Begin Your Hike with a Gondola Ride

In summer, as many as 36 lifts operate in the Kitzbühel Alps and are just waiting for you:

• Brixental: From Alpinolino Discovery Park in Westendorf to Giant’s World in Brixen im Thale and Witches’ Waters in Söll, all the way to Austria’s highest pilgrimage church atop the Hohe Salve – the range of family attractions and hiking opportunities in Brixental is incredibly diverse.
• Kitzbühel: Most people know the Streif as one of the most spectacular downhill ski runs on the World Cup circuit. In summer, after a gondola ride, you can hike along the same route taken by world-class skiers – including a visit to the actual start house. Reading tip: Hiking the Streif
• St. Johann in Tirol: Take the gondola up to the Harschbichl below the distinctive Kitzbüheler Horn, or hit the OD trails on your bike. In addition to hiking and biking, St. Johann also offers tons of action in the region’s biggest practice climbing area and on mountain go-carts.
• Pillerseetal/Buchensteinwand: A 4-seater chairlift carries you up to the summit of the Buchensteinwand, home to the Jakobskreuz – over 30 meters tall and the largest accessible summit cross in the world.
• Fieberbrunn: The brand-new 10-seater Streuböden gondola brings you to the top of the Lärchfilzkogel or to Timok’s Wild World and the Alpine Coaster at the mid-station. You will discover a beautifully designed adventure playground with a low-ropes course in the forest, plus water and sand play areas. Popular hiking destinations include the Wildseelodersee lake and the Henne (via hiking trails and via ferratas).
• Waidringer Steinplatte: Take the summer lift back in time to the prehistoric era on the Steinplatte, where dinosaurs, hiking and biking routes, and climbing areas excite visitors of all ages.

In Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, 11 cable cars are available during the summer months from mid-June to mid-October: Schönjochbahn I&II, Sonnenbahn, Möseralmbahn, Sunliner, Waldbahn, Komperdellbahn, Almbahn, Alpkopfbahn, Lazidbahn, and the U-Bahn.

The Sommbergbahnen take you to mountain adventure worlds such as Murmliwasser, Hög Adventure Park, Fiss Summer Fun Park, the Thomas Brezina Adventure Trails, single trails, and attractions like the Fisser Flitzer, the Fisser Flieger, the Sky Swing, and the Schneisenfeger. You can use the lifts with the Super.Sommer.Card without restriction and free of charge.

At the foot of Germany’s highest peak and the Wetterstein mountains lies the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. Six lifts operate here in summer, and just a short stone’s throw away in Garmisch-Partenkirchen you’ll discover the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn.

• Ehrwald, Ehrwalder Almbahn: This 8-person gondola takes you up to 1,500 meters above sea level. From the top station, you can hike the stroller-friendly Didis Almsee Loop or head toward the turquoise waters of Seebensee (approx. 2 hours). From there, it’s also not far to the spectacular Drachensee.
• Ehrwald, Tiroler Zugspitzbahn: This lift takes you directly to the summit of Germany’s highest mountain. We spent a day on the Zugspitze – read about it in our article "An Outing of Superlatives: By Cable Car to the Zugspitze".
• Lermoos, Grubingsteinbahn: In Lermoos, the Grubigsteinbahn is your gateway not only to a singletrack paradise for bikers but also a skills area right at the valley station plus Moosle’s Discovery Path. Zugspitz Suites Lermoos are just a few minutes’ walk from the valley station.
• Biberwier, Marienbergbahn: Looking for action? Biberwier’s Marienbergbahn delivers: with Tyrol’s longest summer alpine slide, mountain carts, monster scooters, and variety-packed bike trails for a major adrenaline rush. Alpenchalets Biberwier are not far from the valley station.
• Berwang, Sonnalmbahn: For a more laid-back experience, take the 4-seater Sonnalmbahn chairlift in Berwang up to a beautifully scenic hiking area.
• Bichlbach, Almkopfbahn: In Bichlbach, the Almkopfbahn even offers breakfast gondola rides – and once you’re done, hurtle back downhill on mountain scooters. They also transport mountain bikes on the gondolas.

From the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen to the Panoramabahn in Mittersill and the Wildkogelbahn with its unique slide trail – the focus in Hohe Tauern National Park is all about experiencing nature. Thanks to the National Park Summer Card, many summer lifts in the region can be used for free. Here are just a few highlights:

• Rauris, Rauriser Hochalmbahnen: In Rauris, after riding the gondola, you can watch birds of prey circle overhead, try your hand at gold panning next to the mid-station, or hike along Tilly’s Forest Pathway. Perfect location: Carpe Solem is situated directly at the base station of the Rauriser Hochalmbahn.
• Mittersill, Panoramabahn: Just a few steps from the mid-station of the Panoramabahn on Pass Thurn, you will also find Bergresort Tauernblick. The gondola takes you up to nearly 1,900 meters – affording stunning views of the Hohe Tauern mountains and access to an extensive network of hiking trails. For a special start to your hiking day, we suggest booking a gondola breakfast. The self-guided Water Trail as well as the Resterkogel – with a climbing wall, trampolines, and a track for pedal cars – are both really popular with families and the kids.    
• Wildkogel-Arena, Slide Path: On the Wildkogel near Bramberg/Neukirchen, you will find a one-of-a-kind sliding experience: the Slide Path begins at the mid-station of the Wildkogelbahn and features a series of 10 stainless steel slides. read more

Saalbach is a true all-rounder – even in summer. Thanks to the Joker Card Saalbach, you get to ride all six summer lifts free of charge! These include:

• Kohlmaisbahn, with Montelino’s Adventure Trail and a learn-to-ride park at the base station
• Schattberg X-press, with a playground at the top, singletrack trails, and the starting point for the Seven Summits Hike and the "Pinzgau Walk"
• Schattberg Sprinter, connecting to bike trails and linking the Schattberg with the West Summit
• 12er KOGEL Bahn, a World Championship mountain with bike routes and mini-golf
• Westgipfelbahn, with biking trails and access to the Seven Summits Hike and Pinzgau Walk
• Hochalmbahn featuring Kodok’s Nature Trail and World of Technology, Reservoir

The Kodok and Montelino themed trails promise fun, games, and nature experiences for the whole family. Early birds and highly motivated hikers can take advantage of early-morning lift rides – perfect for sunrise hikes or longer, more demanding tours. The Saalbach Hiking Challenge – consisting of three stages (Pinzgau Walk, Seven Summits, and Home of Lässig Walk) – is an absolute must for fit and ambitious mountaineering fans. Meanwhile, downhillers and mountain bikers will find the largest biking region in all of Austria here in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, with thrilling routes such as the Hacklberg Trail and scenic, more leisurely mountain biking routes as well.