While the Austrian Alps is a favourite destination for winter sports, it’s also an excellent summer holiday option for active travellers, families and groups. In the Austrian Tirol they can expect thrilling outdoor adventures and the chance to unwind in nature, while enjoying clean, crystal-clear waters, fresh air and vast, unspoilt landscapes.
Whether your clients are looking for an action-packed summer adventure to get their heart racing and blood pumping, or they prefer a calm stroll on a mountain pasture, Tirol’s great outdoors offers something for all tastes and ability levels.
And thanks to the region’s high and central location in the Austrian Alps, it never gets too hot in the summer months, making it an ideal choice for customers seeking a cooler summer holiday. Here are five ideas to tempt travellers with:
Hiking
The Austrian Tirol is a haven for hikers, as well as those who want a gentle stroll while surrounded by epic vistas. Look to Zillertal for one of the world’s most diverse hiking destinations, with hikes of all difficulties stretching from the sunny valley floor to the peaks of the numerous 3,000 metre-high mountains.
Clients don’t have to be experienced hikers to enjoy the spectacular views, as they can easily take a cable car to the summit – in Zillertal alone there is a choice of 10 summer cable cars.
The region also offers a host of family-friendly hiking trails, while mountain adventure parks boast fun-filled entertainment for children, including in St. Johann in Tirol and St. Anton am Arlberg.
For something more challenging, suggest a via ferrata, which are protected climbing routes across steep or rocky terrain, using cables, ladders and anchors. The Arlberg via ferrata in St. Anton am Arlberg can be followed for up to 3km, taking climbers up to 2,500m high and offering beautiful views across the Alps.
Cycling
Mountain biking on Tirol’s trails is more than just a sport; it connects cyclists with nature as they explore on two wheels surrounded by beautiful high valleys. While the region boasts a plethora of bike routes, Paznaun-Ischgl is a cyclist’s paradise. It has more than 754km of trails, including a varied network for mountain bikers, options for beginners and many challenging rides. It’s also the highest-located e-bike destination in Europe, and regularly hosts exciting cycling events.
E-bikes are an ideal option for those who want some extra power to explore Tirol, and numerous tours are available, including in the St. Anton am Arlberg region, which is home to five fast-charging e-bike stations.
Swimming
If they need to cool down after all this exertion, visitors are never far from a crystal-clear mountain lake in the Austrian Tirol – many of which are suitable for swimming in – and there are numerous streams and brooks to dip toes into after a hike or cycle.
In Ischgl visitors can do laps or splash about in the public pools, and families can visit the Sandli water playground, where children can build dams, operate locks and water wheels and channel the water to different pools. The expansive Silvretta Therme is a wellness hotspot, boasting pools, spa treatments, saunas and a fitness area.
