As summer slowly comes to an end, a very special time begins in the Zillertal. The days become a little quieter, the air gets clearer and the first forests gradually turn into warm autumn colours.
For us, late summer and autumn in the Zillertal are among the most beautiful times of the year.
The temperatures are pleasant for hiking, the mountains are usually quieter than during the peak summer holiday season and the crisp autumn air often provides fantastic long-distance views.
And if you would like to experience the Zillertal mountains from more than just the hiking trail, there is another completely different perspective waiting for you:
➡️ paragliding above Mayrhofen and the Zillertal.
Because hiking and paragliding in the Zillertal are a perfect combination.
Why late summer and autumn are so special in the Zillertal
During the height of summer, the Zillertal is covered in lush green. From the end of August onwards, the landscape slowly begins to change.
The sun sits lower in the sky, the light becomes softer and the forests gradually take on their autumn colours. In September and October, this creates beautiful contrasts between green meadows, golden forests and the high peaks of the Zillertal Alps.
This makes autumn an ideal time for a hiking holiday in the Zillertal.
The intense summer heat has usually passed, while many hiking trails and mountain huts are still easily accessible.
Around Mayrhofen, there are countless possibilities – from relaxing walks in the valley to longer hikes high in the mountains.
And perhaps another adventure will be waiting for you after your hike.
A tandem paragliding flight above Mayrhofen.
Hiking in the Zillertal in autumn: beautiful tours around Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen lies in the heart of an impressive mountain landscape. From here, you can reach a wide variety of hiking areas within a short time.
Some of them are particularly beautiful in late summer and autumn.
Stilluptal – waterfalls, mountains and nature
The Stilluptal Valley is one of those places around Mayrhofen that you should experience at least once.
The journey into the valley is already impressive. Surrounded by high mountains, the route leads past green meadows, waterfalls and the Stillup reservoir, taking you deeper and deeper into the Zillertal Alps.
On a sunny autumn day, the valley has a very special atmosphere.
The sound of the water, the fresh mountain air and the forests slowly changing into their autumn colours make the Stilluptal a wonderful destination for anyone looking for nature and tranquillity while hiking around Mayrhofen.
Schlegeis Reservoir and Pfitscher Joch – spectacular mountain scenery
The landscape around the Schlegeis Reservoir is a little more alpine.
The starting point alone is spectacular: turquoise water, impressive mountains and the high-alpine scenery of the Zillertal Alps in the background.
Several hiking routes lead from the Schlegeis Reservoir into the surrounding mountains. One particularly beautiful tour takes you towards Pfitscher Joch, directly on the Austrian-Italian border.
In late summer and autumn, the scenery becomes especially impressive.
The deep blue water of the reservoir contrasts beautifully with golden and brown mountain slopes, while the high peaks rise above the landscape.
For photographers and mountain lovers, this is one of the most beautiful areas of the Zillertal.
Zimmereben – hiking directly above Mayrhofen
Not every hike has to be a major mountain tour.
Zimmereben is located directly above Mayrhofen. Several paths lead up from the valley and reward hikers with beautiful views over Mayrhofen and the Zillertal.
It is a great option for guests who would like to enjoy a shorter hike in the morning and have something completely different planned for later in the day.
For example, a tandem paragliding flight in Mayrhofen.
Penken – where hiking and paragliding come together
The Penken is one of the best places to combine hiking and paragliding in Mayrhofen.
In addition to numerous hiking trails, you will also find well-known paragliding take-off sites here.
While hiking, you might suddenly see a paraglider preparing their wing just a few metres away, taking off and soaring high above the Zillertal only moments later.
And that is often the moment when people start wondering:
What does it actually feel like to fly up there yourself?
Paragliding in the Zillertal in autumn – is it worth it?
Absolutely.
Many people automatically associate paragliding in the Zillertal with the middle of summer. In reality, late summer and autumn can offer some truly beautiful flying days.
Of course, the current weather and wind conditions are always the deciding factors.
When the conditions are right, the view from a paraglider is incredible.
Below you lies Mayrhofen, the Ziller River winds its way through the valley and all around you rise the mountains of the Zillertal and Tux Alps.
In autumn, the changing colours make the scenery even more impressive.
Green meadows on the valley floor, golden forests covering the mountain slopes and sometimes the first white peaks appearing in the distance create a unique panorama from the air.
Seeing the Zillertal from a bird's-eye view is special at any time of year – but in autumn, the landscape has an atmosphere all of its own.
Hike first and fly afterwards?
Why not?
A tandem paragliding flight in the Zillertal fits perfectly into an active holiday.
You could spend the morning hiking around Mayrhofen, stop for a relaxed lunch and then make your way to your tandem flight.
Or simply do it the other way around.
Fly first.
Then spend the afternoon hiking or relaxing at a mountain hut while looking back up at the mountains you were flying above just a short time earlier.
That is exactly what makes a holiday in the Zillertal so special.
You can experience the same landscape in completely different ways.
On foot, you feel the mountains. From the air, you understand their scale.
Tandem paragliding in Mayrhofen – no experience required
You do not need any previous flying experience for a tandem flight.
You will fly together with an experienced tandem pilot. Before take-off, you will receive a short and easy-to-understand briefing.
Then it is time to go.
A few steps together with your pilot, the paraglider rises above you – and suddenly you are airborne.
Many guests are surprised by just how peaceful paragliding can feel.
If you simply want to enjoy the views, you can relax and glide smoothly through the air.
If you would like a little more action, more dynamic flying and manoeuvres may also be possible when conditions allow.
The flight experience is always adapted to you and to the conditions on the day.
Paragliding above Mayrhofen and the Zillertal
Depending on the wind, weather and current conditions, different suitable take-off sites around Mayrhofen may be used for tandem flights.
Once you are airborne, the mountains above the Zillertal reveal an entirely new perspective.
Suddenly, the villages, roads and hiking trails are far below you.
Mayrhofen looks surprisingly small from the air, while the true scale of the surrounding mountains becomes much easier to appreciate.
That is one of the reasons why a tandem paragliding flight in Mayrhofen is an experience that many guests still remember years later.
What should you wear for paragliding in autumn?
Even when temperatures in the valley are still pleasantly warm, it can feel noticeably cooler during a tandem flight.
For a flight in late summer or autumn, we recommend:
- sturdy shoes
- long trousers
- a jumper or warm mid-layer
- a windproof jacket
- sunglasses
- thin gloves on cooler autumn days
It is always better to bring one layer too many than to feel cold during your flight.
Weather and mountain lifts in autumn
Paragliding is always weather-dependent.
Wind direction, wind strength, visibility and the overall weather development determine whether a tandem flight can be carried out safely.
Safety always comes first.
Later in autumn, you should also keep in mind that some mountain lifts may temporarily close for maintenance.
If you are planning a tandem flight during your autumn holiday, we therefore recommend allowing a little flexibility in your schedule whenever possible.
This gives us the best chance of choosing the right day for your flight.
An autumn holiday in the Zillertal: truly experience the mountains
Of course, you can visit the Zillertal and simply admire the scenery.
But it is even better to truly experience it.
Walk along a mountain trail through the forest. Stand beside a waterfall and listen to the sound of the water. Sit outside a mountain hut and breathe in the fresh alpine air. Look out across Mayrhofen and the surrounding peaks.
And perhaps, just a few hours later, glide through the air above exactly the same landscape.
For us, this is the perfect combination of hiking and paragliding in the Zillertal.
Two completely different experiences – yet they fit perfectly together.
Experience the Zillertal from above
If you are spending your late summer or autumn holiday in Mayrhofen and are looking for a truly memorable experience, come and fly with us.
At Tandem Adventure Mayrhofen, we show you the Zillertal from a perspective you simply cannot experience from the ground.
Whether you would like to glide peacefully through the air and enjoy the panorama or prefer a little more action:
Your tandem flight should become your own personal adventure.
Maybe we will see you at the take-off site soon.
Then there is only one thing left to do:
take a few steps, take off and enjoy the flight.
Book your tandem paragliding flight in Mayrhofen and experience the Zillertal from above.
Yours,
Tandem Adventure Mayrhofen Team
Mario, Viktoria, Apollo & Ludwig