Mountain bike trails, themed hiking paths & dragons – what’s new in Tirol in summer 2021?

Last updated on 15.04.2021

Guests visiting Tirol in summer 2021 can look forward to many new highlights. Investments have been made above all in expanding the region’s network of hiking paths and mountain bike trails, but there are also several new family-friendly attractions waiting to be discovered. Here is an overview of the best new things to see, do and explore in Tirol this summer.

Family-friendly attractions
From long-distance hiking paths with interactive stations for children to adventures into the alpine world of the majestic ibex, these attractions make family holidays in Tirol special.

KAT Walk Family – Tirol’s first long-distance hiking path for families
The KAT Walk Family in the Kitzbühel Alps is the first long-distance hiking route in Tirol which has been made specifically with families in mind. Packed full of interactive stations, the trail leads 76 kilometres through the mountains in five stages. The special features for children are integrated into the trail and range from visiting a petting zoo to rock climbing and swimming in an old quarry. There is also the option of shortening each stage by taking the bus or cable car, making the walk suitable even for young children. Luggage is transported from accommodation to accommodation.

The Drachental family experience: new amusement park in the Wildschönau region
As visitors approach this brand new outdoor adventure park in the Wildschönau region they are greeted by a ten-metre-high dragon! The centrepiece of the Drachental Park is the spectacular alpine coaster, a single-seater rollercoaster with many corners and bridges inviting guests to whizz down the mountain into the valley. Further highlights include a natural lake with rafts, balancing beams and wobbly platforms as well as a dragon-themed marble run and a skills course where adults and children alike can test their balance and dexterity. There are also plans for children’s mountain bike trails, a go-kart track and a diving tower from which daredevils can jump directly into a giant airbag.

Detective Trail in St. Anton am Arlberg
Budding snoopers of all ages should head to St. Anton am Arlberg this summer to try out the new Detective Trail. Set to open in summer 2021, it comprises 14 stations leading through the village and offers lots of fun for all the family.

Smuggling Trail in Kaiserwinkl
The Klobenstein gorge in the Kaiserwinkl region is considered a legendary gateway to the Alps and was used in centuries past as a smuggling trail. Now this cross-border canyon, which connects Tirol and Bavaria, is accessible to families via an eight-kilometre-long interactive hiking trail from Kössen via Klobenstein to Ettenhausen. Numerous themed stations invite kids and their parents to follow in the footsteps of smugglers using a mobile phone app. Can you manage to collect enough points to smuggle your goods across the border without being caught?

Ibex Centre in the Pitztal Valley
The Pitztal Valley has a long and intimate relationship with the alpine ibex. It was here that 65 years ago these impressive animals were successfully reintroduced to Tirol. Today the valley is home to the largest ibex population in the Eastern Alps. The Ibex Centre in St. Leonhard, which opened in 2020, is a wheelchair-accessible information centre dedicated to the ibex. It has an interactive exhibition, available in German and English, and a wildlife enclosure with marmots and ibexes. The centre’s eye-catching architecture is a highlight in its own right. Constructed in the shape of a five-sided mountain using Corten steel and reddish concrete, the building reflects the landscape. For Ernst Partl, managing director of the St. Leonhard Ibex Centre, this is just the first step in a larger regional plan focusing on identity, sustainability and slow tourism. “Other long-term focuses will also be on environmental education and research cooperation to achieve sustainable management of the ibex population.”

Walking, hiking and rock climbing
Walkers, hikers and rock climbers can look forward to exciting new routes in Tirol’s mountains this summer.

Interactive Castle Trail in the TirolWest holiday region
Five fortresses, 50 kilometres, one digital guide – the new Castle Trail in the TirolWest holiday region invites walkers to discover the landscape between five iconic castles: Landeck Castle, the Kronburg and Schrofenstein ruins, Wiesberg Castle and Biedenegg Castle.

The Farms Trail in East Tirol
A special hiking trail is set to open in East Tirol in summer 2021. The 30-kilometre-long Farms Trail leads through the charming landscape of the Gailtal Valley and the Lesachtal Valley. The trail always stays close to the valley floor, crossing meadows and larch forests via ancient paths connecting the region’s farmsteads. Staging points are Kartitsch, Obertilliach and Untertilliach. En route hikers can visit farmers and learn about sustainable farming in harmony with nature.

Rock climbing with a view in Seefeld
In mid-June 2021 a new panoramic via ferrata climbing route will open on the Seefelder Spitze mountain in Seefeld. Scaling 260 vertical metres and measuring just under 500 metres from start to finish, it is rated C/D (difficult) and is a real challenge even for experienced climbers.

Virtual tour of Hall’s historic oldtown
Stroll through the winding alleys of Hall’s oldtown, marvel at historical finds in the Archaeology Museum, take a look at the Milser Tor gate or admire the Josef Chapel – all this is possible on a virtual tour of Hall in Tirol. Visit www.hall360.tirol to enjoy the tour with its eleven stops from the comfort of your own home.

Cycling and mountain biking
Tirol is becoming increasingly popular with cyclists thanks to its spectacular landscape, modern infrastructure and combination of offroad trails and smooth roads. Many regions have invested in new highlights for summer 2021.

New attractions for bikers and foodies in PillerseeTal
Fieberbrunn and PillerseeTal are expanding their biking offer with the “Bike Area Streuböden” and new rides for e-bikers. Between the middle and valley station of the Streuböden gondola bike enthusiasts can look forward to the new four-kilometre-long Schweinestberg Trail. Also suitable for beginners is the Easy Park Obingleiten with two lines and a pump track where you can perfect your bike-handling skills on the numerous hairpin bends.

Foodies will enjoy the culinary e-bike ride. Every Tuesday a guide takes you on a tour of the best KochArt restaurants in the region. Each ride visits two restaurants – one for the starter and the main course, one for the dessert!

New bike park on the Katzenkopf mountain in Leutasch
On the Katzenkopf mountain in Leutasch there is a new, family and beginner-friendly bike park with three different singletrack trails, an uphill trail as well as a pump track and large practice area. This park, which will open in time for the 2021 summer season, also features a bike school, a bike rental shop, a bike workshop and a bike wash.

The Olm Volle Line: following in the footsteps of world champion Laura Stigger
Laura Stigger from the Ötztal Valley, a multiple world champion in cross-country mountain biking and road cycling, asked the people in charge at the BikeRepublicSölden for a challenging trail to train on – and that’s precisely what she got! The OLM VOLLE LINE, a technically very challenging 1.5-kilometre-long loop through steep terrain, will open in 2021. Designed by trail-building icon Glen Jacobs, this route is a real challenge even for advanced and expert riders.

One card, countless activities
Guest cards give visitors to Tirol access to all the best attractions and activities in the region.

Ticket to ride in the Ötztal Valley this summer
With the Ötztal Inside Summer Card the region offers visitors to the Ötztal Valley free access to 12 cable cars and lifts throughout the valley as well as free admission to swimming pools, lakes, museums and lots more great attractions. The card even includes the Aqua Dome spa and the Area 47 outdoor adventure park.

Outdoor adventures in the Imst region
The Imst region is also launching its own guest card providing access to many attractions. The Outdoor Community Card give holders the chance to experience a variety of adventures – from bungy jumping and tandem paragliding to via ferrata climbing and the sunrise hikes – at special reduced rates.

First summer season for the new Salvistabahn cable car in Itter
From summer 2021, hikers have the option of taking a cable car up to the top of the Kleine Salve mountain thanks to the new Salvistabahn, which recently replaced the old four-seater gondola. The Salvistabahn is also part of the Bergbahn-Erlebnis-Card Summer 2021. With this card guests can use all 15 lifts plus 7 BergErlebnisWelten adventure areas in the region. The card also gives holders access to the  KaiserJet hiking bus as well as discounts at 30 bonus partners in the region.

Staying safe on holiday in Tirol. For an overview of the current Covid-19 rules and restrictions in the region please visit www.willkommen.tirol.