Introduction
Zell am Ziller is a picturesque market town in the Zillertal Valley, Tyrol, Austria, sitting at 575 meters altitude, about a 1-hour drive from Innsbruck. It offers skiing, hiking trails, leisure parks, and cultural attractions, including the Zillertal Bier brewery, which has been crafting beer since 1500 AD. Nearby Mayrhofen features the Penkenbahn and Ahornbahn gondolas, reaching over 2,000 meters. This visit took place in late May, which is off-season.
Practical Information
Arrival / Departure
Innsbruck Airport is small, easy to navigate, but has limited seating for departure
Zell am Ziller Bahnhof is served by the Zillertalbahn or bus.
Expect at least 90 minutes from Innsbruck, changing at Jenbach with public transport.
If you are driving: Get an Austrian vignette for toll roads.
Getting around
Getting around the area is manageable with local buses and trains connecting towns from Jenbach to Mayrhofen. However, taxis should be booked in advance, as waiting times can be long. While Uber works in Innsbruck, it is not a practical option in Zell am Ziller.
Having a car provides flexibility, though mountain roads can be slow, especially when shared with cyclists. Hiking and biking are excellent ways to explore the region, and various gondolas operate throughout the mountains. It is advisable to check their schedules ahead of time, as they do not run daily in the off-season.
Highlights
Pertisau – Achensee & Karwendel gondola
Stilluptal – Reservoir & waterfalls (bike to Grüne Wand Hütte)
Penkenbahn gondola – Walk up Penkenjoch
Talbach waterfall – Easy walk from Zell am Ziller
Schleier waterfall – Longer circular walk near Hart and a bigger waterfall
Tips and Tricks
Food
Eden Patisserie (Hotel Malisgarten) – Excellent pastries and the Eden Bar – Great cocktails. The Wilde Kräuterküche was a mixed experience. Since it was off season, few restaurants were open and those that were open often had limited operating hours.
You find plenty of supermarkets if you are self catering, from local ones to chains, just bear in mind they are not open Sundays.
Café Kerzenstuberl was a pleasant place for very good coffee and delicious ice cream & apple strudel, but closes at 6 PM
