Top Summer Activities in Mayrhofen ~ Austria

One week Mayrhofen! One week adventure in Zillertal! Today I’ll share with you my top recommendations for the best summer activities in Mayrhofen and its surrounding mountains – a good combination between hiking, climbing, biking, chilling, and of course – eating!

I was part of the #BlogVille 2017 blogger project “Eat, feel and live like a local in Europe”! For the first time this year, #BlogVille took place in the Austrian region of Tirol. I, together with Veronika from Veronika’s Adventure (Czech Republic), Erik from Around the Globe (Netherlands) and Daphne from Foodinista (Netherlands), was exploring and testing (almost) all kinds of summer outdoor activities in Mayrhofen-Hippach.

Let’s start!

Activcard Mayrhofen

There is so much to do in Zillertal! Especially if you are an active person, who loves to enjoy different kinds of sports and activities during the holidays, Zillertal can easily become an expensive place to be. Therefore, I can only highly recommend purchasing the Zillertal Summer Activcard right after arriving in the beautiful valley! The main benefits of Zillertal Activcard: you can use all 9 cable cars in the region; travel for free with (most of) the public transport; free entry to ALL six outdoor Zillertal swimming pools; get 10% off at many discount partners.

Summer 2017: Zillertal Activcard is valid for the period between 25 Mai 2017 to 08 October 2017.

ErlebnisSennerei

When visiting Mayrhofen, sooner or later you’ll notice that the focal point of “life” in the valley is to enjoy the best milk products produced in the Zillertal region! What a great opportunity for somebody like me (the greatest cheese lover of all times!) to learn more about the production of Tyrolean cheese and other milk specialities! The best place to have a sneak-peak into the tradition of cheese and yoghurt productions is the dairy #ErlebnisSennerei!

ErlebnisSennerei Zillertal

What to do and see in #ErlebnisSennerei?

#ShauSennerei

Learn more about the traditional and modern milk processing and refining! “SchauSennerei” (6000m² area) offers different sections where you can experience the creation of Zillertaler cheese, yoghurt and butter! My personal highlight is definitely the tasting station where you can enjoy a delicious spoon of flavoured yoghurt (tip: try the coffee yoghurt, yummy!).

#SchauBauernhof

The most exciting part for me and all children for sure, is the farm petting zoo. Here you can meet the most important “partners” in the production of milk specialities, namely the animals! We all know the magical equation, right?!

Best Environment = Happy Animals = Best Milk!

#SchauBauernhof is the home of many happy goats, sheep & cows! Here you can make some funny selfies and learn more about the bees and the production of bio-honey. The farm has a lot of fun attraction for the youngest guest, such as many small happy animals to play with, mini tractors, parcours and trampolines!

ErlebnisSennerei

#SennereiFarmShop

In the Farm Shop Sennerei you can find all kinds of traditional milk products, Tyrolean speck and sausages, bio honey, a great variety of schnapps specialities, as well as some usual for the region small presents!

#Sennereiküche

I would definitely recommend you to visit the diary’s Restaurant! #Sennereiküche offers a delicious variety of milk specialities as well as traditional and seasonal Tyrolean cuisine. All meals are prepared with the milk from their own production and the rest comes from the regional partners! My absolute favourite and a must-eat speciality is the Zillertaler Graukäsesuppe (cream cheese soup) – don’t leave Austria without tasting it!

“ErlebnisSennerei” is located in Mayrhofen and is generally open from Monday to Saturday (7:30 am to 6:30 pm). For more information, you can visit the #ErlebisSennerei website:

Schmankerlfest in Hippach

Probably the best way to learn about new cultures is to experience some traditional festival and celebrate with the locals! Many Tyroleans would state the following – “love goes through the stomach, at least with us in Tirol”. And what a better combination to fell in love with, than to eat something good, to dance while the sun is shining and to have a nice evening with lovely people?! Yes, Schmankerlfest!

Schmankrlfest Hippach

The Schmankerlfest takes place in Hippach during the second week of July. Each year the Mayrhofen-Hippach Tourist board organizes the local street-food festival. On the streets of Hippach you will have the opportunity to taste all different kinds of regional specialities, such as Melchermuas, Zillertaler Krapfen, Holzknechtkrapfen, Schliachternudeln, Schmankerlwurst, Kaisernschmarren, etc. (see below for more information).

Of course, what is a local festival without a traditional music?! Exactly! But don’t worry … The best bands and musicians from Zillertal are here to present the local rhythm and sound during the Schmankerlfest. And if you are lucky, you’ll learn some Tyrolean moves as well!

Schmankerlfest Hippach

Food Highlights in Mayrhofen ~ Tirol

Food Zillertal Tirol

Kaiserschmarren – Probably one of the most famous dishes in the region! The Kaiserschmarren is actually some chopped pancakes, often dust with some powdered sugar and cinnamon. In most of the cases, it will be served with cranberry jam, applesauce, baked plums or fruit compote. You can enjoy your Kaiserschmarren as a main course or as dessert.

Wiener Schnitzel – Who doesn’t know the King of the Austrian kitchen? The Wiener schnitzel is the most famous meat made of very thin boneless cutlet (pork, beef or chicken), breaded and deep fried. The Wiener Schnitzel is served with cranberry jam, potato salad or fries.

Schweinebraten – This one is a traditional Tyrolean winter speciality, but you can find it almost everywhere in the mountains even during the summer months. The Schweinebraten is roasted pork dish, served with dumplings, sauerkraut and sauce.

Tyrolean Dumplings (Knödel) – The Tyrolean dumplings are very common food for the Alpine region and they were mentioned for the first time in a cookbook from the 16^th century! The main ingredient of all Tyrolean dumplings is bread crumbs and the additional ingredients can be eggs, spinach, cheese, sausages and bacon. The Tyrolean dumplings are often served as side dish, but they could be also ordered as a main dish (covered with butter and parmesan).

Kasspatzln (Käsespätzle) – After a long hiking day in the mountains, there is nothing better than to enjoy some Kasspatzln in a Tyrolean hut, high up in the mountains! The Kasspatzln is a pretty heavy dish and is similar to egg noodles. The hearty dish is served with tonnes of molten cheese and crispy fried onions on the top – absolutely delicious!

Graukäse Soup – This is my absolute favourite cream soup of all time! The graukäse soup is mainly made of molten grey cheese, mashed potatoes, salt, pepper and white wine. I do often order it as a main dish, as it has more than enough calories for the whole day!

Zerggln – The Zerggln are dumplings alike speciality, made of potatoes, curd, grey cheese, salt, pepper, chive and flour. As many other traditional dishes in Tyrol, Zerggln are often served with cranberry jam or sour cream.

Kiachl – The most famous fried yeast dough pastry which is very typical for the Christmas time in Austria! Kiachls are often served with sauerkraut, cranberry jam, or dusted with powdered sugar.

Zillertaler Krapfen – As the name says, the Zillertaler Krapfen is a very common speciality for the region and they are very hard to find somewhere outside the valley! The main ingredients are milk, cheese, butter, potatoes and curd. Although all of the ingredients sound very simple and easy to find, the preparation of the Zillertaler Krapfen could be very tricky and time-consuming. Therefore, nowadays the krapfen are mainly prepared and served for special occasions and festivities (e.g. Schmankerlfest in Hippach!)

Melchermuas – Another „made-only-in-Zillertal“ dish, prepared with (a lot of!!!) butter, milk and salt. It is served in a pan with cranberry jam on the top!

Tiroler Gröstl – A very traditional and tasty Tyrolean main course inspired by using the “yesterday’s left-overs”! Tiroler Gröstl is often prepared with baked potatoes, onion, bacon and a fried egg on the top. Many Tyroleans believe that the Gröstl is the best lunch to cure a hangover!

Schlutzkrapfen – The Schlutzkrapfen are also known as Mezzelune and they are very similar to ravioli (in Italy) or pierogi (in Russia and Poland). The Tyrolean Schlutzkrapfen are prepared with white flour, durum semolina, eggs and olive oil. The typical filling in Tirol includes cheese, quark, pepper and salt, sometimes even sauerkraut, meat and potatoes.

Cable Cars in Mayrhofen ~ „Mayrhofner Bergbahnen“

The Mayrhofen area stretches over several mountains. The Penken ski region stands for the action and the Ahorn ski region – for the pleasure! Although the region is famous for winter sports, there are plenty of summer activities to go for when visiting Mayrhofen during the summer time!

Cable Cars Mayrhofen

Action Mountain Penken, Cable Car Penken

If you love mountains and action – Penken is your place to be! The “Penkenbahn”, the most modern cable car in the world, was built in December 2015. All 33 gondolas are very comfortable and offer even WiFi! Each gondola has sitting place for 24 people and all 33 gondolas can transport up to 3000 people per hour from Mayrhofen to the Actionberg Penken (2095m!) Once you have reached the top, you will spot the “Funsport” station where you can rent scooters, bikes, climbing equipment, or even book a paragliding session.

Leisure Mountain Ahorn, Cable Car Ahorn

Mountain Ahorn ist he perfect place for some leisure holidays during the summer time! You can take the Ahorn Cable Car from Mayrhofen and go directly to the Leisure Mountain Ahorn. Of course, if you are not that kind of “leisure” person, you can go for numerous sports activities like mountain biking, climbing or paragliding! The Ahorn cable car is the biggest aerial tramway in the World. Each gondola has an area of 40 m² and place for up to 160 passengers! It takes only 6.5 minutes of ride from Mayrhofen to the Ahorn plateau (2000m)!

The mountain station is an ideal starting point for different hiking and mountain biking tours for all kinds of experience levels! Here you will find the entrance to the Natur Park of the Zillertal Alps which ensures plenty of fantastic views over Zillertal Valley and mountains.

Ahorn is a great place for children as well. Here you can visit the Ahorn fun-lake, the petting zoo at the Filzenalm, the new panorama platform “Adlerblick” (“Eagle View”), and the bird show “Adlerbühne” (“Eagle Stage”) Ahorn.

Hiking in Mayrhofen

Sunrise Hike over the Tux Valley

Sunrise Hike Tux

For this tour,  you will definitely need to get up very early in the morning (with very early I mean something between 2:30 am and 3:00 am!). The sunrise hike tour starts at 4:30 am in the morning from Nasse Tuxalm (1,843 m). The best part of the sunrise hike tour over the Tux Valley is the fact that you are actually “alone” with the mountain! No people, no tourist, nobody. Perfect for taking pictures! Perfect for enjoying the nature!

Sunrise Hike Tux Torseen

Sunrise Hike

Tux Hike Nature

Tux Hike Sunrise

The first hour of hiking to Torseen is actually the coldest and darkest part of this tour (make sure to have enough warm clothes and waterproof hiking shoes!). From Torseen, it takes about 35 minutes to the next station Ramsjoch! The mountain scenery reminds a lot of the “Lord of the Rings” scenery filmed somewhere near Glenorchy in New Zealand… Having taken some wonderful photos, the hike takes us to the Grüblspitze.

From here you will be able to relish the stunning view over the Glacier Hintertux and the surrounding mountains! Another 1 hour of walk and you will get to the final destination of the morning hike – Eggalm Hut and the Cable Car! Before leaving Eggalm to enjoy your well-deserved breakfast – Kaiserschmarren, hot chocolate and the unique panorama! From here, you can take the gondola to the built-up area of Tux and the bus station.

Ramsjoch on the Top of World

Ramsjoch

Tux on the top

On the top of the World Ramsjoch

Nature Ramsjoch

Ramsjoch Nature

Hiking to Berliner Hut

Let’s do the “Königsdisziplin” for all endurance sportsmen in Mayrhofen and Zillertal – visiting the Berliner Hut! The Berliner Hut is located at 2,042m above the sea level in the upper Zemmgrund of Zillertal Alps. The hut is one of the most impressive architectures in the mountain region and serves as a symbol of the Zillertal Alpine tourism. The Berliner Hut is enclosed by magnificent alpine scenery and some of the most famous surrounding mountains for this area: Krähenfuß, Schönbichler Horn, Zsigmondyspitze, Kleiner and Großer Mörchner, Schwarzenstein and Berliner Spitze.

Berliner Hut Hike

Berliner Hut Hike

The hiking route starts from Ginzling and follows for very long time, the usually hard to notice, ascending old valley path above the river Zemmbach. The distance from Ginzling to Berliner Hut is about 13 to 15 km, depending on the starting point. Hiking to Berliner hut is a whole day activity which takes not less than 7h and 26km! Therefore I would say that this hiking tour in Zillertal is rather something for advanced hikers than for beginners. Berliner Hut can be visited between the months of June till the end of September.

Beautiful Horse Zillertal

Berliner Hut Hike

Berliner Hut

Since the last century, the Berliner Hut is one of the most popular bases for mountain and glacier researchers, as well as for hiking lovers! The hut was originally built in the year of 1878 and is the oldest in the region. In the year of 1879 it was opened for visitors and since then, the symbolic building is an important base for the Berlin High Trail hikers. Back in the days, in the year of 1879, the hut stood at the beginning of the glacier tongues of Hornkees und Waxeggkees. Nowadays, even without some specific glacier knowledge, you can easily notice the major erosion and decrease of its ice ground.

Edelweiss Zillertal

Glacier Tux

Glacier Tux

Glacier Tux

Horses Zillertal

Many years ago this flat stone plate was the bottom of a glacier!

Berliner Hütte Zillertal

Mountain Biking in Mayrhofen

E-Bike Tour to Zillergrund Dam

E-Bike Tour Zillergrund

Another summer activity in Mayrhofen you should definitely not miss is a mountain bike tour! One of the best and most beautiful routes is from Mayrhofen to Zillergrund Dam (13 km in one direction). The Zillergrund area is 25 km long, most famous for its spectacular dam located at 1.900m above the sea level. It was one of the most important cycling and hiking trails in Mayrhofen, due to the very low-noise running and almost missing emissions.

E-Bike Tour Zillergrund Tirol

Once you have reached the Zillergrund Dam, you’ll stand in front of the imposing grey Dam Wall which attracts every single visitor with its construction and the surrounding nature. Between the mighty mountains and large waterfalls lies the calm lake, in which all colours from turquoise to blue and green are reflected. You can enjoy the marvelousness of nature and architecture from above – the right place is from Adlerblick Restaurant (Eagle’s View)! Not only the majestic panorama but also the delicious food is a good reason to rest at Adlersblick before riding back to Mayrhofen.

E-Bike Tour Zillergrund

Restaurant Adlerblick Zillergrund

E-Bike Tour Zillergrund

Climbing in Mayrhofen

Via Ferrata

If you want to experience something different than hiking or biking in Mayrhofen and you’re keen on climbing – Via Ferrata would be definitely something for you! In Mayrhofen you can choose between three different Via Ferrata trails. All three are fixed-cable trails and depending on how experienced you are, you can choose between:

ia ferrata Mayrhofen Zimmereben

“Zimmereben”

• • Suitable for all ages (12 and up) and target groups (for beginners and advanced)
  • Duration 1h
  • Altitude 210m
  • Via Ferrata set rental: Set complete € 12; Rope and harness € 10; V-rope € 7; Helmet € 3;

“Huterlaner”

• • Target group “advanced” to “experts”
  • Duration 1.5h
  • Altitude 240m
  • Via Ferrata set rental: Set complete € 12; Rope and  harness € 10; V-rope € 7; Helmet € 3;

“Pfeilspitzwand”

• Target group “advanced”
• Duration 2h
• Altitude 131m
• Via Ferrata set rental: Set complete € 12; Rope and  harness € 10; V-rope € 7; Helmet € 3;

Via ferrata Mayrhofen

At the end of Via Ferrata “Zimmereben” is located the lovely Hut “Zimmereben”! Here you can enjoy one of the best Wiener Schnitzel in Mayrhofen, the beautiful panorama over the Alpine city and my favourite cranberry schnapps!

Cranberry Schnapps Zimmereben

Via Ferrata #Schlegeis131

Somehow different, somehow cool, somehow creepy! Welcome to Via Ferrata #Schlegeis131! This attraction is the newest for the region since it was built in 2016. #Schlegeis131 is often called the “most spectacular climbing trail in the world” and after being there, I could easily image why!

Schlegeis131 Tirol

At first glance, the Ferrata does not seem to be anything special, but when you stand in front of the Dam Wall you realize how small you actually are… #Schlegeis131 is the first Via Ferrata built on a dam wall. The only thing that you should have in mind – #Schlegei131 is only for people who are completely free from giddiness!

#Schlegeis131 is actually a Via Ferrata built on the dam wall of Schlegeis in Zillertal. The dam stores a total of 126.5 million m³ of water and its wall is about 725 m long. If you want to learn more about the wall’s construction, you can take a guided tour! The exhibition offers a lot of useful information about electricity generation. You can take the guided tour all year round and the admission is free!

Schlegeis131 Tirol

Schlegeis131 Climbing

Schlegeis131

• Target group “advanced”
• Duration 45min
• Altitude 131m
• Via Ferrata set rental: Set complete € 10
• Best time: Mai, June, July, August, September, October

#BlogBille 2017 Tirol