Things to Do in Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen sits at the head of the Zillertal valley where several side valleys meet, which is exactly why it works so well as a base. In a few visits there I have skied its slopes, hiked the peaks around it and pushed out to the glacier behind the valley. Here is what I would tell anyone to do first.
Ride the Penken in Winter
The Penken above town is the local’s main ski mountain, and its network of wide, open pistes is the reason Mayrhofen keeps its reputation. In winter I found long cruising runs that let a group of mixed abilities spread out, meet up at the summit hut, and talk through the afternoon while watching the peaks. The valley far below and the snowy summits around it make for some of the best mountain scenery on an Austrian slope, and the lift system connects easily across to the neighbouring mountain for a full day of skiing.
Take the Ahorn Cable Car for a Family Day
The Ahorn cable car climbs the gentler side of the valley up to a sunny plateau that suits walking, easy tubing and sledging far better than a hard ski day. I went up on a clear sky morning and spent the hours on a loop path across the meadows before settling in for a long lunch on a terrace with the whole valley spread out below. It is a brilliant pick whenever you want the summit view and the fresh air without committing to a demanding hike or a full day on the pistes.
Reach the Hintertux Glacier Ice Palace
Of all the day trips from Mayrhofen, the Hintertux glacier is the showpiece. A road and cable car climb high up to an ice cave complex built inside the glacier itself, where you walk through tunnels and chambers carved in blue ice and lit at intervals. I found it genuinely surreal and cold enough that I was glad of an extra layer and gloves. Because it sits so high, the glacier runs its skiing year round, so you can touch summer snow and this frozen world in the same visit.
Chase the Waterfalls
The side valleys around Mayrhofen hide more than a few proper waterfalls that are worth the walk. The one I keep going back to is a short gorge trail where the path climbs beside a series of drops, with spray cooling the air and rainbows in the sunlight. The walk is not long, but it is steep in places, so decent shoes matter. A morning up the cascades and back to town for lunch made one of my favourite half days there.
Ride the Zillertal Railways
The vintage railway that runs partway up the valley is a travelling museum of the region’s past, and it makes a relaxed excursion. Running old steam engines between the villages on the way toward the glacier, it doubles as a scenic ride and a slice of living history. I recommend pairing it with the glacier day, because the modern cable car up top and the old train down below trace the same spine of the valley from two completely different eras.
Walk or Ride the High Trails
In summer the valley turns into a serious hiking base with hundreds of kilometres of trails, from gentle meadow loops to proper ridge walks with cable ladders and exposed sections. I climbed the easy path from town toward the mountain cabins above and let the views build gradually, then rode the lift back down to save my knees. For anyone who prefers wheels, there are e bikes, and for full adventure there is paragliding launched off the peaks, plus guided day tours to the huts and summits around the valley.
Adventure for the Bold
For travellers who want their heart rate up, the valley obliges. The high glacier is the biggest draw, but there is also paragliding launched off the local takeoff points, canyoning in the fixed ropes and pools of the side valleys, and mountain biking on the summer lift descents. I watched a tandem pair float out over the valley one morning and silently wished I had booked it. These add on to a trip without taking over a full day, and they make the mountains feel like a playground rather than just a view.
Eat and Unwind in Town
Back in town the main street is full of the usual alpine comforts, from wood panelled bars pouring the local beer to bakeries doing strudel and mountains of cream. The central square holds a lively evening scene in season, with families and skiers spilling out of the bars. I made a point of one long, slow dinner in a Gasthof up a side lane, where the schnitzel and the mountain view did most of the talking.
Practical Notes
Everything hinges on whether you come for winter or summer, so check the lift and snow conditions before you plan too tightly. A regional pass folds the main lifts, the glacier and the local buses into one good value ticket. Come with layers even in July, because the high peaks are cold no matter what the valley thermometer says. Pick a couple of the day trips rather than trying for them all, and Mayrhofen will leave you room to actually relax between the adventures.
