Walking Holidays in Austrian Alps, Zillertal, Mayrhofen

We stayed in the Hotel Alpina at Schwendau, and travelled with Inghams Holidays. This was cheaper than we could book ourselves direct and proved excellent value for money. See the page about the hotel for more details of that accommodation.

They also coped extremely well with my gluten free and dairy free diet. Schwendau is a couple of miles out of Mayrhofen, but there is a bus service.

For a days walking aim to get the 9am bus from the village into the main station at Mayrhofen. Buses run from here to most of the side valleys at 9.30am - or stay on the Dorfer bus for the Penken gondola or for the Ahorn gondola.

You can also start the days walking by walking to the single seat chair lift - the Ramsberglift.

For Gerlos you need an early start to get the bus on the main road in Ramsau

Make sure you keep an eye on the return bus times back to the station at Mayrhofen, then get the next train to Ramsau, and walk from there back to the Alpina - if you time it right you can get the Dorfer bus from Ramsau station back to the Alpina.

The area pass (Z card or Zillertal pass) is excellent value for money, and covers local busses, trains (except the steam train) and one ride up and down the gondalas each day. We used this every day and is a tremendous saving on pay as you go. Check the dates when it starts and ends before you go. The second week in June is probably the best for the spring flowers, when you have access to the mountains. Earlier and lifts and restaurants may not be open, and snow drifts block the higher paths. Buy the card at the lift on your first walking morning.

We have walked in June, July and August - the flowers change and are higher up the mountains as summer develops.

This is an excellent destination for all abilities of walkers with plenty of level walks as well as energetic climbs and descents. There are plenty of walks on the level from the top of each gondola where you can experience the mountain flowers, clear air and tremendous views, before having a meal or drink at a mountain restaurant. Then descend again on the gondola.

Walks are well signed, and paths clearly waymarked. The best map is the Kompass Map 037 Mayrhofen Tuxer Tal Zillergrund 1:25000 This is available from the tourist office. All paths are numbered both on the map and on the ground.

If you look at the maps linked to each of our walks you can see our track - this is not always exactly where it should be but is a good guide. If you switch to satellite view and zoom in you can see the actual path.