Zell Am See summer holidays

Holidays in Zell Am See

It’s easy to fall in love with Zell am See (there’s even a mountain called ‘Schmitten’...) and the surroundings will certainly take your breath away, but not just because they’re so beautiful – the area’s a super base for activities; climb, hike or bike the mountains, sail, paddle or swim the lake and do tonnes more in between.

Highlights: • Super climbing • Graded hiking trails • Highest panorama platform in Salzburg

Zell Am See Walking

With the sight-seeing Schmittenhöhe, family friendly Maiskogel and icy Kitzsteinhorn glacier, it doesn’t take long to see why this is such a popular area for hikers. Pass reservoirs, cross alpine rose meadows and scale summits – the top of the Kitzsteinhorn is one of the best vantage points in Austria. The hike at Krimml to the highest waterfalls on the continent makes an unforgettable day trip and there’s nothing like ending the day with a dip in the crystal-clear Zeller Lake. The lake has a gentle shoreline route that you can follow over to Thumersbach – set out around midday for an afternoon of exploring the village and relaxing on its bathing lawns, or go wildlife spotting on a forest path.

The Nordic walking here is spectacular; plan your route to park your poles at Hochzelleralm or the Ebenbergalm on the Schmitten for a cool Almdudler with a view...

Zell Am See Cycling

Zell shares its trail network with Kaprun, meaning you’ve got access to the brilliant downhill runs on the Maiskogel and a huge range of XC terrain. It’s well worth taking the Kitzsteinhorn lift up the glacier, where there are three topnotch freeride trails. Bachler is smooth and flowy, which is perfect to get you warmed up in the morning. Wuestlau is a 7.7km thrill ride with jaw dropping views down the valley and Gleißstein is a twisty, rocky, exposed run right at the top of the mountain (definitely not for the faint of heart!).

Seasoned road cyclists can take on bike tours like the Tauern Cycle path and the Iron Man course – a difficult loop of 45km, which you’re meant to do twice. The Kitzbühel round tour is another favourite, taking you on a 125km loop on asphalt via Kitzbühel, Obendorf and Maishofen. For something a bit easier, circle the lake on a scenic bike ride or hire an E-Bike, which takes some of the strain out of uphill cycling.

More Zell Am See resources