The epitome of natural beauty, the small village of Gerlos in the Gerlostal Valley, located on the border between Tirol and Salzburg, is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of a typical family holiday resort. Perhaps better known for its winter holidays, nestled into the valley beyond forested slopes, in the spring and summer Gerlos offers the perfect combination of peace and tranquillity, and activities are geared toward those who love the great outdoors. If you are looking for your next family holiday and have active kids who are up for some outdoor adventure, I can recommend the following activities; each one has family fun, adventure and wonderful memories written all over it.
Mountain Biking
Conveniently split into levels of difficulty, the mountain bike trails in Gerlos are ideal for families who love to explore on two wheels. Iss Flow is a 2.5km single track route that’s ideal for beginners. With banked corners and rollers, as well as links to other more difficult trails, it has plenty of variety. The rollers can become jumps for the more advanced, who can practice their tricks while beginners can use them simply to get to grips with the basics. The Iss Shore route also appeals to all abilities, but is shorter and features an abundance of wooden elements, while the Iss Tough is steeper, faster and definitely set up for the more the competent rider.
More information on all of these routes can be found here.
Flying Fox Zipline
If your kids love a challenge, then the Flying Fox Zipline has to be on your holiday agenda. Riederklamm Canyon boasts two canopy tours that see anyone who dares to take them on zip along a 200m cable, soaring 80m above the spectacular scenery below. Led by informative guides, this experience offers an incredible way to view the stunning natural features in the area. The sense of achievement that everyone will share will no doubt be a family talking point over dinner for days afterwards!
Aerial Forest Park
Another exciting way to explore the spectacular environmental highlights of the area, the Aerial Forest Park is a memorable family day out. The tree top course includes 70 different elements that each provide a different challenge for the participants. An experienced team is on hand to help where needed, and as kids conquer the rope bridges, zip lines and other testing features, they will grow in confidence and buzz from their achievement.
Windsurfing
If water-based adventures excite your active youngsters, head to Durlaßboden-Stausee Reservoir in the heart of Gerlos. Filled with natural water that flows down from the mountains, the lake is a haven of activity. Swimming is understandably popular, but I can highly recommend trying the windsurfing lessons at the Surfschule Gerlos. If you have never tried the sport before, this is the ideal place to give it a go. After the lesson, there is plenty of space to relax, sunbathe and enjoy drink or two.
Zell am Ziller Amusement Park
When your tribe just want to completely relax and you need a fun day with something for everyone in the family, I suggest a trip to the Zell am Ziller Amusement Park. This open-air adventure swimming park has a whole host of fun attractions, including tennis, beach volleyball, an adventure garden and the huge open-air swimming area complete with slides and water whirler. There is also an invitingly lush and spacious sunbathing spot, which is perfect if you want to finish that holiday novel while the kids burn off their endless energy.
How to Get to Gerlos
Gerlos is easy to get to, with the two-hour flight from the UK arriving into Innsbruck (INN). You have plenty of choice when it comes to airlines – British Airways, Lufthansa and easyJet offer the service.
When considering your transfer from the airport to Gerlos, look no further than Shuttle Direct, who provide an excellent and reliable service that you can book online before you travel. Especially when travelling with youngsters, you want your travel to be both convenient and hassle-free, and that is just what you can expect from Shuttle Direct. A driver meets you at the airport and whisks you off to your final destination with no fuss; you can’t get better than that!
Where to Stay
Alpenhotel Tirolerhof – Rather conveniently located next to the Gerloser Dorfbahn cable car, the Alpine-style Alpenhotel Tirolerhof comes highly recommended. The kids will appreciate the free Wi-Fi and widescreen TV while, for days when you need to rest your weary legs, the spa is a real bonus! The buffet-style breakfast works well for families, as kids can taste lots of local specialities.
Haus Daniela – A pretty hotel, the Haus Daniela has spacious apartments that are very appealing to families with children, especially if you are looking for the self-catering option. With plenty of room to spread out, the delightfully appointed apartments have a dining area, two separate bedrooms and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi and the Satellite TV are always a plus point when you have kids on board, too.
About Shuttle Direct
As one of the leading providers of airport transfers in Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct are professional, reliable and competitively priced. Taking great pride in the excellent service we provide, we aim to take the stress out of your onward travel to your chosen resort. Offering an advance online booking option, our team will have everything organised for you so that you can focus on looking forward to your trip.
