Zillertal
Gerlos
Mountain village at about 1,250 m on the road over the Gerlos Pass
Gerlos sits at roughly 1,250 metres in the Gerlos valley, a side valley at the upper end of the Zillertal. The village is made up of several hamlets strung along the road to the Gerlos Pass, which at 1,531 metres marks the border with the Pinzgau region of Salzburgerland. It is one of the busiest resorts in the Zillertal, yet it keeps the feel of a compact mountain village aimed mainly at families.
In winter Gerlos is a gateway to the Zillertal Arena. According to its own figures the ski area has about 150 kilometres of pistes, between roughly 1,250 and 2,500 metres, and the season runs from December until around Easter. In summer the main reasons to visit are walking and cycling in the mountains around the village. Because it lies much higher than Niederau, summer days can feel noticeably cooler here.
For a day trip from Niederau, Gerlos combines well with the Gerlos Pass and the Krimml waterfalls on the far side, which with a drop of well over 380 metres are the highest in Austria. The Gerlosstraße is a toll road, so check the current charge beforehand and, in winter, the weather and lift opening times.
- Drive from Niederauapprox. 75 min.
- Elevation1250 m
- RegionZillertal
- Best forSuits families and skiers looking for a compact mountain village.
What to see and do
- Skiing in the Zillertal Arena, for which Gerlos is one of the access points (season roughly December to Easter).
- Summer walking in the mountains around Gerlos, from short village strolls to longer mountain hikes.
- A drive over the Gerlos Pass (1,531 m), a well-known mountain route to Salzburgerland; the Gerlosstraße is a toll road.
- The Krimml waterfalls on the Salzburg side of the pass, at 385 metres of total drop the highest in Austria.
- Cycling and mountain biking nearby; ask locally about routes and rental.
From Niederau
About 75 minutes by car from Niederau: via Oberau to Wörgl, along the A12 to the Zillertal exit and up the valley through Zell am Ziller to Gerlos. Check beforehand for any toll or pass regulations.
Always check times, prices and opening dates with the provider beforehand; they can change.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Gerlos from Niederau?
Roughly 75 minutes by car, via Wörgl and the Zillertal. The exact time depends on traffic.
Which ski area does Gerlos belong to?
Gerlos is one of the access points to the Zillertal Arena, which by its own account has about 150 km of pistes.
Stay in Niederau Partner
Hotel Wastlhof, partner of Niederau.nl, is a family-run hotel with an indoor and an outdoor pool, wellness and its own riding stables, right in the village. For more places to stay and information you can also contact the Wildschönau tourist office.
To Hotel Wastlhof · Wildschönau tourist office · More about staying in Niederau