Stories from the mountain summer
Ready, set, fun!
Swimming bliss on the mountain
Where the water is as clear as the mountain air. Where there’s a soundtrack of waves and children’s laughter. Where the mountain calls and we answer with a daring dive. Welcome to the magnificent lake Fichtensee!
How does it sound from up there? “Splash!” Samuel just landed in the crystal clear Fichtensee water after jumping off the diving tower. And another “Splash!” right after that. Now Papa Klaus is in there too. Jump and dive in: Sounds just like normal summer fun. But it isn’t – it is much more than that. Because the Fichtensee, with its almost two hectares of water surface, is high up on the mountain. More precisely: on the Rosenalm, an approximately ten-minute gondola ride above Zell am Ziller, 1,700 meters above sea level. The swimming area with its unforgettable panoramic view is part of the buggy-friendly Almrunde which connects the lake resort with the Fichtenschloss adventure playground and the top station of the Rosenalm cable car after about 30 minutes’ walking time. Speaking of Fichtenschloss: What an incredible paradise for children! We’ll come back to that – for now, we’ll stay at the lake a little longer.
Marvel, swing, jump
Whether quiet nature experience or happy and wild vacation fun, such a summer day is easy to pass here: A viewing platform allows you to marvel at the breathtaking Zillertal mountain world, and the pleasure niches and swings are perfect places to relax. All those for whom amazement and relaxation is not enough can show their skill and balance on one of the standup paddling boards for rent at the lakeside – a little splash in between doesn’t hurt at all, the lake water is as warm as 20 degrees in summer. You can chill out happily on the unique Zapfenschuppen rowboats, pontoons and towers for jumping tempt swimmers to dive in – whether twist, somersault, or crazy monkey, there are no limits to your imagination when it comes to the jumps. One thing is for sure: Anyone who has jumped once, wants to do it again and again. And for those who are hungry on such a summer’s day full of adventures, the Fichtensee kiosk offers delicious snacks.
“Lake Fichtensee is not only a
wonderful place for arriving. It is
also an ideal point for setting off on a hike.”
Lake Fichtensee is not only a wonderful place for arriving. It is also an ideal point for setting off on a hike. For example, on a wonderful panoramic hike in the direction of Gerlos or on a moderately difficult summit tour to Karspitze at 2,257 meters. The path to the Kreuzjoch (2,558 metres) is somewhat more challenging, but it is rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of the impressive Zillertal mountain world. It is only a short way to the adventure playground Fichtenschloss: In about fifteen minutes’ hike from the lake, you can easily reach a real children’s fairytale land.
Elves and sausages. A long, long time ago, it is said, hard- working “Fichtenwichtel” [spruce elves] came here to the Rosenalm and lovingly built an extensive castle complex for a royal couple. And in this way children can now let off steam while climbing on the climbing tower or continue the work of the spruce elves on the crane tower. Highlight: self-grilled sausages, prepared by the parents on the brick-built BBQ. Those who did not bring anything with them need not worry: A sausage vending machine filled by the local butcher is at their disposal.
A real fairytale castle! There is enough fun to be had there for an entire vacation day – and for one more, and then some. A slide tower, a crane tower, a climbing tower and an 18-metre observation tower, in between connecting bridges and around it a large adventure playground with treetop path, marble runs and a water play area – Princess Martha is in luck.
Image Christoph Johann and text: Gundi Bittermann
Zillertal magazine Sommer 2021
Even more stories from the Zillertal
Winter magic Ginzling
The mountain village, where cross-country skiing, hiking and tobogganing turn into a fabulous outdoor experience.
Holiday with momentum
Fine fairway carpets, top bunkers, well-kept greens –
and all of this embedded in the magnificent nature of the Zillertal.
At the Golf Club in Uderns, every swing is an experience.
Dreamer and Rebel
From Barcelona to Berlin into Zillertal. The painter Anton Unai followed
the artistic call that came from the mountains and continues to live his
vision of poetry, provocation and a better world here.
Zillertal
Welcome to Zillertal! Where sun, snow and well-being become the meaning of life and where great freedom tempts you to let go.
Cuisine in Zillertal
Award-winning traditional inn, toque-holding restaurants, romantic lodges and stylish mountain restaurants guarantee unique taste experiences.
Hosts in Zillertal
Find the right accommodation for your perfect winter holiday in Zillertal – from cosy private rooms to luxury five-star hotels.
Getting to Zillertal
Zillertal is located in the west of Austria and is the widest of the side valleys on the south side of the Inntal Valley. Get to Zillertal safely and comfortably.
