Visiting the Zillertal with kids is top notch, as it is a fun and varied destination for families. There is so much to do and experience with kids. In winter, it offers great skiing in the Zillertal sub-regions, but it is also a top destination in summer. The Zillertal includes the well-known villages: Mayrhofen, Zell am Ziller, Fügen and Gerlos. In summer, you can do a variety of activities such as hiking, sports, games, swimming and even skiing. All this in a beautiful natural setting. In this blog we list all the fun children’s activities in the Zillertal.
Best travel time Zillertal with kids
Of course, each season has its own charm, but the Zillertal is a typical summer and winter destination. The summer season lasts approximately from mid-June to mid-September. In Austria, you have to consider the weather in both summer and winter. In the mountains, the weather can change just like that.
On hot days, it is a lot cooler upstairs and you can find coolness here on hot days. In the valleys it is significantly warmer and you can have a good time by the pool. The weather is similar to the Netherlands.
Zillertal Activcard
Purchasing the Zillertal Activcard is recommended if you are staying in the Zillertal with kids for longer periods of time. The Zillertal Activcard includes one ride each day on one of the cable cars. The card gives free access to swimming pools and public transportation. The card additionally includes many discounts on activities. So your ideal partner when discovering the Zillertal with kids.
At the time of writing, the Zillertal Activcard for 6 days costs €120 for adults and €60 for kids. When buying for 2 adults, you even get the kids’ for free. When you go up there every day, this card quickly pays for itself. How family-friendly is that! For more information about the Zillertal Activcard, take a look here.
Transportation to and in Zillertal
We traveled to the Zillertal with our own car. Note that before you enter the Zillertal you have to go through a tunnel. Here it can be incredibly crowded on travel days. Be sure to leave early in the morning or allow for delays when you want to get out of the valley. In the morning it often goes around the valley out, in the evening back into the valley.
Once in the Zillertal, it is best to travel by public transportation. By train you can take the train from Jenbach to Mayrhofen, further down the valley you will have to catch a bus. We traveled sometimes by public transportation and sometimes by our own car. In public transportation and elevators, do keep in mind muzzle duty for dogs.
If you rent an electric bike, you can explore the valley just fine by bike. Do take into account elevation gain from Zell am Ziller to Gerlos, for example. We ourselves were in Zell am Ziller, nice and central in the Zillertal. We went up a cable car every day with dog and kids.
Children’s activities Zillertal
#1 Zillertaler HoheStrasse
On the day of our arrival, we went up by car along the Zillertal Hohestrasse. This is one of the most beautiful routes in Austria and you can ride up to an altitude of 2020 meters here. This route is about 35 kilometers long. Our destination was Murmelland, or Marmot Land. In winter you ski in at this cabin, now you can romp, play and watch animals endlessly.
To get onto the Zillertal Hohestrasse, you do have to pay a toll. Driving up can be crowded and sometimes narrow. We went up in Kaltenbach, but you can also go up via Ried im Zillertal. You can, of course, ride it the other way up via Zell am Ziller. In Murmelland we had a nice dinner while the kids entertained themselves playing and watching animals.
There are farm animals, alpacas and, of course, marmots, among others. There are several climbing and scrambling devices. Sitting at the top, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Zillertal. For more information on this route and what to do on this route, take a look at the Zillertaler HoheStrasse website.
#2 Kingsleiten
A second fun children’s activity in the Zillertal is Koningsleiten. We went up by gondola from Koningsleiten. Upstairs, there are several activities or walks to do with kids. We did the Sagen Trail around the lake with the kids. This fairy tale path tells fairy tales about the Zillertal through various stations.
This path silently turns into a Yodel path. Here you can yodel to your heart’s content. Don’t forget to yodel over the mountain with the kids in the big yodel horn. There is also a large wooden marble track, which you can roll wooden marbles as often as you like. You will need to purchase a wooden marble for this at the restaurant. At least our kids couldn’t get enough of this old-fashioned marble.
#3 Krimmler Waterfalls
You can also see waterfalls in the Zillertal with kids. Indeed, over the Gerlosstrasse (toll) we drove to the Krimmler Falls. Arriving at the busy (paid) parking lot, walk to the visitor center: The Krimmler Wasserwelten. We did not visit this museum ourselves with our kids, but you can visit this experience museum.
We walked along the path across the road to the entrance to the falls. At the entrance, you have to pay to walk up the path. We chose to walk up first and only then all the way down. The path up is gradual, but can be perceived as punchy. Especially if you run these with young kids. The advantage is that you can decide how far up you want to walk with kids.
There are several viewing platforms at the falls. These waterfalls clatter down nearly 400 meters with a lot of violence. The waterfalls come down in 3 stages and at the top you arrive at the origin. If you are likely to walk here, the number of people moving here will decrease.
We walked up to Gasthof SchönAnglerl where we also ate something. Then we walked back down to the bottom of the waterfall. You do feel the refreshment from the waterfall all along the trail, making it ideal on a warmer day.
#4 Gerlos
Gerlos is also a fun destination to visit with the family. We went up with the dog and kids on the Isskogel cable car. Arriving at the top, there is again plenty to do for our kids. Our kids had fun with the various water play areas. We walked up to the Latschenalm. A small walk that you can easily expand.
At the Latschenalm there is another very nice playground, where we decide to eat something while the kids play. After a good meal, we calmly walk back down via the other side to the mountain station of the Isskogelbahn. Up here is another marble track. Unfortunately, you have to buy a new marble here since this marble is again larger than the one from the track in Koningsleiten.
That €3 we are happy to pay for it, while we sit on the terrace the kids are having a great time. While sitting on the terrace, the men decided to walk down and the women with the dog to go down by cable car. We find that you can walk down here just fine on a gradual path.
After this hike, we decide to go to the forest playground in Gerlos. This playground is just before you enter the village on the other side of the small river. A short walk will get you here in no time. This is really recommended with kids in the Zillertal. Our kids enjoyed themselves there all afternoon. Unfortunately, you don’t have much catering here, but the playground is totally approved by our kids. There is also a whole climbing course/climbing forest at it, which you can use for an additional fee.
#5 Zell am Ziller
The next day during our family vacation in the Zillertal, we visit Zell am Ziller. We take public transportation to the Rosenalmbahn, since the bus stops in front of our apartment. We notice right away that it is busier here at the cable car than at other cable cars at other destinations in the valley. We even, as in winter, have to stand in line to go up.
Once we get to the top, we decide to walk to the Fichtensee first. After all, we have our swimsuits with us. After walking for about half an hour, we arrive but realize that the water above does feel very cold. The kids are reluctant to go in the water and I myself pass. However, there are pebbles here so water shoes are handy.
After the Fichtensee, we walk back toward the Fichtenschloss: a large playground made of wood. This playground is beautifully designed, but unfortunately there is very little hospitality. This is a downside and the advice here is to bring your own drinks. Barbecuing is free at the barbecue spots here. However, we do not carry meat or sandwiches. The kids entertained themselves for more than 3 hours in the playground and would have even wanted to stay much longer.
Of course, down at the valley station, another attraction awaits us that we enjoy using namely: the toboggan run. We always love a toboggan run, and after buying some tickets and waiting in line for a long time, we finally whizzed down at speed with the kids.
#6 Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen is perhaps the most famous village in the Zillertal. We put the car at the Ahornbahn parking lot. We choose the Penkenjoch track today. From the parking lot it is a short walk to the entrance of the Penkenjochbahn. At the Penkenjochbahn it is crowded again and after waiting a while we go again with the dog in the big gondola that fits about 25 people at a time.
After transferring at the middle station, we reach the top of the restaurant the Kasermandl. This restaurant is known for its performances that are often given here of Austrian folk music. We decide to have a nice cup of coffee here and the kids entertain themselves again in the playground. After about an hour, we decide to walk to Finkenberg, as this is where the Finkenberg Railway comes up.
The walk takes about 45 minutes. Arriving here, we eat something at the Granatalm. Near the lake is a remarkable artistic building of a chapel and this chapel is certainly fun to visit. However, our kids paid more attention to the large playground there. A big bear that you can climb and then slide into attracts more attention.
Behind the playground with a view of the Hintertux is another climbing course for beginners. With a little help, kids work on their climbing skills, but without being attached to a rope. When the kids have finished playing, we decide to walk back towards the Penkenjoch mountain station and on the way we score an ice cream to keep our spirits up.
#7 Spieljochbahn
At the beginning of the Zillertal is the Spieljochbahn. When you are with small kids, this is an ideal area to go to. Once at the top, you are right in the play paradise. On top of the mountain is a play pond where you can take small boats ( free of charge), a barefoot trail, playground equipment and you can sign up to look for gems in the mine.
In this, the kids get to wear helmets and then descend into the so-called mine. In the end, they must sift the gems from a bin. In any case, our oldest is having a great time with it. The Spieljoch is lovely in the sun on sunny days and you can sit quietly in the Mountain Loft restaurant. Our kids then entertained themselves by endlessly catching and searching for tadpoles, walking through the water and playing.
Several hiking trails start from here, there is a flying fox course where you can swing from one side to the other of the climbing park. There is so much to do at the Spieljoch that kids can easily spend an entire day having fun. If your kids are a little older they can do a lot on their own while you have an overview yourself from the restaurant’s terrace.
At the end of the day, then, how fun is it to whiz down the mountaincarts or scooter with fat tires. Small tip: book this early and don’t decide at the end of the day. Mountaincarts are popular and quickly booked up.
Other children’s activities Zillertal
In addition to the children’s activities in the Zillertal described above, there are a number of fun children’s activities. We briefly describe these other children’s activities in the Zillertal below.
#8 Durlassboden: between Gerlos and Koningsleiten you drive past this. You can do various activities here with kids such as : Suppen, pedal boats and rent a surfboard. The Durlassboden is a large reservoir located right on the border between the province of Tyrol and Salzburgerland. There is a hiking trail around the lake. The trail is good to do with kids.
Although I must add a little nuance, because what seems easy for Austrian standards is quite spicy for us Dutch. The entire hike is 10 kilometers long, but can of course be shortened to, for example, Barschlagalm. From the parking lot at the dam, this is a good half-hour walk. This hike is more manageable with smaller kids. You can also swim in the lake on warm days.
#9 Schlegeis reservoir: you can drive here by car via a toll road. This lake is incredibly well-known among influencers and for good reason, of course. You look right at the glacier here and you can walk up and from the suspension bridge you have a beautiful picture. With bad weather, you can even go into the dam with kids. The tour is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are several beautiful hikes here with kids of all ages.
Example of fun walks for children:
– around the lake itself ( good to do with small kids as this route is flat) about 10 kilometers round trip (there and back is the same way )
– To the Pfitscherjoch: you walk to the Pfitscherjoch house. This is a medium-difficult 5.3-kilometer hiking trail that takes you through nature to the border of Tyrol and South Tyrol.
– To the Olperer Bridge: this bridge is well known to many influencers as you rocking sitting on the bridge have a beautiful view of the reservoir and glacier. The hike is 4.3 kilometers and medium difficulty.
– To the Hohenaualm, better known as Little Tibet of the Zillertal. The trail runs along the lake to here.
#10 Hainzenberg: halfway up the road from Zell am Ziller to Gerlos you will pass the Goldbergbau on the Hainzenberg. An activity you can do in all weather conditions. During the tour, which lasts about two hours, you will be taken through the history of gold mining that took place here.
The price is 16 euros for adults and 8 euros for kids. Definitely recommended on days when the weather is bad, as much of the tour takes place inside the mountain
#11 ZillertalTherme: Fügen’s indoor pool is a perfect activity with kids in the Zillertal with bad weather. You can have a wonderful (indoor) swim here. The approximately 1,000m2 pool has several slides, children’s pools and swimming pools. You can possibly take massages and spa treatments for a fee. Ideal to recover after a few days of brisk walking.
#12 Hintertux Glacier: at the very end of the valley is the Hintertux Glacier. For true winter sports enthusiasts, you can even ski here in the summer. It is one of the few glaciers still open in summer. With kids, it might be more fun to go on a boat through the glacier. You can do this in the Natureispalast.
You go on a boat through the glacier here and this is a truly unique experience with kids. The tour takes about 70 minutes and remember that your kids must be at least 6 years old. If there are older kids with them, they get to show that they are real bullies. You may then ( for an additional fee) ice swim from the age of 14. Brrr too cold if you ask me.
#13 AhornBahn in Mayrhofen: you don’t have to take the Penkenbahn from Mayrhofen, because you can also choose the other way up: the AhornBahn. Once you reach the top, there is a large water playground for kids. They can have some fun here pumping water, walking through the water over stepping stones and more such things.
When the kids are out playing you can move to the Adler stage where there is a daily raptor show. Eat, of course, at the Ahornhutte and before you know it, the day has flown by.
Of course, there is so much more to experience in the Zillertal. The Zillertal is a destination where there is so much to do with kids, so many walks that unfortunately we were not able to do everything. In both winter and summer, the Zillertal is a great destination with kids. We will definitely come back again.
Family-friendly hotel Zillertal
You can also spend a great night in the Zillertal with kids. Below we list some family-friendly accommodations in the Zillertal that are all tremendously well-reviewed. Click on the blue link for more information!
Budget accommodation: Backyard Mountain Hostel
Mid-range accommodation: St. Christoph
Luxury Accommodation: Hotel & Suites Glück Auf
For a list of all family-friendly accommodations in the Zillertal, take a look here.
About the author: we are Kevin, Nicky and Ize aged 9 and Ole aged 7. We love to travel and do nothing more. We love hiking, swimming, relaxing, relaxing, but also definitely visiting things. Whether it is culture or nature, we think each region has its own charm.
