Summer Hiking on the Hahnenkamm – Read my Experience

Food and drink
With its proud agricultural roots, Kitzbuehel has a rich culinary heritage. Top quality produce coupled with a glittering reputation for award winning restaurants (the highest density in the Tyrol, in fact) secures this epicurean city’s place on the
foodie podium. The alpine larder brims with artisan cheeses made with the creamy milk from cows fed only on lush mountain pasture; succulent charcuterie; tender meat and poultry; wild game; speciality ‘black’ (rye) bread and gingerbread, not forgetting the famous fruity farm produced schnapps. From rustic restaurants serving hearty, mountain fare to Michelin starred fine dining eateries, ‘Culinary Kitz’ caters to all appetites. Kaiserschmarrn – try this local speciality of egg rich
pancakes, cooked then shredded and dusted with icing sugar, served with stewed plum compote. Crazy for Kitzbuehel. To discover and experience the colourful culture of Kitzbuehel – traditional and contemporary – simply order the mouth watering Kaiserschmarrn dessert, take a sunrise walk, wander around the Old Town or book in for a day of pampering…
The bounty of activities, attractions and amenities available in Kitzbuehel is dazzling.
To help you navigate, here’s Kitzbuehel at a glance:

Themed walks
To inspire hikers new to the Kitzbuehel region, there are a number of suggested themed walks ranging from the farmhouse museum walk, alpine garden route and ancestral estate trail to the more challenging Streif walk and Wilder Kaiser panoramic hike. (Maps and themed walking guides are available online as well as at the tourist offices in the region.) New for Autumn 2010 is the wellness-hut circuit hike, a nature-nurture tour giving hikers the best of both worlds: 2 days of testing Tyrolean trekking, staying on the mountain in simple alpine huts, followed by 4 days of complete pampering and relaxation at one of Kitzbuehel’s blissful spa hotels (available 18 September to 16 October 2010). Kitzbuehel Tourism and the Cablecar Company of Kitzbuehel also organise special sunrise walks throughout the summer and can create bespoke routes for hikers according to experience and fitness.

Wellness and spas
In keeping with today’s new alpine lifestyle, Kitzbuehel comes complete with first class health and spa amenities. The affordable Aquarena in the centre houses an indoor pool, two water sleighs, Hamam steam bath and sauna, while many hotels feature dedicated wellness areas, usually comprising sauna, hot tub, Turkish bath and massage room. For full spa facilities and unadulterated pampering, head for the resorts with their indoor and outdoor pools, Hamams and wide ranging holistic treatments, from hot stone and herbal Thai massages to oxygenating facials, reflexology to algae body wraps. Or go back to nature with a dip in restorative Lake Schwarzsee; one of the warmest lakes in the Alps, Schwarzsee is imbued with magical healing powers thanks to the lake’s rich mud.

Events
Complementing Kitzbuehel’s considerable natural charms is its comprehensive events calendar. Staged throughout the year, the summer months see everything from international tennis tournaments, a testing triathlon, mountain bike challenges and golf competitions to vintage car rallies, sell out open air concerts and colourful farmers’ markets in the historic Old Town. See www.kitzbuehel.com for full listings. Outdoor and indoor activities Kitzbuehel’s superlative hiking is in fact only one of numerous outdoor activities on offer in the area. Discover 750 km of dedicated mountain bike trails and cycle routes; 120 km of running paths; 4 golf courses (with a further 30 nearby); several tennis courts; a fun park for kids; horse riding; archery; lake swimming; plus a whole range of extreme sports from canyoning to paragliding. And should the weather turn inclement, there’s an equally diverse range of indoor activities on offer thanks to the Sports Park (inline hockey, bowling, climbing, tennis), Aquarena and cinema as well as the city’s museums, galleries, churches and shops.
See www.kitzbuehel.com for full listings.

Shopping and nightlife
From high end designer boutiques, jewellers and stylish interior shops to bespoke Tyrolean tailors, local craft fairs and farmers’ markets, Kitzbuehel’s shopping experience is both eclectic and undeniably elegant. Apres hike is perhaps most lively at the legendary Londoner Pub, while night owls won’t be disappointed with the city’s sophisticated assortment of cocktail bars, clubs and the thrilling Casino Kitzbuehel. Or after a day on the hill, a relaxed tipple at one of the Old Town’s cosy stuben (parlour) – try the timber clad Tenne might be a more tempting option.

Go to www.kitzbuehel.com and discover, what Kitzbuehel can do for your perfect holiday!