Perhaps better known in the UK as one of Europe’s finest Alpine skiing destinations, during the summer months the Tirol region of Austria becomes a stunning, child-friendly outdoor paradise. If your family enjoys hiking, biking, breath-taking scenery, unique mountain trails, amazing water sports and much more then Tirol is quite simply a place you must visit!
To find everything you need to know about getting there, places to stay and visit and all the wonderful things to do, go to www.austria.info. In the meantime, and to whet your appetite, here is a small selection of activities from three fabulous regions in Tirol.
St. Johann in Tirol
Mountain Carting
The ingeniously designed 3.8km route takes you through forests and rolling pastures, via tricky turns and spectacular steep sections. The mountain carts’ modern and innovative design provide safety and reliability. The carts come with a dual circuit breaking system – which is also used in cars, safety fences and ropes adorn the route and a sturdy helmet provides added protection during the ride. Guaranteed fun – just give it a go!
www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com/en/stjo/so/hiking/mountaincart.html
Mountain Carting in St. Johann Mirja Geh Photography
Schnackler Adventure Trail
The Schnackler Adventure Trail, situated right at the access area to the Alpine Outdoor Gallery, is specifically designed for younger visitors of the Kaiserbach valley and outlines the history of the “Schnackler” and “Koasabacha” legends via interactive play stations with educational elements where the kids have to balance on wooden peonies, climb a net like a spider and complete a fun test. Learning through play in the outdoors – perfect!
www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com/en/stjo/so/hiking/schnackler-adventure-trail.html
Kletterwald Hornpark
This treetop adventure park for children aged 3 and over provides fun and excitement for the whole family and is the biggest high rope course in the Kitzbühel Alps. There are eight different courses comprising more than 80 elements in a range of difficulty levels, including a mini course for the little ones!
www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com/en/stjo/so/hiking/hornpark.html
Zillertal
Hiking with Children
The family-friendly hiking trails in Zillertal offer young children lots of excitement. The many adventure trails, themed hikes and nature trails, turn the outdoors into a playground. There is the “Hubertus Wildtierpfad”, which takes you into the world of native wild animals, then the “Schmankerlweg”, where you hike to a mountain hut to enjoy the gorgeous local food, and don’t miss the “Adventure trail Tux stream”, which requires skill and imagination.
www.zillertal.at/en/summer/family/hiking-with-kids.html
Family Cycle Routes
Discover the Zillertal valley by bike along the banks of the Ziller river. The Zillertal cycle route extends for almost 31 km from Strass to Mayrhofen and is an ideal route for beginners and families with children. You will find routes for every taste, some from hut to hut, some along beautiful lakeshores, others by the side of rolling alpine meadows.
www.zillertal.at/en/summer/family/biking-with-kids.html
Bike Riding in Zillertal Christoph Johann Zillertal Tourismus GmbH
Nature’s Ice Palace
At the Hintertux Glacier you’ll find a natural wonder, unique worldwide and an ideal destination at any time of the year for the whole family: Nature’s Ice Palace. Step into this frozen nether world located deep beneath the ski pistes and discover a glacial cave system that looks like the palace of an Ice Queen, with giant sparkling ice crystals, frozen waterfalls and an incredible glacial lake. Not to be missed!
www.hintertuxergletscher.at/en/highlights-at-hintertux-glacier/specials/natures-ice-palace/
Hintertux Glacier Daniel Geiger Photo
St. Anton am Arlberg
Wonder Walking Way
Senn’s Wonder Walking Way is a hugely popular family destination. While walking, you’ll find the answers to questions we’re sure you have asked, such as “What´s growing in the drunken forest?”, “How much saliva can a cow produce in a day?” or “What does a Gummy bear plant look like?”. You’ll find amazing alpine flower gardens, a beautiful herbal garden, a tree house and the wonder woods to explore.
www.sennsationell.at/en/summer/wunderwanderweg/
Water Sports
For action-packed fun in the cool water, you can go kayaking, rafting, canyoning and tubing. Experience an unforgettable adventure with the whole family in Tirol’s most beautiful rivers and gorges. Nature up very close!
www.stantonamarlberg.com/en/summer/outdoor/more-activities/water-sports
Children’s Paradise
There is a wide variety of children’s playgrounds across the region and for those of you with very young children, the 40km long network of St. Anton am Arlberg’s cross-country ski trails offer wide paths for walking with easy up and downhill sections suitable for a push chair or buggy during the summer. If required, child carrier backpacks are also available to hire from sports shops in St. Anton.
www.stantonamarlberg.com/en/summer/outdoor/children-paradise
Visit www.austria.info
Main Image
Family Hiking in Harschbichl Mirja Geh Photography
