Discover the peaks and peace of St Johann in Tirol
With two mountain ranges and beautiful scenery, hike and bike your way around this serene area of Austrian Tirol on an active summer break
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Your support makes all the difference.Encasing a total of four villages, two mountain ranges and more natural wonders than you can count, St Johann in Tirol definitely packs in more than its fair share of beauty. In this peaceful corner of Austrian Tirol, tucked in between the peaks of Kitzbüheler Horn and Wilder Kaiser, are some of Austria’s most entrancing landscapes.
Hiking heaven
Enjoy the 200km of hiking trails that wind from Kitzbüheler Horn to Wilder Kaiser. As you hike past waterfalls, mountain lakes and green Alpine meadows, make time to explore Griessbach Gorge in Erpfendorf. Cool off by dipping your toes in the water before carrying on along the wooden footpaths and on the swing bridges.
At the foot of Wilder Kaiser, take in the heady summertime scents of the Kaiserbachtal nature conservation area as you explore its forested paths. If you need more inspiration, join one of the regular guided walks and themed tours on offer.
Two-wheeled fun
With more than 200km of biking trails to discover, St Johann in Tirol will get cyclists of every level in the saddle. Take a leisurely ride through the valley and stop in the pretty villages of St Johann, Kirchdorf, Oberndorf and Erpfendorf.
For something more challenging, tackle steep ascents and descents on a mountain bike. You’ll be in the biggest e-bike region in the world, so if you want to try an electric bike, you won’t run out of battery-charging stations and hire points. Come from 18-25 August and catch the Cycling World Cup, when more than 3,000 cyclists join this exciting 40km race.
Food for thought
While you’re hiking or biking through the mountains, you won’t go hungry when you stop for lunch at an inviting Alpine hut.
Dine on hearty Tirolean dishes in cosy surroundings before heading back to the hills. Work up an appetite on 22 September to catch the mouthwatering spectacle of St Johann in Tirol’s dumpling festival – and feast your eyes on the world’s longest dumpling table.
Pick up a St Johann in Tirol Card and take advantage of free public transport and activities as well as discounts.
My St Johann in Tirol
Anton Baldauf, organic farmer and St Johann in Tirol market-stall holder
“I have always loved gardening. Even when travelling I enjoy working with vegetables and seeing how people in other parts of the world grow theirs. Now, thanks to YouTube, I can show other people how I grow my vegetables here in Tirol. I’m a bit of a sucker for crazy ideas – if I like the look of something, then I will definitely have a go at it.”
With daily scheduled flights to Innsbruck from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, as well as services from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool, it’s easy to discover the Austrian Tirol. See kitzalps.cc/en, visittirol.co.uk and love.tirol #loveTirol, @visitTirol