Why you Must Visit Zell am See-Kaprun in Summer
8 Reasons to Visit Zell am See-Kaprun in Summer
Learn the 8 reasons why you must visit Zell am See-Kaprun in Summer.
The beautiful villages of Zell am See and Kaprun are located in the Pinzgau region of Salzburgerland- home of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and Schmittenhöhe mountain.
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Grüße! I am Tammy, the chief Wanderlust’er. I am lucky to live in Zell am See-Kaprun. I am excited to share my passion for this wonderful region of Austria and help you plan your most epic Alpine Holiday.
1. Location
It’s easy to get to Zell am See -Kaprun
Zell am See-Kaprun is easily accessible by car, train, or bus. Zell am See-Kaprun is located 85 km south of Salzburg, 167 km south of Munich and approximately 380km southwest of Vienna. Hourly trains depart Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (the main train station) for Zell am See.
How to get to Zell am See-Kaprun
Free Public Tranportation
2. Spectacular Alpine Scenery – Glacier and Mountains
The unbelievably beautiful alpine scenery is the main reason why you should visit Zell am See-Kaprun. If you dream of a perfect alpine panorama, you will love Zell am See-Kaprun. Zell am See-Kaprun has the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Schmittenhöhe Mountain and the Maiskogel.
The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, at 3,203m (10508 feet), is the highest mountain in Salzburgerland. There are many walks and hikes, as well as the National Park Gallery, the Top of Salzburg skywalk, and the Gifpel Restaurant. The Summer Ice Arena, located at ~3,000 m (9850 feet), allows you to experience snow in summer, and you can even go tobogganing in July and August.
Schmittenhöhe Mountain provides a bird’s-eye view of Lake Zell and thirty 3,000m mountains, including the Kitzsteinhorn, Groβglockner Groβvenediger, and Steinernes Meer.
The Maiskogel Mountain is a starting point for several hiking routes, from leisurely to a full-scale ascent of the Maiskogel or Kitzsteinhorn.
3. A Pristine Mountain Lake
If your dream summer alpine holiday also has a beautiful lake, then we have you covered.
Zeller See (Lake Zell) is a crystal-clear glacial alpine lake located at the base of the Schmittenhöhe Mountain, and it is one of the cleanest lakes in Europe. There are daily boat cruises on Lake Zell, or you can rent a paddle boat or sailboat to explore independently. The lake also has several lidos (public beaches), each with facilities and cafes providing the perfect spots to swim in the lake, whose average summer water temperature is 21 °C.
4. Skiing in spring, early summer and late Autumn
When it is warm in the valley, and most other European Ski resorts have closed, Kaprun’s Kitzsteinhorn Glacier still has snow-covered slopes.
The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier is the only place in Salzburger Land where skiing in May and early June is possible.
The Glacier Ski resort also opens in mid-October.
Learn more in our Skiing in Austria Guides
5. Hiking and Walking
Zell am See-Kaprun is a hikers and walkers nirvana. Glacier summits, gentle grassy mountains, and scenic forest trails, provide a variety of varied routes for all levels of difficulty from leisurely family walks to challenging summit climbs and multiday hikes.
Kaprun, home of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, lies in the Kaprunertal (Kaprun valley) and is part of the Hohe Tauern Mountain range. The Hohe Tauern National Park was established in 1981 and covers a landscape of high mountains, deep valleys and lakes with many walking and hiking trails.
A leisurely hike on the Maiskogel Mountain in Kaprun.
Zell am See’s Schmittenhöhe Mountain (1,965m) is on the eastern edge of the Kitzbühel Alps, separated from the Hohe Tauern range (Kitzsteinhorn) by the Salzach valley. The panorama from the summit wows with must-see Instagrammable views of the lush green valley down to glistening Lake Zell. In the distance up to thirty 3,000m mountains can be seen including: Kitzsteinhorn, Groβglockner and Groβvenediger of the Hohe Tauren Range and to the east the Steinernes Meer.
Discover top tips in our Beginner’s Guide to Hiking in Austria. Find some of our recommended Zell am See-Kaprun Hikes in the Top 10 Hiking Destinations in Austria. And read our Family-Friendly Maiskogel Hut Hike Guide
6. Explore Zell am See-Kaprun by bike
Zell am See-Kaprun is the perfect location to explore by bike. Many leisurely and easy-paced cycling trails will take you around Kaprun, Piesendorf, Bruck, and Zell am See. In addition to 100s of trails that wind their way through the mountains with epic panoramas.
Kaprun is also on the 300 km Tauern Cycling Trail (Tauernradweg) that follows the Salzach River from Salzburg to the Krimml Waterfalls.
The Zell am See-Kaprun region also has over 30 mountain bike trails catering from easy to difficult terrains. A bit further afield in Saalbach- Hinterglemm-Leogang (28 km from Kaprun) is a mountain biker’s paradise with over 400 km of mountain biking trails to explore.
7. Epic Mountain Drive- the Großglockner High Alpine Road
Zell am See-Kaprun is a starting point for the Groβglockner High Alpine Road (Großglockner Hochalpenstraße). It is one of the greatest alpine drives.
The Großglockner High Alpine Road has 48 km of 36 hairpin turns and serpentine bends and ascends to 2,504 m to its glacier, the Pasterze. The Groβglockner High Alpine Road can be travelled by car, bus, motorbike or bike.
Open from early May to early November (weather permitting) from 6 am to 8 pm.
Driving the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
8. Relaxation
Although Zell am See-Kaprun has many activities and adventures, it is also the perfect location to relax.
Kaprun’s Tauern Spa resort is Austria’s largest spa and wellness centre. A highlight is the outdoor swimming pools (heated in winter) with views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.
Relax and massage away your worries and aches in the spa, aqua, and sauna world. Kids can also have a ‘Spa day’ in the children’s area, which has an outdoor water park with water slides, a play pool, a baby pool, a youth pool, a volleyball court, and a climbing wall.
© Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus
What to do in Summer
Our Recommendations | Where we recommend friends to stay in Zell am See-Kaprun
Zell am See-Kaprun is our home, but we recommend our friends and family to stay at:
In Zell am See:
♥ The Grand Hotel Zell am See is located directly on the lake. The hotel has a restaurant, wellness centre and indoor pool.
♥ The family-run Hotel zum Hirschen is located in the centre of Zell am See. The hotel has a two toques restaurant, bar, spa and wellness centre and indoor pool.
♥ Salzburgerhof This luxurious, family-run 5-star hotel is in Zell am See's centre. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, spa and wellness centre, and indoor pool.
In Kaprun:
♥ The 4-star superior Taurenspa Hotel . The hotel has one of Austria's largest spas- a large indoor and outdoor spa, outdoor heated pools with views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, massage and spa treatments and six different restaurants, bars and cafés.
*Non-hotel guests are able to visit the pools and spas too!
♥ The family-run 4-star Kaprunerhof hotel, has a restaurant that offers half-board (breakfast and dinner), spa and an indoor swimming pool.
♥ The 4-star Sonnblick Hotel has a luxurious spa area, a heated outdoor pool and a restaurant.
♥ Dorf Chalets Kaprun has six fully self-contained chalets and two apartments with views of the Kitzsteinhorn and the surrounding mountains.
Discover Zell am See-Kaprun
How to get to Zell am See-Kaprun
8 Reasons to visit Zell am See-Kaprun in Summer
Zell am See-Kaprun
Summer Bucket List
Driving the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
FREE Public Transport in Salzburgerland
Salzburg Day Trips
Recommendations, Tips and General Advice on travelling to Zell am See-Kaprun
Austria Train Guide
Top Tips travelling in Austria by Train
Public Transport Guide
Driving in Austria
Renting a Car in Austria
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Chief Wanderlust’er and Austria travel expert, I’m on a mission to help you uncover the magic of Austria — from fairytale cities and alpine villages to awe-inspiring landscapes and rich cultural traditions.
As the founder of Austria Wanderlust Travel Planning, the Austria Travel Planning Facebook Group, and director of Wanderlustria eU, I provide trusted tips, local insights, and curated resources to make your Austrian adventure seamless, authentic, and unforgettable.