Zillertal
Valley Tyrolean valley renowned for skiing and alpine scenery
An alpine valley in Tyrol running to the Zillertal Alps, served by ski resorts and summer mountain trails; visitors come for downhill skiing, alpine huts, hiking and climbing routes.
Zillertal is an Alpine valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol that runs from the Inn Valley up into the Zillertal Alps. It is a well-established tourism region known for skiing in winter, hiking and climbing in summer, and a dense network of ski areas and mountain huts.
The upper valley includes glacier skiing at Hintertux and multiple connected ski areas that together provide hundreds of kilometres of pistes and summer hiking routes. Valley towns such as Mayrhofen and Zell am Ziller act as service and accommodation centres with cable cars and rail links.
Settlement and alpine exploitation of the Zillertal go back many centuries; the valley developed as a route and mountain economy based on pastoralism, mining and later tourism, leading to extensive lift and trail infrastructure in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Geographically the valley lies in western Austria’s Tyrol region, running south from the Inn Valley into the Zillertal Alps; it is framed by high alpine peaks, glaciers and forested lower slopes.
- Outdoor activities: The valley is a major Alpine tourism corridor with extensive lift networks and summer hiking routes; popular activities include skiing, hiking and climbing.
- Rail access: Public trains and the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn connect valley towns to the main Austrian rail network, easing access without a car.
What to See #
- Hintertux Glacier: A year-round glacier ski area at the head of the valley with lifts reaching above 3,000 metres, offering summer and winter skiing.
- Mayrhofen: A market and tourism town that serves as a base for valley activities and has direct lift links into nearby ski areas.
- Zell am Ziller: A central town on the valley floor that is a transport hub for the valley and gateway to local gondolas and lifts.
How to Get to Zillertal #
The Zillertal valley is reached from the Inn Valley: drive from Innsbruck east on the A12 motorway and follow signs onto the B169 Zillertalstraße into the valley (road access via Jenbach). By public transport take an ÖBB or regional train to Jenbach and change there for the Zillertalbahn narrow‑gauge railway that runs up the valley to towns such as Mayrhofen; local bus services also serve villages throughout the valley.
Tips for Visiting Zillertal #
- If you want fewer crowds, avoid July-August weekends and plan valley activities for weekday mornings; popular towns like Mayrhofen get busiest mid-summer and during school holidays.
- Use the Zillertalbahn (regional train) or one of the valley's lower cable-car stations (e.g., in Mayrhofen) as a base - the train reduces parking hassle and puts you close to trails and lifts that climb to less-visited high-alpine pastures.
- Make time for at least one higher-altitude cable-car ride (Hintertux/Tux or other Zillertal lifts) - many day-trippers miss the easy access to alpine huts and panoramic hikes above the treeline that reward a short additional ascent.
Best Time to Visit Zillertal #
Plan summer for hiking and outdoor activities, or winter for skiing-each season offers its own peak attractions in the valley.
Weather & Climate near Zillertal #
Zillertal's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1118 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (155 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
