The Tyrolean Zillertal:
Hiking, Skiing & Sightseeing – Part II
After the mining had ceased and the Napoleonic Wars had left Salzburg destroyed and the new ruler Austria somewhat plucked, it
took a while until the Zillertal’s economy picked up again. In the second half of the
19th century, hiking tourism started to become popular. Paths were built and
new mountain cabins. Nevertheless, the Zillertal remained a very poor area of Austria until after WWII.
In the 1950ies, its economic development saw a turning point with the arrival of
mass skiing tourism. Today, the ecological impact of the mass tourism on the hills of the Zillertal are one of the most burning issues of the valley. The
heavy traffic and the change of the villages’ structures are other side-effects of the skiing-cash-cow. By
2003, six million B&B arrangements had been sold per year. And the numbers are still increasing.
Hiking & Folk Culture in the Zillertal
In summer, the number of tourists is much lower. Hiking opportunities are great, with a network of
1,000 kilometres of paths, numerous huts and the occasional village that is not spoilt with massive hotels. To sex up the unfashionable old “hiking holiday”, the tourism boards offer
additional sport activities such as rafting, climbing, paragliding or
mountain biking. Tacky skiing resorts and après-ski nighlife will be best in
Mayrhofen, whereas the “second city” of the Zillertal, Zell am Ziller, preserved more of its rural atmosphere.
One big deal in Zell am Ziller is the “Gauderfest” town fete, supposedly celebrated since the
17th century on the first weekend in May. Some people even claim that the Gauderfest derives from
ancient pagan celebrations that marked the beginning of a new (agricultural) year.
In any case, there is a beer made upon the occasion of the Gauderfest, appropriately called “Gauderbier” and there are
sport challenges and hicks getting drunk, so if you happen to be around in early May, don’t miss out on it. When my parents toured the Zillertal in 2006, they were very pleased about the friendliness of the locals – so do not fear to mingle, hop into your
lederhosen and off you pop!
Classic Sightseeing & Nearby Attractions
In terms of sightseeing of historic buildings, the Zillertal has fairly little to offer. There is an old
steam engine train running on the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn Railroad. The church Maria Brettfall in the town of
Strass and Maria Rast near Zell am Ziller are local centres of
pilgrimage. Learn about local wildlife in the small
Tierpark zoo of Hainzenberg. There are waterfalls in Schlitters, Hart and Laimach. The
Gerlosstausee Lake has some scenic vistas to offer, and so does the panoramic road
Zillertaler Höhenstraße.
Nearby attractions include the massive
waterfalls of Krimml in
Salzburg; the National Park Hohe Tauern; the
Lake Achensee; the villages of
Rattenberg and Alpbach; and, a bit further away, the towns of
Hall and Innsbruck.
Return to "Zillertal - Part I"
Back to "Tyrol
Sightseeing Guide"
Sightseeing by Austrian Province
Bregenz and Vorarlberg -
Innsbruck and Tyrol -
Salzburg - Salzkammergut -
Graz and Styria -
Klagenfurt and Carinthia -
Wachau and Lower Austria -
Vienna - Burgenland
Further Reading
Official Website of
Tyrol
Tourism Website on the
Zillertal Valley
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