Zell am See-Kaprun is a very popular ski destination in the winter months, but it is less known that it is also a very good place for families with children in the summer. The picture-postcard location of the two villages on Lake Zeller See with a view of majestic mountain peaks makes the destination a play and holiday paradise, especially for sporty families who love adventure and action. Below is an anthology of activities to tighten your muscles.
Free public transport for tourists
The Zell am See-Kaprun traffic bureau is launching a remarkable campaign to slightly reduce mobility, parking pressure and pollution; the 'Mobility Card', a card for tourists that allows free use of bus and train in the Pinzgau region. Holidaymakers staying overnight in Zell am See-Kaprun receive the card free of charge. It is valid from May 1 to October 30. Free transport applies to all local bus connections, the Pinzgau railways and trains of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). Most of the region's attractions can be reached by city and regional transport, including the Kitzsteinhorn, Schmittenhöhe and Sigmund Thun gorge mountains.
Extensive children's entertainment program – boredom excluded
Parents don't have to worry about their kids getting bored during a holiday in Zell am See-Kaprun. Activities are organized from May to October especially for children between the ages of 5 and 16. For the little ones there is the Cool Kids Fun program, for the older children the Cool Kids Adventure program. Think of a walk with llamas or alpacas, a pirate treasure hunt on Lake Zell, archery, a mountain bike course, climbing course or a visit to the dragon Schmidolin, the mascot of the Schmittenhöhe. With a Summer Card from the VVV you get a discount, if you stay in one of the hotels affiliated with this program, the activities are even free.
For adrenaline junkies:Via Ferrata along a dam wall or white water rafting
Associations with James Bond? Via ferrata is a term that comes from mountaineering and means "iron road". It is a marked trail with steel cables and stirrups along a rock massif, but here in Zell am See-Kaprun along a sheet pile. Zell am See-Kaprun has two huge reservoirs, Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden, the latter at 2000 meters altitude. The Via Ferrata here is called MOBO 107, an abbreviation of the Mooserboden and the number refers to the height of the dam:107 meters high. Two rivers that are ideal for rafting are the Salzach and the Saalach.
Walk with a guide along 4 climate zones
Hike with a national park ranger to an altitude of over 3000 meters on the Kitzsteinhorn Explorer Tour. Don't be alarmed, you go up three times with the cable car, so the walks themselves are short and very suitable for families with children. During the walks, the forester will inform you about the formation of glaciers, where golden eagles and bearded vultures live, flora and fauna and more. At the mountain station you then go to Cinema 3000 where you can watch the beautiful nature film Kitzsteinhorn - 'THE NATURE' on an 8 meter wide screen. Afterwards, visit the National Park Information Center where you can learn all about permafrost, crystal, the Hohe Tauern National Park and the impressive technology behind cable cars. At the end you can walk straight to the viewing platform at 3029 meters with a magnificent view. Have a lunch or a coffee here that you will never forget.
Pick your nose:a herbal walk with herbal specialist Fredi
You may not immediately realize it, but more herbs grow in the mountains than in the valley. Herbalist Fredi takes you on an intriguing walk through the meadows of the Schmittenhöhe and hear all about the healing properties of herbs and their use in dishes. After a walk of one and a half hours you reach the end point:restaurant Sonnkogel where the motto is; from the meadow to the board. A route has been mapped out here along herbs with information boards and places where you can put your nose to work at scent stations. Ferdi then prepares various local specialties in his workshop in which herbs are processed. The tour takes place every Friday during the summer.
Yoga on a mountain top or on a supboard
After a working day, it's great to relax with a yoga class at the gym, but let's face it, nothing beats a class in the outdoors. Yoga teacher Lisa knows the most beautiful places and takes you to forests full of moss, to the beach of Wieshof on Lake Zell for a yoga class on a supboard, or to a piece of field in Thumersbach with a breathtaking view of Zell am See-Kaprun and the lake.
Every Wednesday from July 24 to September 9, yoga teacher Monika Rauter organizes a yoga class on a mountainside. Meeting point is the Schmittenhöhe cable car at 08:30. When you buy a ticket for the cable car, you can join the yoga class for free. From the class location you have a view of 30 mountain peaks – zen guaranteed.
Toboggan run 'MaisiFlitzer' top attraction for the whole family
'Kick'! That is the reaction of children after the ride on the Maisiflitzer toboggan run. At a height of 11 meters above the ground, you zoom in a cart over a distance of 1,300 meters down 730 meters in about 12 minutes to the end point. Various bends and waves have been built in the route, so sensation is guaranteed. Children from 3 to 7 years old must accompany an adult. It is open 12 months a year.
Spectacular sound and light show on Lake Zell
This year on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays until October 15th there is a 20 minute water, light, sound and laser show on the lake at sunset; entry is free.
More information at www.zellamsee-kaprun.com/nl.
