Bookable Locally

Hidden Treasures from approx. €45/25 per adult/child

Discover some of the area's best kept secrets on this trip which combines three unique destinations. Our first 'treasure' is Kufstein, located on the banks of the River Inn. You'll have time to explore and admire this border town with its dominating Fortress. Next, you're off to the beautiful local Hechtsee lake, surrounded by forests and steeped in folklore. Our final destination is Rattenberg, rich in history and famous for Kisslinger glass - watch a glass-blowing demonstration and explore the picturesque streets of this tiny city.

Departs: Wednesdays

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Things To Do

Set mid-way between Innsbruck and Salzburg, Ellmau is an ideal starting point for many excursions. Swimming is available at the fabulous Kaiserbad local pool or the bathing lake in nearby Going. Further activities such as mountain biking, golf, tennis and horse riding can also be enjoyed.

In & Around Ellmau

  • Over 700km of marked walking paths
  • Swimming at the Kaiserbad local pool
  • Lake Hintersteinersee bathing lake
  • Cycling and mountain biking and Electric bike hire
  • Golf (27 hole golf course in Ellmau)
  • Mini-golf
  • Tennis
  • Horse riding
  • Horse-drawn buggy rides
  • Museum
  • Schnapps distillery
  • Ellmi’s Zauberwelt adventure playground
  • Wine tasting

 

The Wilder Kaiser region is part of the world's largest e-bike region "Kitzbühel Alps and Kaiser mountains". 

275 electrical bicycles and 75 rental or battery charge stations are available to the e cyclists.
Bicycle track route is planned away from the main traffic and leads via Kufstein to the Wildschönau and the Hohe Salve, across the Brixental valley, Kitzbühel, St. Johann in Tyrol, to the Kaiserwinkl, Wilder Kaiser and through the Pillerseetal valley.

Any age or skill level rider will discover great fun, diversity and challenge . There are more than 350 km cycling and mountain bike tracks in the area catering for all different abilities. 

Festivals & Events
Ellmau hosts a variety of events each week including the ‘Summer Nights’ Festival with arts & crafts, food stalls and live music, brass band concerts at the music pavilion plus various festivals & events throughout the summer.

Family and Kids 

Ellmi’s World of Magic

Hartkaiser Mountain has  4,000 square meter magic mountain playground featuring a carving hut, climbing structures, a maze, water features and a magical rain forest where kids can climb, explore, splash and play to their heart’s content. Nature walks, Botanical Gardens and the Alpine Trail  will keep children entertained, with plenty of educational signs about local fauna and flora. There is Bergkaiser Panorama Restaurant terrace to admire the incredible vistas of the mountains and enjoy the lunch. Your little explorer is sure to have a blast in this mountainous, magical land of activities.

The Kaiserbad Ellmau

Water area with luxurious indoor pool and a flow channel out into the outdoor pool, plus its own organic pond. Outdoor area has a superb water play area where children can play with water cannons and water mushroom fountain and a slide providing  non-stop swimming fun. 
Those who want to get more activity can put the tennis hall to good use, go for a game of squash or head to the climbing wall.

Lift and cable-car approx. opening times 

The opening dates of summer lifts vary in resort. Please find the latest update for the summer:

  • Hartkaiserbahn in Ellmau (normally open from 12 May)
  • Astbergbahn in Going (normally open from 4 Jun)
  • Brandstadlbahn in Scheffau (normally open from 21 May)
  • Hochsöll, Hohe Salve and Keat in Söll (normally open from 7 May)
  • Hochbrixen and Zinsbergbahn in Brixen (normally open from 21 May)
  • Salvenbahn 1 and 2 in Hopfgarten (normally open from 21 May)
  • Alpenrosenbahn 1 and 2 in Westendorf (normally open from 21 May)
  • Kaiserlift in Kufstein (normally open from beginning May)
  • Salvistabahn in Itter (limited opening days throughout the season)
Walking

One of the prettiest areas of the Tyrol with an expansive network of over 700km of marked paths, through meadows and valleys up to higher ridges and past stunning lakes and mountain alms. The 4 villages of Ellmau, Söll, Going and Scheffau are well connected and there are also walks over the back and down into Brixen and Westendorf.

Getting Around | Up to 15 lifts operate during the summer around the area, taking you to the start of many scenic walks and the Hartkaiserbahn cable railway is normally open from late May to October. The Kaiserjet bus (free with your hotel guest-card) transports walkers between the villages of Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau and Going making it easy to explore other areas as well. 

The Wilder Kaiser GästeCard is available free of charge from your hotel upon arrival and is valid for a period of your stay.

  • Kaiserjet Bus which runs between the villages of Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau and Going
  • Hiker's bus to Hintersteinersee lake, Wochenbrunner Alm mountain hut and Hüttling
  • Public buses to Kufstein, Wörgl, Kitzbühel and St Johann
  • Tourist Board activity programme
  • Discounts on summer cable car tickets, entry to attractions, pools and lakes, walking and biking maps in the tourist information and more

Mountain Experience Card - buy locally | from €94.00 - 6 days | from €69.00 - 3 days | please present your guest card for a reduced rate. 

Consecutive days only. Other durations are available.

Includes up to 15 lifts in the Wilder Kaiser - Brixental region plus discounts on various bonus partners throughout the area.

  • Hartkaiserbahn in Ellmau (normally open from 12 May)
  • Astbergbahn in Going (normally open from 4 Jun)
  • Brandstadlbahn in Scheffau (normally open from 21 May)
  • Hochsöll, Hohe Salve and Keat in Söll (normally open from 7 May)
  • Hochbrixen and Zinsbergbahn in Brixen (normally open from 21 May)
  • Salvenbahn 1 and 2 in Hopfgarten (normally open from 21 May)
  • Alpenrosenbahn 1 and 2 in Westendorf (normally open from 21 May)
  • Kaiserlift in Kufstein (normally open from beginning May)
  • Salvistabahn in Itter (limited opening days throughout the season)

Kitzbühel Alps Summer Card - buy locally | from €103.50 - 6 days | from €76.00 - 3 days | please present your guest card for a reduced rate.

Consecutive days only. Other durations are available.

Includes up to 38 lifts in the Kitzbühel Alps region plus discounts on various bonus partners throughout the area, so is ideal for people staying longer durations or wanting to explore further afield.

The lifts included are the 15 listed above, plus operating lifts in Kitzbühel, St Johann, Wildschönau, Alpbachtal, Fieberbrunn, Steinplatte Waidring, Pillersee and Lofer.

Good to know

Walking trails: 700km of walking trails with great lift network

Terrain: Diverse terrain from rolling hills to dramatic peaks

Best time to go: end of May to end of September. It can get hot in July and August but a dip in a lake is a great way to cool off

Recommended for: Walkers of all abilities, families, nature, activities

Fly into: Innsbruck or Salzburg (approx. 2 hours)

Transfer time: approx. 1 hour 30 mins from Innsbruck or 1 hour 45 mins from Salzburg by coach

Rep service: In resort (rep is based in Söll but visits Ellmau)

Resort card: Wilder Kaiser guest card included for all hotels

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