Vacation in Tyrol in Austria

Tyrol, land of the mountains, province of Austria and one of the most important holiday regions for both summer and winter. If you love nature and love the mountains, Tyrol is the ideal holiday destination. Tyrol has an area of about 30% of the Netherlands. However, only 750.000 people live there, which is 4.3% of the Dutch population or 8.5% of the total Austrian population.

Tyrol and South Tyrol

Tyrol actually consists of 2 parts: North and South Tyrol. Until 1918, there was only 1 Tyrol but at the end of World War I, Tyrol was split. North Tyrol belongs to Austria and South Tyrol belongs to Italy. The capital of South Tyrol is Bolzano and Innsbruck is the capital of the North. North Tyrol can actually be split into two parts again; North Tyrol and East Tyrol. The northern part runs from Sankt Anton am Arlberg in the west to Sankt Johann in the east. If you want to get to East Tyrol, you have to go via Salzburgerland. This part of Tyrol lies in the southeast, on the southern side of the Alps, and has Lienz as its main city.

The beauty of Tyrol is that there is something for everyone. Whether you are fond of hiking, mountain biking, skiing, mountain climbing or swimming or whether you are more someone of enjoying, taking it easy and maybe some shopping, Tyrol has it.

As Tyrol is especially popular with mountain lovers, we have listed a number of mountain ranges for you.

• Kitzbüheler Alps
  The Kitzbüheler Alps can be found in north-east Tyrol and these run from St.Johann in Tirol in the east to the Alpbachtal on the west side of the mountain range. You will find the regions of St.Johann in Tirol, Pillerseetal, Kitzbühel, Brixental, Wildschönau and Alpbachtal. The highest mountain in the Kitzbüheler Alps is the Kreuzjoch near Gerlos at 2.558 metres. The most famous and interesting mountains in the area are the Hahnenkamm (1.712m), the Grosser Galtenberg (2.425m) and the Hohe Salve (1.828m). Places of interest: Kitzbühel, Hopfgarten, Auffach and Alpbach. Tip: Hexenwasser near Söll
• Kaisergebirge
  In the border area between Germany and Austria, you will find the Kaiser mountains. This mountain range consists of the Wilder Kaiser and the Zahme Kaiser. The Kaisertal near Kufstein separates the two mountain ranges.
  The highest mountain in the Kaiser mountains is the Ellmauer Halt of 2.344m. Other famous mountains are the Sonneck (2.200m), the Scheffauer (2.111m) and the Vordere Kesselschneid (2.002m).
  Places of interest in the Kaisergebirge: Kufstein, Ellmau, Kirchberg and Walchsee.
  Tip: The Kaiser lift near Kufstein
• Brandenberger Alps or Rofan Mountains
  The Brandenberger Alps, better known as the Rofan Mountains, extend from Lake Achensee in the west to the Inn Valley in the east and Bavaria in the north.
  The highest mountain in the Brandenberg Alps is the Hochriss at 2.299 meters. Other well-known mountains are the Rofanspitze (2.259m), the Guffert (2.195m) and the Seekarlspitze (2.261m).
  Interesting places in the Rofan Mountains: Kramsach, Maurach and Steinberg
  Tip: The Kaiserklamm near Pinegg and the Rofanbahn near Maurach.
• Zillertal Alps
  The Zillertal Alps run from the Kitzbühel Alps in the east to the Brenner Pass in the west. There are several glaciers in the Zillertal Alps, but this area is best known thanks to the Zillertal itself. The Zillertal is a popular holiday destination for both winter sports and summer holiday enthusiasts.
  The highest mountain in the Zillertal Alps is the Hochfeiler at 3.503 meters. In addition to the Hochfeiler, you will also find the Olperer (3.476m), the Penken (2.095m) and the Hoher Riffler (3.231m) in the area.
  Interesting places in the Zillertal Alps: Mayrhofen, Tux and Zell am Ziller
  Tip: The Schlegeis reservoir near Mayrhofen towards Ginzling.
• Ötztal Alps
  The highest mountain in Tyrol, the Wildspitze at 3.768 meters, can be found in the Ötztal Alps. The Ötztal Alps run from the Stubai Alps in the east to the Lechtal Alps in the west. In the north, the Ötztal Alps extend into Italy.
  Other well-known mountains in the Ötztal Alps are the Weisskugel (3.738m), the Similaun (3.599m) and the Ötztaler Urkund (3.556m).
  Interesting places in the Ötztal Alps: Obergurgl, Vent, Sölden and St.Leonard im Pitztal
  Tip: Via the Stollenbahn Pitztal from Mittelberg and the Gletscherexpress and the Wildspitzbahn to the mountain station at 3,440 meters altitude.
• Lienzer Dolomites
  In addition to the Dolomites in Italy, you will also find a part in Austria, in Tyrol that is. The Lienzer Dolomites form the border between Tyrol and Carinthia at the very south of East Tyrol.
  The highest mountain in the Lienzer Dolomites is the Grosse Sandspitze with an altitude of 2.772 metres. Other well-known mountains in the Lienzer Dolomites are the Spitzkofel (2.717m), the Rauchkofel (1.910m) and the Kreuzkofel (2.694m).
  Interesting places in the Lienzer Dolomites: Lienz, Lavant and Obertilliach
  Tip: Burg Heinfels in the municipality of Heinfels.