Discover forests, festivals and great food in Wildschönau

Explore one of the Austrian Tirol’s hidden gems and you'll find 300km of scenic trails, weekly concerts and a tasty selection of speciality dishes

(Alex Mayr)

Looking for one of Austrian Tirol’s best-kept secrets? Deep in the Kitzbüheler Alps is Wildschönau Valley, where summer means long walks in flower-covered meadows, through pine forests and across lush mountains. Lose yourself in the beauty of this vast playground of mountain lakes, green valleys, pretty villages and lively festivals.

Taste of the Alps

With 300km of trails to choose from, hikers of all ages and abilities will be eager to explore this quiet corner of the Kitzbüheler Alps. Take the cable car to the top of Markbachjoch mountain and set off on an adventure along the peaks and gorges. Stop off at a mountain hut for a reviving lunch of Tirolean specialities and glorious views. Cheese is certain to be on the menu, and if lunch isn’t enough to satisfy you, drop by one of the cheese farms. They’re all part of eight designated walks with a culinary theme.

Festival fever

Join the summertime fun when Wildschönau puts on its renowned festivals, including free weekly concerts. Come in August for the Wildschönau Valley Festival, which this year takes place in Niederau and features parades and open-air concerts with brass bands.

For an unforgettable party, head to the top of Markbachjoch mountain to mark the summer solstice in June. To round off the summer, watch the colourful spectacle of the Homecoming Festival on 22 September when the cows come down from their high pastures and give the villagers an excuse for a day of parties.

On your bikes

Transport your bike to the mountains by cable car and enjoy hair-raising descents along well-marked trails. You can also take it easy on gentler routes, or hire an electric bike to ease some of the strain. Keen cyclists will want to explore the stages of the Tirolean Mountain Bike Safari that pass through the region.

Don’t forget to make use of your Wildschönau Card, which visitors receive from their holiday accommodation. Take advantage of free cable cars, entrance to open-air swimming pools, tennis and museums, as well as children’s activities. You can join one of the free guided walks held from Monday to Friday, including the family-friendly jaunt through the wildlife habitats of Filzmoos Moor.

My Wildschönau

Johann Schönauer, cheesemaker

“When I come up to the hut for the first time in early summer, I know what awaits me: lots of hard work. Up here there’s no family and no private life – it’s just cheese and more cheese. That’s what I live for during these months. I get up early in the morning and go to bed late at night. The recently made cheeses have to be turned every second day.”

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 wildschoenau.com, visittirol.co.uk and love.tirol #loveTirol, @visitTirol