828 m
Niederau
The first and most visited village, with the gondola to the Markbachjoch and the widest choice of accommodation.
The Wildschönau: four villages, Krautinger and Tyrolean food
One valley, four villages: Niederau, Oberau, Auffach and Thierbach, with the valley’s schnapps and what to eat there.
The Wildschönau is a high valley in the Kitzbühel Alps. Niederau is the village this site is about, but the valley is more than that: below are the four villages, the Krautinger and the food.
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.
828 m
± 940 m
Oberau
The administrative heart of the valley, with the large parish church and a wide, sunny plateau.
± 870 m
Auffach
At the far end of the valley, at the foot of the Schatzberg and the link to the Alpbach valley.
± 1,150 m
Thierbach
The smallest and highest village, quiet and with sweeping views over the Inn valley.
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.
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
Frequently asked questions
Which villages make up the Wildschönau?
From the four church villages Niederau, Oberau, Auffach and Thierbach, plus the hamlet of Mühltal.
What is Krautinger?
A strong schnapps made from white turnips, distilled on a limited number of farms in the Wildschönau.
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. Personal recommendation, no payment involved.
To Hotel Wastlhof · Wildschönau tourist office · More about staying in Niederau