The best mountain destinations
Aren’t you a fan of mountain destinations? In this article, I’ll try to convince you because these destinations have so much more to offer than you might think.
Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is located in Austria and comprises seven charming little villages situated at the foot of Germany’s highest mountain. Discover Ehrwald, Lermoos, Berwang, Biberwier, Bichlbach, Heiterwang am See, and Namlos.
Villages
Seven villages can indeed make it challenging to choose the right place to stay. Let me help you with that! The following are my favorites.
Ehrwald
Ehrwald is the largest village located in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, offering the most beautiful views of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze.The town’s highlights include a large golf course nestled amid stunning mountains, and it even offers accessibility to the Zugspitze, which can be reached from here by foot.
For nearly 10 years, we’ve been regular visitors to this village, staying at the Hotel Alpen Residence. It’s a delightful hotel with a perfect location and a genuine Austrian cozy atmosphere. The breakfast and meals are always well-prepared, the staff is extremely friendly, and the rooms are notably spacious and very clean. If you’re considering a vacation in this area, I definitely recommend this charming hotel.
From the hotel, you can easily walk or drive to the Ehrwalder Almbahn, a gondola that takes you to an area where stunning hikes begin. You can hike to the famous Seebensee, a natural turquoise mountain lake at 1,657 meters altitude. From there, you can continue hiking to the Coburger Hütte, a mountain hut where avid climbers often stay overnight to embark on more challenging treks the next day. The Coburger Hütte also offers a magnificent view of the Drachensee, a smaller and darker lake surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. These beautiful views do require some hiking experience. The hike to Seebensee is manageable, but for both Seebensee and the Coburger Hütte, make sure to wear sturdy hiking boots. The second one, in particular, can be quite challenging if you’re inexperienced.
For enthusiasts of easier hikes, there’s the ‘Wasserfall Erlebnisweg,’ a trail that’s also suitable for children and runs along a crystal-clear waterfall. Moreover, it’s kid-friendly with many games along the way. Although this hike may be simpler, the viewpoints continue to impress. If you’ve just arrived and want to ease into things, this is definitely a great one to start with. You can grab a meal at the end in the ‘BrentAlm,’ offering everything from tasty salads to authentic Tyrolean dishes. Definitely a place catering to all tastes!
Not a fan of hikes? You can take the cable car to the top of the Zugspitze for a stunning view. If you’re not fond of heights, you can visit the Ehrwald golf club. Still not convinced? There’s also the Panoramaweg or Moosweg, which takes you from the Ehrwald valley to Lermoos. It’s a walk of less than half an hour amidst meadows and mountains.
Lermoos
Lermoos, in my opinion, is less appealing than Ehrwald, but it also offers a splendid view of the Zugspitze and features many upscale hotels. One of these hotels is Hotel Post, where even Prince Laurent of Belgium has stayed. We particularly enjoy a delicious lunch by the pool after a hike.
Looking for sportswear or souvenirs? Take a look in the village of Lermoos; you’ll surely find something!
Hiking in Lermoos is also definitely possible. There is a gondola that takes you to the Grubigstein Alm, offering a higher viewpoint over all the villages. Again, not recommended for those with a fear of heights, but truly beautiful. It still amazes me.
Biberwier
Biberwier is not usually the village where you choose to stay overnight, although it does have some nice holiday homes. The village mainly offers beautiful hikes and enjoyable activities.
If you’re an adventurous daredevil, you can head to Marienberg in Biberwier. Here, you can go tobogganing or race down on a go-cart or step.
One of the most beautiful hikes starts from Biberwier. The Three Lakes Trail takes you along the Weissensee, Mittersee, and Blindsee. Deep blue, emerald green, and crystal clear. One after another, they’re true gems. If you need to cool off in the summer, this is the place to be. If you enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, boating, or simply floating on an inflatable mattress, I recommend opting for Blindsee, which is also easily accessible by car.
Heiterwang am see
Speaking of lakes, Heiterwang am See is the place to be for water enthusiasts. The village is situated on the shores of Heiterwanger See and Plansee. Together, they form the largest water surface area in all of Tyrol. You can boat from shore to shore, swim, paddleboard, fish, and if there’s enough wind, even sail. Of course, you can also take a leisurely stroll around the blue lake, suitable for all ages.
Additionally, if you’re a camper, there’s a beautiful campground on the shores of Heiterwanger See known for its top-notch facilities and excellent service.
More to come
These are my favorite destinations in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. Later, I’ll be happy to tell you more about Haute-Savoie and picturesque Swiss villages. So, keep an eye on my website. Below, you can already see my favorite mountains because yes, I definitely have those! 😉
| Name | Country | Altitude |
| Mont Blanc | French Alps, France | 4.809 m |
| Matterhorn | Walliser Alps, Switzerland | 4.478 m |
| Jungfrau | Swiss Alps, Switzerland | 4.158 m |
| Großglockner | Hohe Tauern, Austria | 3.798 m |
| Zugspitze | Wettersteingebergte, Germany – Austria | 2.962 m |
