2020-03-01_Wanderlust

108 wanderlust.co.uk March 2020

Imaginemeanderingthrough

fragrant forests, strolling in lush

meadows or trekking along

panoramic alpine pathways.

The paths that cross verdant

Kitzbühel in Tirol and the

surrounding holiday villages

of Reith, Aurach and Jochberg

can offer all this, as you climb

to the region’s highest summits.

Hahnenkamm is perhaps the

most famous of these, complete

with adventures accessible

to all levels of fitness. For

860m of adrenaline try the

‘Streif Live’ hike. As well as the

chance to stare into the abyss

from the steepest sections

of the course, the path also

features four infotainment LCD

panels that offer a glimpse into

one of the most dangerous

downhill runs in the world. The

hike ends with the ski heroes

immortalised at Legends Park.

The Kitzbüheler Horn can be

reached with a ride on the

Hornbahn cable car which

climbs 2,000m. Upon arrival,

continue on foot to the top

to find the 360-degree viewing

tower and then, as you wander

down the mountain, prepare

to find yourself adrift in a sea

of colourful mountain flora

at the Alpine Flower Garden.

5km south of Kitzbühel is the

village of Aurach, which can

be found at the foot of the

gentle Kitzbühel Südberge

range. Thanks to its timber

houses, lovingly tended gardens

and lofty church steeple, the

village is a popular subject for

painters and photographers

alike. It’s a charming gateway

to enjoy summer hikes from.

All this exercise in the

mountain air is bound to have

you feeling peckish so a pitstop

at a mountain hut (dotted along

many hiking paths) will have you

tucking into some hearty fare.

There are plenty of gourmet

restaurants to be found too,

especially in the busy hub of

Kitzbühel, which boasts a rich

history and a town centre that’s

more than 750 years old. Here

you’ll find traditional arts and

crafts alongside shopping for

international luxury brands, and

accommodation that ranges

from five-star hotels to family-

run guesthouses. The people

of Kitzbühel also have strong ties

to their hometown, which

is why it regularly plays host

to cultural festivals. KITZ

Summer Nights (2020 dates:

4 June – 27 August) sees

pop-up concerts in its streets

and evening cinema screenings

in the town centre. 2020 will

also see the 8th Film Festival

Kitzbühel (24 – 30 August) take

place – an opportunity to share

in the work of some diverse and

fledging cinematic talent before

you put those captivating

mountains into the frame.

KITZBÜHEL
T h e h i ker’ s par adi s e

Path to adventure

(clockwise from this)

The beautiful city of

Kitzbühel from above;

Alpine meadows and

the Hornbahn Cable

Car; Lake Schwarzsee

Find out more at kitzbuehel.com