Summer mountains holidays are on the up and up, and none more so than Zillertal in the Tyrolean Alps. There are so many exciting adventures here for families in summer, you won’t even know where to start.
Summer cycling, Zillertal © Zillertal Tourismus, Heiko Mandl
Zillertal brings the feels, you just need to bring the family
If you’re looking for a family trip that leaves you feeling refreshed, relaxed and energised, look no further than Zillertal.
As one of the world’s most diverse Alpine landscapes in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps, it’s home to the pristine vistas of Zillertal Nature Park; pretty villages and towns; a network of cable cars running throughout the summer months, and some 1400km of hiking and biking trails, as well as a range of brilliant family excursions. We’re not sure why it remained solely a winter destination for UK families for so long, but luckily for everyone, times have changed.
Enjoy savings on summer mountains holidays
With a Zillertal Activcard, families can take advantage of 10 cable car routes which from late May to October allow you to discover many mountain experiences like Almflieger at the Almparadies Gerlosstein, as well as high-altitude lakes and swimming pools, hiking trails, adventure playgrounds, and charming mountain huts serving home-cooked Tyrolean food.
The card entitles you to one return cable car journey per day, entrance to all six outdoor swimming pools, free travel on public transport and 10% off at restaurants and local businesses. Best of all, buy two adult cards and your children, born in or after 2009, can travel free (ID must be shown).
Splashing around, Lake Fichtensee © Zillertal Tourismus, Christoph Johann
Exercised kids are happy kids
With the most diverse landscapes in the Alps for hiking and biking trails, outdoor lakes and pools for refreshing dips, glacier ice caves to explore, and a range of outdoor playgrounds in the valley and up high, your kids will get plenty of wholesome exercise in Zillertal.
When you want to cool down on warm summer days, the Spieljoch summit barefoot trail lets you feel the mountain with your feet. Then there’s splashing fun for the whole family at the Fichtensee in the Zillertal Arena, Lake AhornSee, AhornBachl Streamon on the Ahorn high plateau in Mountopolis or at Mayrhofner Bergbahnen World of Adventure.
Although for the ultimate cool down, you can even experience snow in summer on the Hintertux Glacier, which sits at an altitude of 3,250 metres and is snowy all-year-round.
Hiking trails with views for days © Zillertal Tourismus
Hiking trails perfect for all the family
There are some great hiking trails for children amongst the 1400km of trails, and you can check hike time, altitude, and difficulty rating before setting off.
The Wasserwelt hike is a particularly sweet excursion, to a watermill where rainbows shine when it isn’t raining (because of the way the sun hits the thousands of water droplets), and while you might need a change of clothes, it’s totally worth a soaking.
Or try the Adventure Trail Tux Stream which, as the name suggests, involves both mountain streams and adventure play equipment – a win-win for hiking with kids.
Cool-down summer fun © Zillertal Tourismus, Andre Schoenherr
High Alps Nature Park Zillertal Alps
The High Alps Nature Park Zillertal Alps is a high mountain nature park in the truest sense of the word. It extends from the mountaineering village of Ginzling up to the Hochfeiler across a wide range of altitudes and is known for its exceptionally high biodiversity. Along with several other nature reserves in North, South and East Tyrol, the Zillertal Alps High Mountain Nature Park is part of the largest collection of nature reserves in the Alps!
As well as a thrilling adventure for kids, the nature park is also a learning experience, thanks to four permanent exhibitions which encourage visitors to find out more about this extraordinary environment.
Start at the Verborgene Schätze – Nature Park House in Ginzling, where a two-floor exhibition space of more than 500m² takes you on a unique journey through the geological history of the Zillertal Alps, revealing the sparkling crystal treasures created within the mountains over millions of years.
Highest bird of prey centre in Europe, Zillertal © Zillertal Tourismus, Bernhard Huber
Majestic birds in a majestic setting – sounds like Zillertal
One experience not to skip in Zillertal with children is the highest bird of prey centre in Europe which sits at an altitude of 2000m and is also starting point for hikes and mountain tours, as well as a buggy-friendly trail across the whole Mount Ahorn plateau.
The centre, run by Didi and Waltraud Wechselberger, has a lower number of birds in order to foster close bonds between each one and its handler, and the show talks about their habits as well as the splendour and fragile ecosystem of their mountain home. But what you’re really there for, of course, are the awesome wingspans and beautiful displays of flight and falconry, the latter of which is the second oldest form of hunting in the world.
Ice caves of Natur Eis Palast © Zillertal Tourismus, Tom Klocker
Ice ice baby – visit the caves of the Hintertux Glacier
A mysterious ice paradise deep within the Hintertux Glacier, the Natur Eis Palast (Nature’s Ice Palace) caves were discovered 12 years ago by mountain pioneer Roman Erler, who nearly walked straight past them, but instead ended up gaining access with a heavy ice axe and plenty of Tyrolean force. Now visitors can enter the glacier to be awed by a palace of glittering ice. The Hintertux Glacier has proved impossible to date, and has been shown not to move, meaning you’ll be standing within a genuine glacial mystery.
For a real adventure inside the mountain, the Spannagelhöhle cave on the Hintertux glacier is one for the climbers. It’s definitely not suitable for young children, but if you have sprightly daredevils unafraid of a challenge, it will be an unforgettable climbing experience inside the highest marble cave in Europe.
Family cycling, Zillertal © Zillertal Tourismus, Andre Schoenherr
Get on your bikes and really explore Zillertal this summer
Biking as a family is a simple yet satisfying way to stay active on holiday whilst seeing the sights, and there are child-friendly biking trails all around the Tyrol. For an excellent, and fairly gentle introduction, try the Zillertal cycle route in the valley along the banks of the Ziller River: a wide and well-kept trail of 31km from Strass to Mayrhofen. It’s an ideal route for beginners and families as the trail isn’t steep, leaving you free to enjoy the nature and some family time.
Mountain inn, Zillertal © Zillertal Tourismus, Andre Schoenherr
Enjoy Tyrolean classics at a rustic alpine hut this year
Tyrolean food is on the hearty side, which is good news for active adventurers. You’ll find rustic alpine huts dotted around the Zillertal mountain world for cosy lunches at all altitudes, as well as snack bars, Tyrolean inns and gourmet restaurants. Breathtaking views are a given, as is the excitement of children!
For comfort food, try cheesy kasnocken dumplings or Tiroler gröstl (roasted meat, potatoes and onions, crispy fried and served with a fried egg). Then there’s Kaiserschmarrn: a delicious fluffy pancake served with stewed plums or apple sauce. And let’s not forget the humble strudel: a crispy dough filled with apple or cheese, and beloved of most kids (and their parents). Hungry yet?
This is how we do it in Zillertal
It’s all family-friendly accommodation in Zillertal
From basic chalet rooms to high end spas, there’s a whole range of family-friendly accommodation in Zillertal, and you’ll find plenty of family rooms. The main areas are Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell-Gerlos, Mayrhofen-Hippach and Tux-Finkenberg, and the region prides itself on warm hospitality and the sense that you’re, ‘staying among friends’.
Spa hotels with wellness and fitness facilities are numerous too, and there are plenty of mid-range apartments on offer. There are also a few inns and B&Bs scattered around, but you’ll find it’s the chalet hotels and apartments which dominate in Zillertal.
Now you know what Zillertal has to offer, head over to find out their full range of exciting summer adventures for families and get booking!