ZILLERTAL TOPIC SUGGESTIONS SUMMER 2017

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1 Voluntary work in the Zillertal Alps high mountain nature park The Zillertal Alps high mountain nature park is dedicated to the protection of the natural habitats of plants and animals. It enables people to get involved with several projects and make a voluntary commitment to nature. Topic service: want to make an active contribution to natural protection or support the volunteers work through editorial articles and photographs? We will gladly assist you with the research. Hiking experiences in the Zillertal Alps high mountain nature park Austria s nature park of the year 2015 The Zillertal Alps high mountain nature park spans almost 380 square kilometres at an altitude of between 1,000 metres at the mountaineering village of Ginzling and 3,509 metres atop Zillertal s highest mountain, the Hochfeiler. All Alpine altitudinal zones are found in the nature park, which is characterised by an extraordinarily rich biodiversity. Hiking among this unique flora and fauna is a genuine natural experience and one which is further supported and enhanced by exhibitions down in the valley such as the Gletscher.Welten ( Glacier worlds ) in the Ginzling nature park or the Steinbock.Welten ( Ibex worlds ) in Zillergrund. Topic service: get to know the Zillertal Alps high mountain nature park the summer programme offers 230 guided hikes based on over 30 different topics! HIKING IN ZILLERTAL Over 1,400 kilometres of hiking trails on three levels await hikers in Zillertal, one of the most popular hiking destinations in the world. From long-distance trails to recreational hikes, Zillertal covers all facets of this muchloved summer activity. LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS For everybody: the Alpine Crossing The Alpine Crossing is a seven-day hiking route from Lake Tegernsee past Lake Achensee and Zillertal to Sterzing. Three of the stages also present hikers with the diverse beauty of Zillertal in all its splendour from historic mountain villages to the Schlegeis reservoir. This long-distance hiking trail takes the hikers straight through Zillertal from Fügen to Mayrhofen and on to the Pfitscherjoch mountain pass. Topic service: press trip The Alpine Crossing three countries, four unique regions (01 to 02 June 2017) or interview with initiator Georg Pawlata. For those looking for a challenge: the Berlin High Trail The Berlin High Trail, also known as the Lap of Zillertal, passes through the heart of the Zillertal Alps high mountain nature park from the Gamshütte to the Karl-von-Edel-Hütte, two traditional mountain huts. Alpine hikers are awaited by impressive panoramas of the glaciated high mountain world as well as glorious views of the natural beauty of this high Alpine landscape with summits like the Hochfeiler (3,509 m) and the Großer Möseler (3,478 m). Topic service: the classic high Alpine hike we will gladly assist you with a research trip on your request.

2 For mountain enthusiasts: the Peter Habeler Route Alpine professor Peter Habeler has had close ties with the Zillertal Alps ever since his childhood. The famous mountaineer from Mayrhofen has conquered five eight-thousanders, including as the first person to climb Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen (a feat accomplished together with Reinhold Messner). However, he still considers the very best summits to be those in his home region of Zillertal. And so, his name was given to the Peter Habeler Route, a 56-kilometre Alpine trail around Mayrhofen with a summit tour of the western Zillertal Alps. Topic service: take part in a guided hike with Peter Habeler we will gladly assist you with the organisation. RECREATIONAL AND THEMED HIKES Herb hike: explore mountain pastures with the herb witch On her hike near Hippach, the herb witch Erika Sporer leads the way through the meadows alongside the Ziller River offering interesting and long-forgotten information about the indigenous medicinal and cooking herbs. Whether comfrey for healing wounds and reducing inflammation or yarrow for supporting the digestive organs and alleviating women s troubles the experienced herbalist knows every herb and its medicinal properties! Topic service: Erika Sporer will gladly take you on a hike and reveal the many secrets she knows about herbs we will gladly help you to organise your research trip. Romantic hike in the side valleys Whether the Schwarzachtal, Wimmertal, Schönachtal or Wildgerlostal, the Gerlostal s wild and romantic side valleys have a particular draw. They wind their way past spectacular nature and babbling brooks, which provide blissful refreshment in the summer. Furthermore, every one of the valleys offers a cosy Alpine hut with refreshments after about an hour s walk. And at the end of your hike, the Durlaßboden reservoir invites you to enjoy the water with a swim, a ride on a pedalo or simply by relaxing beside it. The perfect place for families! Topic service: visit the Gerlostal s side valleys we will gladly help you to organise your trip. Sunrise hike to the Torseen Lakes a hotspot for photographers! Located in the Tuxertal Valley over 2,000 metres above sea level, the Torseen Lakes are easily accessible and offer a magnificent view of the Alpine Divide. Romantics and photographers arrive in time for sunrise when, from June to September, cotton grass with its cotton-wool-like white tufts flowers along the water s edge, providing unique motifs for photos. Topic service: experience the sunrise by the Torseen Lakes we will gladly assist you with your research.

3 BIKING IN ZILLERTAL Whether mountain bikers, e-bikers, road bikers or families: Zillertal s impressive natural backdrops and optimally developed network of routes and trails provide fun and excitement for any cyclist. Over 1,200 kilometres of well-kept cycling and mountain biking routes invite you to experience the unmistakeable mountain landscape of Zillertal from the saddle. Freeriders can enjoy demanding single trails while marathon riders can put themselves to the test with the Zillertal Bike Challenge. A bike trail for everybody For years, freeride mountain bikers have enjoyed spectacular five-kilometrelong downhill trail in the Zillertal Arena. In the 2015 summer season, even more single trails opened in Gerlos. These are harmoniously integrated into the landscape and can have their difficulty varied through the use of North-Shore elements such as jumps, berms and wave runs made from wood, soil or stone. Topic service: from gently flowing bumps and corners to rough and steep corridors test Zillertal s single trails for yourself. E-mountain bike culinary tours E-mountain bike rides in Zillertal bring smiles to the faces of recreational cyclists, nature lovers and culinary connoisseurs. On the latest mountain bikes with an electric motor, they pedal their way to the Zillertal huts with a helpful tailwind to enjoy Zillertal culinary delights or speciality coffees with home-made desserts and reach summits that they otherwise might not be fit enough to climb. Topic service: test the Zillertal e-bike network: over ten providers offer ultramodern Centurion e-mountain bikes. 9th Zillertal Bike Challenge From 30 June to 02 July 2017, the international mountain biking scene will once again meet in Zillertal. Cyclists of all ages and abilities will head to the start line of the 9th Zillertal Bike Challenge. With multiple age classes and courses tailored to the race categories, the three-day stage race is an unforgettable experience for even amateur bikers and beginners. Topic service: are you marathon fit? Then take part in the Zillertal Bike Challenge or come along as a spectator and report straight from Europe s only finish line on a glacier! Dream trails for trekking bikes The valley floor bike trails are ideal for family and leisurely rides. The Zillertal cycle route is particularly suitable for families who want to explore the sunny valley along the banks of the Ziller River at their own leisure. The wide, wellkept trail extends for almost 31 kilometres from Strass to Mayrhofen with barely an undulation in sight. Topic service: test the Zillertal bike trails we will gladly assist you with your research trip.

4 FOOD AND DRINK IN ZILLERTAL Healthy local herbs, hearty home-cooked treats and exquisite cuisine Zillertal impresses its guest with extraordinary culinary diversity. The authentic cuisine with regional, natural products reveals the traditions and culture of the people of Zillertal, who are famous for being passionate about hospitality. Enjoyment on the mountains and in the valley Over 150 huts and mountain restaurants treat guests in Zillertal to culinary delights made from regional products. The hut owners offer original Zillertal specialities made using age-old recipes passed down over generations such as hearty Brettljausen platters with Zillertal hay milk cheese, traditionally baked bread or self-smoked bacon. In the numerous restaurants in the valley, the young Zillertal gastronomy sector has taken on the challenge of reinterpreting traditional Zillertal dishes and presenting them in new and contemporary ways. Topic service: enjoy the versatile Zillertal gastronomy we will gladly assist you with your research trip. Culinary delights at 2,000 metres in the Stoankasern: Austria s highest cheese dairy Climb to the peak of culinary delight. Austria s highest cheese dairy is located in the Tuxertal Valley at almost 2,000 metres above sea level the Stoankasern snack bar where every summer 500 spicy mountain cheese wheels, weighing around 30 kilograms, are produced. The 2,000 litres of milk required for this come from the cows found in the surrounding meadows from June to September. Topic service: visit the Erler family at their snack bar we will gladly assist you with your research trip. Culinary delights in Zillertal Both up on the mountains and in the restaurants down in the valley, the young Zillertal gastronomy sector has taken on the challenge of reinterpreting Zillertal specialities and presenting them in new and contemporary ways. Whether owner-managed pubs or family-run hotels all of the Zillertal holiday regions offer first-class, award-winning restaurants. Topic service: interviews with chefs and hut owners whose creations and works are based in Zillertal. Mother Nature as a pharmacy and herb garden Wild vegetables and medicinal plants such as ground elder, yarrow, coltsfoot and field balm grow in Zillertal, often right by the wayside. Anyone who heads out on a hike into the Zillertal Alpine world first thing in the morning will discover an array of strongly scented medicinal and seasoning herbs in the flourishing Alpine meadows. These are used as a basis for medicinal tinctures and ointments or to make tasty teas and delicious meals. Topic service: Cooking with Zillertal locals we will gladly help you to organise your research trip

5 TRADITION & CULTURE IN ZILLERTAL Authentic customs and traditions that still live on today are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of Zillertal. Upholding these is an integral part of their life. Grasausläuten ( bell procession ) The bell procession is one of the many age-old spring customs to help drive away winter. Groups of men and boys ring their bells as they hike across the meadows and fields from farm to farm to make the crops grow faster. Topic service: enjoy the Zillertal bell procession we will gladly assist you with your research trip. Gauder Fest festival The traditional Gauder Fest festival in Zell im Zillertal takes place annually on the first weekend of May. Some 2,200 people make the impressive Gauder parade Austria s biggest traditional dress parade with brightly coloured folk costumes and music groups, historical coaches, floats and teams of horses and oxen. Topic service: enjoy the Zillertal Gauder Fest we will gladly assist you with your research trip. Festive cattle processions At the end of the mountain pasture grazing period in early autumn, the cows are festively adorned and driven down into the valley by the farmers. Many of the Zillertal villages have huge festivals to celebrate the arrival of the herds, often with lively music groups and traditional Schuhplattler dancers, a broad array of culinary delights and numerous market stalls offering Zillertal specialities such as Krapfen (Austrian doughnuts), Melchermuas (traditional milk pancakes), bacon and much more. Topic service: enjoy the Zillertal cattle processions we will gladly assist you with your research trip.

6 ACTION & ADVENTURE IN ZILLERTAL Gorges, caves and rock faces, glaciers, adventure parks and a mountaineering village with its unique natural and Alpine world, Zillertal offers innumerable opportunities for unforgettable adventures. Pure action: climbing, rafting, canyoning, trail running and paragliding Action sports in Zillertal offer unforgettable experiences for children and adults alike. Climbing is among the oldest sports in Zillertal, which offers enthusiasts a wide range of options: innumerable rocks for sports climbers, ten fixed rope routes (via ferratas), a climbing hall and a bouldering hall, an outdoor climbing tower and four climbing parks. The Klettersteig Zimmereben in Mayrhofen is Tirol s first custom-made kids via ferrata with innumerable attractions and high-rope courses. The white water of the Ziller and Wildgerlosbach Rivers provides plenty of exhilaration for rafting adventures in inflatable dinghies. The Zillertal side valleys with their gorges, brooks and waterfalls provide the ideal playground for canyoning fans who like to abseil, climb, slide and jump pure adventure! Even trail runners can find countless routes in Zillertal that are just perfect for enjoying this increasingly popular sport. The four holiday regions together offer 64 marked hiking and Nordic walking trails with a total length of approx. 445 kilometres. These provide sporting challenges and a fabulous way to enjoy the landscape. Zillertal from above is also particularly delightful: those who love to catch thermals will find that this is one of Europe s finest and largest paragliding areas. Anyone wanting to try their hand at paragliding for the first time can glide down into the valley like an eagle from the most stunning take-off sites with experienced and certified tandem pilots. Topic service: discover Zillertal s sporting diversity on an individual research trip we will gladly assist you with the organisation! Summer skiing and Nature s Ice Palace: the Hintertux Glacier! Mysterious ice formations and sparkling ice crystals the Nature s Ice Palace on the Hintertux Glacier allows visitors into a glistening and enchanting world of natural beauty and purity. The icy giant starts at the Gefrorenen Wand viewing platform (3,250 metres) from where a path leads to the palace doorway. Incidentally, the year-round ski area on the Hintertux Glacier is the only area in Austria to be permanently open skiing is even possible at the height of summer! Topic service: explore the Hintertux Glacier on an individual research trip we will gladly assist you with the organisation! Ski in the morning, play golf in the afternoon In Zillertal, the desire for the exclusive has long since become a reality. Where else can you spend the morning on a glacier sweeping down the snowy slopes followed by an afternoon on a *****Superior 18-hole championship golf course with a par of 71! Topic service: combine the popular sports of skiing and golf on an individual research trip we will gladly assist you with the organisation! Please contact us; we will gladly create a customised programme for you.

7 Press enquiries: Zillertal Tourismus GmbH c/o Sabine Jahns Bundesstraße 27d A-6262 Schlitters, Austria Tel.: Mobile: