Wildschönau: Ski Juwel, Mountain Railways and Special Excursion Destinations

If you are looking for a region with activities for beginners and many different day-trip destinations for your ski holiday, Wildschönau offers a versatile base. The Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area has beginner lifts in Oberau and at Roggenboden. In addition, the Schatzbergbahn and Markbachjochbahn cable cars take you up into the mountains. This allows you to tailor your plans to your preferred winter activities, the ability levels of your group and the respective starting points.

Winter orientation between Oberau and Markbachjoch

The 8-seater gondola lift to Markbachjoch takes around eight minutes. From the mountain station of the Markbachjochbahn, a mountain lake with sculptures can be reached on foot in around 30 minutes. Schatzberg also offers a specific destination for your stay: the Schatzberg circular hiking trail opens up views of the neighbouring Alpbach Valley. One stage of the Bikeschaukel Tirol runs across Markbachjoch and adds a cycling connection to the range of sporting options.

When choosing a ski hotel or other accommodation for a ski holiday in Wildschönau, your planned daily activities are therefore a useful point of reference. If you are travelling with children, equipment or different ability levels, choose your location based on the destinations that are genuinely the focus of your trip.

Trails for different interests

The Wildschönauer Wirbelwindweg runs for four kilometres between Niederau and Oberau and includes several adventure stations. Niederau is also home to the Auenweg: the almost level walking trail is one kilometre long and takes around 30 minutes. Along the Auenweg Niederau, there is an educational trail about medicinal plants. Information boards explain the herbs and plants that grow there, as well as their traditional uses.

The Kundler Klamm offers a different landscape experience. It is framed by steeply rising rock walls up to 200 metres high. The hike through the gorge begins in the Mühltal district; the approximately 3.5-kilometre gorge route is also accessible with a pushchair. The small tourist train runs from Mühltal to the entrance of the Kundler Klamm and takes 20 minutes. Access is subject to a seasonal period from 1 April to 15 November; during this period, the gorge is freely accessible.

Culture, crafts and regional features

Wildschönau can also be discovered through its museums and craft-related traditions. The z'Bach Mountain Farmers' Museum displays more than 1,200 exhibits depicting the austere life of Tyrolean mountain farmers. From June to October, a weekly craft market takes place there every Thursday. Crafts on display include wood carving, woodturning, felt slipper making, flax spinning, basket weaving and beekeeping.

At the 1st Tyrolean Wood Museum, more than 3,000 exhibits are displayed in 59 wooden chambers. A one-kilometre wood-themed trail begins next to the museum. The dome frescoes of the Antonius Chapel provide another cultural highlight, depicting scenes from the life of Saint Anthony. The annual Talfest traditionally includes a large parade on Sunday, with a different theme each year.

A regional speciality is also part of the valley's identity: Krautinger is a turnip schnapps made from the white stubble turnip and distilled exclusively in Wildschönau. In summer, cheese tours are offered at Schönangeralm. This seasonal addition highlights another side of the region and may play a role when planning a trip beyond purely downhill skiing.

More destinations for comparison

If you would like to compare Wildschönau with other places, you can find suitable nearby destinations at Thierbach, Thiersee, Brixlegg, Ellmau, Rattenberg, Walchsee, Kramsach and Mariastein.

For the broader travel overview: Kufstein District.