Gerlos

The holiday resort Gerlos is located in a tributary valley of the Zillertal valley.

Altitude: 1,250 m asl

From Zell am Ziller you proceed towards east, into the Gerlostal valley, up to the Gerlos mountain pass on 1,531 m asl. Already a thousand years ago, when Gerlos (see pic) had been called “Gerlaise”, this pass has been a strategic point for trade between the Zillertal valley and Salzburg. The new mountain pass road, connecting the villages Krimml (famous due to its waterfalls) and Gerlos, today is a very popular destination for day-trippers on motorbike or convertibles…

In the heart of mountains of the Zillertal Arena, there is the municipality of Gerlos with its villages Schwarzach, Gmünd, Ried, Au, Mitterhof, Oberhof and Innertal. A griffin is depicted on the emblem of the village, an amalgamation of eagle and lion, so to speak of the heraldic animals of Tyrol and Salzburg. There are several sights that are worth to be visited in this village, such as the beautiful parish church with its bulbous cupola. In the early 18th century this former Gothic construction has been converted to Baroque style. Also the frescoes in the nave of the church as well as the statues on both sides of the Baroque high altar date back to this period of time. In the vicinity of this church there is the war memorial in remembrance of the victims of the WWs.

“Be active”, that’s the motto along the 200 km of marked hiking paths and 232 km of mountainbike trails. Big, strong calves at the end of your holidays are guaranteed! :-) Beside western riding and a fitness course, there is also a high rope course and a surfing and sailing school at the Durlassboden reservoir. This is where you can enjoy a jump into the cool water. The summer hiking paradise, in winter transforms into a white winter dream! The Zillertal Arena is of course known to all those who love winter sports. The largest ski resort in the Zillertal valley offers more than 160 km of ski slopes. For snowboarders and free skiers, recently there has been established the “Hot-Zone” snowpark at the Vorkogel lift facitlity. Everyone can sow one’s wild oats on the slopes or the snowpark, before the après-skiing adventure begins!

Our tip: The guest card enables you to use the hiking bus in summer for free! It runs between Gerlos and Gmünd to the Durlassboden reservoir…