Google St Johann in Tirol and you’ll find yourself inundated with photos of its quaint village centre, complete with a fairy-tale church and a dusting of icing sugar snow. You’ll also find piste maps, cable cars and thousands of shots of skiers enjoying perfectly groomed pistes, but what happens to this place when the last of the snow melts in spring? What are the most adventurous things to do in St Johann in Tirol in summer, when the white slopes have been replaced with emerald pastures and bird song echoes around the valley?
Well, you might be surprised to learn that there is a wealth of incredible things to do in St Johann in Tirol in summer, and we’ve rounded up our favourite five below.
Kitzbüheler Horn panorama hike
The Kitzbüheler Horn (1,996m) towers over the village of St Johann in Tirol, and its tantalising peak makes a great base for adventure. Some of the best views in the Kitzbühel Alps can be found on the panorama circuit from the Harschbichl mountain station (1604m), which can be reached in a matter of minutes from St Johann in Tirol.
From here you’ll head south to a steep path taking you up to the Horngipfel (1990m), and the summit of the Kitzbüheler Horn. You will then head east along a breath-taking ridge to Hoferschneid, taking care to focus on the path despite jaw-dropping views to all points of the compass. Keep left to follow the path back around to the cable car station where you began. Click here to see more.
Hornpark Kletterwald Adventure
This fun-filled treetop adventure park is one of the most adventurous things to do in St Johann in Tirol and can be found nestled in the heart of the picturesque valley.
The Hornpark is the Kitzbühel Alps’ largest high ropes park, covering a whopping 25,000 square metres of fragrant forest, and boasting 85 elements, with the added thrill of a flying fox course. It can easily be accessed via gondola from St Johann in Tirol, and more information can be found here.
Mountain Carts from Harschbichl Mountain
Experience the unique thrill of hurtling down a mountain track all the way from the gondola station to the valley floor with the area’s incredible mountain carts. The three-wheeled carts have a wide wheelbase and low centre of gravity to ensure great stability while on the trail, as you tear your way down the hillside to reach St Johann in Tirol.
A dual circuit braking system allows you to control your speed, whether you want to slow down and appreciate the spectacular scenery or simply cut loose and catch thrills. The route begins at the middle station of the Harschbichl gondola, and you can buy tickets that include your ride up too. Check it out here.
Eifersbacher Waterfall hike
This relatively short hike is an ideal adventure for all the family, taking hikers on a journey through ethereal woodland and rolling alpine pastures to reach the fairy-tale falls of Eifersbacher. The walk begins at the car park for the Eichenhof lifts, where you will take a left through the forest down to the picturesque Theresienbad chapel.
Continuing through the forest, you will navigate the tumbling stream over a series of bridges and jetties before reaching the majestic falls, cascading 25m down to the valley below. There’s nothing quite so refreshing on a hot summer’s day! From the waterfall you can climb the short path up to the forest road and then down into the valley to Grander Schupf (1,000m) and your start point. Check it out here.
Harschbichlbahn Cable Car
Wondering why a cable car has made it onto the list of the best things to do in St Johann in Tirol? Well, the views alone on this spectacular ride up the Kitzbühel Horn make this cable car a worthy adventure, but more importantly of all are all the exciting adventures you can find at the top. Some of the area’s most spectacular hiking, quintessential mountain huts and glimmering alpine lakes can be found a short walk or cycle away from the top station. Find more information here.
More exciting things to do in St Johann in Tirol in summer
We’ve barely scratched the surface of all the incredible things to do in St Johann in Tirol in summer, and there’s plenty more to be uncovered on the St Johann in Tirol tourism website. Click here to find out more.
For Covid-19 information check out www.tyrol.com/information-coronavirus and for top travel tips to get around Tirol head here, where you can also pick up a weekly Tirol ticket for €45.