Mayrhofen summer holidays

Holidays in Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen is ‘traditional Austrian’ from head to toe and the town has a refreshing buzz to it all summer long. Cross alpine pastures, speed down the Penken and discover deep gorges and canyons before letting your hair down with a stein and some Austrian folk music – you’d struggle to find a ‘best for Alps activities’ list that this place doesn’t crop up on.

Highlights: • 800km cycling trails • Great for mountain climbing, bouldering & Via Ferrata • Tennis courts

Mayrhofen Walking

We love hiking in this neck of the woods and not just because the Ziller Valley’s so beautiful. Mayrhofen’s Ahorn and Penken mountains have loads to explore, from buggy-friendly family trails to steep, high-altitude climbs. Get the bus to the gorgeous Stilluptal Valley or head over to Zemmgrund, where paths from the village of Ginzling take you along the Zamser River. To take things up a level, hike the 60km hut-to-hut trail of mountaineering master Peter Habeler or ask the tourist office for maps of multiday routes like the Berlin High or Eagle's trail. For an easier amble, we love the riverside path to Zell am Ziller and the Zillertal nature park is simply spectacular. Nordic walkers have the Run & Walk Park’s eight routes, which include the seriously steep Harakiri and a cracking path along the Ziller River. If you’re new to Nordic, there’s an easy route to Zillergrund taking you along the riverside, across pastures and through forests.

Mayrhofen Cycling

There’s a super network of quiet mountain roads around Mayrhofen and lots of them follow the meandering banks of alpine rivers. Follow the Stillupbach River out towards the mesmerising blue-green waters of the Speicher Stillup reservoir; another route well worth a cycle is the famous 2020m Hoehenstraße, meaning ‘High Road’.

There are 800km+ of MTB trails in the area, including Mayrhofen’s leisure and action mountains. You’ll also find a central bike station in the resort, a top place to pick up some tips on where best to ride. As well as shedloads of natural trails, there are two amazing manmade downhills complete with jumps, berms and scarily steep descents. One of the best is the Hoellenritt, which roughly translates as ‘Ride to Hell’…

You can hire E-Bikes from places like the Max Hürzeler Bike Station and Sport Fankhauser if you’re tempted by the trails but a bit daunted by the fitness level required – Schiestl's Sunnalm and Gschößwandhaus on the Penken mountain are two of many places in the area where you can re-charge your bike (try the homemade donuts at Schiestl's while you wait...).

More Mayrhofen resources