EN Zillertal Magazine Summer 2021

MY

SUMMER 2021

Nature Adventure When nature stands for idyllic surroundings and adventure. When mountains, lakes and alpine pastures turn into picturesque magic.

When hiking, cycling and swimming guarantee sportive vacation bliss.

Then you are in the right place. Then you are in the Zillertal.

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Sheer Driving Pleasure

THE

PLUG-IN HYBRID

bmw.at/X5 BMW X5 xDrive45e: 290 kW (394 PS), WLTP fuel consumption 1,2 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 27 g CO2 /km, power consumption 24,4 kWh/100 km.

Symbolic image.

W E LC O M E !

Zillertal.

You only feel it here.

Beate Kassner Managing Director of the Zillertal Tourismus GmbH

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Legend

Summer cable cars

Cable cars with bike transport

Paths suitable for baby carriages

Outdoor swimming pools

Train stations of the Zillertalbahn

Tourist information

Cable car (not included in Activcard)

High Alps Nature Park Zillertal Alps

Zillertal Activcard!

Your key to extraordinary mountain experiences.

10 summer cable cars, 6 outdoor swimming pools, use of most public transport and many benefit partners with one card.

Information on prices and terms of use at: www.zillertal.at/en/activcard

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Still Waters … … provide an enchanting reflection of the Zillertal. And along with the majestic mountains, they form scenes of perfect harmony. The photos

by Tom Klocker are an experience.

24 The Zillertal Activcard 26 Overview: Experiencing Zillertal 34 Tips: water fun 36 Overview: Family bliss in Zillertal 44 Tips: culinary treats

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Servus bicycles Play, fun, culture and culinary delights. The Zillertal cycle path offers 31 kilometres with varied stations for recreational athletes, families and leisure cyclists.

52 Tips: animal life 54 Children’s colouring picture

74 Tips: nature park

76 Overview: Fauna & Flora in Zillertal

84 Tips: showrooms 100 Guest commentary 102 Summit portrait: Ahornspitze 104 Imprint 106 Service

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The mystical forest Dive into the enchanting world of the “Glocke”. The fauna and flora in the High Alps Nature Park Zillertaler Alps take us back to an era long before our time.

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The Cheese Emperor At an altitude of 2,000 metres, the mountain cheese dairy Stoankasern, embedded in a wildly romantic land­ scape, is the place where awardwinning mountain cheese is made from the milk of happy cows.

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Beer wins For 16 generations, this private brewery has been committed to regionality and quality. Zillertal beer has long been a refreshing and unmistakable part of our identity.

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Enjoying just like on vacation Exquisite recipes using beer.

COVER PHOTO: TOM KLOCKER; PHOTOS: KEVIN ILSE, CHRISTOPH JOHANN, BERNHARD HUBER

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Holidays full of heart and soul The four regions of the Zillertal introduce themselves: all facts and highlights from Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell‑Gerlos, Mayrhofen-Hippach and Tux-Finkenberg.

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Swimming bliss on the mountain Fichtensee: Where children’s laughter is audible.

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Holiday with momentum Golf course: Where each swing is an experience.

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A majestic show Adlerbühne: Where birds of prey are the stars.

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A journey of discovery in the mountain Spannagelhöhle: Where trekking adventure calls.

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B O U N D LE S S VAS T N E S S

QUIET

Waters … … are part of the magic of the Zillertal.

And with the majestic mountains as silent witnesses, they form a scene of perfect harmony. Where nature turns into an experience and the joy of new encounters is reflected in a wonderful way.

PHOTOS Tom Klocker

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Upwind Ascent towards the Wedelhütte in the late afternoon, in the direction of the soon to be setting sun. Klaus takes off over the reservoir and leaves no doubt that he is a professional paraglider. Like an eagle, he glides a few metres above the water – for a photo in front of the spectacular Zillertal vista.

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B O U N D LE S S VAS T N E S S

Ascent Shortly after sunrise, Anna strolls along a small lake below the Kreuzjoch. Enjoying the magic of the moment.

And the view into the distance, where the peaks of Gabler, Reichenspitze, and Wildgerlosspitze complete the picture-perfect panorama.

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B O U N D LE S S VAS T N E S S

Departure Tom has patiently waited for the right moment. When the clouds above the Stillup reservoir part and create an extraordinary luminous atmosphere. This makes the magnificent green of the lake and the power of the waterfall look like a picture from a fairy tale book.

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B O U N D LE S S VAS T N E S S

Tom Klocker travelled the whole world as a professional snowboarder. Then, he got injured – and has been causing quite a stir as a photographer ever since.

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Performance Roman set off while it was still dark. In order to be able to pedal at sunrise on the plateau near the Torseen lakes for extraordinary shots. With the splendid silhouette of the Alps behind him, he treats the photographer to little moments of great happiness.

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E X P E R I E N C I N G Z I LLE R TA L

Zillertal

Holidays

full of heart and soul Whether hiking or biking, climbing or golfing, swimming or simply relaxing and enjoying – you will encounter unique moments that you will remember forever in the magnificent mountain scenery of the Zillertal.

GRAPHICS Andreas Posselt

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nique natural experiences await you on every corner of the Zillertal, just waiting to be discovered. When summer seizes Zillertal, the magnificent nature awakens to blossoming life! But not only nature: Anyone who wants to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is whisked away into a world that opens your eyes and makes your heart beat faster. Whether you prefer to go for walks in the valley, venture into the most pristine corners of the nature park, or use one of the

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ten summer cable cars to get closer to the numerous Zillertal peaks – everyone will find their perfect summer experience here: Action just as much as seclusion. Both culinary and alpine delights. Happy children fun and exciting adventures. Hiking, biking, climbing, swimming, golfing, or a summer glacier excursion – all that and much

more is waiting for you to discover in Zillertal. No matter in which of the four regions you are travelling: whether in Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell-Gerlos, Mayrhofen-Hippach or in Tux-Finkenberg – you will be welcomed with warm hospitality everywhere, which is just like the nature of the Zillertal: authentic, unforgettable and so unique that you just want to return again and again. In the Zillertal, you’re staying among friends.

sommer.zillertal.at/en

Namesake

Mountain world

Hospitality

The Ziller river is 56 kilometres long.

Its source is located at an altitude of 2,270 meters, in Brandberg. It flows from south to north and joins the Inn at Strass (alt. 517 metres).

Surrounded by numerous threethousand-metre peaks, the sunny valley extends over more than 47 kilometers. Including a glacier highlight with 365 ski days a year.

The Zillertal offers a fine selection of suitable retreats – from comfortable private rooms to luxury hotels. And a credo: Arrive. Feel good. Enjoy.

Tradition

Culinary Arts

Sports

Whether art and culture or centuries-old craftsmanship, music or traditional costumes, lived traditions always make for an experience in the Zillertal.

Taste experiences are not only guaranteed in the mountain restaurants and alpine huts, but also in the many excellent taverns and gourmet restaurants in the Zillertal.

Variety is key. Hiking and biking trails guarantee breathtaking vacation fun – as well as fixed rope routes, swimming pools, and the 18-hole golf course.

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PHOTO: TOM KLOCKER

T H E Z I LLE R TA L E X P E R I E N C E

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Fügen-Kaltenbach At the entrance to the Zillertal, where the valley is at its widest and the sun shines the longest, there’s the Fügen-Kaltenbach holiday region. In the summer, this region with its green alpine meadows and gentle mountains is the ideal starting point for mountain fun.

The twelve authentic villages have grown over centuries and offer perfect starting points for hiking and biking routes. Gourmets get their money’s worth here thanks to extraordinary mountain huts and excellent restaurants.

And, moreover, the Family Adventure Mountain Spieljoch truly lives up to its name: With its numerous activities, it not only makes the children’s hearts beat faster.

Summer Highlights • Spieljochbahn cable car, Fügen: Monsterroller & mountain cart, water fun park, petting zoo, summit barefoot trail, The Big3: Flying Fox, high-ropes park, Nepalese bridge and many more

• Golf course Uderns:

18-hole championship course

• Bathing & water fun:

Thermal baths & outdoor pool Fügen, bathing lake Schlitters, bathing world Stumm, fishing and angling pond Bochra See

• Kids & family:

Adventure park Aufenfeld

• Experience & theme-based trails: Putzi’s magic acorn hunt, St. Hubert’s wild animal trail, nature trail, bird trail and Schleier waterfall NEW! Riddle path to Goglhof

• Gourmet & showrooms:

Cheese dairy Fügen, Zillertaler Speckstube bacon delicacy, Bienenhof Zillertal apiary, Wildauers Edelbrände schnapps distillery

• Culture & excursion destinations: SteudlTenn, Stummer Schrei, museum in the Widumspfiste, FeuerWerk HolzErlebnisWelt (wood adventure world)

• Climbing & action:

Climbing gym Aschau, archery centre Hochfügen, high-ropes park Kaltenbach, bike-trail and pump track Hochzillertal, Kaboom – the Kaltenbach leisure centre “for everything and everyone under one roof”

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T H E Z I LLE R TA L E X P E R I E N C E

Zell-Gerlos The Zell-Gerlos holiday region meanders from the idyllic village of Zell am Ziller through traditional mountain villages up to Gerlos. A highlight for families and all active mountain lovers.

In the summer, guests can find everything here – peace and seclusion, impressive mountain scenery, idyllic hiking tours, action-packed bike tours with extraordinary downhill trails and, of course, everything else that brings joy. After all, the motto of the Zillertal Arena is: Have fun in the sun!

Maybe this is also why the Zillertal beer is brewed right here in Tyrol’s oldest private brewery.

Summer Highlights • Rosenalmbahn cable car, Zell: Arena Coaster, Fichtenschloss, Lake Fichtensee, single trail, Schmankerl­weg, fun arena

• Gerlossteinbahn, Hainzenberg:

Alm paradise with almpromenade, alm viewing platform, Almflieger, petting zoo, playground and via ferrata Gerlossteinwand

• Isskogelbahn cable car, Gerlos:

Natural experience mountain pines land, wooden ball run, adventure climbing route, single trails

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• Dorfbahn cable car, Königsleiten: Yodel trail, GipfelLiner, mythical “Gipfelwelt” experience

• Durlassboden reservoir: Surfing, swimming, pedal boats, fishing, BBQ facilities

• Climbing & action:

Via ferrata Talbach, adventure park Riederklamm, high-ropes park and climbing tower Gerlos

• Kids & family:

Leisure park Zell with gold miners’ playground, adventure mini golf, fun court, bouldering, slacklines and beach volleyball; forest playground and tree houses at the Erlebnisreichweg in Gerlos

• Culture & excursion

destinations: Zillertaler Goldschaubergwerk (gold mine) Hainzenberg; regional museum, BrauKunstHaus (brewery & art), Maria Rast pilgrimage church Zell

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PHOTO: TOM KLOCKER

PHOTO: DANIEL GEIGER

T H E Z I LLE R TA L E X P E R I E N C E

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Mayrhofen-Hippach The Mayrhofen-Hippach region with its surrounding villages is considered the cradle of alpine tourism in the Zillertal.

From relaxed walks and adventures for the whole family to challenging climbing tours – thanks to the Penken Action Mountain and the Ahorn Leisure Mountain, everyone can find what they are looking for.

The mountaineering village of Ginzling in particular, with the surrounding High Alps Nature Park Zillertal Alps, will make hikers’ hearts beat faster.

And in Mayrhofen, the unofficial capital of the Zillertal, numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafés are waiting to be discovered.

Summer Highlights • Penken Action Mountain:

Funsportstation with e-trial parcours, motor skills course, Funballz, mountain scooter rental, mountain playground, panoramic circular trail suitable for baby carriages, via ferratas on the Knorren, paragliding take-off sites

• Ahorn Leisure Mountain:

Aquatic oasis of the Ahornsee lake & Ahornbachl stream, leisure trail with four viewing platforms, Adlerbühne (Eagle’s view lookout platform), hiking trail Filzenkogel,

alpine farming trail, audio adventure “The poacher of Ahorn mountain”, sunrise- and mountain climbers’ cable car

• Kids & family:

Indoor water park, water world and natural playground Brindlang, panoramic train, shire Sidan

• Ginzling nature park house:

Over 200 guided hikes and family programme, radio play along the legend trail “Dornauberg Giants”, Exhibition glacier worlds

• Climbing & action:

Via ferratas Zimmereben and Nasenwand, Ewige Jagdgründe climbing area, kids climbing wall and via ferrata on the Schlegeis reservoir dam wall, Schettla’s bouldering gym, Schlegeis 131 with flying fox, abseiling station and Giant Swing

• Culture & excursion destinations: Stiegenhaushof distillery, StrasserHäusl museum, Zillertal dairy, Schlegeis reservoir dam guided tour, mountain road Zillertal

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T H E Z I LLE R TA L E X P E R I E N C E

Tux-Finkenberg The Tux-Finkenberg region is particularly proud of the diversity of its magnificent high valley. Here you will find impressive glacier worlds as well as green slopes and dense forests – a true natural El Dorado. Naturally, it is a paradise for families and all friends of alpine sports.

Whether hiking, mountaineering, biking or skiing on the Hintertux Glacier, Austria’s only year-round ski area – the typical summer and winter activities merge in the Tux-Finkenberg holiday region.

Thundering waterfalls, marmots and wonderful views of the numerous 3,000-metre peaks of the main Alpine ridge round off the exhilaration. Here, everyone will find breathtaking natural scenery, alpine adventures and the highest culinary delights with a fantastic view.

Summer Highlights • Hintertux Glacier:

Flea Park Sommerberg, Spannagelcave, Nature‘s ice palace, summer skiing, snowtubing, guided glacier walk, panoramic terrace, Luis’ ball safari in the midst of the glacier flea safari on the Sommerbergalm

• Eggalmbahnen cable car, Tux-Lanersbach: Adventure playground and hiking rallye Eggalm, bouldering wall at the summit station of the Eggalmbahn

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• Finkenberger Almbahnen cable cars: Pepis kids area, Pepis climbing park, Pepis swing paradise, nature world trail, reservoir Penkenjoch and Granat chapel, Funride Finkenberg

• Experience & theme-based trails: Tux worlds: Glacier world, glacier flea safari, water world, plant world, animal world, natural world, gorge world

• Kids & family:

Playarena Tux-Vorderlanersbach, indoor water park Finkenberg

• Culture & excursion destinations: Mehlerhouse Madseit, Tux mill in Juns, mineral and crystal museum in Finkenberg

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PHOTO: TOM KLOCKER

E X P E R I E N C I N G Z I LLE R TA L E X P E R I E N C I N G Z I LLE R TA L

The card for holiday happiness The Zillertal Activcard is the key to extraordinary experiences. For an unforgettable summer.

All inclusive with just one card! The Zillertal Activcard is the ideal holiday companion for everyone who wants to enjoy and experience the summer in the Zillertal with all senses. It opens the door to an impressive mountain world, allows you to discover countless extraordinary attractions and guarantees almost unlimited mobility with cable cars and public transport. Families can look forward not only to adventures abounding in nature, but also to great discounts.

Your advantages at a glance One ascent and descent every day with one of up to ten cable cars of your choice, including unforgettable mountain experiences.

Free entrance to all six outdoor swimming pools (one visit per day).

At least 10 % discount at many benefit partners in and around the Zillertal. * SPECIAL OFFER for nostalgia-loving bikers: 10 % discount on the combined rate steam train/bicycle

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PHOTO: CHRISTOPH JOHANN

Free use of most public transport within the region (except steam train).

Zillertal

Activcard 2021 You only feel it here.

Experience Zillertal.

With the all-in-one ticket for the ultimate enjoyment of nature.

From May 22 to October 10 2021, the Zillertal Aktivcard serves as the key to extraordinary mountain experiences, specially selected natural highlights, great culinary worlds and lots of family fun.

Get inspired on

www.zillertal.at/en/activcard

ZILLERTAL

Where experiences turn into adventures Whether by bike, in hiking boots, on action trails or in mountain huts – here, everyone will find their perfect summer adventure.

GRAPHICS Andreas Posselt

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Summer cable cars 7 of them with bike transport

1,385 kilometres of biking fun 108 kilometres of blue routes 905 kilometres of red routes 372 kilometres of black routes

A total of

2,773

metres of altitude difference for biking pleasure on single trails

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marked running, trail, and Nordic walking routes with a total length of about 400 kilometres

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More than action providers provide for adrenaline kicks in the water, in the air, and on the ground.

More than

150 gourmet huts with a view

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exciting climbing opportunities for children, beginners and real professionals 15 via ferratas, 8 climbing and bouldering areas, 1 outdoor climbing tower, 1 climbing gym and 3 bouldering gyms

2 high rope courses

1,483

kilometres of hiking trails for action fans and nature lovers Summit tours to 72 threethousand-metre peaks Hut-to-hut trekking tours Theme and adventure trails on the mountain and in the valley

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holes 1 golf course – 5 stars

6 outdoor swimming pools 27

R E A DY, S E T, F U N !

Swimming BLISS ON THE mountain Where the water is as clear as the mountain air. Where there’s a soundtrack of waves and children’s laughter. Where the mountain calls and we answer with a daring dive. Welcome to the magnificent lake Fichtensee!

TEXT Gundi Bittermann PHOTOS Christoph Johann

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Walking on water. Against the picturesque backdrop of the Zillertal mountains, Samuel and Martha go at it stone by stone through the Wichtelbucht.

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R E A DY, S E T, F U N !

“Lake Fichtensee is not only a wonderful place for arriving. It is also an ideal point for setting off on a hike.”

Take the plunge, immerse yourself. The water in lake Fichtensee is crystal clear and almost 14 meters deep. It can reach temperatures of up to 20 degrees in the summer.

Who would not want to take a dive in such conditions?

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ow does it sound from up there? “Splash!” Samuel just landed in the crystal clear Fichtensee water after jumping off the diving tower. And another “Splash!” right after that. Now Papa Klaus is in there too. Jump and dive in: Sounds just like normal summer fun. But it isn’t – it is much more than that. Because the Fichtensee, with its almost two hectares of water surface, is high up on the mountain. More precisely: on the Rosenalm, an approximately ten-minute gondola ride above Zell am Ziller, 1,700 meters above sea level.

The swimming area with its unforgettable panoramic view is part of the buggy-friendly Alm­ runde which connects the lake resort with the Fichtenschloss adventure playground and the top station of the Rosenalm cable car

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after about 30 minutes’ walking time. Speaking of Fichtenschloss: What an incredible paradise for children! We’ll come back to that – for now, we’ll stay at the lake a little longer.

Marvel, swing, jump

Whether quiet nature experience or happy and wild vacation fun, such a summer day is easy to pass here: A viewing platform allows you to marvel at the breathtaking Zillertal mountain world, and the pleasure niches and swings are perfect places to relax. All those for whom amazement and relaxation is not enough can show their skill and balance on one of the standup paddling boards for rent at the lakeside – a little splash in between doesn’t hurt at all, the lake water is as warm as 20 degrees in summer.

You can chill out happily on the

unique Zapfenschuppen rowboats, pontoons and towers for jumping tempt swimmers to dive in – whether twist, somersault, or crazy monkey, there are no limits to your imagination when it comes to the jumps. One thing is for sure: Anyone who has jumped once, wants to do it again and again. And for those who are hungry on such a summer’s day full of adventures, the Fichtensee kiosk offers delicious snacks.

Lake Fichtensee is not only a wonderful place for arriving. It is also an ideal point for setting off on a hike. For example, on a wonder­f ul panoramic hike in the direction of Gerlos or on a moderately difficult summit tour to Karspitze at 2,257 meters. The path to the Kreuzjoch (2,558 metres) is somewhat more challenging, but it is ­re­warded with a magnificent panoramic view of the impressive Zil-

Aye, aye, Captain! With a bit of imagination, the way-stones in the Wichtelbucht turn into pirate islands, and the water battle between Captain Samuel and fearless Martha may commence.

The oversized wooden spruce needles on the horizon form a perfect backdrop for the Zillertal pirate fairy tale.

Splash! And another splash! Klaus and Samuel are jumping from the tower. One as a compact bomb, the other in an elegant candle pose.

Coffee by the lake. Christa and Klaus let themselves drift on the borrowed Zapfenschuppen boat and enjoy a few moments together before they hear these words again: Take to the oars! By the way, paddling together requires a good portion of harmony, because if someone gets out of step, you go round and round and round and round in circles …

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R E A DY, S E T, F U N !

Whoo-hoo, we’re up here! Samuel, 10, and Martha, 5, moving around between treetops. Well secured by nets, the 5,000 square-metre Fichtenschloss area is situated at a lofty height.

A day at the lake Getting there: Ascent from Zell am Ziller with the Rosenalmbahn Water fun: The lake is 13.7 metres deep and offers a low water area for the youngest guests with the demarcated Wichtelbucht.

Highlights: Stand-up paddle and boat rental, jumping pontoons, pleasure niches, kiosk at the Fichtensee lertal mountain world. It is only a short way to the adventure playground Fichtenschloss: In about fifteen minutes’ hike from the lake, you can easily reach a real children’s fairytale land.

Elves and sausages

A long, long time ago, it is said, hard-­working “Fichtenwichtel” [spruce elves] came here to the Rosenalm and lovingly built an extensive castle complex for a royal couple. And in this way children can now let off steam while climbing on the climbing tower or continue the work of the spruce elves on the crane tower.

Highlight: self-grilled sausages, prepared by the parents on the brick-built BBQ. Those who did not bring anything with them need not worry: A sausage vending machine filled by the local butcher is at their disposal.

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A real fairytale castle! There is enough fun to be had there for an entire vacation day – and for one more, and then some. A slide tower, a crane tower, a climbing tower and an 18-metre observation tower, in between connecting bridges and around it a large adventure playground with treetop path, marble runs and a water play area – Princess Martha is in luck.

I N S P I R AT I O N S

The sun belongs to summer like vacation fun belongs to Zillertal. And if you long for cooling off after hiking or cycling in the magnificent nature, or for refreshing adventures, you will find unforgettable water experiences.

All Zillertal regions offer a great variety of excursion destinations and water worlds that guarantee fun and relaxation for young and old alike.

To the water, let’s go! www.zillertal.at/water

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PHOTO: TOM KLOCKER

Water & Fun

Auenland Sidan, Schwendau

Spielteich Spieljoch, Fügen

Mayrhofen-Hippach. A new adventure playground beckons in addition to the Zillertal cycle path.

The Auenland offers an equally colourful selection of activities for toddlers, young adventurers and the young at heart alike. The water world with a brook, a pond with a rafting system and funny water games complete the broad offer.

Fügen-Kaltenbach. When the mountain turns into a big natural playground. The Spieljochbahn cable car takes you high up into alpine adventure for a variety of family experiences. On hot summer days, the water playground attracts with a spacious playground, along with a barefoot path, a fixed-rope route, the Flying Fox zip line, and the monster scooter tour.

Ahornsee & Ahornbachl, Mayrhofen

Bochra-See, Stumm

Mayrhofen-Hippach. The cable car takes you to the “Genießerberg Ahorn”. Nature lovers can unwind here. Lake Ahornsee is surrounded by a paradise for playing and lingering. Take a deep breath, dangle your legs in the water – this is pure relaxation! The pleasant hiking trail along the Ahornbachl brook also features play areas and water oases.

Fügen-Kaltenbach. Where fishing rods peacefully dangle and the soul finds its peace. The beautiful location of the fish and line fishing pond “Bochra See” invites you to simply relax for once, to experience nature and to catch a fish at the same time. Char, rainbow trout and carp all dart about in the crystalclear water. A fishing license is not necessary.

Themenweg Wasserwelten, Hintertux

Durlaßboden Stausee, Gerlos

Tux-Finkenberg. How does a thermal spring come into being? How much water does a person need? Together with “Gletscherfloh Luis”, you can discover the power of water with lots of fun on this family-friendly hike. Courage and a good deal of skill is required at the large waterfall swing and target shooting with water pumps.

Zell-Gerlos. The fresh spring water of the reservoir heats up to a pleasant 21 degrees in summer.

Alongside Austria’s highest-altitude surfing school at 1,400 m above sea level, the area offers relaxation with splashing, swimming and pedal boating.

Recommended: the loop hike around the reservoir with nice opportunities to stop for refreshments.

Natur Eis Palast, Hintertux

Latschensee, Gerlos

Tux-Finkenberg. The Natur Eis Palast in the ice cave at the Hintertux glacier: a natural jewel unique in the world, and an ideal excursion destination for children aged 6 years and older. Special highlight: The ice-cold glacial lake on which you can take a boat trip. And if you really pluck up your courage, why not attempt ice swimming or stand-up paddling.

Zell-Gerlos. The Emberger family created the children’s play path “Kinderspielweg Latschenalm” with the little visitors in mind. Located at 1,950 m above sea level, it’s easily accessible by taking the Isskogelbahn cable car. A large playground area, ball tracks and information about animals and plants make the hike to the Latschensee a great adventure.

Meadow? Yes!

Relaxation in the oasis

So many adventures

PHOTO: BERND RITSCHEL

Magic glacier world

Where the going gets hot

Fisherman’s joys

Surfin’ high

Playground with a view

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ZILLERTAL

Where family happiness knows no boundaries Action-packed adventures, extraordinary experiences and impressive nature moments – expect countless opportunities full of joie de vivre for the whole family.

GRAPHICS Andreas Posselt

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adventure and theme trails

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farms for the perfect family holiday

familyfriendly hotels and guesthouses

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adventure playgrounds

2 high rope

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More than restaurant huts to stop at for a rest

More than

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showrooms in the valley

courses

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providers of cheerful carriage rides

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More than

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action attractions

Rafting, kayaking, canyoning, mountain scooters, mountain carts, Flying Fox …

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summer cable cars With the Zillertal Activcard, the many mountain experiences around the mountain stations in the Zillertal are conveniently ­accessible for the whole family.

Many wildlife experiences – from pony fun to marmot encounters through to the petting zoo.

1 summer toboggan run

365 days a year of snow fun

On the Hintertux glacier, you can ski all year round, or you can simply enjoy the snow.

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water excursion destinations

6 outdoor swimming pools 7 swimming lakes 10 times hiking fun with waterfalls

108 kilometres of bicycle routes for the whole family

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G O LF PA R A D I S E

A holiday WITH momentum Fine fairway carpets, top bunkers, well-kept greens – and all of this embedded in the magnificent nature of the Zillertal.

At the Uderns Golf Club, every swing is an experience.

TEXT Michael Hufnagl PHOTOS Christoph Johann

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The view is magical, the magnificent alpine panorama invites one to pause – first marvel, then swing.

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G O LF PA R A D I S E

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t’s all about the mix. There are golf courses with exceptional layouts, but no scenic charms. Just as there are golf courses in breathtaking surroundings, yet lacking architectural ideas. And then … you have the golf course in Zillertal. Where the experience of nature and the experience of design have merged into an internationally recognized work of art. “Only harmony can awaken passion,” as Beethoven already said. In this light, the facility is a composition of the good and the beautiful, as always longed for by dynamic people.

Feeling good before the swing

I am standing at the first tee. Above me, the sun.

Next to me, the picturesque green of the trees.

In front of me, the attractive par 4, a fairway with an elegant right turn. What a challenging start!

My gaze captures the beauty of the mountain world and creates that feeling of wellbeing you need for the first stroke. I haven’t brought my dog along this time.

Although he would be very welcome in this club as a wellbehaved companion.

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The Uderns golf course was officially opened in 2014. Since then, the facility has seen growth at an amazing speed in the Erste Ferienregion Fügen-Kaltenbach, which has long since been accepted into the association “Leading Golf Courses Austria” – where the motto is: Quality knows no boundaries. A claim that can only be made by 14 clubs throughout the country.

Hole 2 is a remarkable par 3 across a pond and the next proof of nature’s effect on the golfer’s soul awaits at hole 3. The small church on the hill is the perfect setting for a selfie. Hole 4 is the next par 3 – again across water. Holes 5 and 6 suddenly reveal this in a wonderful way: It’s all about the mix. Of long and short, wide and narrow, downhill and uphill, tough and easy (well, sort of ...).

The philosophy of architect Diethard Fahrenleitner becomes apparent. Using modern knowhow, he succeeded in lending an unmistakable character to the regional charm. It is no surprise that hikers and bikers also find their happiness in this paradise – or excursion guests, who can take off to high altitudes thanks to the Spieljochbahn cable car.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: BECKNAPHOTO

The clubhouse is one of the most impressive in Europe. Not only because of its design, but also because of its location between the 9th and 18th green.

Uderns – where the experience of nature and the experience of design merge into one work of art.

Sunloungers with a view of the course.

Where observers of the approaching golfers can relax and enjoy themselves.

A nice 18-hole course alone is not enough for a “Very good”, at least not for golfers. It also requires an opulent driving range (with covered teeing grounds) or a golf school whose three pros offer so many special courses (from “Early Practice” to “Technique and Tactics” to “Fit for Tournaments") besides individual lessons, that pleasure becomes a matter of course.

Wow effects

During my round, holes 7 and 8 reveal once again what this place stands for: The view down into the valley is magical, the magnificent alpine panorama invites one to pause – first marvel, then swing. And while we’re on the subject of fascination, the 9th fairway gives us exactly those impressions that we associate with sporty claim and aesthetic perfection.

When the course takes you over a hill to the island green in front of the clubhouse. What a spectacle!

Especially since this very clubhouse counts among the most impressive ones in Europe.

Elegant architecture, stylish ambience and inviting terraces – this is how summer can be enjoyed even by non-golfers.

Hole 10 leads away from the clubhouse again, on hole 11 the next hint at the motto

Bunkers according to international top standards. Even sand shots are fun here.

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G O LF PA R A D I S E

awaits: It’s all about the mix. Namely, of conventional and original. The drive should be hit to an intermediate plateau, where a short but challenging drive over a mighty treetop awaits – a surprising variation, the kind we love.

Speaking of love: Holes 12 and 13 are no exception when it comes to course maintenance. Those who have played here will also remember fairway carpets worth experiencing, quality bunker landscapes and perfectly prepared greens. And may even be happy about a diamond. You can win one on hole 14, for a hole-in-one during a tournament round.

The 15th fairway is one of the most beauti­ ful par 5 holes in the country – elongated, with water and a left turn; strategy and courage are required here. The longest par 3 of the course (183 meters from the yellow tee)

Tee-off with a view.

Anyone who plays golf in the Zillertal will enjoy a fabulous nature experience along with it.

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Read the putting line correctly will sink the ball safely into the hole on these excellently maintained greens.

follows as an icing on the cake, before the last adventure awaits at the final part over hole 17, where the church appears again for golf believers. On hole 18 as well, the ball must be hit towards the clubhouse, where relaxed observers already wait on their sunloungers.

And along with them, a noble culinary experience awaits the returnees as well. The club’s gourmet restaurant, “Die Genuss­werkstatt”, is recommended to all visitors – golfers or not.

Where not only regional dishes are prepared, but international specialties can be found on the menu as well. In this spirit: Bon appétit!

And, of course: Have a great game!

On to the grand finale!

A little course management before the last tee of the round won’t hurt.

Putting & Chipping Area

Driving Range

Sportresidenz Zillertal Club house

The Zillertal facility was designed by architect Diethard Fahrenleitner according to modern and international top standards and inaugurated in 2014.

Putting Area Access to underground car park 3 short fairways

A perfect playground The Uderns golf course is ideally integrated into the Zillertal nature.

With lengths between 4,752 and 6,026 meters, depending on skill level. There are four par 5 and five par 3 holes on the par 71 course. Plus a covered driving range, a finely maintained 3-hole short course (with par 3 holes), a large putting green, and an extended chipping area.

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I N S P I R AT I O N S

When wild herbs exude their fine aroma, when garden fruits smell fine and ripe, when the charcoal glows on the terrace, when fresh produce from the field and good food from the forest are highlighted on the menu: Then it’s summer in Zillertal. Here, cooking, grilling, baking, and indulging rejoices in regional products of the season. Whether following old traditions or deliciously creative – fascinating dishes from here and all over the world are simmering in these pots and pans. www.zillertal.at/culinary

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PHOTO: KEVIN ILSE

Culinary Arts

Liebstöckl, Kaltenbach

Mountain & Soul, Mayrhofen

Fügen-Kaltenbach. Where herbs and their fascinating taste, smell and manifold effects take center stage. At the Liebstöckl, named after the herb “garden lovage”, chef de cuisine Michael Platzer reflects on this ancient lore, creating harmony between tradition and modernity, between awardwinning culinary art and original down-to-earthness.

Mayrhofen-Hippach. Salads, curry, burgers and the legendary steak on a stone: Christian Hotter, chef de cuisine at the Kristallhütte, has composed a special menu for this stylish restaurant. One recommendation is the Grill&Chill, an all-you-can-eat BBQ each Saturday. And dining on the panorama terrace will show you the real meaning of joie de vivre.

Guat’z Essen, Stumm

Zillertalerhof, Mayrhofen

Fügen-Kaltenbach. Chef de cuisine Peter Fankhauser is not only a chef, cookbook author and connoisseur, he is also a passionate gardener. In 2013, he founded the association “Guat’z Essen” with a permaculture garden. Delicacies are handmade from products of local forests. In 2018, he opened the first vegetarian restaurant in Zillertal.

Mayrhofen-Hippach. “What remains of food, is its enjoyment,” as Goethe said. Chef de cuisine Silvia Wohlfahrt agrees. She has been a real whirlwind in the Zillertalerhof for two decades and knows all the world’s recipes by heart. Enjoy home-made, organic cuisine in an upbeat hunting parlor, elegant crystal room, or a stylish court garden.

Restaurant Erbhofa, Gerlos

Swings, Tux

Zell-Gerlos. This cuisine is wonderfully extraordinary.

Four things are in perfect harmony here: Small and big gourmets, Grandma Thresi’s favorite recipes, and regional dishes. Depending on what the season, the farm, and the vegetable garden right outside have to offer, a wide variety of ingredients end up in the pot.

For enjoyment on the sun terrace.

Tux-Finkenberg. For four years now, the team has been working on further developing their cuisine with great enthusiasm and success, all in a cozy ambiance. A culinary journey ranging from Zillertal specialties to burgers and pizza. However, rather than conventionality you will experience originality, and a confident as well as atmospheric sense of style.

MalisGarten, Zell

Chefs Table, Tux

Zell-Gerlos. The full power of the herbs comes to life in MalisGarten, in culinary terms as well.

High-quality regional ingredients are used for the creative dishes so as to guarantee a traditionally home-grown culinary pleasure. In addition, the menu is complemented by specialities from around the world, refined with fascinating nuances.

Tux-Finkenberg. Cooking as an exciting live event at Hotel Bergfried. Watch the kitchen crew perform the art of cuisine. Experience the passion with which the cooks wield their tools. Drink a toast to a special evening while enjoying excellent delicacies. Indulge in a 9-course tasting menu to create culinary magic.

Great herbal art

Vegetarian delicacies

Seasonal sophistication

PHOTO: BERND RITSCHEL

International twist

Grill & Chill

Whirlwind with love

An enthusiastic journey

9-course live cooking

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M AG N I F I C E N T B I R D S O F P R E Y

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A majestic show The Adlerbühne Ahorn is the highest bird of prey station in Europe. At an altitude of 2,000 metres, these Zillertal Alps sky aesthetes truly live up to their name.

And they are only one wing flap away.

TEXT Barbara Reiter PHOTOS Bernhard Huber

Waltraud (here with red-tailed hawk Laika) has made a name for herself as “Geier-Wally”.

It allows these birds of prey to display their full grace on Zillertal’s beautiful Mount Ahorn.

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M AG N I F I C E N T B I R D S O F P R E Y

I

t may well happen that a young bird hops through the living room of Didi and Waltraud Wechselberger at their home in Mayrhofen. Not just any bird, but a bird of prey born just a few weeks earlier. Two or three weeks later, when the animal is old enough, it starts its first journey with this Zillertal couple – by cable car, on its way to its future home in an aviary on the mountain, where the Adlerbühne arena is located.

There, Didi, together with “Geier-Wally” (“Vulture Wally”, as he affectionately calls his wife), holds the sceptre (in the form of a microphone) in his hand and takes thousands of visitors into the fascinating world of birds of prey every year from June till October. “A big round of applause please!”, can be heard from a loudspeaker. Showtime for Lenny, the star of the Adlerbühne! One moment later, the Harris’s hawk glides so close above the heads of the humans that every visitor under its flight path can feel the swoosh of its wing flap. “I get goose bumps when I see my birds flying,” says the man responsible for Zillertal – at an altitude of 2,000 metres – having become home to the highest bird of prey station in Europe. “Possibly even of the entire world.”

A swoop at a speed of 200 km/h

Didi Wechselberger, hunter and falconer, is Lenny’s “father”. As he says so himself. He and his wife Waltraud have three sons “plus another seven children.” Besides Lenny, there is also the steppe eagle Steppi, Hansi the falcon, the two great horned owls Virginia and Billy, and red-tailed hawk Leika. “The technical terms are simply ‘falcon’ for the female and ‘tiercel’ for the male.” And he answers to the Indian name Ashok, “the one without worries”. Maybe this will help him in his relationship with Leika. “As with all birds of prey, the female dominates,” explains Didi.

But today, Ashok is the one wearing the feather pants. He is about to hunt down a dummy rabbit being dragged across the ground by Didi as prey. The red-tailed hawk ascends on command, a whistle sounds,

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With their sharp claws, birds of prey kill their prey. The glove serves to protect the falconer.

Although a bird of prey like the female redtailed hawk Laika is an uncompromising gripping-killer, its pointed, powerful beak serves to pluck and dissect the prey.

Didi gives owl lady Virginia all the love she needs. As a token of gratitude, she turns her charms on him.

whereupon it swoops down on its prey at a speed of 200 km/h, protecting it with its wings from other hungry fellow birds.

Mount Ahorn, the home to these birds of prey, is the beautiful entrance gate to the High Alps Nature Park Zillertaler Alps. Where an unforgettable nature experience is what it’s all about. The mountain station is an ideal starting point for hiking and mountain tours, a stroller-friendly gourmet trail leads across the entire Mount Ahorn plateau. From there, it is only ten minutes to the Adlerbühne.

A picturesque backdrop where you can get very close to the otherwise so distant birds.

“As a matter of principle, we do not have as many birds as other bird of prey stations. This creates a very close bond to the animals. In the show, I talk about their habits as well as about the beauty and fragility of our ecosystem.”

This can also be attributed to Didi’s teaching position. Falconry, which was declared an intangible cultural heritage in 2010, is the oldest form of hunting in the world next to bows and arrows: “Our falcons do not come from the wild, which is prohibited, but from

officially approved breeding stations.” Falcon Hansi would only live eight to twelve years in nature. Protected by the small, fine bird of prey station, however, he has now made it to the age of 16. Didi cares for them together with his wife Waltraud. “I am married to ‘Geier-Wally’,” he proudly says. “Have been for 33 years.”

Majestic

Since 2004, the couple had leased an alpine inn in front of the Adlerbühne in the Stilluptal.

“There was room for aviaries where I kept birds. This is how I got the idea to run a bird of prey station.” Together with Mayrhofner Bergbahnen, Didi realized his dream in 2009.

Since then, Wally and he spend every summer with their birds on the mountain. “Once we come up here, we first talk to them, then we clean the aviaries and let them fly for the first time. Don’t we, Steppi?” The steppe eagle on Didi’s arm majestically spreads its imposing wings. “I have the most beautiful workplace in the world,” says the falconer. Then he allows Steppi to fly.

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M AG N I F I C E N T B I R D S O F P R E Y

When eagle Steppi spreads his mighty wings, he reaches a wingspan of 2.10 metres.

The stars of Adlerbühne Steppe eagle Steppi: An eagle like him can easily to see a mouse from 1,000 metres away. Steppi has a wingspan of 2.10 meters and weighs over three kilos.

Harris’s hawk Lenny: The Harris’s hawk is among the most extraordinary birds of prey when it comes to the proportion of body size to compressive force, which, with a wingspan of one metre, is 100–150 kilos of compressive force distributed over both claws.

Great-horned owls Virginia and Billy With a wingspan of up to 1.50 meters, the American great horned owls are somewhat smaller

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than the European eagle owl, which is mainly nocturnal. Virginia and Billy are more active during the day.

Falcon Hansi: The saker falcon is the closest relative to the peregrine falcon who is regarded as the fastest hunter in the animal kingdom. It reaches top speeds of up to 380 km/h. Falcon Hansi is 16 years old and can still reach 150 km/h.

Red-tailed hawks Leika and Ashok: As the name says, both Leika and Ashok have a red tail.

The female is one third larger than the male tiercel.

“When we get up to our birds on the mountain, we first talk to them.”

Falconer Didi Wechselberger

t Jetz en! ch besu ow! it Vis

n

Entdecke, wie Land und Leute unsere Bierspezialitäten prägen und erfahre dabei so manches Zillertaler Geheimnis.

Discover how the region and its people form our beer specialties and learn about some of the Zillertals secrets.

kemmen schaugn kostn

6280 Zell am Ziller www.braukunsthaus.at

I N S P I R AT I O N S

Whether goats or piglets, horses or marmots, ibex or deer – the fascination for animals is as reliable for young and old as the sunrise over the Zillertal peaks. If you want to be close to the animals, watch them and stroke them in summer during excursions, hikes or bicycle tours, you will find countless opportunities here. Nature, games and fun combine to make your vacation an enjoyable experience in every region. www.zillertal.at/tour

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PHOTO: CHRISTOPH JOHANN

Animals

Pasture paradise Gerlosstein

Riding stable Finkenberger Sattel

Zell-Gerlos. The Gerlosstein mountain is full of adventures. Hikers can enjoy the wonderful nature on the alpine promenade, and the alpine grandstand offers a stunning view over the Zillertal valley. Kids will have a blast at the petting zoo and alpine play‑ ground and action fans can whiz over the terrain with the Almflieger (alpine zip line) at 50 km/h.

Tux-Finkenberg. Heini Wechselberger and his children are renowned for their riding stable in Finkenberg and their equestrian work well beyond the borders of the Zillertal. They themselves have been active in equestrian sports for many years.

Their offers range from beginners’ courses and pony rides through to romantic carriage rides.

Hainzenberg zoo

Petting Zoo Bichlalm, Hintertux

Zell-Gerlos. Directly adjacent to the Hochzeller Käsealm and the Goldschaubergwerk, there’s an extensive animal enclosure where native game and many other small animals roam!

From the piglet to the deer – a visit to the zoo is an unforgettable experience. Children are admitted free of charge.

Tux-Finkenberg. The Bichlalm counts among the most beautiful excursion destinations in Tux‑Finkenberg, offering a magnificent view of the Hintertux glacier. A highlight: The petting animals on the Bichlalm have long been indispensable, for our little guests in particular.You can experience, touch and stroke the animals up close here.

Steinbock.Welten Zillergrund

Wildlife trail Goglhof, Fügenberg

Mayrhofen-Hippach. The alpine ibex has a varied history in the high mountain nature park. There were once hundreds of animals, but their population sank to close to zero. Now, the ibex has returned to the nature park. You can learn many interesting facts about the ibex and observe real ibexes in the “Steinbock.Welten”.

Fügen-Kaltenbach. Hansi, the Goglhof deer, greets the children in the game enclosure, where they learn all about wild animals along the nature trail. Squirrel Putzi says “Hi” on the adventure trail as well. There is also a petting zoo with ponies, goats, guinea pigs, as well as a playground. New: the trail of riddles with many exciting stations.

SchauBauernhof, Mayrhofen

Murmelland, Hochzillertal

Mayrhofen-Hippach. From busy bees to happily cackling chickens and adorable goatlings – there is certainly never a dull moment at the show farm of the ErlebnisSennerei Zillertal. Fun hayhopping, a mini-tractor course and probably the world’s largest hay milk can with a giant slide and an observation tower await the little guests.

Fügen-Kaltenbach. Murmelland Zillertal offers unique nature experiences at an altitude of 1,800 metres. The Schweiberer family has created a marmot park with an adventure playground around the Kaltenbach ski hut in order to offer its visitors not only fun and games, but also a closer look at the marmots’ nature – and all of this with free admission.

Look, look!

Game and small animals

Interested in ibexes?

PHOTO: BERND RITSCHEL

Goats and tractors

Beautiful world of horses

Experience it up close

Hello with Hansi & Putzi

In the marmot park

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B R I N G O N T H E C O LO U R S !

Open your eyes! ... and grab your crayons! Because this landscape and its inhabitants are in urgent need of some colour. Can you find all the animals that are hiding in here? * * At the very bottom right, we tell you how many there are.

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Answer: 18

CAV E T R E K K I N G

adventure INSIDE THE mountain The Spannagelhöhle cave on the Hintertux glacier is fascinating, thrilling, mysterious. And an unforgettable climbing experience for all daredevils who move through the narrow gorges.

TEXT Robert Maruna PHOTOS Bernhard Huber

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The trail leads downhill over large boulders to an unforgettable experience in the dark.

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CAV E T R E K K I N G

2 3

1 1. A steep iron ladder leads down to the 25 metre deep ÖTK shaft. 2. Ready for adventure: It is only a few steps from the Spannagelhaus to the entrance of the cave. 3. Deep view from the suspension bridge in the Halle der Vereinigung.

Nordsystem Gneisbach

Biwak

Westsystem

this is where the trekking takes place

Fascination The extensive, 13-kilometre-­ deep system of the Zillertal Spannagelhöhle cave.

Show cave Side passages Trekking route

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Hermann Gaun Halle

ÖTK shaft

CAVE GRAPHICS: LANDESVEREIN FÜR HÖHLENKUNDE AND ÖBF (ÖSTERREICHISCHE BUNDESFORSTE)

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t is narrow, cold and dark.

Drops of water are falling from the ceiling. They roll off the impregnated surface of my anorak and fall into the shaft beneath my feet. I watch them, count the seconds until they hit the ground.

21 … 22 ... splash. The distance to the ground must be about 20 metres there. Down there, it is probably even darker and wetter than up here.

At the top is the “ÖTK-Schacht”, the largest shaft of the Zillertal Spannagelhöhle cave, at the bottom is a branched system of canyons and small tunnels that lead into the “Hermann Gaun Halle” – the destination of our tunnel trek today.

But before you even stand in the ÖTK shaft, you first have to climb up to the Hintertux glacier. And the best way to do this is by cable car.

Within a few minutes, it takes you from Tux im Tal up to the mountain station at an altitude of over 2,000 metres. From here, it is only a few

steps down to Spannagelhaus, the entrance to the highest marble cave in Europe.

A trekking tour feels a bit like being part of a search party from long forgotten times. With our thick working gear, the yellow headlamps on our helmets and the waterproof shoes on our feet, we look a bit like gold-seeking miners. Except that we don’t wear pickaxes and there are probably no gems awaiting us.

Still, we are excited since none of us knows exactly what to expect inside the cave.

Guided tour through the show cave

Except for Christoph, our wiry guide from the Tuxertal valley, who has a long-standing relationship with the Spannagelhöhle: He has been working as a cave guide for over twenty years and has shown countless guests the large halls, narrow shafts and small passages of the cave over the years. So there’s no-one who knows the nearly-

“I brace myself with my feet left and right against the limestone walls – below me the black void.”

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13‑kilometre-long Spannagelhöhle better than he does. We take the stone stairs down to the cave entrance, meander through a narrow passageway and finally enter the show cave: The cave tours take place in this approximately 500 metres large area. Here, Christoph accompanies the visitors through the impressive labyrinth of geological features such as stalactites and marble veins. But today we want to venture much further into the underground cave passages and follow Christoph across the suspension bridge into the “Halle der Vereinigung”.

The ceiling lighting becomes increasingly dim and we climb left into the Kolkgang passageway at the “Postkastl”, a distinctive recess in the wall. Now it means headlamps on and down into the dark.

The Spannagelhöhle has been a protected monument since 1964, says Christoph when we enter the “Hannes Jodel Dom” – a cubically shaped hall made of stone and rock, named after its explorer. Christoph starts yodeling, the sound of his voice echoes through the room and gets lost in the passageways behind us. We continue to climb and hook into a wire rope using the carabiners of the via ferrata set. We descend deeper and deeper

Halle der Vereinigung Gletschermühle Entrance labyrinth ENTRANCE Spannagelhaus

Wassergang

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CAV E T R E K K I N G

Cave tours Show cave guided tour 1 Tour through the areas of the cave close to the entrance Duration: 1 hour

Christoph Anfang, 39, was born in Tux and is a trained cave guide.

He also works as a farmer and at some point he stopped counting how many times he has already descended into the Spannagelhöhle.

into the cave system until we finally see the ÖTK shaft below us.

Christoph puts down his rucksack and continues with his story: “The cave was probably discovered at the beginning of the 19th century,” he says, handing out warm tea from his thermos flask. “But it was not until the 1970s that the cave below was explored thoroughly and guided tours through the 150 million year old marble layer have been offered since 1994.”

Tea flask packed up again, rucksack shouldered, carabiners hooked in again, and with great curiosity we climb down the 25 metre long iron ladder down into the shaft.

Once we reach the bottom, we climb over large stone steps and small gravel hills. At one point we have to duck under a rock roof for a moment, then the room opens up and the mighty Hermann Gaun Halle unveils itself above our heads: Light brown marble veins can be seen on the walls, stalagmites

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Cave trekking 2 sporty trekking tour to the ÖTK shaft Duration: 3 hours Cave trekking 3 very sporty trekking tour Duration: 4–5 hours All cave tours offered all year round!

protrude from the rock on the floor, and Christoph points to a heartshaped basin directly in front of us: a glacial mill. A hole about three metres deep in which the water of the cave stream has collected for thousands of years. We are now about 120 meters below the cave entrance.

On all fours

“We don’t climb down much lower”, says Christoph now, but it does get quite a bit narrower still. And less than five minutes later, we find ourselves on all fours squeezing through a tubular narrow passage.

You have to pull in your stomach in order to crawl through the narrow tunnel – a funny undertaking, as long as you don’t suffer from claustrophobia.

After a few minutes of crawling, the rock walls open up again and we reach the “Spreizschlucht”. A wire-rope-secured tunnel without a bottom. I brace myself with my feet

left and right against the limestone walls, hook the via ferrata set in and out twice – below me the black void.

At the end of the climbing area, there’s the “Schläferhalle”, which served the former speleologists as a bivouac place. Here too, we take a break before we head back up to the top.

We climb back up to the “Kolk­ gang” via an airy fixed rope route and follow the wire rope towards the exit. At the end of the tunnel, Christoph has planned a last impressive surprise for us. For a short moment, we switch off our headlamps and just follow our intuition through the dark corridor.

It’s a little bit scary to grope through the dark like this, but incredibly exciting at the same time. After all, you don’t get to experience total darkness like this every day.

And this is exactly what the cave adventure under the Spannagel­ haus is all about: an adventure in the dark.

Stones of all shapes and colours can be marvelled at in the cave streambed.

The light-coloured marble veins permeate the walls of the entire Spannagelhöhle.

Expect to find airy fixed rope passages in the Spreizschlucht gorge.

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P E DA LLI N G T H R O U G H T H E VA LLE Y

Looking out over the fascinating mountain world, the cycle path follows a level route through the Zillertal, just like here at the local history museum.

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Servus bicycles Between fragrant meadows, always alongside the river, the Zillertal-Radweg leads to play, fun, and enjoyment.

TEXT & PHOTOS Heiko Mandl

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P E DA LLI N G T H R O U G H T H E VA LLE Y

The Zillertal-Radweg is a popular route for recreational athletes, families and leisure cyclists.

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arly morning in Mayrhofen.

We are standing at the station, getting on our bikes. Ahead, there are 31 enjoyable kilometres on the Zillertal-Radweg, leading up to the entrance to the valley. To wbe exact, it’s a total of 62 kilometres when you include the return trip back to our starting point. Our wild card is the Zillertalbahn, which makes nine stops between Mayrhofen and Strass and can take us along at any time. Of course we would like to cover the whole distance in one day.

We comfortably cycle along the well-built cycle path out of the valley. Many attractions are waiting for us along the route. Playgrounds

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for children, museums for adults and plenty of places to stop for refreshments. We relaxedly roll the first few kilometres towards Zell am Ziller and soak up the fresh alpine air. The meadows are in full bloom, and the villages wake up

We relaxedly roll along, soaking up the fresh alpine air.

from their morning slumber. The mountains too are brought out of a deep sleep by the warm sun and present themselves from their best side. At the very top, the summits are glowing, and a little further down, lush green alpine meadows dominate the panorama. We stop at the Regional Museum in Zell am Ziller and take a well-deserved drinking break, cultural enjoyment included.

Historical encounter

Invigorated and motivated, we cycle on along the rushing Ziller.

Suddenly we hear a loud whistle in the distance, and around the next curve the old steam train

The ZillertalBikeway

Kufstein

Strass Schlitters

Innsbruck

Fügen

The Zillertal-bikeway runs between Strass im Zillertal and Mayrhofen.

Uderns

Length: 30.5 kilometres Metres of altitude difference: 125 m Journey time: 2 – 2 ½ hours

Ried Kaltenbach

Terrain: Mostly asphalt, parts also with gravel.

Aschau

Zillertal-Bikeway Inntal-Bikeway Ziller

Zell am Ziller

Zillertal train

Gerlos

Bridge

ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL PAUKNER

Schlitters swimming lake

Hippach

Herb garden Bochra Lake Regional museum Leisure Park Zell Shire Sidan

Mayrhofen

Ginzling

Hintertux

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P E DA LLI N G T H R O U G H T H E VA LLE Y

Refill your energy level at the river, taking a break at the rushing Ziller.

approaches us at a leisurely pace.

The sight of this nostalgic giant lets us briefly immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of a bygone era before we tackle the last few kilometres to the bathing lake in Schlitters.

Staying relaxed

After a good two hours in the saddle, we get off our bikes, take off our helmets and put our feet into the cool water. The only question now is how do we want to manage the way back. Bicycle or train? We look towards the bathing lake, and we already have the answer. Of course, we’ll take the Zillertalbahn back to the starting point. That leaves us even more time to relax there.

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The original train The Zillertalbahn commutes between Jenbach and Mayrhofen and offers convenient bicycle transport.

The narrow-gauge railway was put into operation in 1902.

Today it is modern trains that move through the valley every half hour all year round. But from June to October, the nostalgic steam train services the Zillertal as well, once a day, Tuesday through Saturday. During September, even on Sundays.

Head over wheels.

You only feel it here.

Experience Zillertal.

Access more than 1,300 kilometres of biking fun on our ­online tour portal – including lots of detailed information. Tip: Order the bike map depicting the entire valley with all bike routes and single trails, plus 20 specially selected highlight tours.

Get inspired on

sommer.zillertal.at/en

H I K I N G I N T H E N AT U R E PA R K

THE MYSTICAL

forest

Dive into the enchanting world of the “Glocke” on a magnificent summer’s day. The fauna and flora in the High Alps Nature Park Zillertaler Alps take us back to an era long before our time.

TEXT Florian Warum PHOTOS Bernhard Huber

F

rederick Manck whom every­ one calls “Freddi” describes the “Glocke” as “amazing and extremely varied”. He is one of twelve mountain hiking guides of the High Alps Nature Park Zillertaler Alps. The name of these 33 hectares, a protected part of the Finkenberg region, alludes to its bell-like structure – apparent when looking at it from a distance.

When you go to the Glocke, you can discover wonderful things in all seasons: In spring, you can see the buds sprout. In summer, the wildlife comes to life, and “orchids such as the broad-leaved helleborine or other beautiful flowers such as the Turk’s-cap lily reveal themselves.

Especially butterflies, wild bees and other insects are delighted with their beauty,” Freddi explains like a true botanist. In autumn, the colour play of the leaves is enchanting, and in winter, the region exudes a unique tranquility.

“A hike through the Glocke will restore your mind and your body.”

After all, most people only know tiring walks through ordinary streets. But when we move along

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The legendary Devil’s Bridge as entrance to the Glocke.

Where the experience of nature becomes visible and tangible.

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H I K I N G I N T H E N AT U R E PA R K

forest ground, it’s as though we are floating. “And then there is this wonderful fragrance. The smell of fresh air here is just the way we imagine it. When the warming sun shines through the treetops and the light dances in the leaves, we feel as though we are looking through a kaleidoscope.” Wellness in its purest form and a trip into primeval history.

Green lung

The “emerald green earthworm” (Allolobophora smaragdina) is the secret star of the Glocke.

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The mystical forest is the result of extraordinary geological activities.

Extraordinary geological activities have given rise to this area. The Tuxbach stream has dug its way down over millions of years and left its traces. While gneiss and granite (hard prehistoric rock) dominate the Zillertal, here it is the much softer limestone. The Hochstegen limestone extends from the Olperer to the Brandberger Kolm and further towards Gerlos. “Moreover, landscapes from millions of years ago can be discovered – on a small scale – on the rock formations. It’s not Jurassic Park. Still, history comes to life here.”

The forest in the Glocke is one of those canyon forests which, accord­ ing to Freddi, exist only three times in the entire Alpine region. Beech, ash, summer and winter linden, maple, elm, spruce and fir find perfect conditions in this hydro­ culture of sorts. This local recreation area is also an environment “in which one can listen to or perhaps even watch the black woodpecker at work.”

The innumerable ground-ani­ mals are just as industrious. Bugs and beetles prepare the ground, they feel comfortable in this green lung. The emerald green earthworm is impressed by the extraordinary living conditions as well. “This quick-change artist changes his

2

1 1. Mountain guide Freddi in his element: He loves to show people the fascinating nature. 2. Freddi is fascinated by the trees, their texture and their history. 3. How does the forest taste? Like blueberries and cranberries, for example. 4. Play of forms and mysticism, as though the tree would bow down. A hike through the Glocke is an experience for all senses and a journey through time.

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ADDITIONAL PHOTO: WOLFGANG BACHER

4

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H I K I N G I N T H E N AT U R E PA R K

“It is certainly no Jurassic Park.

Still, history comes to life here.”

Freddi Manck

colour several times in the course of his life. Pink as a baby, purple at the age of one year. Later yellow, red or green. When reaching sexual maturity (with two to three years), he displays a magnificent emerald green. He has a special liking for beech trees, and there are plenty of them here. Anyone who would like to experience the “star” worm with the Latin name ‘Allolobophora smaragdina’ live, should come look in spring,” Freddi enthusiastically notes.

Knowing that the Glocke once looked completely different makes this gem in Finkenberg the fascinating place it is. “A lot of unusually shaped beech trees, which did not always have an easy time in their

‘childhood’, still bear witness to this today. People intensively used this area for their own survival for many years.”

Among other things, they used the wood to build the Teufelsbrücke in 1876. This testimony to the architecture of earlier years bridges the gorge over the Tuxbach and connects the districts of Persal and Dornau. Legend has it that the farmers had to make a pact with the devil to build the bridge: The devil claimed the first living being that tried to cross the bridge. But he angrily returned to the depths of the gorge when that being turned out to be an old billy goat. Our joy is all the greater. About a jewel named Glocke.

Guided tours through the forest

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Glocke

The bell-shaped protected forest dominates the landscape.

Here seen from Mayrhofen in the direction of Finkenberg.

ADDITIONAL PHOTO: MIRIAM TIRPITZ

Freddi Manck is a biologist and Master of Science in “Environmental Management in Mountain Regions”. The nature expert born in Speyer (Rhineland-Palatinate) combines job and hobby in the Zillertal. Between June and October, around 200 guided hiking tours on 30 different themes take place in the nature park. From journeys into the past of the Zillertal – traces of the stone age at the Pfitscher Joch, the Tux magnesite mine – to botanical tours and hikes with a focus on wildlife observation.

Unverwechselbarer TESTA ROSSA caffè Genuss The distinctive enjoyment of TESTA ROSSA caffè

www.testarossa.it

BiOrganic

I N S P I R AT I O N S

Where does the hazel grouse live? How can tree resin heal wounds? And what is the secret of the three Dornauberg giants?

This and much more can be experienced in the Zillertal Alps High Mountain Nature Park.

Here, you can go on a hike guided by trained nature park guides covering 30 different themes. Whether a sporty tour for adventurers or a fun walk for children – exciting stories are guaranteed.

Pre-booking required. www.zillertal.at/naturepark

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PHOTO: TOM KLOCKER

Nature park

Sunrise over the Tux Valley

Ahornspitze with Peter Habeler

Early rising is required. A minibus takes you to the Nasse Tux Alm at an altitude of 1,843 metres. The hike then leads you to the beautiful lake Torsee.

The white flowering cotton grass will turn the sunrise into an unforgettable experience – what a great photo! This is followed by the assault on the Grüblspitze summit and the descent to the Eggalmbahn. Walking time: 4 ½ hours.

In 1978, Peter Habeler was the first man (along with Reinhold Messner) to stand on the top of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. You can conquer his favorite mountain, the Ahornspitze, together with this great alpinist. This tour starts at the Ahornbahn mountain station and goes to the Karl-von-Edel-Hütte, then via the rocky west ridge to the summit (2,976 m). Walking time: 5 ½ hours.

The secret of eternal ice

Die Wilde Gunggl

During the last ice age, several glaciers united in the Zemmgrund to form a gigantic ice stream, giving the valley its shape. The highlight of the tour is the stage along the Gletscherweg towards the Berliner Hütte, where truly legendary views await you.

A hike filled with information about geology and eternal ice. Walking time: 6 ½ hours.

From the Ginzlinger Rundwanderweg [Ginzling hiking loop], the route leads into the small Gunggltal valley, and on over a rustic path through the gnarled forest. Soon after, the valley reveals striking summits beyond the meadows. Hiking past lovely mountain pastures and waterfalls, a stop at the cozy Maxhütte is a great reward. Walking time: 4 hours.

Legend walk in Ginzling

Culinary hike Ramsberg

In Ginzling, the legend of the Dornauberg giants is still told today. They lived here for a long time and left traces that you can discover if you know where to look. A few years ago, two boys found a line of force. Dive into the world of the giants, hear the rumbling, the crashing, and accompany them on their adventures. Walking time: 1 ½ hours.

The motto is enjoyment. Up to the origin of regional delicacies. A meadow path between traditional farmhouses leads to the panorama path and the rustic Karlalm. A cheese tasting awaits you there before the hiking route leads you towards the Kotahornalm. The Gerlos cable car takes you back down into the valley. Walking time: 3 hours.

The Pfitscher Joch’s stone age legacy

Wild herbs walk Tux

The Pfitscher Joch is the striking transition from the Zillertal to South Tyrol, where sensational stone age finds were recently made. The Joch has been crossed for 10,000 years, e.g. to find rock crystal. Those same trails are used during this hike. Elevated vantage points, former camps and workshops provide for plenty of amazement. Walking time: 5 hours.

Nature’s pharmacy is located right outside our front door. During a wild herbs walk through forests and meadows, you can discover the secrets behind the healing powers of alpine herbs and learn what treasures herbs, tree resins, and roots hold for applications and processing. A special exploration tour. Walking time: 2 hours.

Red morning sun

In famous footsteps

Highlight “Gletscherweg” Panorama as reward

Tracing the giants

PHOTO: BERND RITSCHEL

A journey through time

For enjoyment

Discovering treasures

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ZILLERTAL

Where nature turns into delight Lush alpine meadows, imposing summits, crystal-clear mountain streams and healthy forests. An El Dorado for both humans and animals.

GRAPHICS Andreas Posselt

More than

9,000 animal species can be observed

445

farmed mountain pastures

1,300

plant species thrive in the Zillertal

More than

1,000

drinking water springs are bubbling in the Zillertal

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422 square kilometres

Pure nature awaits you in the High Alps Nature Park Zillertal Alps.

It covers more than 40 % of the entire valley.

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mountains in the Zillertal Alps are over

3,000 meters

high!

The highest one is the Hochfeiler at 3,509 m.

47 km

The timberline is at

1,500 to 1,800 m above sea level

is the length of the Zillertal from Strass to Hintertux

47, this number also stands for the latitude of the Zillertal.

For a distance of

56 km,

the Ziller flows through the valley It has its source at 2,270 metres at Zillergrund and finally flows into the Black Sea via the rivers Inn and Danube.

More than

500 butterfly species

The Zillertal consists of:

4 holiday regions 25 municipalities 5 large side valleys 5 reservoir lakes 77

A LP I N E LI F E

The idyllic Zillertal mountain world. Nature as an experience is tangible here.

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Juicy grass and herbs for the happy cows on the Junsalm.

The Cheese Emperor At an altitude of 2,000 meters, embedded in a wild and romantic landscape, award-winning mountain cheese made from the milk of happy cows matures on an alpine pasture.

TEXT Barbara Reiter PHOTOS Bernhard Huber

T

he Junsalm is located in a wild and romantic high valley, surrounded by lush green meadows and deeply pink alpine rose slopes. During the summer months, 125 dairy cows and 80 heifers graze here; their ringing bells would be the perfect soundtrack for a regional movie. Heidi, the Swiss girl, might well have fallen in love with Tuxertal, a side valley of beautiful Zillertal. Not least because of the alpine cheese dairy located there at 2,000 metres.

Grasses at this altitude contain aboveaverage amounts of nutrients. “You could say,” says Peter Erler, regional chairman and coowner of the Junsalm, with some confidence, “up here it’s God’s own herb garden. Butter and cheese made from the milk of his cows meet or exceed toque award standards. Altitude,

temperature differences, and solar radiation make the plants up here much more nutritious than down in the valley. “We don’t feed anything on top other than a few minerals, and yet the cows produce an extremely large amount of milk, ten to twelve litres on the best days. One can imagine how much power the feed contains.”

White gold

The Jausenstation Stoankasern forms the centre of the alpine pasture, and its magnificent sun terrace offers a view of the impressive 2,900-meter-high limestone cliff and the highest-altitude milking parlour in Europe.

“My son built it,” says Peter. This is where Resi, Alma and the other bovine ladies deliver their white gold twice a day, which is then

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A LP I N E LI F E

A starting point for beautiful hikes. Such as to lake Junssee, the highest mountain lake in the Alps at 2,700 meters.

processed in the alpine dairy right next to the Jausenstation.

The Junsalm belongs to a community of nine farmers who own varying amounts of alpine pasture land. “One alpine pasture share corresponds to one livestock unit, which in turn corresponds to one dairy cow,” explains Peter, who owns the most shares and looks after 55 dairy cows and 43 calves. His day starts at 4 o’clock in the morning, because he first has to round up the cows, which also graze further up. “I simply cannot sleep in and only deliver the milk at ten o’clock. It must be in the alpine dairy at seven.”

But for Peter, the view from the alpine pasture down to the valley at dawn makes up for such early rising. “Looking down there fills my heart with joy. Each day is an experience.”

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And each day, the milk arrives on time with dairyman Alfred in the cheese dairy. Once it has been filled into huge copper kettles, it is time to make cheese. You can watch Alfred, who works as a baker when summer’s over.

With milk and skill

The alpine dairyman processes 18 tons of cheese per year. For one kilogram of mountain cheese he needs ten litres of milk and a whole lot of skill. At the cheese olympics “Käsiade”, the mountain cheese was awarded gold several times. A Tilsit-style cheese called “Stoankasern” and the red smear cheese “Junseer” are also produced on the mountain pasture.

Assistant Josef has been responsible for bringing them to perfection in the maturing

Air & scenery The Junsalm is a beautiful destination for hikers, cyclists, and climbers and is the starting point for magnificent mountain and summit tours.

The mountain cheese dairy Stoankasern can be reached in different ways.

By foot: From Lanersbach in about 2 ½ hours.

By bike or e-bike: From 1 ½ to 6 hours depending on the route.

With the hiking cab: Pre-booking required.

Tip: From the top station of the Eggalmbahn, a hiking circuit leads you via the Grüblspitze to the Jausenstation Stoankasern and via the footpath back to Lanersbach. Walking time approx. 5 hours.

The round is washed with brine two to three times a week. Peter also lends a hand himself.

The highest-altitude milking parlour in Europe. Where lush green and flowering plants prevail against the rugged mountain world and paint a magnificent picture of the Zillertal.

All ready and served. Those who treat nature’s treasures properly will be rewarded with fine cheese.

“If the cheese only shows a few pea-sized holes per palm area, you know for sure that it comes from an alpine pasture.”

Regional chairman Peter Erler

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A LP I N E LI F E

Peace and quiet and feeling nature are called for here. The alpine village in its pristine surroundings invites introspection.

cellar for many years. “They are like my children,” he adores his cheeses which he turns and rotates daily in a well-tempered room at high humidity and 7 to 15 degrees.

Washing them with brine for preservation is part of it. “You need care and sensitivity.

You mustn’t injure the cheese.”

Maturity test with a drill

The mountain cheese, a mighty round of 25 to 30 kilos, needs at least three months to mature. Four are better, according to Josef.

Thanks to the slow maturing process at 2,000 metres, a real mountain cheese has hardly any holes. Everything would happen much faster in the valley, which is reflected by large holes. “But a mountain cheese like that has never

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even seen a mountain,” explains Peter. “A palm-sized area should only show a few pea-sized holes. That way you know it comes from a true alpine pasture.”

When Josef finally makes a hole in his cheese with a cheese drill, he checks consistency, hole formation, and internal temperature. He then closes the hole again and is satisfied, since the mountain cheese, the Tilsit, and the red smear cheese are soon mature enough to be sold in the valley farmhouses of the Alpine community. Or one stops for a bite at the Jausenstation. The Zillertal mountain Very soon, air makes one hungry. “Now, the milk cans will be come on and try the cheese,” needed again. It’s nearly says Peter. “Well?” he asks. time for the next delivery “How does it taste?” How? of the “white gold”.

Indescribably good!

E N J O Y T H E

S WA ROVS K I .C OM/ K R I S TA L LW E LT E N

M OMENT

I N S P I R AT I O N S

Tasting delicacies or buying beautiful pieces for at home is one thing. But getting to know the people behind the special products is something completely different. They are craftsmen, artists, clever inventors, tireless tinkerers – but whatever they are, they are Zillertal originals. Anyone who wants to find out how beer is made, what honey does in hand cream, or where the holes in cheese come from, should pay a visit to the exciting showrooms. www.zillertal.at/tour

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PHOTO: THOMAS STRAUB

Showrooms

Tux mill, Juns

Gold mine Hainzenberg

Tux-Finkenberg. This mill dating back to the year 1839 was restored, thus preserving a piece of rural culture. In the past, when farmers were largely self-sufficient, barley was cultivated. Its flour is not only suitable for baking bread, but also for the preparation of pastries or pasta. Open every Monday from 1 pm through 4 pm.

Zell-Gerlos. Take part in one of the great adventures of centuries past! In this gold show mine, experience 350 years of culture amidst the lively core of the mountain during an impressive multimedia presentation in the mine tunnel. The excursion starts at the Hochzeller Käsealm. Includes a visit to the historically important sites and the mine galleries.

Brewery Tuxertal, Tux-Lanersbach

BrauKunstHaus, Zell

Tux-Finkenberg. How about something different this time? How about a visit to Austria’s highest craft beer brewery at an altitude of 1,280 meters?

Two innovative Englishmen offer insights into the production of “Tux 1280”, which is offered in five special varieties (with glacier spring water as the basis) and in stylish bottles.

Zell-Gerlos. The new BrauKunstHaus offers Zillertal beer culture for all senses. Discover how the country and its people shape the beer ­specialties during a multimedia tour and learn many a secret of the region as you go. The tasting of the fresh, special beers in the modern Bräustüberl forms the crowning finale.

Apiary Eberharter, Strass

ErlebnisSennerei, Mayrhofen

Fügen-Kaltenbach. The Eberharter family has been producing and marketing quality honey (100 percent additive-free) and other bee products such as shampoos, massage oils and hand creams in the company’s own apiary for over 30 years.

Anyone who likes to watch how life is passionately sweetened in Strass is warmly welcome.

Mayrhofen-Hippach. Where do our everyday foods come from and how are they made? At the family business dairy Zillertal, the hay milk from around 400 alpine pastures and mountain farms is refined into a versatile product range. Experience the production of cheese, yoghurt, butter and the like on a surface area of 6,000 square metres.

Hand weaving Waldner, Aschau

Stiegenhaushof, Schwendau

Fügen-Kaltenbach. For generations, top quality hand woven carpets have been produced here. Would you like to learn how modern carpets are made with machines that are over 100 years old? What exactly are the individual steps of a handmade carpet? Then a visit to the workshop, where the artistic works are also made to measure, is well worthwhile.

Mayrhofen-Hippach. In the fine distillery ­Stiegenhaushof, the taste of nature plays a ­major role. Local fruit varieties are cultivated and ­harvested in the garden. They are distilled into fine distillates using crystal clear spring water.

Whether Gute Luise pears, sloe berries or quince, their true taste is in the Stiegenhaushof Schnapps.

Take ... Flour

Craft Code 1280

Sweet life

PHOTO: BERND RITSCHEL

Carpet magic

The mountain’s secrets

Beer secrets

How is yogurt made?

The fine distillery

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THE ART OF BREWING

The BrauKunstHaus, where you can learn everything about beer in a modern atmosphere.

Beer wins

Tradition meets modernity, and quality meets variety.

Beer has been brewed in the Zillertal for more than 500 years.

The art of good taste has been a family affair for 16 generations.

E

xactly “12,132 incomprehensibly spoken declarations of love” are said to have already been given in the 600-year history of the legendary Gauder Fest – Austria’s largest spring festival on the first weekend in May. This is something revealed to the guests of the BrauKunstHaus in Zell am Ziller, where a real world of experience around Zillertal beer has been created on 5,000 square metres in 2020. The proud development of the family business and its success story are documented there in a cool, modern atmosphere.

Martin Lechner smiles. He then draws a classic Pils, lifts the glass and … starts talking.

Or rather: The Managing Director of Zillertal Bier, who continues the work of a dynasty of brewers, reveals his declaration of love for an extraordinary beer culture to us.

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The philosophy of brewing has not changed over the centuries. It is as follows: Springfresh mountain water from the Zillertal. Malt from the best local grain. Finest aroma hops from carefully selected growing areas. And, very importantly: Time! Because it is, above all, the patience with the process of fermentation and storage that creates an unmistakable character.

Room for new ideas

“Our beer is also an essential piece of our identity,” says Martin. “We, as a company, have special ties to the valley and maintain many, many personal relationships. Quality and regionality, an all-embracing idea that became our credo. Regional satisfaction, rather than a big export business, is our vision.

ADDITIONAL PHOTO: CHRISTOF LACKNER

TEXT Michael Hufnagl

Zillertal beer has been brewed here for 16 generations.

Martin Lechner continues to emphasise tradition and quality.

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THE ART OF BREWING

“We are not interested in limitless growth, but in the further development of quality, the expansion of the merchandise and regional distribution.” And, of course, a contemporary image.

When they took over the family business from Waltraud Kolbitsch five years ago, it was important for Eva-Maria and Martin Lechner to have room for new ideas. “The quality of the beer has always come first,” says Martin. “We aim to also work on the image and achieve a carefully cultivated brand development for Tyrol.” Zillertal Bier employs more than 60 people. The BrauKunstHaus was created to introduce customers and guests to the art of brewing beer directly on-site in the Zillertal. Where a multimedia tour with an unparalleled level of transparency awaits the visitor. Martin: “We wanted something special.” And as Eva-Maria likes to say with a smile: “Be careful what you wish for, it might come true.” Which is precisely what happened.

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The interactive exhibition in the BrauKunstHaus is an unforgettable experience for both beer lovers and fans of modern entertainment. Where pictures speak to visitors and the secrets behind the creation of the Zillertal beer are vividly revealed through state-of-theart models, animations, and production processes.

Seeing, hearing, feeling – and ultimately: tasting.

The colourful world of the exhibition rooms sharpens the senses for this natural premium product.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: ZILLERTAL BEER

Eva-Maria & Martin Lechner.

As the 16th generation, the couple develops innovative concepts for the high quality standards of this private brewery.

“We looked at a lot of options to get international inspiration for how an interactive exhibition could work out. Now we are happy and proud of a true world of experience on beer,” Martin remembers. From the presentation of the carefully selected ingredients via the brewing process all the way to bottling, three floors provide impressions for all senses.

Moving from one room to the next, you’re accompanied by modern aesthetics, animations worth seeing, and vivid exhibits inviting you to get active yourself and discover the secrets of the art of brewing – with a beer tasting as the crowning finale.

“At least as far as our imagination and creativity are concerned, we can keep up with the big corporations,” says Martin. As well as with the amazing product portfolio.

Production is of course lower than with the big companies, but they manage to fill 14,000 bottles per hour (at 0.5 liters) at Zillertal Bier as well. This corresponds to around 10 million bottles a year. And the variety is

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THE ART OF BREWING

huge. 13 different types of beer are part of the repertoire, “in addition we brew four special beers in our microbrewery,” Martin describes.

The palette of enjoyment ranges from Pils (the main variety), Märzen and Weißbier to Dunkles, Schwarzes and Granat, all kinds of Bock beers, and Radler. And, in order to create further delights, whisky and gin will soon be produced here as well.

And what does Martin drink when, for once, he does not indulge in beer? Again that smile: “I love a good glass of wine. Or even a cup of verbena tea, at the risk of sounding a bit odd.” Well, either way, then: Cheers!

“Mir henn beim Zapfen,” as the people of Zillertal say. Which means: “We are drawing beer.” And Martin Lechner knows how it’s done.

Six types of beer, six taste ideas

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Weißbier hell Amber colour, fruity and fresh, full-bodied and unfiltered.

Gauder Steinbock A recipe from the 1920s forms the basis for this ­Doppelbock beer.

Schwarzes Premium Deeply dark, slightly roasted malt aroma, fine hops, with delicate sweetness.

Pils Premium class. Light golden, svelte, pleasant, sparkling, noble hops.

Granat Warming and soft body. ­Intense malt aroma with a fruity note.

Radler naturtrüb Light yellow and unfiltered, fruity, fresh and light. 100 % organic ingredients.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: PR

The private brewery has a total of 17 different varieties in its portfolio.

Here is a small selection which is sure to delight even beer connoisseurs.

BEYOND THE ORDINARY theredbulletin.com JAANUS REE/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

E N J OY I N G J U S T LI K E O N VACAT I O N

Beer over here!

Whether light, dark, Zwickl, or Pils – a beer on the table is always good. Here, you can find out not only how to drink it, but also how to prepare it. Four recipes to whet your appetite.

PHOTOS & RECIPES Kevin Ilse More recipes at: www.zillertal.at/recipes

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STARTER

Beer soup with beer breadstick For 4 persons and 8 beer breadsticks Preparation time: 45 minutes plus 2 ½ hours for the dough to rise and 15 minutes baking time

INGREDIENTS For the breadsticks: 300 g smooth wheat flour, plus some extra to sprinkle 150 g rye flour 1 tsp. aniseed 8 g fine salt 10 g fresh yeast 250 ml dark beer 2 tsp. caraway seeds 1 tsp. coarse salt All ingredients – including the yeast – should be at room temperature For the soup: 500 ml Zillertal Imperial Hell (or lightcoloured Pils) 250 ml beef soup 130 ml milk 30 g smooth wheatflour 2 egg yolks 3 tablespoons peppery olive oil Salt, white pepper, honey for seasoning to taste

For the breadsticks, mix both types of flour, aniseed and salt in a bowl. Crumble yeast into it and add beer and 100 ml water. Knead every­ thing into a smooth dough for 8 minutes (best done with a food processor). Cover with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place for 2 hours.

Tip: Ideally, the yeast dough should rise at 25 °C to 35 °C in a non-draughty place.

At lower temperatures, the process slows down; at about 40 °C, the yeast fungi begin to die off.

Divide the dough into 8 equally sized pieces and roll it out into thin rectangles on the lightly floured work surface. Roll up widthways and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.

Cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rise again for another 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 220 °C (top/bottom heat).

Brush the stalks with water and sprinkle with caraway seeds and coarse salt. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.

Meanwhile, for the soup, put beef broth and beer (both cold) in a pot. Stir milk, flour, and egg yolks together until smooth and stir into the soup with a whisk. Then heat and simmer until the soup thickens. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and honey. Remove the pot from the flame and foam up the soup with a hand blender.

Prepare the soup in bowls, drizzle with olive oil and serve with the beer breadsticks.

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MAIN COURSE

Trout with beer sauce

For 4 persons Preparation time: 40 minutes

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INGREDIENTS 2 shallots 1 slice of streaky bacon 50 g butter 30 g all-purpose wheat flour 500 ml Zillertal Imperial Zwickl (or another naturally cloudy beer) 1 bay leaf 1 tsp. honey 500 g potatoes, mainly waxy 4 trout fillets 1 leek 200 g carrots 4 branches of fresh thyme some fresh watercress Salt, pepper

Peel shallots and dice them finely. Dice streaky bacon.

Let butter foam up in a pot. Fry the shallots and bacon until the shallots are transparent. Stir in the flour.

Pour beer on it. Add bay leaf. Season with honey,salt and pepper. Let the sauce boil down by a third.

Preheat the steamer oven to 100 °C or prepare a pot with a steamer basket. Peel potatoes, slice them and then cut them into diamonds.

Place in the steamer basket and steam for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the trout fillets.

Season with salt and pepper.

Clean the leeks and cut them into diagonal slices. Peel carrots and cut into sticks. Add both to the potatoes and steam everything for another 10 minutes. Pluck the thyme twigs and spread over the fish. Sear the fish on the skin side, then finish cooking at reduced heat.

Meanwhile, pass the sauce through a fine sieve.

Arrange the trout fillets with vegetables, potatoes, and a bit of the sauce on preheated plates.

Garnish with watercress and a bit of pepper.

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DESSERT

Beer Belle Hélène

For 4 persons Preparation time: 20 minutes plus 30 minutes cooking time and 1 hour cooling time

INGREDIENTS For the pears: 250 ml light-coloured Pils 50 g crystal sugar 1 organic orange 1 vanilla pod 2 pears For the caramel: 200 g crystal sugar 80 g flaked almonds 1 pinch of salt For serving:

200 ml cream

200 ml chocolate sauce

4 scoops of vanilla ice cream

Mix beer and sugar in a pot. Using a peeler, cut off 3 strips of peel from the orange, halve the orange and squeeze the juice.

Cut the vanilla pod lengthwise. Stir orange peel, orange juice and vanilla pod into the beer-sugar mixture. Bring the liquid to the boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Peel and halve the pears and cut out the core.

Put the pears in the pot and let them simmer for 30 minutes. Then remove from the liquid and let them cool down for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, melt the sugar for the caramel in a pan.

Stir in the almonds and salt. Spread the mixture on a piece of baking paper and let it harden for 30 minutes.

Whip the cream until stiff. Spread the chocolate sauce on plates. Place some cream, a scoop of ice cream and a pear half on the sauce. Coarsely chop the almond caramel and sprinkle it on top.

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COCKTAIL

On the Pils of time Recipe: Andreas Hotter Preparation time: 5 minutes (when all components are ready to use)

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

For 1 cocktail: 3 cl dark rum, e. g.

Gosling’s Black Seal 1 cl apricot liqueur 1 cl honey syrup 1 cl cold brew coffee* 1 tsp. Pimento Dram (rum liqueur) Black beer espuma**

For the cold brew coffee, mix the ground coffee with the water, cover the pot and leave the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. Then strain and pour the coffee into a bottle. It can be kept in the refrigerator for about 10 days.

For the honey syrup**: 70 g honey 35 ml water

For the honey syrup, lightly simmer the honey with water to create a homogeneous liquid.

For the espuma, mix all ingredients well and pour them into a cream siphon. Charge with an N2O cartridge and cool for at least 3 hours.

Shake briefly before use.

PREPARATION For the cold brew coffee*: 10 g coarsely ground coffee 100 ml water

Stir all ingredients (except the espuma) with ice cubes.

Strain into the pre-cooled glass (preferably a 0.1 l beer glass) and top with the espuma. It should then look like a “real beer” with a very stable foam.

For the beer espuma**: 180 ml Zillertal beer “Das Dunkle” (or another blackbeer) 3 cl sugar syrup 50 ml egg whites

With its spicy notes and aromas of coffee, chocolate and dried fruit, this drink is a perfect after dinner drink. * Cold brew coffee is not brewed with hot water as we know it from normal coffee making. When making cold brew coffee, the coffee powder remains in cold water for many hours and

Additionally: ice cubes

releases its aromas and caffeine into the water. The cold brew coffee contains about 70 % fewer acids and bitterns than coffee brewed with hot water, and it tastes fruity and refreshing. ** You can prepare about 10 drinks from the quantities given here.

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ADDITIONAL PHOTO: HOTEL ENGLHOF

ANDREAS HOTTER The bar manager and hotelier of Englhof in Zell am Ziller was awarded the “Mixology Bar Award” for the best bar in Austria in 2018. In 2019, he was awarded the title “Most Innovative Mixologist in Austria”.

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C O LU M N

The mountain and the sea An encounter and some thoughts about longing, humility and the similarity between Zillertal summits and the North Sea.

Andreas Hoetzel The 63-year old from Bremen is owner of the communication agency “speakeasy” and member of the supervisory board of Werder Bremen.

Its footballers traditionally have their training camp in the Zillertal.

Looking and asking

Peter Habeler, world-famous alpinist and Zillertal native.

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He made this trek once or twice a week as a teenager. It became the foundation for a great mountaineering career. The highlight: In 1978, Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. Peter has seen the whole world of high mountains. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, in South America, and of course in the Himalayas. “I have been to Nepal more than 60 times,” he says.

“I am an ardent Nepalese.” And a passionate inhabitant of the Ziller­tal. “Getting out is beautiful.” But returning is great too. “After all, I often didn’t know if I would return.”

Now the two of us are sitting on a bench, behind us the Ahorn summit, in front of us the Tristner. Under the beautiful late summer sun, a light

breeze and a cool wind, we gaze.

Gazing at the mountain ridge and pondering the question whether looking up here and looking into the distance from a North Sea dike are somehow related. “I find great peace in the mountains,” says Peter. “And isn’t listening to the waves for a while the same thing?” I venture.

“Up on the mountain, you are but a dot; that’s an important experience.” – “Weathering a storm on a sailboat is a humbling experi­ence,” I counter. “Gazing around makes me long for the world and all the peaks.”

It’s Peter’s turn again. If longing means watching the sea at sunset, never wanting to be anywhere else, yet wanting to be everywhere in the world at the same time, then we both marvel in the same way, just from very different places.

Lessons and “Krapfen”

And we discover yet another thing we have in common. We are learning for life, whether out on the sea or up in the mountains. We agree on four lessons: Be able to turn around. Have respect. Be optimally prepared. Be able to assess yourself. We hike up to the Ahornhütte. To Bennie’s Zillertaler Krapfen, once a poor man’s meal, today a delicacy – thinly kneaded dough consisting of water, flour, salt, filled with gray cheese.

When Peter Habeler will travels once again to the North Sea coast soon to tell about his experiences on the mountain peaks, I will invite him over to a labskaus dinner. At sunset, longing for home and the far distance.

PHOTO: GIORGIA PETERSEN

W

e are taking a walk at an altitude of 2,000 meters, above the Mount Ahorn summit station. And Peter says: “I have not been down there all my life.” I understand this, but don’t understand it at the same time. After all, we are high up – in fact, very high up for North Sea coast dwellers.

Until it dawns on me that Peter Habeler thinks from very high up.

From the Mount Ahorn summit at an altitude of just under 3,000 meters.

As a 15-year-old, he left at one o’clock after school. He would hike up the 2,500 meters from Mayrhofen to the summit. At a quarter to five he would reach his goal and then go straight back down.

Hike-onic.

You only feel it here.

Experience Zillertal.

Access more than 1,400 kilometres of hiking trails on our online tour portal – including lots of detailed information. Tip: Order the hiking map depicting the entire valley and showing all hiking routes, plus 20 specially selected highlight tours.

Get inspired on

sommer.zillertal.at/en

M AG I C S U M M I T S

One mountain, two summits

N

ot everyone gets to grow up at the foot of a mountain. 78-year-old Peter Habeler has recorded all his mountain tours in tour books. Including those to the striking Ahornspitze, Mayrhofen’s local mountain. The tour can either be started from Mayrhofen via Wirtschaft Alpenrose on the Fellenbergalm or after a gondola ride at the top station of the Ahornbahn. In both cases, one first reaches the Edelhütte and then ascends from there to the two peaks of this magnificent panoramic mountain in about two to three hours. Peter considers it a “privilege to be able to look at the Mount Everest of the Zillertal from my living room.”

The altitude difference from the base camp at 6,400 metres above sea level to the summit of Everest is about the same as from Mayrhofen to the Ahornspitze. “When looking out from the valley, it resembles the highest mountain in the world.” Because of Peter’s euphoria, many mountaineers accept long journeys to enjoy the panorama of the main Alpine ridge.

“Looking down from the very top of the mountain always fills your heart with an incomparable sense of joy and excitement,” says the great alpinist, who used to use every spare minute to prepare for higher tasks … and still enjoys being on the move today.

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“The Ahornspitze (the locals call it ’Ahoang’) is a magnificent panoramic mountain in the Zillertal Alps. Because it stands out so prominently in the landscape, the free view extends in all directions.

Following in the footsteps of first climber Peter Carl Thurwieser, caution is advised on the way to its two summits.

The last few metres of altitude through the southwest flank call for surefootedness and a good head for heights.”

Together with Reinhold Messner, Peter Habeler was the first to conquer Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen in 1978.

PHOTOS: TOM KLOCKER, PICTUREDESK.COM/FRANZ NEUMAYR

It is only eleven metres higher than the highest mountain in Germany.

Both Zugspitze and Ahornspitze enjoy incredible popularity.

For Peter Habeler, “the Ahorn” is the Everest of the Zillertal. .

Ahornspitze 2,973 m

Altitude of the peak in meters

2,973 2 180 7

The mountain has 2 summits. The north summit

at 2,960 m (where the summit cross is located),

and the south summit at 2,973 m.

It was 180 years ago that Peter Carl Thurwieser made the first ascent on 1 September 1840.

Dwarfs (designation for seven small summits) lead from Filzenköpfl up to the Ahornspitze.

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PHOTO: TOM KLOCKER

IMPRINT My Zillertal Summer 2021 (publication date: December 2020) Media owner & publisher: Zillertal Tourismus GmbH, Bundesstraße 27d, 6262 Schlitters; Austria Project Management Zillertal: Beate Kassner, Miriam Tirpitz, e-mail: magazin@zillertal.at; Realization: Red Bull Media House GmbH; Co-Publishing: Susanne Degn-Pfleger, Elisabeth Staber; Place of publication: 1140 Vienna, Austria; Editorial office: Michael Hufnagl (Head), Gundi Bittermann; Duty editor: Thomas Hammerschmied; Art Direction: Dominik Uhl, Steffi Werth; Photo editors: Isabella Russ (Head), Matti Wulfes; Production: Veronika Felder; Lithography: Clemens Ragotzky (Head), Nenad Isailovic, Josef Mühlbacher; Proofreading: Hans Fleissner (Head), Billy Kirnbauer-Walek, Belinda Mautner; Production: Martin Brandhofer, Markus Neubauer; Ad sales: Johannes Wahrmann-Schär, Ellen Wittmann-Sochor, Alfred Vrej Minassian, Nicole Okasek-Lang; Translation & proofreading: Connect Translations Austria; Printing: Walstead Central Europe, Krakow

By train into the Zillertal: 100 % relaxed

PHOTOS: TOM KLOCKERL, DEUTSCHE BAHN

Travel stress-free. Thanks to numerous offers that ensure a happy arrival in the vacation paradise. Also ideal for families.

Lightning-fast and safe Have breakfast in the morning in Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, or Leipzig and already explore the Zillertal mountains with your children in the early evening.

Zillertal is easily accessible by day and night. With fast ICE connections from all over Germany to Munich and a simple transfer by EuroCity to Jenbach. Or with direct ICEs on weekends during the vacation season, e. g. from Berlin, and daily Nightjet connections from e. g. Cologne, Hamburg, or Hannover to Jenbach.

Saving money the right way With a special low Sparpreis or the BahnCard, travelling to Zillertal is quite affordable. Train tickets can be booked up to 6 months in advance.

Everything for the family A train journey means adventure, fun, and plenty of room to move. Whether in the toddler compartment, in the ICE family areas or in the on-board restaurant or bistro with the children’s menu – there is no room for boredom. Many weekend ICE’s even have child care on board.

Travelling through the valley A region-wide transportation system will take you effortlessly to the most beautiful excursion destinations in the entire Zillertal. www.zillertal.at/train

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S H U T T LE S E RV I C E

Your destination is our job!

Ford Transit L3H2, Kombi, 2 Schiebet. (2014)

1:30 L: 5.981 B: 2.059 H: 2.490 R: 3.750 For 36 years, Oliver T. Dold has been transporting guests in the Zillertal comfortably from the airport or train station to their accommodation with his 60 “Four Seasons Travel” shuttles. This is perfect service on four wheels!

Munich

Salzburg

Jenbach Innsbruck

E ZILL

L RTA

Safe and relaxed to your destination

Whether from the airports of Innsbruck, Munich, or Salzburg; or from Jenbach train station – Oliver T. Dold’s shuttles take you comfortably to your accommodation and back again. For 36 years, his company “Four Seasons Travel” has stood up for reliability and, above all, safety. This means: 160,000 passengers per year, without any accidents!

To ensure that this remains the case, all drivers are continually trained and the vehicles are regularly subjected to meticulous checks by professional special­ ists. But of course, the best service is not only provided during the respective journeys, attention is already paid to a smooth booking process. That’s why the head office in Innsbruck is there for you 24/7/365.

Quick and easy booking

Booking your transfer only takes three minutes. A specially designed booking system ensures that every­ thing runs smoothly.

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“Our shuttles stand for 24/7 reliability, 365 days a year.”

Oliver T. Dold, Managing Director “Four Seasons Travel”

Contact FOUR SEASONS TRAVEL Burgenlandstraße 8, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Phone: +43/512/58 41 57 Email: office@tirol-taxi.at www.tirol-taxi.at

I N F O S E RV I C E

Arriving, knowing the ropes, getting around.

By train Excellent connections from all European cities ensure a relaxed journey to Jenbach.

By car On the A12 Inntal-Autobahn (vignette!) Exit Zillertal between Innsbruck and Kufstein. Continue on the B169 to your vacation destination.

Hotel and accommodation The Zillertal offers the ideal accommodation for every guest. You can easily book it online. We will also be happy to advise you in person.

Contact and advice Our information office is located directly on the Zillertalstraße B169, right after the Brettfalltunnel at the valley entrance.

Advance information at tel.: +43/5288/871 87 or by email: info@zillertal.at

By plane Innsbruck (50 km), Munich (170 km), Salzburg (140 km) are destination airports.

All information: www.zillertal.at/ service/en

With the Zillertalbahn The Zillertalbahn train runs every half hour from Jenbach to Mayrhofen, taking you safely, punctually and comfortably to many places.

By bus Ideal bus connections are available throughout the entire region – and of course also directly to the summer cable cars.

Most of public transportation is included in the Zillertal Activcard.

www.zillertal.at/en