Background information
Glacier, mountains, lake – Summer in the Alps
The combination of glacier, mountains and lake makes the region Zell am See-Kaprun
in the Salzburger Land absolutely unique. Nowhere else the most beautiful features of
Austria are situated as closely together as in Zell am See-Kaprun. The interaction of
this alpine landscape offers sports persons, families and people looking for relaxation a
diversified choice of activities and adventures right in front of their doorsteps: hiking
and biking on the Kitzsteinhorn, the Schmittenhöhe or the Maiskogel, water sports in
and on the crystal clear Lake Zell, paragliding with a view to the 3,000-meter peaks of
Hohe Tauern or a round on one of the most beautiful golf course in the alps.
Adventures for hikers and mountaineers
There are roughly 400 kilometers of hiking trails at every altitude – from the glacier to
Lake Zell. Depending on the sportive ambition, the summits can be reached on foot or
by cable car. Pleasure hikers sway comfortably in exclusive cable cars of Porsche
Design from the valley to the Schmittenhöhe at an altitude of 2,000 meters. On the
summit excursionists can enjoy extensive hikes at high altitudes, which are always
accompanied by the impressive panorama of the mighty peaks of the Hohe Tauern. A
digital map enables hikers to plan the tours thoroughly in advance. On free guided
theme tours and the family adventure path “Schmidolin's Baptism of Fire” grown-up and
little hikers can go on exciting expeditions. Hikers experience the fascination of the
world of mountains and glacier on guided adventure and panorama tours with
experienced local mountain guides. Sports enthusiasts can climb their first 3,000-meter
peak with a guide. Roughly 500 meters underneath the Kitzsteinhorn summit near the
Alpine Center, in the areas Rettenwand and Gletscherseeplatten, climbers find a total
of 100 routes leading through the rock. Concentration, skills and the ability to respond
quickly are also challenged in the high wire park: here, visitors can gain initial
supervised experience with the fascinating world of alpine sports. After lessons in one
of the hiking or climbing schools of the region, the new skills can be put into praxis on
tours such as “Adventure in the Rock” or “Glacier Safari”.
The biking area as a trend-setter
Whether people want to sportily climb the mountains by mountain bike or cycle
leisurely with their family around Lake Zell: on the region’s cycling path network
stretching over 240 kilometers and a total distance of 1,300 kilometers in the
Salzburger Land, everybody finds its right place. Among the highlights for mountain
bikers are the three designated free-ride trails on the Kitzsteinhorn, which have been
open for access since July 2012. Bikes can be carried free of charge on the glacier
cable car. The Maiskogel is the perfect spot for uphill bikers and free-stylers can let off
steam in the bike park in Kaprun. With e-bikes guests can drive a little more relaxed up
hill and down dale. With 25 rental stations Zell am See-Kaprun is among the trendsetters and biggest e-bike regions of Austria.
Water sports in and on Lake Zell
The crystal clear floodwaters of Lake Zell entice visitors to go swimming, waterskiing,
sailing and surfing with a view to the imposing mountains. Not a sail but a paddle is
required for “Stand Up Paddel“ in order to conquer Lake Zell standing up on the
surfboard holding a paddle in your hand. In the three lidos located around Lake Zell as
well as in the swimming pool in the leisure center of Zell, the entire family will find
Background information
entertainment. Adventurous people go on a rafting and canyoning tour on the rivers
Salzach and Saalach – with experienced guides a real adrenaline kick.
Experience the region gently from the air
The mountains also offer ideal conditions for hang-gliders, skydivers or paragliders to
explore the landscape around Lake Zell. Tandem jumps or paragliding start off on the
two local mountains of the region – the Schmittenhöhe and the Kitzsteinhorn. All
aviation sports are offered by the flight school in Zell am See-Kaprun. After a
successfully completed training, participants can obtain the Austrian or German
aviation license.
Drive against the backdrop of the Alps
Golfers find the most beautiful 36 greens of the Austrian Alps in Zell am See-Kaprun.
The location of the golf club, which is among the “Leading Golf Courses of Austria“, is
unique in Europe. The perfectly groomed and park-like fairways run along the feet of
the mountains allowing a view of the Schmittenhöhe and the Kitzsteinhorn – after which
the two 18 hole championship courses are named. In 2011 the golf course was elected
the Golf Club of the Year by the trade magazine “Golfrevue“.
Fun sport for the entire family
On the Schmittenhöhe, hikers experience golf of a special kind. On the disc golf course
players use a frisbee instead of a golf ball and “putt“ in 18 baskets. The downhill
course, which runs roughly 450 meters downhill from an altitude of 1,850 meters, offers
fun for the entire family. Just like the “Maisiflitzer“: the year-round toboggan run on the
Maiskogel is the first and only one in the Salzburger Land. The “Alpine Coaster“
speeds downhill at a pace of up to 40 kilometers per hour over a distance of
approximately 1,300 meters. Integrated waves, jumps and spins arrange for additional
adrenaline kicks. Geocaching – the electronic treasure hunt via GPS – caters for a
mountain and nature experience of a special kind at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn. Fun
parks with skate features and half pipes, street soccer, street ball or street hockey as
well as beach volleyball courts at the bathing places of Lake Zell offer enough
opportunities for children and adolescents to let off steam.
Alternative summer sports
On extensive horse-riding trips across meadows and fields or alongside Lake Zell,
equestrian sports enthusiasts experience the landscape from a different perspective. In
Zell am See-Kaprun tennis players, too, find ideal conditions: in modern tennis centers
and on well-groomed outdoor tennis courts, players can swing their rackets in all
weather conditions. A steady hand, on the other hand, is required on the many
miniature golf courses or bowling alleys of the region.
Glacier and fun in the snow in summer
On the Kitzsteinhorn, the only glacial skiing area in the Salzburger Land, not only skiers
and snowboarders get going all year round. On hot summer days, Austria’s only ICE
ARENA cater for ice-cold family adventures on slides, at the snow beach, in the ice
bar, with the toy snow cat as well as on the secured glacier trail.
Background information
About Zell am See-Kaprun:
Glacier, mountains, lake – the Austrian year-round holiday destination Zell am See-Kaprun
combines the entire diversity of the Alps. In the unique natural paradise situated in the
immediate vicinity of the national park Hohe Tauern, sports people, active holidaymakers,
families and people looking for relaxation alike find a diversified choice of activities and
adventures both in summer and in winter. Among these are the “Peakworld 3.000” on the
Kitzsteinhorn glacier, the only glacial ski region in the Salzburger Land, the family region
Maiskogel, the local mountain Schmittenhöhe as well as the crystal clear Lake Zell and the
multiple award winning 36-hole championship golf course. Tradition and authenticity are
mirrored in the events and culinary specialties of the region. Guests find relaxation in the newly
opened wellness oasis TAUERN SPA as well as in many further spa and wellness hotels in Zell
am See-Kaprun.
As of July 2012
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Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus GmbH
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