Discover Austria's Zillertal Valley: The sun‑kissed haven for active summer retreats

The Zillertal Valley is nestled in the heart of Tyrol, dozens of miles east of Innsbruck, close to the border with Italy. Stretching around 29 miles between the towns of Strass and Mayrhofen, it's flanked by the Kitzbühel and Tuxertal Alps. While many visitors from Poland visit primarily during the winter season, it's in summer that the region guarantees lush green landscapes and an array of attractions, especially for those seeking active relaxation in serene settings, away from bustling cities.

This location will charm those who enjoy walking. As mentioned, the trails sum up to almost 930 miles in length. There are both beginner-friendly and more challenging trails, along with thematic ones - including culinary or even musical ones. Over 72 peaks that reach three thousand meters await climbing enthusiasts. Notably, the Zillertal Alps High Mountain Landscape Park, spanning approximately 163 square miles, is home to over 9,000 animal species and more than 1.3 thousand plant species.

Recommended sights? A moderately difficult trail leads to the idyllic Weitental Valley, showcasing the mesmerizing Schleierfall waterfall. The journey to St. Valentine's Chapel also leaves a lasting impression—you might spot alpine ibexes and marvel at Zillergrund Lake's striking blues. Early birds can catch sunrise from the peaks of Gedrechter and Plattenkogel, Tuxertal Valley, or the Ahorn plateau. The latter can be reached using the Alps' largest cable car.

Many imagine vacations as relaxing by the water, ideally on a gorgeous beach – leading them to overlook mountains. However, while the Zillertal Valley doesn't have seas, it boasts pristine lakes and six outdoor pools (located in Finkenberg, a pool-thermal complex in Fügen, Hippach, Mayrhofen, in Stumm, and Zell am Ziller).

Consider visiting the Durlassboden lake in Gerlos, where the water maintains around 70 degrees F from June to August. Visitors can not only soak up the sun but also engage in sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, or water cycling. The Spielteich Spieljoch, accessible by cable car, and Filzen, home to a newly established falcon oasis, are also tourist favorites.

For a thrilling experience, try visiting Olpererhutte, which houses not only a shelter but also a suspension bridge - considered by many to be Austria's finest. From the bridge, the Schlegeisspeicher reservoir is in clear sight.

The Zillertal Valley caters perfectly to cyclists, offering classic cycling trails, as well as bike&hike types (partly cycled, partly walked routes), single-trails (one-way trails featuring bumps, twists, ascents, and descents) or pumptracks (so-called bike playgrounds, complete with twists and bumps). The Zillertal Radweg is an exciting option for beginners or families with children. It trails along the Ziller river, leading past the Schlitterer Badesee, lined with a swimming area, playgrounds, and a mini-golf course.

You don't need to bring bicycles from home, as there are plenty of rentals available locally (offering both traditional and electric bikes). It's worth noting that seven out of the ten cable cars operating in the valley during summer can accommodate bicycles.

Active leisure pairs perfectly with delicious food, and the Tyrol boasts plenty. Mountain shelters cater delicious, traditional dishes, making for great breakfast and lunch spots.

On the menu, you'll find classics such as Marend (a cheese and cold cuts platter), Tiroler Gröstl (baked potatoes with beef and bacon topped with a fried egg), Leberknödelsuppe (soup with meatballs), Kaiserschmarrn (Emperor's pancake) or Tiroler Tris (a trio of cheese and spinach dumplings, along with cheese dumplings). And for a drink, try Almdudler, an Austrian herbal lemonade.

While you can reach the Zillertal Valley by car from Poland, it's worth mentioning that the highly developed public transport system practically eliminates the need for personal vehicles. Thus, it's worth considering traveling by train to Jenbach (direct connections available from Munich, Berlin or Hamburg – all reachable from Poland by plane, train or bus), and then by bus or the Zillertal railway to a specific location in the valley. Moreover, the nearest airport to the valley is located in Innsbruck, approximately 31 miles away.

If you're planning an active vacation, consider purchasing the Zillertal Activcard. It offers daily rides on one of the ten mountain railways, a single daily pool entry, usage of most public transport, and a minimum of a 10-percent discount at partner locations. The card is valid for three, six, nine, or twelve days, priced for an adult at 78, 112, 152, or 190 euros respectively (approx. $88, $134, $182, or $227). Children, aged six to fifteen years, pay half the price. Meanwhile, the youngest ones—five years old or younger—can enjoy all the benefits of the Zillertal Activcard for free.