10 Places in Tirol you simply have to visit in 2020

1. Kufstein: Snow Rose Show on Stadtberg Mountain

In early summer, pink alpine roses cover the meadows and pastures of Tirol. Autumn sees the leaves turn red, orange and brown and makes amateur photographers flock to the Ahornboden with its sycamore trees. Winter arrives with a thick layer of snow covering the landscape from valley to peak. In Tirol, every season has its own unique way of saying: “Hey, I’m here!”. In Kufstein, the arrival of spring is announced by tiny green-and-white flowers poking their way through the snow on the Stadtberg mountain. As the temperatures rise and the white blanket begins to melt, they are joined by thousands more snow roses stretching their petals towards the sun and the summits of the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. Once shy and timid, they are now bold and proud. The town has even created the Snow Rose Trail on the Stadtberg mountain with a network of walking paths. I definitely recommend the walk from the Duxeralm hut to the Berghaus Aschenbrenner, where the spring snow rose show is particularly impressive. – Jannis Braun

The first timid snow roses become….. Photo: Jannis Braun

…a proud delegation announcing the arrival of spring. Photo: Jannis Braun

2. Stumm: Fine Dining with a Vegetarian Twist

Former ultramarathon runner Peter Fankhauser took a step into the unknown in 2018 when he set up his own restaurant, Fankys Küche, in the village of Stumm. The restaurant uses 100% fresh vegetarian produce which is either homegrown on Peter’s own farm or sourced from the local region. The idea of creating a vegetarian-only restaurant may seem unusual in a region like the Zillertal Valley, where eating meat is very much part of the culture, but 25 years of working in top fine dining restaurants throughout Austria and abroad, both as a chef and as a patissier, have taught Peter that when it comes to food only one thing counts: quality. That is exactly what you will find at Fankys Küche: outstanding dishes prepared with great attention to detail using the finest seasonal ingredients. A top dining tip in Tirol for all vegetarians and non-vegetarians! – Anna Lang

Photo: Peter Fankhauser

3. Zireiner See Lake: Take the Plunge in Summer

One of my favourite places in Tirol, and one of the most beautiful spots in the region, is the Zireiner See lake in the Rofan Mountains. The lake can be reached quickly and easily using the Rofanseilbahn cable car from the shores of Lake Achensee. From the top of the cable car there is a walking route up over the Schafsteigsattel ridge and down along the Schaftsteig trail to the glistening lake. On a hot summer’s day there is no better way to cool off than with a dip in the ice-cold water. Rock stars can explore the nearby climbing area known as the “Bars of Chocolate”. The descent down to Kramsach is quite long, so I recommend stopping off at the Bayreuther Hütte for a hearty meal. The perfect end to a perfect day in the Brandenberg Alps! – Michael Walzer

Photo: Tirol Werbung / Schwarz Jens

4. Huber Bräu Brewery: Bier Tasting with a View

St. Johann in Tirol may not be as well known as its big brother, Kitzbühel, home to the rich and famous. However, this pretty little town in the east of Tirol has plenty to see – including the eye-catching 27-metre-high chimney at the Huber Bräu brewery, today run by the fourth generation of the Huber family. The beers brewed here, which have won numerous prizes, are only available in the region. The brewery has its own taproom on the first floor, where visitors can try all the many different beers, ranging from the cloudy and full-bodied “Zwickelbier” to their popular wheat beer and various strong and hoppy seasonal beers brewed throughout the year. The taproom also offers fantastic views of the Wilder Kaiser Mountains and the famous Kitzbühel Horn. Beers are served with a selection of hearty local food. The service is friendly and the portions are generous. Most of the menu is pretty meat-heavy, but there are vegetarian options such as spicy Liptauer spread, doughy cheese balls and a veggie Schnitzel. Brewery boss Günther Huber likes to keep things traditional – there are no reservations and it is cash only. – Klaus Brunner

Photo: TVB Kitzbüheler Alpen St. Johann

5. Pfeishütte Hut: Alpine Getaway in the Karwendel Mountains

After a long week at work, there’s no better feeling than leaving the stress of everyday life far behind and escaping to the mountains. One of the best places to do this is at the Pfeishütte hut (1,922m) in the Karwendel Mountains high above Innsbruck. The adventure begins with a ride up on the Nordkettenbahn hut cable cars all the way to the Hafelekar ridge (2,269m). From there, it is a mostly flat walk along the Goetheweg trail to the Pfeishütte. Those with enough time and energy can make a short diversion to the nearby Mandlspitze mountain – an absolute must for me! The views looking south over Innsbruck and the Inn Valley as well as north into the Karwendel Mountains are truly spectacular. With each step towards the hut, the worries of daily life seem to get just that little bit further away. I arrive just in time to be greeted by our hosts, Vroni and Michl, and see the sun slowly set behind the mountains. Time for a lie down in the hammock – city life down in Innsbruck seems a million miles away. – Julia Müller

Photo: Julia Müller

6. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis: Perfect Getaway for all the Family

Two years ago we spent a week in the famously family-friendly region of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis – and ever since then the kids haven’t stopped talking about it! There is so much to see, do and explore for youngsters in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis that we had no hope of trying out everything. This region in the west of Tirol is definitely a top tip for anyone holidaying on their own with children who love outdoor activities. There is a great kids’ club where you can leave children in safe hands while you enjoy a little time to yourself. Dotted throughout the mountains are many interactive highlights suitable for children of all ages. Time really does fly when you’re enjoying yourself! Price-wise, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is not one of the cheaper family-friendly regions, but visitors staying in either Serfaus, Fiss or Ladis get the Super.Summer.Card free of charge giving them access to all cable cars, the kids’ clubs, the local bus service and many great attractions free of charge. Book early to find good deals on accommodation. – Julia König

Photo: Julia König

Photo: Julia König

7. Greizer Hütte in the Zillertal Valley: Hiking with Glacier Views

For me, one of the best hikes anywhere in Tirol is up to the Greizer Hütte hut in the Zillertal Alps. This year I only got round to it quite late in the season, when the first snow had already fallen. However, the best time of year to visit the Greizer Hütte is in July or August. The hike begins in the village of Ginzling and takes around four hours. From the Tristenbachalm hut it takes around three hours. The first two thirds of the hike are pretty easy, but the final third up to the hut is steeper and more challenging. The reward for all that hard work is a majestic panorama of the Floitenkees glacier. Your hosts at the hut, Herbert and Irmi, give all guests a friendly welcome and serve deliciously hearty food such as Irmi’s famous Blaubeerschmarren, thick blueberry pancakes chopped up into bite-sized pieces and sprinkled with icing sugar. Don’t forget to also try the homemade cakes, which are made fresh every day.
It’s possible to walk up to the Greizer Hütte and back down into the valley in one day, but you will need to start early. Alternatively, you can stay the night at the hut and walk the next day to the nearby Berliner Hütte or Kasseler Hütte. The Greizer Hütte lies on the Berlin High Trail, one of Tirol’s most spectacular long-distance hiking trails. – Theresa Schuler

8. Kitzhof in Kitzbühel: Time Out in November

For me, there one month of the year just perfect for a spa break: November. Why? The heat of the summer has long faded and the next proper holiday seems ages away, so I need something to keep me going as winter slowly arrives in Tirol. My top tip for a spa getaway is the Kitzhof in Kitzbühel. Luxurious, modern and cosy, it is the ideal place to retreat for a few days and let yourself be pampered. The food is excellent and – bonus – the hotel is generally pretty quiet in November. That means you will have the spa area almost to yourself and can look forward to some great deals. The town centre of Kitzbühel is just a stone’s throw away. There are also a number of walking trails down in the valley for a relaxing stroll between treatments. Spring is also a good time of year for a visit, after the stress of Easter is over and the snow is slowly melting away. Tell friends and family – but not too many of them :-) – Eckard Speckbacher

Photo: Kitzhof

9. Leutasch: Cross-Country Skiing on a Sunny Plateau

What better way to glide into the New Year than on a pair of cross-country skis in the heart of a snowy winter wonderland? On my 2020 bucket list are definitely a few cross-country skiing sessions in Leutasch. High up on this sunny plateau overlooking the Inn Valley there are two trails in particular which I look forward to every year. One of them is the Muggenmoosrunde (A4) with its fabulous views of the Hohe Munde mountain and its easy terrain suitable for beginners and skiers who like to take it easy. The other is the route to Unterleutasch (A7, A9), which is best enjoyed a little later in the season when the temperatures are warmer. It is quite a long adventure, but intermediate and advanced cross-country skiers will really enjoy it. The trails are suitable for both the traditional Classic technique and the more modern and dynamic Skating technique. Stop off along the way at Polis Hütte for a refreshing drink and a lie down in one of the deckchairs as the warm spring sunshine warms your face and the smiling skiers whizz past, casting jealous glances at your slice of homemade cake. That’s what perfect cross-country skiing days are made of! – Martina Nairz

Photo: Martina Nairz

Photo: Martina Nairz

10. Gasthof Wegscheid: Great Cakes and Great Skiing

Last winter, my boyfriend and I decided to spend a weekend ski touring at the Neue Bamberger Hütte. After parking at the Gasthof Wegscheid, we popped in for a quick coffee and cake – and instantly fell in love with the place. Owner Friedl offers such a friendly and genuine welcome that you can’t help but smile as you settle down in the cosy surroundings and tuck into a piece of homemade cake. The toughest decision is which one to try (first!), with everything from the traditional chocolate Sachertorte to apple cake and even chestnut cake on offer. After a much longer stay than we had originally planned, we finally managed to drag ourselves away and headed up to the hut with a belly full of cake a broad smile on our faces. (By the way, the Neue Bamberger Hütte is also highly recommended.) As we bade him goodbye, Friedl said we should come back and see him again in summer, when the landscape is just as beautiful. I think we might just take him up on the offer! – Manuela Staud

View this post on Instagram Pausenjausenplatz mit Ausblick in den Kitzbüheler Alpen #skitour #winter #bestoftirol #schneeschuhwandern #hüttentouren #intirol #hüttenwandern A post shared by Die Hüttenwanderer (@huettenwanderer) on Feb 22, 2019 at 5:00am PST