In co-operation with the Austrian Tourist Office
Why not experience summer in St Johann in Tirol, Austria? After last summer's motorhome trip, which included a visit to Austria, we've got a taste for this country. Together with the Austrian tourist office, we have looked at what you could do on a summer holiday in St Johann in Tirol. And it certainly makes you hungry!
Table of contents
Experiencing summer in Austria
Last summer we travelled through several countries in Europe by motorhome, and one of them was Austria. After this, we can highly recommend Austria as a country to visit in the summer! Among other things, we went to beautiful Zell am See which offers both dramatic nature experiences at the top of the Kitzsteinhorn mountain, and enjoyable holiday life with boat trips on Lake Zeller. And yes, this made me want to experience more of Austria!
St Johann in Tirol
St Johann in Tirol is located in the federal state of Tyrol, about 30 miles northwest of Zell am See. Many tourists travel here in the winter for skiing, but it's just as good in the summer.
Summer in St Johann in Tirol
In summer, many people are attracted to St Johann for hiking and cycling. There are 200 kilometres of hiking trails and almost 200 kilometres of cycling trails. For those who wish, there are also opportunities for more adventurous activities, such as climbing. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and cafés where you can enjoy Austrian delicacies.
Hiking in St Johann
In St Johann in Tirol there are plenty of hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Here are some examples:
- Ludwig-Scheiber members - You start with a mountain railway up to Harschbichl and then follow a marked trail. The panoramic views are said to be fantastic, and on a clear day the summit is said to offer views of 70 peaks.
- metallurgical road - This hike starts at the intermediate station and continues around the Alpine lake Angereralm and on to Schlossbergsee, before turning back on a nice forest road.
- Long-distance migrations - Last but not least, there are several long hikes to choose from, for those who are more experienced or want to hike for several days.
Mountain bike in St Johann
We've tried mountain biking in the Swiss Alps, and it was a real treat. You rent a mountain bike from any of the rental companies (in St Johann there are several!) and take the bike with the lift up to one of the peaks, and then whizz down. In St Johann you can take the bike up in the Harschbichl lift, and from there there is a cycle path to follow. Electric bikes are also available for hire.
More activities in St Johann
For those who want to do more than "just" hike, cycle and enjoy good food, there are plenty of activities in the summer. Here are some examples:
- Geocaching - It has become popular to go on a modern treasure hunt with GPS, even in St Johann.
- Adventure park – Hornpark adventure park is for those who want to boost their adrenaline. Here you can try the high-altitude course or a dramatic zipline.
- Climbing - Ready-made climbing routes are available for those who want a challenge at high altitude.
- Paragliding - On Mountain High Adventure Centre you can try tandem paragliding with an experienced guide. Guess the view is awesome!
- Bathroom - On Bathing world There are both indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a sauna centre with different types of saunas.
Enjoying Austrian cuisine
One of the things that surprised us when we travelled in Austria, both in winter and summer, is that the food is really good. Here it is usually rustic and well-prepared food, such as schnitzel or soup with dumplings.
To be honest, dumplings aren't really our favourite, but they're ok and fun to try! Last summer, however, we tried really good dishes with an abundance of chanterelles and blueberries. In St Johann in Tirol there is also a weekly organisation of a food market with fruit, cheeses, bread and spices.
Events in summer
If you look at the programme in St Johann in Tirol, you'll see that things are happening throughout the summer months. Here are some examples of events for the 2019 summer season:
- 1 June Dirndl and Lederhosen festival - What would a summer in Austria be without traditional Austrian clothing? Of course, the party also includes Austrian delicacies.
- 13 June Wine walking day - Hiking in beautiful nature can be nice enough, but maybe it will be extra nice if you stop at different wine tasting stations?
- 23 June TT Wandercup - Joint hike for all ages. Food and entertainment afterwards.
- 3 July - 28 August Lang & Klang shopping nights - Every Wednesday between 3 July and 28 August, the shop's opening hours are extended and artists take to the streets.
- 24-31 August Cycling World Cup - The world's top athletes will compete for the World Cup title when the World Championships take place in St Johann in Tirol.
- 21 September Knödeltisch - How about a dumpling party with the world's longest dumpling table? The table is 500 metres long and serves 26,000 dumplings.
Summer in St Johann in Tirol - Where to stay?
There are plenty of hotels and cottages to choose from in St Johann in Tirol - find out more about accommodation in St Johann in Tirol. If you are travelling by motorhome or caravan, there are Michelnhof campsite. Overnight stays in motorhomes or caravans outside campsites are generally unauthorised, the only exception being in emergencies when, for example, fatigue makes it dangerous to continue driving.
Check out the Facebook group "Holidays in Austria".
We would also like to recommend Facebook group "Holidays in Austria". We joined about six months ago and it is a great group if you want to ask questions or get tips from others before your holiday in Austria.
Have you been to Austria in the summer, or maybe even experienced summer in St Johann in Tirol?
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Ruth in Virginia says:
1960 - the first year I came back to Sweden after travelling to the USA in 1951.
Did a charter trip to Zell-am-See with a friend; flight from Copenhagen to Munich and bus from there. It was fantastic. A cute little town with chalet-type houses and lots of flowers everywhere. Singing, dancing and wine! - The second visit was in 1973, when I, my 11-year-old son and his mate went on a train trip. Zell-am-See was still nice, but many things had changed to satisfy tourists.
We were there at the end of May. We took the lift up to Schmittenhöhe and were going to go down. We lost the path and got into waist-deep snow. It was just to pulse on. We had fun anyway.
04 May 2019 - 7:05
Helena says:
Wonderful to hear about your travels to Zell am See Ruth! Thank you for sharing! 🙂 Of course, many things change in many places, not least to satisfy tourists. Austria has a fantastic nature so you understand that tourists want to come! Tösnön sounds like a special experience, it is important to have the right mood and attitude! 🙂
04 May 2019 - 8:47
Matts Torebring says:
Austria is one of the few countries, which attracts us to come back, after 19 years of travelling around, in most European countries. Especially Tyrol attracts us the most. I have skied injuries in St Johann and I was there a short round even in summer time. The only thing I don't like is the Go box, for those of us with heavier motorhomes.
We love Austria in both summer and winter. The behaviour when we visited different places, the nature and the food. A wonderful country simply.
04 May 2019 - 7:54
Helena says:
Glad you were in St Johann in Tirol! Agree that Austria is a fantastic country to travel in, both summer and winter. Also understand that this with Go box becomes an extra thing to think about when you have a heavy motorhome. We have a slightly smaller motorhome. so we have not had to think about it.
04 May 2019 - 8:49
Travelsis says:
What wonderful pictures! Now that we were in Scotland, we just talked about wanting to go to Austria in the summer / Pernilla
04 May 2019 - 9:28
Helena says:
We also want to visit Scotland! 🙂 And yes, Austria is really super nice in the summer!!!
04 May 2019 - 12:06
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
Austria in the summer is really amazing. We have really only been to the Zillertal, both by motorhome and on other hiking trips.
We have friends who are going to St Johann in September. It looks incredibly delicious.
Could you really resist shopping? Imagine a dirndl at a party in Stockholm...
04 May 2019 - 11:55
Helena says:
We have not been to Zillertal, but have heard others who liked it too. But they were probably there in the winter 😉 And haha, yes, a dress like that would be perfect if you were invited to Oktoberfest or so 😉.
04 May 2019 - 12:07
Åsa says:
Worked two winter seasons and two summer seasons in Austria (in Tyrol). Love Austria both summer and winter!
04 May 2019 - 15:12
Helena says:
Yes, that's right, you did! And I agree with you, Austria is beautiful in both summer and winter!
06 May 2019 - 6:33
BP says:
Good that you advertise to visit Austria during the summer. I have several friends who hiked in Austria during the summer and thought it was great.
I also wonder if Lidl has read your blog. The advert that arrived in the mailbox today was about different dumplings - Bavarian/Austrian week you know;-).
04 May 2019 - 19:18
Helena says:
Haha, what fun that Lidl is on the same track as us! 😉
06 May 2019 - 6:34
Ulla Gustafson has been says:
The finest thing in Tyrol is the Coal Mine and the Coal Mine.
04 May 2019 - 21:11
Helena says:
Thanks for the tips! We haven't been there.
06 May 2019 - 6:35
Elisabeth says:
Austria has a lot to offer! Really beautiful there. We have travelled a number of times.
05 May 2019 - 12:52
Helena says:
Right? After our last trip we would love to go back and see more! 🙂
06 May 2019 - 6:35
Lena - good for the soul says:
Yes. I have travelled by motorcycle through Austria, among other things. We spent the night in Zell am See and tried skiing, which I have probably told you about before. Fun feeling to be able to go in the summer!
Hug Lena
06 May 2019 - 6:06
Helena says:
Ah, I didn't know you ride a motorbike!? Yes, fun with the summer skiing! We haven't tried it, but we were at the top and saw both the snow and people skiing and sledding. Lovely feeling! 🙂
06 May 2019 - 6:36
Ulrika says:
I've lived and worked in the small village of Going am Wilder Kaiser and keep returning to the area. I rarely meet Swedes. I can really recommend the area, feel free to visit the small villages as well. Even Kitzbühel if you want a little flavour. The range of both accommodation and activities in the area is wide and works for all ages. A tip is to travel in June, when it is very beautiful and still low season. Summer holidays in Austria and Germany only start in July.
06 May 2019 - 17:31
Helena says:
I'm glad you have experience living and working here! Thanks for the valuable tips!
04 June 2019 - 22:14
Håkan says:
Looks super nice! We are considering the Alps this summer for hiking and maybe cycling, but haven't decided where. Thanks for the tips!
04 June 2019 - 22:15
Helena says:
There are many nice places in Austria, and this is one of them! 🙂
04 June 2019 - 22:17
Ingegerd says:
When I was young, I once travelled to Austria on a hiking trip! Not sure if it will happen again, but this brought back great memories. Thank you very much!
04 June 2019 - 22:16
Helena says:
What wonderful memories! 🙂
04 June 2019 - 22:18