Winter in Tirol begins with bells, banging and bizarre beings roaming the streets. Every year at the start of December, the devilish “Krampus” strikes fear into the heart of children. This centuries-old tradition is today more popular than ever.

What do murders, apples and bicycles have in common? The answer can be found in October, the all-rounder month. The Tirol Crime Fiction Festival brings together the stars of the crime writing scene, while harvest festivals taking place across the region give both visitors and locals alike the chance to sample some of the finest produce from Tirol. After all that hearty food, it is high time for a little outdoor activity – and the mild month of October provides the perfect conditions to enjoy some late-season sport before winter arrives.

Planning a backpacking trip through Tirol, or simply on the hunt for inexpensive accommodation for your holiday? Maybe you just prefer the more relaxed atmosphere of hostels? The following article contains a list of hostels for your next low-budget holiday in Tirol.

Forest trails, riverside paths, mud fireroads – Tirol is home to a wide range of terrain. Until now, visitors wishing to explore the region on two wheels needed several different bikes to do so. Now, however, gravel bikes have changed the game. With their wide tyres and light roadbike frame, they are fun to ride on the tarmac and the trails. We set out to discover what a gravel bike is capable of. Three days, minimal luggage and 200 kilometres of riding. Let's go!

The mountain biking season is finally here! As with every other sport, it is important to prepare your body for the stresses and strains specific to mountain biking. As well as good overall cardiovascular fitness, riders need strong legs to push the pedals uphill as well as a strong upper body to deal with tricky descents and keep control of the bike through tight corners.Roland Luchner, coach at the Innsbruck Olympic Centre shows you five exercises to get you fit for mountain biking. Let’s get started!

Tirol’s huts offer all the necessities; however, we want to point out that a mountain cabin is not a hotel— instead, these are places that encourage hikers to slow down, to interact and to leave no trace.

Tiroleans mark the longest day of the year by lighting fires in the mountains. One of the areas with the most spectacular summer solstice celebrations can be found at the Zugspitze mountain. The tradition of summer solstice fires dates back many centuries and is today included on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List.

Our author used to love hiking, but since an accident she has had a fear of the mountains. Now she's keen to get back on the trails – and rediscover part of her old self.

To help you cool down this summer, I have put together a list of 12 perfectly chill places to swim around in with a little help from my friends and colleagues. So take a deep, deep breath, and swim up to our mountain swimming spots power rankings:

Outdoor activities, thumping techno and mountain biking – here in Tirol the month of June is both action-packed and easy-going. Highlights range from the legendary Heart of Noise Festival to guided walks in the rose-rich meadows of the Wilder Kaiser Mountains.