Ried im Zillertal: Winter, Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Ried im Zillertal
Anyone looking for accommodation in Ried im Zillertal will find a place with a nearby connection to winter sports and several independent excursion destinations. The Hochzillertal-HochfĂĽgen ski area is just a few minutes away by car from Ried im Zillertal. Ried im Zillertal and the Hochzillertal-HochfĂĽgen ski area are not the same destination. The distance to the ski area says nothing about the location of a particular accommodation by a slope, lift or valley station.
Ried im Zillertal as a starting point for winter days and excursions
The landscape around Ried im Zillertal is distinctly shaped by forests and alpine farming. Forested areas account for a good 50 percent of the municipality’s area. Above the tree line begins an alpine pasture area of around 200 hectares that continues to be used for alpine farming. Thus, in addition to the nearby ski area, trails through forest and mountain landscapes are also part of the character of the place.
For a shared activity away from the slopes, the circular hiking trail Ried–Kaltenbach–Stumm–Ried is a good option. The route takes 1 hour and 15 minutes and is 4.3 kilometres long. It can be reached by train or bus on the Zillertalbahn to the Ried im Zillertal railway stop. A longer alternative is the Ried–St. Pankraz Church–Ried hiking route, with 2 hours and 30 minutes of walking time over 8.2 kilometres. The two routes therefore clearly differ in length and time required.
Riedberg Chapel and ecclesiastical cultural heritage
One prominent destination is Riedberg Chapel. It is located in the middle of the forest and can be reached from Taxach, a district of Ried, via a field and forest path in approximately 15 minutes. The chapel was built in honour of the Virgin Mary and is dedicated to Marian devotion. Currently, May devotions are held there every year in May.
The Way of the Cross to Riedberg Chapel begins at the Riedbach Bridge in Ried, follows the Riedbach and climbs uphill along a forest path to the chapel. Along the way, the 14 Stations of the Cross depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ are presented in simple chapels as sculptures. Hermann Wildauer created the sculptures, while Walter Rom from Kundl produced the bronze casting of the individual panels. The Way of the Cross can also be walked as a path for reflection. In June, a Way of the Cross is walked from Ried to Riedberg Chapel.
There are also protected buildings in the town centre. The old section of the cemetery with its cemetery chapel in Ried im Zillertal is protected as a historic monument by ordinance. The same applies to the vicarage at Kirchweg 2. In the parish church of St John the Baptist, the high altar is decorated with a relief by the sculptor Josef Bachlechner.
Cycling Trail and Zillertal High Mountain Road
As another option, the Zillertal cycling trail passes Uderns, Ried im Zillertal and Kaltenbach. Its almost level route is considered particularly family-friendly. The Zillertal High Mountain Road is relevant for a car excursion or scenic drive: it is open to visitors and has five access roads, including one in Ried im Zillertal. Anyone who wants to experience the entire high mountain road should begin the ascent in Ried im Zillertal.
Along the road, at an altitude of 850 metres above sea level, lies the Schönblick wildlife park with a playground. The route of the Zillertal High Mountain Road reaches its highest point at Melchboden, at 2,020 metres. This makes it possible to combine, from the town, both nearby access to the Hochzillertal-Hochfügen ski area and excursions with different focuses.
For a broader comparison of locations, you can also look at [Steinberg Am Rofan](Steinberg Am Rofan), [Rohrberg](Rohrberg), [Uderns](Uderns), [Kaltenbach](Kaltenbach), [Strass Im Zillertal](Strass Im Zillertal), [FĂĽgenberg](FĂĽgenberg), [Terfens](Terfens) and [Stumm](Stumm).
For the higher-level travel overview: Schwaz District.
