Heading to Austria in our campervan was a real treat this summer. While the Austrian Alps might be best known as a winter ski destination, we quickly discovered that there’s just as much reason to visit when the snow has disappeared.
In summer, the mountains transform into one huge outdoor playground, making the Austrian Alps perfect for active families looking for adventure. We discovered some fabulous hiking trails winding through incredible mountain scenery, cable cars that whisk you up to panoramic viewpoints, waterfalls, mountain lakes, bike trails and, of course, plenty of places to stop on our road trip for a well-earned slice of Austrian cake.
On this road trip, we explored two of Tyrol’s most beautiful valleys: Zillertal and Ötztal. Both promised big mountain adventures, spectacular scenery and plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
Zillertal
In the heart of the Austrian Alps, Zillertal is a sweeping valley in Tyrol known for its dramatic mountain scenery, traditional villages and year-round outdoor adventures.
Stretching from Strass towards the high peaks of the Zillertal Alps, the valley brings together everything you might picture when you think of Austria: flower-filled meadows, wooden chalets, soaring summits and wonderfully scenic mountain roads. In winter, Zillertal becomes one of Austria’s great skiing destinations, but come summer the snow gives way to hiking and cycling trails, mountain adventures and countless opportunities to explore at a slower pace.
Where to stay in Zillertal
I have two fabulous recommendations for accommodation in Zillertal: one for campers and one if you fancy swapping the campervan for a little four-star luxury.
Camping Aufenfeld
Camping Aufenfeld is considered one of Austria’s best campsites, and it’s not difficult to see why. The pitches are a great size and some even come with their own private bathrooms. I have to say, I love this idea! Everything was also spick and span when we visited. The facilities and activities here are quite something, particularly for families.
Swimming lake? Check.
Indoor pool with slides, sauna and fitness centre? Check.
Then add go-karts, a skate park, tennis courts, horses, a play area, boules, an indoor climbing wall, an on-site shop and restaurants. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
You could quite happily have a fabulous family holiday here without actually leaving the campsite. And if camping isn’t your thing, Aufenfeld also has holiday apartments sleeping between two and seven people, so you can still take advantage of the facilities without bringing a tent or campervan.
Hotel Held
If you fancy a little luxury on your road trip, Hotel Held is a four-star superior hotel in Fügen, further along the valley from Aufenfeld. Accommodation ranges from rooms for solo travellers through to suites and an apartment sleeping up to seven people. This hotel is stunning, but it was the mountain views from the wellness and swimming areas that really took our breath away.
We had a day package here, and after the most sumptuous breakfast in the beautiful restaurant, we hired electric bikes from the hotel and set out to explore the valley. It was so much fun. Mack, our 16-year-old son, loved the freedom of the cycle paths, and the scenery was incredible.
As the weather drew in (just our luck) we returned to the hotel to make the most of the facilities. With a 25m infinity pool, brine pool, plunge pool and bio sauna, all accompanied by those gorgeous mountain views, it was really no great hardship!
Families are well catered for too, with heated pools and slides specifically for children, plus a family sauna and wellness area. Other sauna and wellness areas within the hotel are adults-only and textile-free, which is worth knowing before you visit.
Everything is beautifully maintained, with refreshments available in the relaxation areas. Mack was more than happy stretched out on one of the huge double day beds (conveniently close to a charging point for his phone) while Mark and I made it our mission to try every indoor and outdoor pool. That took a while.
Lunch is available, as part of the package, as well as an afternoon cake buffet, you can even dine in your robe (daytime only). I love this!
As we were only visiting for the day, we didn’t book a treatment because there were simply too many other things we wanted to do. The treatment area looked fabulous, though, with a huge choice including mother-and-baby packages and couples’ treatments.
I do have one bone to pick with Hotel Held. The juice station at breakfast was so impressive that Mark ordered a juice press as soon as we got home. So that’s another gadget taking up space on my kitchen worktop.
On the plus side, the juices are great, so I suppose they’re forgiven!
Things to do in Zillertal
If you’re spending a few days in the area during your road trip, it’s worth looking at the Zillertal Activcard. It includes cable cars and public transport as well as admission to the valley’s outdoor swimming pools, making it particularly useful for families planning to pack plenty into their stay.
Walking and hiking
One of the joys of Zillertal is just how easy it is to get up into the mountains. Cable cars take much of the hard work out of gaining altitude, leaving you to enjoy the views and choose from a huge variety of walks once you’re at the top.
There are several circular walks and hiking routes from the Penkenbahn, so you can choose something to suit your family’s ability and how energetic everyone is feeling that day.
And, as we discovered, the mountains aren’t just about walking. There are plenty of opportunities to add a little more adrenaline to your day, from mountain scooters to swimming and other family activities.
Cycling
Cycling is always a big part of our road trip. I tend to drive from town to town with 16-year-old Mack acting as navigator, while Mark follows along on his bike.
The cycle routes, and the consideration given to cyclists generally, in Austria are fantastic. Long stretches of dedicated cycle path make cycling feel incredibly safe and family-friendly, and it’s a brilliant way to experience the valley.
If you’re after something a little more adrenaline-fuelled, there are also mountain bike routes climbing high above the valley, with gravel trails and some seriously impressive views. Many of the cable cars carry bikes too, opening up even more possibilities. Routes range from the family-friendly Zillertal Cycle Path along the valley floor to much more challenging mountain rides.
If you’re hiring bikes, it’s also worth checking whether your Activcard gives you any discounts.
Ötztal
Around two hours by road from Mayrhofen, Ötztal feels like another chapter of the same Alpine adventure.
Surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Austrian Alps, Ötztal is a spectacular Tyrolean valley where traditional villages sit among waterfalls, mountain lakes, glaciers and soaring 3,000-metre peaks.
Sölden and Obergurgl might be famous for skiing, but Ötztal is far from being a winter-only destination. In summer, the valley opens up into a huge playground of hiking and cycling trails, cable cars and some rather unexpected adventures.
In the same way as Zillertal, if you’re planning to make the most of the valley, the Ötztal Summer Card is well worth considering. It bundles access to the region’s summer mountain lifts with local buses, swimming pools, museums and other attractions, so it’s potentially a money-saving way to explore. Better still, check with your accommodation provider, as it’s included in the price of a stay with many participating businesses.
Where to stay in Ötztal
For this part of our road trip, we based ourselves around Längenfeld, which proved a great spot for exploring the valley. And, whether you’re looking for full-on spa luxury or somewhere to park the campervan, there are two excellent options right next door to each other.
AQUA DOME
AQUA DOME is the standout hotel in Ötztal as far as I’m concerned.
This four-star superior thermal spa hotel is incredible. You’d think the huge circular outdoor mineral thermal bowls, swimming pools, saunas and spa would be what makes AQUA DOME so special – and yes, they’re pretty impressive – but for me, the best thing is the atmosphere. Or as Mack puts it, ‘It’s vibes all day’.
The staff are friendly and always ready to help, and I genuinely felt that nothing was too much trouble. Despite being very fancy, it somehow manages to feel like a home from home. The rooms are stunning, with beautiful Alpine views and balconies, while the enormous thermal and wellness complex means you could very easily spend most of your stay wearing a robe.
During the summer months, you can relax outside by the pool bar with a drink after a hard morning hiking — which, I can confirm, is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Camping Ötztal
If you’re travelling with a caravan, tent or campervan, Camping Ötztal is conveniently situated right next door to AQUA DOME. The 4.5-star campsite has around 200 pitches with huge central blocks that have excellent sanitary facilities, with everything you want in terms of showers, laundry, washing facilities and caravan water/waste needs.
In summer, there’s plenty to keep children occupied, including a heated outdoor pool, playground, table tennis and an indoor ‘play paradise’. Guests at Camping Ötztal can also get a discount on admission to AQUA DOME.
The on-site restaurant is great too. If you don’t fancy dining in from the à la carte menu, you can order pizzas to take away, and they’re delicious. And, as with Aufenfeld, there are self-catering accommodation options if camping isn’t quite your thing.
One thing to note if you’re travelling towards the end of the summer season 2026: the restaurant and some facilities may be closed for renovation, so check what’s open before you travel.
Things to do in Ötztal
Ninja Park
Set at Hochoetz above the town of Oetz, Ninja Park is a water-based obstacle course on platforms above a mountain lake.
Having broken my shoulder earlier in the year, I was woefully bad at getting across the obstacles. But it’s still great fun, even if, like me, you spend more time in the water than on the platforms.
The boys absolutely loved it. Mark completed all 28 obstacles and Mack managed 26 out of 28!
If you’d prefer something a little more relaxing, paddleboards are available to hire, while back on dry land there’s a café/bar and children’s play area. It’s worth checking the age and height restrictions before visiting as there is a minimum requirement.
Hiking around Längenfeld
Längenfeld, where we were based, is a brilliant starting point for walking, hiking and cycling.
One walk I’d particularly recommend heads from Längenfeld up towards Brandalm and the suspension bridge before looping back down into the town. I’ll warn you now: the beginning is steep. But once you’ve conquered that first 40 minutes or so of climbing, you’re rewarded with incredible views, particularly from the suspension bridge.
The whole walk takes around two and a half hours, making it a perfect morning activity before heading back into town for a well-earned lunch.
007 ELEMENTS
James Bond fans will love 007 ELEMENTS.
Set high above Sölden, it’s around a 20-minute drive, or just over half an hour by bus, from Längenfeld. Take the Gaislachkogl cable car from Sölden up into the mountains and you’ll find this brilliantly curated cinematic experience at more than 3,000 metres above sea level.
Parts of Spectre were filmed around Sölden, so there’s something particularly special about exploring the exhibition and then looking out across some of the landscapes that appeared in the film. You might recognise the Ötztal Glacier Road and Rettenbach Glacier from some of the movie’s most memorable action sequences.
Mountain Carts
After 007 ELEMENTS, you can grab lunch on the mountain before swapping James Bond for another adrenaline rush: Mountain Carting!
These pedal-free carts hurtle down the mountainside for 7.3km, with your brakes controlling just how fast you dare to go. Safety equipment is provided and it’s ridiculously good fun if you’re brave enough. Kinda like real-life Mario Karting!
By the time we arrived at the valley floor we were dusty, dishevelled and grinning (sheer relief on my part). Thankfully, you don’t have to take the carts back up the mountain. The team collects the carts and equipment, leaving you free to head off in search of the next adventure.
Our Verdict?
So, are Zillertal and Ötztal the perfect road trip destinations in Austria?
For us, they came pretty close. With spectacular scenery, brilliant cycling and hiking, plenty of family-friendly adventures and some seriously good places to relax at the end of the day, both valleys delivered everything we hoped for from a summer in the Alps.
It doesn’t matter if you are a keen camper or you enjoy the luxury of checking into a hotel, Austria definitely isn’t just for ski season, there’s so much to explore year-round.
With special thanks to Austria Tourism, Ötztal Tourist Board & Zillertal Tourist Board for their support with our epic road-trip.
Article written and images by Sally Bendall @girlabouttravel and @girlaboutyorkshire
