Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
TIROLER ZUGSPITZ ARENA
Adm ire Austria from a id fferent ep rspe ctive
The views in Tiroler Zugspitz Arena are not to be missed. Located on the border of Austria and Germany, this area of Tirol encompasses seven villages – Ehrwald, Lermoos, Biberwier, Berwang, Bichlbach, Heiterwang am See and Namlos – with the majestic Zugspitze mountain, towering above. Summer brings with it the chance to explore this region by hike or by bike, but there are also many other ways to nab some inspiring views.
Standing at 2,962m high, the Zugspitze is impressive, but more so from the top where, on a clear day, you can see the mountains of four countries. Even better, its viewing platform can easily be reached in just ten minutes thanks to the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car. While here, check out the ‘Fascination Zugspitze’ museum that tells the history of the mountain and its cableways and if you time your summer trip right, you can enjoy special events from sunrise ascents or Zugspitze Octoberfest, dubbed ‘the highest in the world’.
Fancy a different angle of the mountain? Try the Almkopfbahn cable car from Bichlbach.
As you climb up 1,600m, not only will you be treated to views of Zugspitze and lake Heiterwanger See, but you can do so with a gondola breakfast, complete with table setting, regional delicacies and a glass of prosecco. Once you arrive at the top, there are hikes to enjoy as well as mountain scooters available for hire and be sure to stop by the mountain hut Heiterwanger Hochalm, renowned for its schnapps.
The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena offers some great lakeside vistas too. Seebensee is arguably one of the finest thanks to its brilliant turquoise colour and can be reached on a variety of trails from Ehrwald or Biberwier. Or, there’s the Drachensee (the ‘Dragon Lake’) the highest in the region at 1,910m, which can be found just a little further above. Keep on climbing to find the Coburger Hütte for great views and even better food.
If you want to get onto the water, go to the lake Heiterwanger See and Plansee where you can try stand-up paddle boarding from the SUP station, next to the hotel Fischer am See, with the option of sunset tours and night time excursions beneath star-filled skies.
No matter how you explore the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, great views come guaranteed.