The Zillertal offers a wide range of leisure activities. The number of accommodations and offers in the various villages is just as extensive. But how do I find the right starting point for me? Here we give you an overview of the most important places in the Zillertal and show you their highlights.
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen is the unofficial capital of the Zillertal and a perfect starting point that leaves nothing to be desired. The picturesque main street invites you to take a leisurely stroll. There are numerous bars and restaurants, several supermarkets, souvenir shops, liquor shops & wine boutiques, butchers, sports shops, chemists, a petrol station and much more.
Mayrhofen is known for its southern ski area on the Ahorn. In the west, however, the Penken offers the "Harakiri" steep piste with an incredible 78 (!) per cent gradient. This also makes it the steepest ski piste in Austria! With a total of 133 kilometres of pistes, the region is one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Austria.
Penken mountain railway
It departs from the main road in Mayrhofen (Ahornstraße 853, 6290 Mayrhofen). The ascent and descent costs €22.50.
The gondolas are huge and the ride up is a real experience in itself. Incidentally, you can not only hike on the Penken (even with a pushchair), but also paraglide, climb, mountaineer, mountain bike and even toboggan down in winter. The view of the Zillertal valley is stunning.
Zell in the Zillertal
With a total of 215 kilometres of pistes, 67 lifts and 88 hectares of snow-covered pistes, the Zillertal Arena is the largest ski area in the Zillertal. Here you will find everything a ski tourist needs: Bars, après-ski facilities and a variety of accommodation in all price categories.
In summer, the area is ideal for hiking, cycling and mountaineering. Paragliding is also possible here. If that's not enough, you can indulge in various sporting activities in the 45,000 m² Zillertal leisure park. There is an outdoor adventure pool with two giant slides, several tennis courts, a bowling alley, a beach volleyball court and even a mini golf course.
Finkenberg, Tux and Hintertux
Towards the end of the Zillertal it gets a little quieter, even though one of the highlights is located here, namely the Hintertux Glacier with the Nature Ice Palace.
The Hintertux Glacier is the only year-round ski area in Austria. Accordingly, various ski schools and ski and snowboard hire centres have set up shop here. The pistes are suitable for all ability levels.
Another highlight is the Nature Ice Palace (on the glacier). Here you can walk down into a crevasse and even take a boat out on a glacial lake. If you want, you can even dive into the cold water. However, advance booking is required.
We would definitely recommend a visit!
You can find a detailed report on the Hintertux Glacier and Nature Ice Palace HERE.
In winter, the three floodlit natural toboggan runs in Tux are very popular. You can also go curling here. Ice climbing tours or snowshoe hikes also offer variety.
The Spannagel Cave also offers winter canyoning tours for the more adventurous.
In summer, hiking trails and mountain bike routes in Tux provide all kinds of variety. You should also definitely plan a trip on the Zillertal summer mountain lifts. The 11 mountain lifts take tourists from the valley to almost every summit.
Fügen
Fügen is the first holiday region in the front Zillertal and is equally popular with summer and winter guests. Here you will find the valley station of the Spieljochbahn direct access to the ski area. The area is particularly suitable for family holidays, as there is a practice area for children directly below the valley station.
By the way, a free ski bus takes you to the après-ski bars in the Hochfügen-Hochzillertal ski area.
But in Fügen you can not only enjoy wonderful skiing, but also winter hikes, tobogganing, ice skating or cross-country skiing.
In summer, you can take the Spieljochbahn up the mountain and can hike to the Kellerjoch or visit a climbing garden with children.
Gerlos
With 139 kilometres of pistes and 51 lifts, Gerlos is every skier's dream, as snow is guaranteed one hundred percent here.
There is a fun park for snowboarders, a 7 km long toboggan run that is floodlit until 1 a.m., the "Arena Coaster" alpine coaster and various cross-country ski trails and winter hiking trails.
The town has numerous restaurants and accommodation in all categories and price ranges.
In summer you will find peace and seclusion here. Gerlos is a perfect starting point for all hikers and cyclists.
It's also not far to the Krimml Waterfalls in Salzburg, the highest waterfalls in Austria.
Schlitters
This family-friendly holiday village is a place to slow down. There is a natural swimming lake here, which is particularly refreshing on hot summer days. Cycling enthusiasts also like to come here. Just a few kilometres from the village you will find the Spieljoch adventure mountain with numerous hiking opportunities.
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