You are standing in the middle of Tyrol, a world of massive peaks and deep green valleys. This is the ultimate mountain destination where the roads climb higher than anywhere else in the nation. You find yourself in Innsbruck where the high mountains look like they are touching the city roofs.
The driving here is a test of spirit and a joy for the eyes. You can conquer the high turns of the Silvretta High Alpine Road or cross the famous Brenner Pass into the south. Every valley has its own character from the wide meadows of the Zillertal to the steep cliffs of the Ötztal. You can find hidden mountain huts where the only sound is the ringing of cowbells across the high grass.
Tyrol is a land of old traditions and high tech mountain gear. You can see the frozen past at the Ötzi Village or walk across the high suspension bridge at Highline179. The villages are filled with carved wooden houses that have stood for hundreds of years against the winter snow. It is a place of scale and power where the mountains rule every part of the landscape and the road leads to the sky.
Tyrol (state) highlights
- Golden Roof Innsbruck Stand in the heart of the old town to see the famous balcony decorated with over two thousand gilded copper tiles. The mountains rise directly behind the city to create a stunning urban view.
- Stubai Glacier Road Drive deep into the mountains to reach a world of eternal ice where you can walk inside a natural ice grotto. The route follows a rushing river past massive waterfalls and steep rocky walls.
- Highline179 Walk across a thin suspension bridge that links two ancient castle ruins high above the valley floor. It is one of the longest pedestrian bridges of its kind and offers a massive adrenaline rush.
- Kaunertal Glacier Road Drive a high alpine route that leads you right to the edge of the eternal ice at nearly three thousand meters. The road passes a massive blue reservoir and climbs through several climate zones.
- Kufstein Fortress Explore a massive stone stronghold that houses the world's largest outdoor organ which can be heard across the city. The thick walls and the round tower are a classic sight near the border.
- Achensee Lake Find the largest lake in the province which is known as the fjord of the Alps for its steep rocky shores. The water is a brilliant emerald green and is perfect for a scenic drive or a swim.
- Zillertal High Road Navigate one of the most beautiful alpine roads in the nation with panoramic views of the glacier peaks. There are many spots to park and enjoy a snack at a traditional mountain dairy.
- St. Anton am Arlberg Visit the cradle of modern skiing which remains a world class mountain hub even in the summer months. The town is full of upscale chalets and trails that lead to high mountain lakes.
- Innergschlöss Valley Hike into what is called the most beautiful valley end in the Alps to see a massive wall of glaciers. The wooden village and the small stone chapel are tucked away in a truly wild setting.
- Alpbach Village Stop in the town voted most beautiful in the nation because of its strict rules on traditional wooden architecture. Every house is decorated with bright flowers to create a perfect storybook scene.
The local Four
History of Tyrol (state)
Tyrol is a land of legends and high-altitude defiance. For centuries, the province was the "Land in the Mountains," a vital bridge between Germany and Italy via the Brenner Pass. The history is defined by a fierce love of freedom, most famously seen during the Napoleonic Wars when local hero Andreas Hofer led a peasant army to defend their mountains against the greatest military power of the time. This spirit of independence is etched into every wooden chalet and stone chapel you see today.
The wealth of the region once came from deep underground. During the Middle Ages, the silver mines of Schwaz were the largest in the world, producing the coins that funded the Holy Roman Empire. This silver boom allowed the city of Innsbruck to flourish, decorated with the Golden Roof and grand imperial palaces. The history of Tyrol is a constant climb from the dark, wealthy mines in the valleys to the bright, holy shrines on the highest peaks.
In the modern era, the history of Tyrol shifted from mining to the mountains themselves. The pioneers of alpine climbing and skiing turned the jagged peaks into a global destination, but the old ways never truly left. You still see the traditional processions where locals wear centuries-old costumes and the midsummer fires that light up the mountain ridges.