10 Places in Tirol you simply have to visit in 2021

1. The Perfect Place to Stay for a While: Frischmannhütte Hut

A sigh breaks the silence. “Can’t we just stay here?” my dad asks. Just south of the Wenderkogel mountain, I’m sitting on a rock with my parents. This is our first stop today. However, it’s not the first and definitely not the last place where we are going to stay for a while. Our first stop will be in Köfels – a Viller high above Ötztal Valley. A church, an old restaurant, a little row of houses, more animals than humans – picture-perfect – even the clock decided to stop here!

After reaching the Schartle mountain, I hear my dad asking the question of the day. “No, we have to continue for a little bit longer,” I answer. The prospect of further amazing spots for a break keeps us going. However, we don’t get very far. A wooden bench next to the Waalweg path in the upper part of Fundustal Valley is too tempting. We cannot resist and take a short break. The summits of the Geigenkamm ridge reach high up into the sky. Alpine roses are blossoming around us. We can hear the Waal river close by. This is so difficult – there are too many tempting spots for a break. At some point though, the call of the Frischmannhütte Alpine hut on the other side of the valley becomes irresistible. After a meal, I’m drawn to the Fundusfeiler peak. “You go ahead. We’re enjoying this terrace so much, we’ll just stay here,” my parents confess.
I’ve reached the top and am now over 3000m above sea level. I would like to stay up here for longer – here on this peak enjoying each and every elevation of the gigantic scenery. But there’s still the climb back down…

My parents have already started hiking back down but got stuck at the Hintere Fundusalm Alpine hut. The delicious “Knödelsuppe”– a typical Tirolean soup with dumplings – is already on the table. That’s a warm welcome! “A place to you don’t want to leave,” my mum states.
We catch the last rays of the sun of the day. And then we continue our hike. A short sigh just before arriving back to the car: “It’s just so amazing where you live. How about we just stay here for a while?” My parents last day of their annual holiday in Tirol is slowly coming to an end … – Jannis Braun

The Frischmannhütte hut. Photo: Jannis Braun

2. Winter Hike to the Brunschkopf Peak

A winter hike is probably not the first thing you think of when you hear Olympiaregion Seefeld. However, apart from the famous cross-country ski track, a day on the well-prepared and wide winter hiking trails is the perfect way to explore the high plateau of Seefeld from a completely different side. The crunchy snow, the fresh and clear air as well as the sparkling snow cover are amazing. I’m definitely going to lace my shoes for a hike through the beautifully deserted Fludertal Valley. The hike starts at the village centre Weidach in Leutasch. The path then leads to the idyllic nature preserve Wildmoos, where you can watch sporty cross country skiers. For those who want to continue a bit further: you can easily hike to the Brunschkopf peak. I highly recommend this extra round, as you can enjoy the marvellous 360-degree view of the whole region’s natural setting. A feeling of happiness is included in this hike! On your way back, you could stop at the Wildmoosalm hut or Lottenseehütte hut for a warm drink or some delicious food. Special tip: This trail is also part of a multi-day winter hike trail during which you can explore the whole region on foot – you’ll even stay overnight in a mountain hut! – Martina Nairz

View from the Brunschkopf peak down on to Seefeld. Photo: Olympiaregion Seefeld /Stefan Wolf

3. Hotel Seebichl: Time to Recharge your Batteries

Seebichl is a small hotel at Schwarzsee Lake in Kitzbühel with a radically regional restaurant. Utmost importance is attached to the regional idea, which has lead to quite an independent cooking culture. Transit has been reduced to a minimum: the milk is from the farmer next door, edible wild herbs from the forest and meadows, and even the rice is from Austria. The ingredients which the chef uses have not collected any frequent flier miles. Instead, the chef has done lots of research and has experimented in other cultural areas. The result: creative dishes prepared with modern as well as some old, traditional methods. You’ll search in vain for Champagne, which is usually easy to find in the Kitzbühel area, on this restaurant menu. At this hotel in Seebichl, they only offer Austrian wine on their menu and the small local producers are also given a forum for their highly innovative products. For example, Vermouth from Schwarzer from Lienz in East Tirol. (Just a side note: this place has also started the production of a bitter similar to Aperol.)
Home-made, regional, cooking from scratch – not the easiest way and sometimes quite complicated but the team from Seebichl remains faithful to its philosophy and lives it day after day. Are you already looking forward to visiting this place? – Anna Lang

Hotel Seebichl at Schwarzsee Lake in Kitzbühel: a secret spot to take a break from everyday life.

Regionality is a top priority here. Photos: Hotel Seebichl

4. Mysterious: The Secret of the King of Steinberg

For 2021, I would like to highly recommend something to you which impressed us during the summer of 2020: fighting against the King of Steinberg. No worries, you don’t need any weapons for this adventure – just a little bit of logical reasoning, sharp eyes, skillfulness, and good teamwork within your family. Why? Because whoever solves certain words of command wins the game – and this is only possible if everyone works together. The quiz stops are located at eight venues in the Pillerseetal Valley – each and every stop is worth a day excursion. This way, you won’t only discover some parts of the region, but you can also experience many exciting things: rope course (the floor is lava!), alpine coaster, SUP, roller coaster, whitewater rafting or some time at the idyllic moor lake to conclude the evening – all these excursion destinations have a lot to offer. The best thing about it: the mysteries do not have to be solved all at once. You could also spread the fun activities and the fight against the King of Steinberg out over the whole summer. At the end of the summer, you can then look forward to an amazing prize (and many relaxing and exciting hours). We highly recommend this adventure. P. S. If you decide to solve all the mysteries in one piece and to stay at Pillerseetal Valley for a whole week, you should buy the Pillersee.Card: all the excursions are included with this card. – Julia König with her kids

Photo: Julia König

5. Lizumer Hut: an Island of Bliss in the Mountains

The year 2020 didn’t spare my holiday plans either. So instead of driving along Portuguese coastal roads, it was time to explore the Tirolean mountain trails. I have to admit: rearranging our holiday plans was not that bad. My faithful mountain companion was excited and we started to forge out a plan for our adventure. As I refused to book a sleeping place in a hut two months in advance, the selection was quite limited just two weeks before starting our hike. But we were lucky because the Lizumer hut along our route from Navis in Wipptal Valley to the Schlegeis Reservoir right at the back of the Zillertal Valley still had a room left for us. Although the marmots were observing us critically and it was pouring it down, the Lizumer hut seemed like an island of bliss in the middle of the restricted military zone of Wattener Lizum at the end of our first hiking day.

We were welcomed with calm energy – it was the first time during this difficult year that there was no trace of hustle and bustle, nor stress or Corona. The hut has been renovated and when you stand in the washroom or toilet – which seem like modern bathrooms – you nearly forget that you are at 2,019 metres above sea level. A special highlight for me as a climbing fan: an inside and outside boulder wall! After a long mountain hike, you can hang on the boulder wall for a while. The food was delicious, as well as the Schnaps. The two managers definitely know how to run the show – or better said the Alpine Association hut. All I can say “Keep it up and see you next summer!”. One thing I’ll remember for the future: this kind of holiday is definitely more than just a Plan B. – Julia Müller

Lizumer Hütte. Photo: Julia Müller

6. Discovery: Hinterhornbach

The most remarkable discovery of my adventures last summer in Tirol was Hinterhornbach. This little side valley of Lechtal Valley is often overlooked, although it is neither in a remote location nor difficult to reach. There are only a few houses in the valley, there is no village centre and there are not shops – but you don’t need any of that around here. There are two amazing guest houses for overnight stays and delicious food – so besides the landscape also enough other reasons to spend some days around here. For a start: the guest house Adler, which I got to know a few years ago. The food is delicious, and meanwhile, the rooms have also been renovated and look amazing. Then there is the highlight of this year: the guest house Hochvogel, named after the distinctive mountain in the valley. The view from here is phenomenal, the food is exquisite. I don’t need a magnificent wellness programme thanks to this lookout. This is exactly how I imagine a place of longing – you can take in the surrounding and do not need any entertainment at all. Simply wonderful! – Eckard Speckbacher

Guest house Adler. Photo: Eckard Speckbacher.

7. Obernberger Lake: the Caribbean of Tirol

Yellow, blue, turquoise, and green. Autumn hikes at Obernberger Lake are breathtaking, as nature shows off its colourful power once again. The hike leads through the wildly romantic nature reserve of Obernberg Valley. Nature lovers will be fascinated by the Obernberger Lake at around 1,600 metres above sea level – it’s the perfect place to wind down and recharge your batteries.
The hike starts at the parking Waldesruh, located at the end of the Obernberg Valley. The hiking trail takes a left turn after the guest house Waldesruh. Follow the trail and walk through the Obernberg Valley. Past the Obereinsalm Alpine hut all the way to the shores of the lake. Now, after a partially steep hike up, it’s time to take a deep breath and enjoy the view on to the lake. While walking around the lake, you can enjoy the deep-blue water, the romantic chapel Maria, the massive Tribulaun mountain, and the wooden bridge leading over the lake. After your walk around the lake, you can take the same trail back to the start. – Pia Nickl

Photo: Pia Nickl

8. Climbing at Reintalersee Lake

Last year, I learned to appreciate the beautiful places around me even more. One place I probably visited the most was Reintalersee Lake by Kramsach. This beautiful spot in Tirol is not only great for swimming and sunbathing but also for a little bit of action – if you are looking for an adventure, you should try out the via ferrata at Reintalersee Lake. The view from the top is sensational and beyond comparison.

The entry point to the via ferrata is not too far, you just have to pass a short quite steep part in the wall. Immediately before the wall, you can turn right and walk to a waterfall – you should definitely visit it! The via ferrata is very interesting and has a sports climbing variant with difficulty “E” for experienced climbers. You should plan around one hour for the via ferrata. There is also a spot where you can take a break and enjoy the view. This via ferrata with a degree of difficulty “C/D” is not for beginners. However, it is a rewarding tour for more experienced climbers! The best about it: after finishing the climbing tour, you can enjoy the rest of the day at the lake. If you still have enough energy left, you can take a walk to Berglsteinersee Lake, which is definitely worth a visit.

Tip: Directly at the lake there are two restaurants which offer delicious fish! The perfect meal after a sports programme! – Denise Krug

The view from the top of the via ferrata down on to Reintalersee Lake.

Reintalersee Lake in the background. Photos: Denise Krug

9. Full-moon Sledging in Inneralpach Valley

Full Moon Parties – that’s yesterday’s news. Nowadays, full moon sledging is fashionable. If you have the chance, you should definitely walk up this four-kilometre track to the Faulbaumgartenalm hut during a clear full moon night. We have got a headlamp with us, but on this clear night, we could have made it without it. The reflection of the moonlight in the snow is extremely strong sometimes. The starting point is the small parking area “Luegergraben” from where you have to walk for about 1.5 hours. First, you will walk through the forest and then you’ll arrive at a spot with an amazing view on to the mountains of the head of the valley. The Faulbaumgartenalm hut is about 300 years old and quite rustic. The hut, however, already closes in the late afternoon. You have to make a decision: Either you can enjoy a full moon sledging adventure or the food at the hut. There are a few fast-paced spots on the way back down on your sledge, but otherwise, the downhill journey back to Inneralpbach is quite calm. For kids, it is also an adventure they’ll never forget. – Klaus Brunner

Klaus‘ tip: sledging in Inneralpbach.

10. Thierbach: a Little Gem in Wildschönau

The village Thierbach is a little gem just a stone’s throw from the busy Inntal Valley. It’s a place where time seems to stand still and where you can recharge your batteries for the hectic life back in the valley. There’s more than one way that leads to Thierbach. I usually choose to go by bike from Kundl, taking the so-called  “Saulaug” to the sleepy little village. Then I stop for a bite to eat at the Sollererwirt restaurant, where they offer traditional Tirolean food in an over 300-year old dining room – the “Speckbacherstube” – or on the sunny terrace. However, the food attracts guests to this little village, and the whole atmosphere is inviting. I am sure you’ll enjoy strolling around here. Definitely a place on my bucket list at least once per year. – Michael Walzer