NiederauWildschönau · Tyrol

Wildschönau · Tyrol · Austria

Niederau

The sunny mountain village at the entrance to the Wildschönau valley. A place to ski, to hike and to come home to, year after year.

❄ Winter season: slopes from the village, tobogganing and crisp winter afternoons.

☀ Summer season: alpine pastures, mountain hikes and long evenings on the terrace.

  • 828 m altitude
  • Wildschönau
  • ± 15 min from Wörgl
Discover summer & winter How to get there

The village

Welcome to Niederau

Niederau lies in the Wildschönau valley in Tyrol (Austria). It is the first village you reach when you drive up the mountain road from Wörgl in the Inn valley. It lies at about 828 metres in a wide, green high valley, surrounded by alpine meadows, forests and the peaks of the Kitzbühel Alps.

Together with Oberau, Auffach and Thierbach, Niederau forms the municipality of Wildschönau in the Kufstein district. The village has long been a favourite with Dutch and British guests: compact and friendly, with ski schools, guesthouses and hotels within walking distance of the lift.

  • 828 maltitude of the village
  • ± 1,500 mMarkbachjoch, reached by gondola
  • 4 villagestogether the Wildschönau
  • 145 kmof slopes in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau

Niederau in pictures

View of the snowy slopes and lifts of Niederau in winter sunshine Beginners’ lift and ski hut at the foot of the slope in Niederau, after fresh snowfall Snowboarder on a sunny slope in Niederau Hikers on a mountain path high above the Wildschönau Chapel at the Schönangeralm with mountain panorama in summer Horse-drawn carriage in the Talfest procession in Niederau

All year round

Four seasons, one village

Winter and summer are Niederau’s high seasons, but spring and autumn have a charm of their own. Below you will find what each season offers, a calendar for the whole year and the best sources for current weather.

Skiers on the sunny slopes of the Markbachjoch above Niederau

Skiing from the village

The Markbachjochbahn gondola takes you from Niederau up to the Markbachjoch. Wide, sunny slopes, ideal for beginners and families, with runs all the way back down to the village.

Family skiing in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau

Ski Juwel

With the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau lift pass you can also ski the Schatzberg in Auffach and continue over the link into the Alpbach valley. The ski bus runs between the villages.

Together 145 km of slopes, 47 lifts, 24 ski huts and three snow parks.

Children learning to ski in the Wildschönau

Ski school & children

Niederau has long had strong ski schools with lessons in Dutch, English and German, and nursery slopes close to the village. A great place to learn to ski.

Cross-country trail through the snowy Wildschönau valley

Cross-country & winter walks

Cross-country trails through the valley and cleared winter footpaths past farms and little chapels. Snowshoeing and tobogganing are popular too: the valley has three toboggan runs, and the Lahnerköpfl run is in Niederau itself.

The Penningberg trail (12 km) starts in Niederau; the whole valley has some 30 to 40 km of cross-country trails.

A break on a sunny terrace in the ski area

Après-ski

Cosy without being over the top: after a day on the slopes, settle into a mountain hut or a village inn for Glühwein, Kaiserschmarrn or a Tyrolean Gröstl.

Winter walkers in the sun above the Wildschönau valley

A sunny village

Niederau sits open in the valley and gets plenty of sun – wonderful on a terrace in March, when the days grow longer and the snow is still good.

Flowering mountain meadow with dandelions above the village, with snowy peaks in the background

Spring (March – May)

By March the sun is already high: you can still ski sunny slopes while the snow retreats from the valley floor and the meadows turn yellow with buttercups and dandelions. April and May are quiet. At lower altitudes the paths are dry for walking; higher routes can hold snow well into May.

Many lifts and huts take a short break between the seasons, so check what is open before you set out. The weather changes fast: always pack an extra layer.

Family walking in autumn sun past a wooden farmhouse near Mühltal

Autumn (September – October)

Autumn in the mountains is often settled and clear, with long views and few people on the trails. On the third Saturday of September Auffach holds the Almabtrieb: around five hundred cows come down from the high pastures in festive decoration, with music and a market of local produce and crafts (20 September in 2025, 19 September in 2026).

Around the turn of September into October, Krautinger Week is all about the stubble turnip and the schnapps distilled from it, with walks from farm to farm. The exact dates change from year to year. The red deer can be heard in these weeks too: the rut runs from late August to early October.

Through the year

  • January – March – the most snow-sure weeks; March is especially sunny.
  • May – June – flowering meadows and long days for walking.
  • August – the Talfest, each year in a different village: Niederau, Oberau or Auffach.
  • Mid-August – the Perseids, one of the best meteor showers of the year.
  • September – the Almabtrieb in Auffach, on the third Saturday.
  • Late September – early October – Krautinger Week.
  • December – Advent with an illuminated walking route, an Advent market in the Drachental and Perchten processions around St Nicholas.

Current weather, snow and webcams

A live weather report belongs on a source that is updated every minute, not on a static page. Use the current sources below and check just before you leave: in the mountains the weather can turn within an hour.

Activities

Things to do in and around Niederau

Whether you come to ski, to hike or simply to unwind, there is plenty to do in and around Niederau all year round. Below you will find what the valley itself has to offer and which day trips within an hour’s drive are worth it.

In the valley – winter

  • Skiing and snowboarding – from the Markbachjoch and Lanerköpfl in Niederau, on the Schatzberg in Auffach and via Ski Juwel all the way to Alpbach.
  • Tobogganing – on the natural run down from the Lanerköpfl or one of the other runs in the valley; sledges can be rented locally.
  • Cross-country skiing – flat trails along the valley floor and a high-altitude trail at the Schönangeralm.
  • Winter walks and snowshoeing – on cleared paths past farms and little chapels, or with a guide through fresh snow.
  • Horse-drawn sleigh ride – tucked under a warm blanket through the snowy valley – a classic for young and old.
  • Ice skating – on the ice rink in the valley, as long as it is cold enough.
  • Ski touring – the soft, rounded mountains of the Wildschönau are popular with ski tourers. Only go with the right equipment and check the avalanche bulletin first.

In the valley – summer

  • Hiking – from an easy loop through the valley to ridge walks; the gondola gets you up high in no time.
  • Kundler Klamm – walk through the gorge along the Wildschönauer Ache down to Kundl in the Inn valley and return by public transport.
  • Cycling and e-biking – forest tracks and mountain lanes up to the alpine pastures; bikes and e-bikes can be rented in the valley.
  • Drachental in Oberau – family park with the Drachenflitzer alpine coaster and plenty for children to discover.
  • Swimming – in the heated outdoor pool between Niederau and Oberau, complete with water slide.
  • Bergbauernmuseum z’Bach – in Oberau: how people used to live and work on a mountain farm.
  • Riding, tennis and golf – riding stables in Niederau, tennis courts in Oberau and golf courses in Westendorf and Kitzbühel 20 to 30 minutes’ drive away.
  • Tasting Krautinger – at one of the farms that still use the centuries-old distilling right.

Day trips nearby

  • Rattenberg ± 30 min
    Austria’s smallest town: medieval lanes and glassblowers you can watch at work.
  • Kufstein ± 30 min
    Fortress high above the Inn. Every day at noon the Heldenorgel plays, one of the largest open-air organs in the world.
  • Hohe Salve and Brixental ± 30 min
    Panoramic mountain above Hopfgarten with views of the Wilder Kaiser and, on clear days, the Hohe Tauern.
  • Museum Tiroler Bauernhöfe, Kramsach ± 30 min
    Open-air museum of old farmhouses moved here from all over Tyrol.
  • Alpbach ± 40 min
    Mountain village of wooden houses and flower-filled balconies, often named the most beautiful village in Austria. In winter you can also ski there via Ski Juwel.
  • Zillertal ± 40 min
    On set days the historic steam train of the Zillertalbahn runs from Jenbach up the valley.
  • Swarovski Kristallwelten, Wattens ± 45 min
    Art and crystal in a fairy-tale setting, with a big play tower for children. A good plan on a rainy day too.
  • Kitzbühel ± 45 min
    Charming ski town, world-famous for the Hahnenkamm race on the Streif.
  • Achensee ± 50 min
    Tyrol’s largest lake, with sightseeing boats and lakeside footpaths.
  • Innsbruck ± 1 hour
    Old town with the Goldenes Dachl, the Nordkettenbahn climbing straight from the centre into the mountains, and the Alpenzoo.

Bad weather? Try the Bergbauernmuseum in Oberau, the Swarovski Kristallwelten, the museums and Alpenzoo in Innsbruck, or an afternoon of wellness.

Travel times are approximate, by car from Niederau. Opening hours and timetables change with the seasons; check the provider’s website before you go.

Nature & adventure

Wildlife, lakes and starry skies

The valley lies between forests, alpine pastures and mountain peaks. If you are quiet and look carefully, you will see a lot. A few ideas for the days when you do not feel like skiing or a big hike.

Family stroking llamas on a farm in the Wildschönau

Animals in the wild and up close

The forests and mountain pastures around the valley are home to roe deer, red deer, chamois and marmots, among others; a golden eagle sometimes soars high overhead. Marmots like sunny south-facing slopes between roughly 900 and 2,500 metres, while chamois stay mostly above the tree line.

Your best chances are early in the morning or at dusk. Bring binoculars, stay on the paths and keep your distance. Never feed wild animals, and in winter give them peace by sticking to marked routes.

Prefer a guaranteed encounter? Wildpark Aurach near Kitzbühel (± 45 minutes) is home to red deer, fallow deer, mouflon, ibex and lynx, among others. Some farms in the valley also let you see animals such as llamas, goats and cows up close.

Small mountain pond reflecting the clouds during a hike

Lakes and swimming

In the valley you swim in the heated outdoor pool between Niederau and Oberau. Fancy a proper lake? Several lie 14 to 16 km away, reachable by car in 30 to 45 minutes: the Reintalersee near Kramsach, one of Tyrol’s warmest bathing lakes (up to about 25 °C) with sunbathing meadows and a footpath around the water; the Thiersee; and the Hintersteiner See by the Wilder Kaiser, with a lovely circular walk. Further afield lies the Achensee (± 50 minutes), Tyrol’s largest lake.

Mountain water stays cool even in midsummer. Keep a close eye on children and check parking and entrance fees beforehand.

Autumn tree with a bench under a starry sky streaked with long clouds

Starry skies

Above a dark mountain valley you see far more stars than at home. Pick a clear night around new moon, walk away from the street lights – for example to a mountain meadow above the village – and give your eyes half an hour to adjust. After that use only a red light, because a phone screen ruins your night vision. Under a truly dark sky even the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.

Around 12 August the Perseid meteor shower peaks: with patience you will count plenty of shooting stars. Winter nights are long and clear, but also icy cold. A horse-drawn sleigh ride by torchlight under the stars is an atmospheric alternative.

Take a headlamp and warm clothing, do not walk steep paths alone in the dark and let someone know where you are going.

Two hikers among purple-blue flowers on a mountain meadow

Flowers and plants

From May into summer the meadows turn colourful: first buttercups and dandelions in the valley, later alpenroses, gentians and other flowers higher up. Many alpine plants are protected, such as edelweiss and some gentians. Look and photograph, but pick nothing and stay on the paths, because trampled grass recovers only slowly. Eat only berries or herbs you recognise with certainty.

Hikers on a mountain path high above the Wildschönau

Gorge, climbing and abseiling

The Kundler Klamm is a narrow gorge with tall, steep rock walls through which the Wildschönauer Ache thunders. The wide path is about 3.5 km long (± 1 hour each way), without steps and therefore fine with children; there is a playground at the entrance.

The gorge has a climbing garden for beginners and experts alike. If you want to try abseiling, down-climbing or canyoning, do it with a certified guide who supplies helmet and ropes; paragliding is possible in tandem with a pilot. The tourist office knows which providers are active right now. Stay out of the gorge after heavy rain: the water can rise quickly.

Hikers on a wide mountain track by a chairlift

Staying safe

  • Set off early: in summer the sky often clouds over in the afternoon and thunderstorms can break.
  • Check the weather just before you leave and adapt your route; in the mountains it can turn within an hour.
  • Take water, an extra layer, rain gear and a charged phone. Good hiking boots are not a luxury.
  • Stay on marked paths and let someone know where you are going.
  • Emergency number 112; Austrian mountain rescue can be reached on 140.
  • Going off the slopes or trails? Always read the avalanche bulletin first.

Holidays with animals

To Niederau with your dog or your horse

For many families animals are simply part of the trip. Here is what to arrange in advance and what to watch out for.

Wide footpath across a mountain meadow in the Wildschönau

With your dog

  • Paperwork: your dog must be microchipped, have a valid rabies vaccination and carry an EU pet passport (a waiting period applies after a first vaccination). Check the current rules with your vet or the Dutch food authority NVWA.
  • Accommodation: ask beforehand whether dogs are welcome and whether there is a charge; it differs from place to place. Heading for Hotel Wastlhof? Call or email the hotel first.
  • Cows on the alp: keep your dog on a lead there and give the cattle a wide berth. Mother cows defend their calves fiercely. If a cow heads for you, let go of the lead and get yourself to safety so the dog can run away.
  • Droppings: clear them up, including in the grass on the alp; they can harm the cattle.
  • Summer: hot afternoons are hard on dogs. Never leave your dog in a parked car and carry plenty of water.
  • Winter: cross-country trails and prepared slopes are for skiers, so do not let your dog run there. Ask at the cable car whether dogs may ride and what it costs.
Riders on a mountain path overlooking the meadows of the Wildschönau

With your horse, or on a horse

Do not have a horse of your own but want to ride? Hotel Wastlhof in Niederau has had riding stables for more than fifty years, with an indoor school, an outdoor arena with show-jumping course and some fifteen horses, including Haflingers: the golden-brown Tyrolean horses with flaxen manes. You can take lessons whether you are just starting out or already experienced. There are also pony rides for children aged 3 to 6 and outrides for experienced riders, including one to an alp at over 1,300 metres. In winter you can also explore the valley by horse-drawn sleigh.

Want to bring your own horse? Not every riding stable or farm has guest boxes, so ask your accommodation or the tourist office well in advance. In the Kitzbühel Alps a few equestrian hotels and farms offer guest boxes. Also discuss the routes in the mountains and ask your vet which papers and vaccinations the journey requires.

The Wildschönau

One valley, four villages

The Wildschönau high valley lies in the Kitzbühel Alps and is known as a sunny, snow-sure destination. Thanks in part to its friendly character, the valley won first prize from the ADAC – Germany’s largest motoring club – in the “Klein & Fein” (small and fine) category.

The Wildschönau is made up of four church villages – Niederau, Oberau, Auffach and Thierbach – plus the hamlet of Mühltal. The valley is ideal for relaxed skiing amid a magnificent mountain landscape. Always easy to reach and not far from Kufstein, it offers a varied summer programme as well as traditional winter sports.

Niederau in winter with the drag lift on the edge of the village 828 m

Niederau

The first and most visited village, with the gondola to the Markbachjoch and the widest choice of accommodation.

Winter landscape near Oberau in the Wildschönau ± 940 m

Oberau

The administrative heart of the valley, with the large parish church and a wide, sunny plateau.

Cyclists on a road through the meadows near Auffach ± 870 m

Auffach

At the far end of the valley, at the foot of the Schatzberg and the link to the Alpbach valley.

Snowshoe hikers in the sun near Thierbach ± 1,150 m

Thierbach

The smallest and highest village, quiet and with sweeping views over the Inn valley.

Bottle of Wildschönauer Krautinger with two glasses on a wooden railing

Krautinger – the valley’s own schnapps

The Wildschönau is known for Krautinger, a strong spirit distilled from white turnips. According to tradition, the valley’s farmers were granted the right to distil it as far back as Empress Maria Theresa. Only a limited number of farms may still make it – you taste it at the farm itself.

Kaiserschmarrn with icing sugar and fruit compote

Tyrolean cooking

  • Kaiserschmarrn – shredded pancake with icing sugar and apple sauce
  • Kaspressknödel – cheese dumplings, in soup or with salad
  • Tiroler Gröstl – fried potatoes, bacon and onion topped with an egg
  • Speckknödel and fresh alpine cheese

History

From farming valley to ski village

Niederau lies in the Wildschönau, a high valley in Tyrol (Austria). For centuries it was a remote valley of farmers and miners. The first tourists only arrived in the twentieth century – and in 1947 the valley’s winter sports era began in Niederau with the first chairlift in Tyrol.

That lift was quite a feat: engineer Sepp Hochmuth built it just after the Second World War, according to local lore using engines and drive wheels from tanks abandoned at Wörgl station. It opened on 14 January 1947, running from Niederau up to the Markbachjoch.

Markbachjochbahn gondola above Niederau with views over the Alps
  1. 1193–1195
    First written mention of the Wildschönau.
  2. 16th century
    Mining: silver and copper ore is extracted on the slopes of the Gratlspitz near Thierbach.
  3. 18th century
    Empress Maria Theresa gives 51 farmers in the valley the right to distil Krautinger. Some fifteen still do so today.
  4. 1811
    The Wildschönau becomes an independent municipality.
  5. Early 20th century
    A road through the Kundler Klamm links the valley with the Inn valley; the covered wooden bridge dates from 1913/14. Today’s footpath follows that old road.
  6. 14 January 1947
    Tyrol’s first chairlift opens in Niederau, up to the Markbachjoch. The start of tourism in the valley.
  7. 1995
    An eight-seater gondola replaces the old chairlift: today’s Markbachjochbahn.
  8. 2008/09
    On the Lanerköpfl a fast four-seater chairlift with bubble replaces the old single chairlift.
  9. 2022
    The mountain railway in Niederau celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Lanerköpfl

Niederau’s home mountain

Right above the village rises the Lanerköpfl – also written Lahnerköpfl by the hotel and many locals. Together with the Markbachjoch it forms Niederau’s ski area, with runs that end in the village.

The lift. For many years a single chairlift carried skiers up. Since the 2008/09 season the Lanerköpflbahn has been running: a fast four-seater chairlift with bubble, from the valley station at 843 m to the top station at 1,560 m – in about seven minutes, with room for 1,400 people per hour.

The descent. The north slopes of the Lanerköpfl and the Markbachjoch are known as challenging; the Hochberg run in particular tests even experienced skiers. If you prefer to take it easy, practise down below on the drag lift and the nursery slopes on the edge of the village.

The toboggan run. The Lanerköpfl is also Niederau’s toboggan mountain: from the top station a natural toboggan run of almost 6 km leads past the Gseng-Alm and the Laner-Alm back to the valley station. With 736 m of descent and an average gradient of 14% it is a sporty run.

Drag lift, ski hut and slopes at the foot of the Lanerköpfl in Niederau after fresh snow
  • 1.560 mtop station of the Lanerköpflbahn
  • 843 mvalley station in Niederau
  • ± 7 minto the top on the four-seater chairlift
  • 6 kmtoboggan run back to the village

Recommended stay

Hotel Wastlhof in Niederau

A family-run four-star hotel with wellness facilities on the main road through Niederau. Slopes, cross-country trails and footpaths start practically next door.

Hotel Wastlhof in the snow in the evening, with its facade lit up
Hotel Wastlhof in summer, seen from a flowering mountain meadow
Hotel Wastlhof on a sunny winter day with snowy slopes behind Sunbathing lawn with red parasols in the garden of Hotel Wastlhof Hotel Wastlhof on a summer evening, with lit balconies
Partner

Why Hotel Wastlhof?

  • Family-run four-star wellness hotel in the centre of Niederau
  • Run by the Brunner family for three generations
  • Ski from the front door: after skiing you are straight back home
  • Cross-country trails begin by the hotel, and the Lahnerköpfl toboggan run is a few steps away (sledges to rent)
  • Ski guiding: hostess Margit takes you to her favourite slopes
  • Outdoor pool that stays open in winter: swimming surrounded by snow
  • Relaxation garden with a generous outdoor pool, sun lawn and parasols
  • Guests play tennis free of charge at the Wildschönau tennis complex
  • Own riding stables with some 15 horses, including Haflingers – for more than 50 years
  • Indoor pool (12 × 6 m, approx. 30 °C) and an outdoor pool heated all year round
  • Rooms, apartments and suites in the hotel and the new Alpin Lodge
  • Information available in several languages, including English
Visit Hotel Wastlhof Call the hotel
Hotel Wastlhof
Wildschönauerstraße Niederau 206
6314 Wildschönau, Austria
+43 5339 8247
info@hotelwastlhof.at

Partner: Niederau.nl works together with Hotel Wastlhof. For prices, facilities and availability, see the hotel’s website.

Pool & wellness

Child jumping into the outdoor pool of Hotel Wastlhof, with parasols and mountains behind Two guests at the edge of the outdoor pool of Hotel Wastlhof Wellness wing of Hotel Wastlhof with glass conservatory and lit outdoor pool in the snow Outdoor pool of Hotel Wastlhof in a snowy landscape Hotel Wastlhof slippers and towels by the pool
Tourist info

More accommodation and information: the tourist office

Looking for somewhere else to stay, such as a guesthouse, holiday flat or farm? Or want to know what’s on this week? The valley’s tourist office, Wildschönau Tourismus, can help. It lists accommodation in all four villages, the events programme and up-to-date information on lifts, trails and hiking routes.

Wildschönau Tourismus
Hauserweg, Oberau 337
6311 Wildschönau, Austria
+43 5339 8255
info@wildschoenau.com
Visit wildschoenau.com

The office is in Oberau, a few minutes’ drive from Niederau. See the website for opening hours.

Getting there

How to reach Niederau

By car

  1. Through Germany (Munich or Rosenheim) to the Kiefersfelden/Kufstein border crossing.
  2. In Austria follow the A12 Inntal motorway towards Innsbruck; take the Wörgl-Ost exit.
  3. In Wörgl follow the signs for Wildschönau. The mountain road climbs to Niederau in about 15 minutes.

Note: Austrian motorways require a vignette (digital or sticker). From the central Netherlands, allow around 9 to 10 hours’ driving.

By train

Wörgl Hbf station is on the main Munich – Innsbruck line and is well connected, including by night trains. From Wörgl a regional bus runs up into the Wildschönau.

By air

Nearest airports: Innsbruck (± 1 hour), Salzburg (± 1.5 hours) and Munich (± 2 hours).

Schematic map of the Wildschönau between Kundl and Wörgl Inn A12 Wörgl Kundl Niederau Oberau Auffach Thierbach Kundler Klamm Schematic, not to scale

Practical

Good to know

When is the best time to go?

For skiing, mid-January to mid-March is the most snow-sure period; March is especially sunny. In summer, June and September are quieter than the school holidays, with fine hiking weather.

Do I need a vignette?

Yes, for Austrian motorways (such as the A12 to Wörgl). You can buy it online from ASFINAG or at petrol stations just before the border. If you buy a digital vignette online, do so a few days in advance.

Is Niederau suitable for beginners and families?

Definitely. The wide slopes around the Markbachjoch, the nursery slopes by the village and the ski schools have long made Niederau popular with families and beginners.

Do people speak English?

The local language is German (with a strong Tyrolean dialect), but in hotels, ski schools and restaurants you will get by fine in English, and often in Dutch too.

Which emergency numbers should I know?

General emergency number 112. Mountain rescue in Austria: 140. In winter, always check the avalanche bulletin before a tour.

Where can I find current information on lifts, snow and events?

From the official Wildschönau tourist board and from Ski Juwel. See the links alongside.

Can I bring my dog on holiday to Niederau?

Often yes, but it differs from one accommodation to the next. Ask beforehand whether dogs are welcome and what it costs. Bring the EU pet passport and keep your dog on a lead on alpine pastures. More tips are under ‘With your dog’.

Where can I swim?

In the valley at the heated outdoor pool between Niederau and Oberau and at accommodation with its own pool. For a natural lake, drive 30 to 45 minutes to the Reintalersee, the Thiersee or the Hintersteiner See.

Can I bring my own horse?

Only where guest boxes are available. Ask your accommodation or the tourist office well in advance.

Where can I see wild animals?

With patience: early in the morning or at dusk on mountain pastures and forest edges, with binoculars and from a distance. For a guaranteed encounter, visit Wildpark Aurach near Kitzbühel.

Useful links

Niederau.nl is an independent site and is not affiliated with the tourist board or the lift company. Always check current times and prices with the official sources.