Activities in Tirol
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Sportcamp Messner
The foaming rivers, narrow gorges and pine forests of the Dolomites around Lienz are the perfect place for adrenaline-pumping sports such as white-water rafting, canyoning, rock climbing and kayaking. The following two companies, both based in the village of Ainet near Lienz, will set you up: Osttirol Adventures and Sportcamp Messner.
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Olympia Bobbahn
The fast and furious Olympia Bobbahn in Innsbruck-Igls was built especially for the 1976 Winter Olympics. Taking in 14 curves, a loop and a vertical drop of 124m, the bob run is 1.2km of pure hair-raising action. Thrill seekers can join a professional bobsled driver to give it a whirl; ice makes the run slippery smooth in winter, but it’s also possible to race down in summer if you don’t mind a bumpy ride. At €30 a pop, the minute of madness doesn’t come cheap, but the buzz of whooshing down at speeds of 100km/h (miss a bend and you’ll bounce like a pinball) is worth every cent.
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Zettersfeld
The skiing in Lienz is geared mainly towards beginners and intermediates, with just a handful of knee-trembling black runs. Its downhill offer is not huge by Austrian standards, but the views of the rugged Dolomites are awesome. Most of the action takes place around Zettersfeld, where a cable car and five lifts whizz skiers up to slopes reaching between 1660m and 2278m.
The ski lifts run from 1 December to Easter, depending on snow.Multiday passes cover all of East Tyrol's ski lifts (see www.topski.at, in German, for full ski-pass details). Several peaceful cross-country trails also crisscross the valley.
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Hochstein
Slightly west of Lienz, Hochstein (2057m) is also popular for its groomed pistes; a free bus runs from the train station to the cable-car valley stations in summer and winter high seasons. The ski lifts run from 1 December to Easter, depending on snow. Multiday passes cover all of East Tyrol's ski lifts (see www.topski.at, in German, for full ski-pass details). Several peaceful cross-country trails also crisscross the valley.
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Lienzer Bergbahnen
The cable cars spring back to life for the summer season (June to September). The ride up to Hochstein costs €11 return, while Zettersfeld costs €10, or €17 including the chairlift to 2214m. Family and child fares are also available. If you’re planning on making more than one trip, it makes sense to buy the Osttirol Card. Both lifts are run by Lienzer Bergbahnen.
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Chairlift
A real blast from the past, the 1970s chairlift to Wilder Kaiser has become a cult attraction. A sign says ‘bouncing not permitted’ and it soon becomes clear why: only itty-bitty bars prevent you from plummeting to the valley floor on this precipitous ride, which traverses ravines and cuts a path through dense forest home to deer and red squirrels.
reviewed
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Osttirol Adventures
The foaming rivers, narrow gorges and pine forests of the Dolomites around Lienz are the perfect place for adrenaline-pumping sports such as white-water rafting, canyoning, rock climbing and kayaking. The following two companies, both based in the village of Ainet near Lienz, will set you up: Osttirol Adventures and Sportcamp Messner.
reviewed
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Dolomiten Lamatrekking
Dolomiten Lamatrekking is a dab hand at getting those stubborn llamas to walk his way. The llamas obligingly lug the heavy packs, leaving walkers free to enjoy the stunning Hohe Tauern scenery. Tours take place come snow or shine and stretch from two-hour taster sessions to four-day uphill hikes.
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Zillertaler Superskipass
Mayrhofen is a prime spot for serious skiing, but there is downhill and cross-country skiing elsewhere. The Zillertaler Superskipass covers all 150-odd lifts in the valley; it starts at around €130 for the minimum four days, or around €140.50 for four out of six days. Ski buses connect the resorts.
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Hervis Sports
The stunning alpine scenery and mountain passes around the Zillertal encourage cyclists to grab a bike and get pedalling. The routes zigzagging up to Ginzling and Hintertux can be tough going, but the views are exhilarating. Enquire at the tourist office about tours. Bicycles can be rented from Hervis Sports .
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Probike Lienz
A network of mountain-bike trails radiates from Lienz, taking in the striking landscape of the Dolomites. Ask the tourist office for the map Rad und Mountainbike Karte Osttirol, which details cycling routes. Probike Lienz is the most central place to hire your own set of wheels.
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Action Club Zillertal
Action Club Zillertal is the place to go for adventure sports from hydrospeeding the raging waters of the Ziller River (€33) to canyoning (€24 to €79), paragliding (€80 to €160) and skydiving from Radfeld/Kundl (€190).
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Hungerburgbahn
The brand-new Hungerburgbahn is great news for powder freaks. Designed by Zaha Hadid of Bergisel fame, the sleek cable railway looks like something out of a sci-fi film and links the Congress Centre to Hafelekar (2300m) in just 25 minutes.
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Inntour
For adrenaline-based thrills, check out the activities at Inntour. This is the place to come if you want to white-water raft down the Inn River, bungee jump from the 192m Europabrücke (Europe Bridge) or ski on the Stubai Glacier.
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Kitzbüheler Horn Cable Car
Alpine Flower Garden is reached by Kitzbüheler Horn cable car, but drivers can also wind their way up to the top of the mountain (road toll per car/motorcycle €4/2, plus €1.50 per person).
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Fly Zillertal
Paragliding specialist Fly Zillertal offers piloted trips descending 500m to 2300m (€55 to €130). Several rival firms offer similar deals; ask for details at the tourist office.
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Ski School Mount Everest
Ski School Mount Everest is run by famous Austrian mountaineer, Peter Habeler, who offers day tours in the Zillertal Alps including the ascent of the 3476m Olperer (€79).
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Die Boerse
Die Boerse rents skis, snowboards and mountain bikes (€14 to €30 per day), and offers a free pick-up service from the airport, Hauptbahnhof or your hotel.
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Toboggan Track
In winter, the 7km toboggan track offers a bumpy downhill dash through the snow from Idalp to Ischgl, which is particularly scenic when floodlit on Monday and Thursday nights.
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Sport Olympia
Bikes can be rented from Sport Olympia for around €9 per day and can be transported free of charge on the Hornbahn, Hahnenkammbahn and Fleckalmbahn gondolas.
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Galitzenklamm Wasserschaupfad
Galitzenklamm Wasserschaupfad, a specially built walkway that clings to sheer cliffs above the gorge of the Drau. To get there, head for Leisach, 3km from Lienz.
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Intersport
Bikes can be rented from Intersport for around €9 per day and can be transported free of charge on the Hornbahn, Hahnenkammbahn and Fleckalmbahn gondolas.
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Sport Camp Tirol
Adventurous types make for Sport Camp Tirol, offering activities from canyoning and paragliding to glacier tours, rock climbing and rafting on the Inn River.
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Mountain Bikes
mountain bikesare here to head off on one of the tourist office’s free GPS tours or tackle the downhill Inn Trail.
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Venet Cable Car
In summer, the Venet cable car zooms up to Krahberg (2208m), where there is a web of marked footpaths.
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