2 days in the Hall-Wattens region

The day gets off to a leisurely start – in the finest Austrian tradition of pastries. In the breakfast cafés and bakeries in Hall, you can enjoy delicious cakes, sweet treats and speciality coffees.

All those calories are forgotten when you climb the 167 spiral steps to the top of Hall’s landmark – the Münzerturm. From up here, you have a magnificent view of the largest old town in Western Austria, with its unique location between the Karwendel Mountains and the Tux Alps.

In the adjoining Coin Museum, you can learn all sorts of interesting facts about money and coins. You can also see the world’s first taler, the precursor to today’s US dollar, and even mint your own coin.

In nearby Thaur, vegetables reign supreme; above all, the crisp, red radish is grown by Thaur’s many farmers in the ‘Vegetable Garden of North Tyrol’. With pork knuckle, goulash and spinach dumplings at the Genussgasthof Romediwirt near the picturesque Romedi Church.

Now, with our energy levels replenished, we head into the Karwendel Mountains. Here, in Austria’s largest nature park, the alpine mountain landscape is right on your doorstep. On a guided Nature Watch tour, you’ll be accompanied by a certified Nature Watch guide and introduced to the secrets of the flora and fauna.

On the way back down from the mountain, the next attraction is already very close by: the Absam Basilica, one of the most important pilgrimage churches in Western Austria, towers high above the tranquil village with its striking spire.

In Hall in Tirol and Wattens, there are several places where you can dine in style: At Johannes Nudings’ “Schwarzer Adler” serves Michelin-star-quality cuisine, whilst the adjacent “Bistro Secco” also offers dining of the highest standard. In Wattens, award-winning chef Thomas Grander pampers guests at his restaurant.

It’s going to be exciting: Using a GPS device or mobile phone, you can set off on a treasure hunt along the ‘Tyrolean Crystal Trail’.
This takes you to Baumkirchen – the twelve springs that once made the village a popular spa resort were, sadly, buried by an earthquake. What remains, however, are the wonderfully lush meadows and forests surrounding this cosy village, and the magnificent views over the Inn Valley.

The next stop is Fritzens. This tranquil village, which is repeatedly voted the ‘most beautiful flower village’, is well known in gourmet circles: producers of fine spirits with big names such as Rochelt, Zalesky and Zimmermann are based here.

Finally, the journey continues to Wattens – home to the famous Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The town also has plenty else to offer, such as the newly opened ‘Museum Wattens’. Fancy a dip in the cool water? Then why not visit the Alpine Swimming Pool?

Tip: With the guest card, you get 50% off admission to the Alpenschwimmbad and many other discounts.
Once refreshed, follow the geocaching route to Volders, the village of castles and churches. Passing Friedberg and Aschach Castles as well as the famous ‘Motorway Church’, St Karl’s Church, the route takes you back to Hall.

After lots of exercise in the fresh air, your stomach starts to rumble: The “Tuxerbauer” in Tulfes has become something of an institution in the holiday village of Tulfes. The lovingly furnished farm shop stocks homemade Tyrolean specialities.

Once you’ve had your fill of alpine cheese, bacon and cheese, and look up, the ultra-modern 10-seater gondola lift of the Glungezerbahn immediately catches your eye. It takes you directly to the Glungezer hiking paradise in just six and a half minutes. The mountain adventure park “Kugelwald am Glungezer” is situated right next to the middle station; an ideal day-out destination for families with children. Here, oversized ball tracks wind their way through the 8,000 m² woodland area; play and sports stations, as well as a relaxation area featuring Swiss stone pine loungers and a viewing platform complete with panoramic binoculars, round off the experience.
From here, it’s just a short ride on the “Tulfein Express” gondola lift, and you’ll find yourself at the start of the Zirbenweg, a panoramic hiking trail at 2,000 metres above sea level. Perhaps something to plan for your next holiday?

In Mils near Hall in Tyrol, life moves at a slower pace, in a wonderfully relaxed rhythm. It’s so cosy that you’ll love watching the hustle and bustle on Mils village square over a glass of wine – ideally from the terrace of the restaurant “Milsano”, which is situated right next to the community centre. A perfect way to round off 48 hours in the Hall-Wattens region!