New long-distance hiking and themed trails, mountain bike tours, via ferratas, family highlights, nature and cultural facilities, as well as mobility options: summer in Tirol has numerous highlights in store again in 2022.
HIKING
Arlberg Trail: long-distance hiking between Tirol and Vorarlberg
3 stages - 3 villages - 3 days: The new Arlberg Trail connects all five Arlberg resorts of Lech, Zürs, Stuben, St. Christoph and St. Anton on a circular hike amidst spectacular Alpine landscapes. Spread over three daily stages alternating between Tirol and Vorarlberg, the sporty long-distance hike comprises a total length of 50 kilometres, almost a fifth of which is covered by cable car. The remaining 40 kilometres of hiking trails encompass 6,038 metres in elevation difference along moderately difficult mountain trails. www.arlbergtrail.com
Hoch-Tirol-Trail: Cross-border long-distance hiking trail from South to East Tirol
The Hoch-Tirol Trail connects the village of Prettau in South Tirol's Ahrntal Valley with Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tirol over three stages. Hikers cross the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park in South Tirol and the Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tirol over a distance of 25 kilometres. 1,490 uphill metres and 1,000 metres in descent must be surmounted, with the Lenkjöchlhütte on the South Tirolean side and the Clara Hut in East Tirol serving as support bases. The hut approaches on both sides are much frequented hiking destinations, but the trail in-between leads through a quiet and wild area where you will hardly encounter any mountaineers. www.hochtiroltrail.at
“Marketplace Culinary Routes” in the Wilder Kaiser Region
The Wilder Kaiser region is home to numerous and diverse producers. Their selection of products is manifold and ranges from organic meat, to fine spirits, creative handicrafts and much more. In keeping with the “Marketplace Wilder Kaiser" platform, the region is now offering the new “Marketplace Culinary Routes" for the first time. You can explore these scenic routes on foot or by bike and visit “Marketplace Wilder Kaiser” associated farms. www.wilderkaiser.info
BIKE & MOUNTAIN BIKE
Ötztal: Schtirggar Line & new MTB course
The Bike Republic Sölden is expanding its range of facilities with a new line in summer 2022. With a length of 1.2 kilometres and 100 metres in elevation difference, the green "Schtirggar Line" is an easy route for beginners. The new and freely accessible Mountain Bike Skill Centre in Umhausen is also proof that Ötztal is further expanding its well-earned status as a mountain bike region. Children and beginners in every bike genre will find an extensive practice, training and fun area over an area covering 2,500 m². www.oetztal.com
Bike & Hike in Pillersee Valley
In addition to the range of trails trail offered, there are also two new mountain bike routes to explore in the Pillersee Valley from summer 2022. The Hoametzl Circuit in Hochfilzen and bike tour to the Hochhörndler Hut in Fieberbrunn are the perfect addition for bike fans. The former leads from Hochfilzen to the Hoametzl Hut over a distance of 8.5 kilometres and an altitude difference of 280 metres, whereas the sporty tour to the Hochhörndler Hut (10.8 km, 950 m in elevation gain) is also ideal as a bike & hike variant. www.pillerseetal.at
Gurgltal Trail Centre: 4.5 kilometres of trails for beginners
A new mountain bike facility is being built under the name of Trailcenter Gurgltal in the outdoor region of Imst. Construction will start at the end of March, and 4.5 kilometres of trails will be available for beginners from summer 2022. www.imst.at
Certified tours for gravel bikers in the Imst holiday region
Gravel biking, which is a hybrid mix of mountain biking and road biking, is enjoying ever-increasing popularity. Enthusiasts can ride, namely, both on and off road. From summer 2022 and for the very first time, the Imst outdoor region will offer passionate gravel bikers four certified gravel bike routes, which lead over asphalt and gravel to some of the region’s most scenic highlights. www.gravelbike.tirol
FAMILY
Spoggolino: Longest ball track in the Kitzbühel Alps
Everything revolves around fun and adventure at Alpinolino Westendorf, the alpine discovery park on the Talkaser adventure grounds (1,770 m) in Westendorf. The "Spoggolino" ball track will be extended by summer 2022, making it the longest ball track in the Kitzbühel Alps. www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com
Hexenwasser Söll: New “Eilight“ chicken egg museum
Little adventurers can look forward to a brand-new highlight at Simonalm at Hexenwasser Söll in summer 2022. Visitors of every age will learn all about the secrets of the chicken egg at the “Eilight” chicken egg museum: What came first - the chicken or the egg? There’s so many “egg”citing things to discover! www.hexenwasser.at
„Gschnitzy & Gossy“: New themed trail in the Wipptal Valley
The two water drops, “Gschnitzy and Gossy” reveal exciting stories and interesting facts about water along the new Gschnitztal Water Trail, along which young explorers follow drop-shaped signs from Steinach or Trins along the Gschnitzbach stream into the valley to Gasthof Feuerstein. The trail will officially open in May 2022 www.wipptal.at
NATURE
Karwendel Nature Park: New wildlife observation station
A new wildlife observation station will be located near the recently renovated Hinterhornalm from summer 2022. It will provide the opportunity to observe Karwendel Nature Park’s resident animals - such as chamois, marmots or golden eagles - in their natural habitat. www.karwendel.org
CULTURE
TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum: Reopening with a wider range of attractions
The TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum on the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road was destroyed by fire in early 2021. After being rebuilt in record time, Europe's highest motorbike museum has now reopened after only a few months - larger, more informative and more eventful than before. Exciting motor stories, historic racing machines and a varied programme await visitors at 2,175 metres above sea level. www.crosspoint.tirol
Gurgl Carat: New congress and event centre in Obergurgl
The new Gurgl Carat congress and event centre is located in the centre of Obergurgl. Its unusual architecture in the shape of a diamond, modern technology and flexible room concept invite you to meetings of the highest calibre and with the most modern standards. Conferences, meetings, workshops, concerts, art exhibitions and more, with the capacity to accommodate up to 500 attendees are to take place at Gurgl Carat in future. The facility is operated by the University of Innsbruck and Sölden Municipality, together with Ötztal Tourist Association. www.gurgl-carat.com
MOBILITY
Ötztal: Improved public transport & car e-charging structure
In order to further promote the use of public transport, buses in the Ötztal now run every half hour, seven days a week. Not only is the connection to the ÖBB (Austrian Rail) network at Ötztal Bahnhof significantly improved by the more frequent bus services, but all buses on all routes are now equipped with new, modern and easy-to-load bike trailers, the use of which is free of charge. Modern luggage trailers on Ötztal public bus services also enable comfortable transport. The car e-charging infrastructure has also been expanded: 17 locations with super-fast and regular charging systems will be available in future between Ötztal railway station and Sölden/Zwieselstein. www.oetztal.com
Alpbachtal Tourist Board Reintalersee in Kramsach becomes a barrier-free experience
The ground-breaking ceremony for the "barrier-free Reintalersee" project in the Alpbachtal region took place just recently. In addition to a path that will be made accessible for families with prams and people with physical disabilities, rest areas and disabled-friendly access to the lake are also planned. People with disabilities will also benefit from an exercise park with therapeutic stations. The activity park will also have a number of areas for children with limited mobility - including a barrier-free wheelchair swing, weight-training stations and a carousel for wheelchair users. www.alpbachtal.at
CLIMBING
Hall-Wattens: New via ferrata at Glungezer
The via ferrata on the Glungezer has been completely renovated and significantly extended by the Hall in Tirol Alpine Association. The via ferrata, which will be accessible from June 2022, is also suitable for beginners and offers a magnificent panorama over the Inn Valley and surrounding mountains. The easy via ferrata leads above the Zirbensee Lake to the Glungezer Hut and has been equipped with exciting stations based on the legend of "The Giant of Glungezer". www.hall-wattens.at
Wipptal: New multi-pitch routes at Stafflacher Wand
The climbing area on the sunny Stafflacher Wand has been extended by several multi-pitch routes in the mountaineering village of St. Jodok in the Wipptal Valley. From summer 2022, climbers can look forward to five multi-pitches in difficulty levels of 3 to 7 and up to eleven pitches per route. www.wipptal.at
