Mayrhofen: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Mayrhofen in the Zillertal is a wonderful starting point for an active holiday in the Austrian mountains. The majestic Zillertal Alps rise here, with many of them even belonging to the three-thousanders of the Alps. Here, you can expect sporting fun in every season.
Table of contents
Mayrhofen - Must-see attractions
Penken ski area
The Penken is located in the Mayrhofen / Zillertal ski area. It promises around 142 kilometers of skiing fun for every sporting ambition. The ski area offers a balanced mix of slopes with easy difficulty levels, intermediate slopes, and particularly challenging runs for the experienced. The Penkenbahn takes you directly from Mayrhofen into the ski area on the Penken. In addition to skiing fun, the winter-white Zillertal mountain landscape around the mountain is also ideal for extended winter walks and, of course, plenty of sledding fun with the whole family.
Ahorn Ski Resort
The Ahorn ski area is located at an altitude of around 2,000 meters amidst the magnificent Alpine panorama. You can easily reach it with the drag lift and the chairlift. The small but fine ski area around the Ahorn has about 14 kilometers of slopes. Most of the slopes have an easy or medium level of difficulty. This makes them ideal for an active family vacation. Tobogganing and snow hiking complement the winter sports holiday. Even more slope fun awaits you in the connected Mayrhofen/Zillertal ski area with over 140 kilometers of slopes.
Ginzling
Routes for every sporting ambition make you want to go on extended hikes with the whole family during the summer months. With the Nasenwand via ferrata, climbing enthusiasts in Ginzling get their money's worth on one of the most challenging via ferratas in the Zillertal. In the vicinity of Ginzling lies the Mayrhofen / Zillertal ski area. Its approximately 140 kilometers of slopes are distributed among easy, medium, and challenging descents. Discover the holiday region during your winter vacation also on enchanting winter hikes.
Zillergrund
From the winter sports resort of Mayrhofen in the rear Zillertal, it is 18 km to the Zillergrundsee. Only a certain number of cars are allowed to pass the toll road daily. About 4 km before the lake, the road ends for public traffic. This is where your hike begins. Swimming or water sports are not possible in the reservoir. However, the surrounding mountain world is extremely impressive. Hike around the lake and marvel at the fascinating turquoise of the water. A must is the hike to the managed alpine pasture Klein Tibet.
Panorama Tour Penken
About 5 km west of Mayrhofen, you can start your mountain bike tour on the Penken. You will pass by the Penkenjoch, among other places, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the summit. Another highlight is the Granat Chapel by Mario Botta. One of the most popular parts of a panoramic tour on the Penken is the ascent or descent from the Wangelspitze. There, a fantastic view over the Alps awaits you. Pause for a moment and enjoy the summit panorama with a small picnic.
Hintertux Glacier
The ski area Hintertux Glacier / Hintertux / Zillertal offers 60 kilometers of slopes for fast descents on skis and snowboards. The majority of the slopes correspond to an intermediate level of difficulty, complemented by some easy and some challenging slopes. Not only slope fun is on the program at the Hintertux Glacier. Discover the icy shimmering fairy-tale world in the ice cave of the Natural Ice Palace. Or take a guided glacier hike and learn a lot of exciting things about the special glacier world along the way.
Mayrhofen - Secret spots
Stilluptal Waterfall
Near Mayrhofen lies the Stilluptal Waterfall, a breathtaking natural wonder. This waterfall is unique as it originates from a glacier and plunges over 140 meters into the depths. A visit here offers a refreshing change and an unforgettable experience.
Ginzling Nature Park House
The nature park house in Ginzling is a hidden gem. Situated amidst the breathtaking Zillertal Alps, it offers fascinating insights into the local flora and fauna. Interestingly, this house also hosts an impressive collection of minerals found in the surrounding mountains. A must for nature lovers and geology enthusiasts.
Gold mining adventure in Hainzenberg
The adventure of gold mining in Hainzenberg offers an exciting insight into the history of gold extraction in Tyrol. Visitors can descend deep into the underground tunnels and learn how the valuable metal was mined in the past. This historic gold mine is just a short drive of about 10 minutes from Zell am Ziller and represents a fascinating and educational excursion.
Stillup Reservoir
The Stillup Valley, a true gem near Mayrhofen, is a paradise for nature lovers. In this idyllic valley flows the Stillup Reservoir, which collects over 80 million cubic meters of water annually. Surrounded by majestic mountains, it offers unforgettable hiking experiences and breathtaking landscapes. A must for every visitor.
Mayrhofen - In 3 days
Day 1
Start your first day in Mayrhofen with a hearty breakfast in one of the cozy cafés in the town center. Then head to the Penkenbahn, which takes you up to the Penken, one of the most famous mountains in the region. Enjoy the breathtaking views and take a hike on one of the well-marked trails. For the adventurous, there is the opportunity to try paragliding and experience the landscape from a bird's eye view. After an active morning, return to the valley and recharge with a traditional Tyrolean lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Mayrhofen adventure pool, where you can relax indoors and outdoors. For families, there are also numerous attractions such as water slides and children's pools. End the day with a leisurely stroll through the picturesque streets of Mayrhofen and enjoy dinner in one of the local inns, where you can try regional specialties like Tyrolean Gröstl or Kaiserschmarrn.
Day 2
Start your second day in Mayrhofen with a visit to the Ahorn Mountain. Take the Ahorn cable car, which conveniently brings you up the mountain. Once at the top, the Ahorn plateau awaits you with its gentle hiking trails and impressive panoramic views. The circular hiking trail, which is also suitable for families, is particularly recommended. After a morning in nature, return to the valley and enjoy a light lunch. In the afternoon, a visit to the Zillertal Nature Park House is on the agenda. Here you can learn more about the region's flora and fauna and visit interactive exhibitions. For the evening, we recommend a visit to one of the traditional inns, where you can indulge in regional delicacies. Be sure to try the Zillertal doughnuts or a hearty Brettljause. End the day with a glass of Tyrolean schnapps and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
Day 3
The last day begins with a visit to the impressive Zillertal High Road. Start with a drive along this panoramic road, which is one of the most beautiful alpine roads in Austria. Along the way, there are numerous viewpoints where you can admire the breathtaking landscape and take fantastic photos. After this scenic drive, continue to the Zillertal Dairy Experience. Take a tour of the cheese factory and learn more about traditional cheese-making. Of course, you can also taste the delicious products. For lunch, return to the valley and enjoy Tyrolean specialties. In the afternoon, visit the gold show mine in Zell am Ziller. Here, you will immerse yourself in the fascinating world of mining and learn more about the history of gold mining in the region. The tour through the tunnels is an exciting experience for young and old. To conclude your stay in Mayrhofen, end the evening in a cozy inn. Enjoy the hearty Tyrolean dishes one last time and toast with a glass of wine or beer to the wonderful experiences of the past days.
Mayrhofen - Climate
The Zillertal around Mayrhofen has a continental climate. The summer months are pleasantly warm with maximum daytime temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius, but not too hot. The warmest month is July, which is also the month with the most precipitation. With daytime temperatures around a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius in May and September and a maximum of 14 to 15 degrees Celsius in April and October, spring and autumn are also excellent for an active hiking holiday. During the ski season, the temperature averages slightly below freezing. January is the coldest snow month in Mayrhofen, with average temperatures down to minus 5 degrees Celsius.