Oetztal, Austria: a place to reach new heights

Want a holiday that combines family-friendly adventure with jaw-dropping natural beauty? The Tirolean region of Oetztal brings together the best of both

If you're after more breathtaking scenery than you can shake a stick at, the alpine valley of Ötztal in Tirol, Austria, should be at the top of your must-visit list.

As you'd expect from such landscapes, the area is home to biking, hiking and walking routes aplenty. One of the most popular is the Stuibenfall water walk, which takes you along a new set of trails and viewing platforms past the rushing waters of Horlachbach Creek, while those looking for extra adventure can climb right next to the water on a special fixed-rope climbing route.

Elsewhere, the newly founded Bike Republic Sölden is a unique, world-class bike park where you'll find spectacular freeride terrain, diverse trails and Tirol's largest pump track. It's like a giant playground for bikers of all levels and ages, from children to passionate, life-long mountain bikers, and is a brilliant way to make the most of Sölden's breathtaking landscapes, too. What’s more the Republic is home to more than 30 alpine restaurants and mountain huts, too.

Once you've soaked up all that natural beauty, head for a thrill-filled day out at the James Bond Cinematic Installation, where you can immerse yourself in the glamorous, secretive world of 007 – including sipping on a classic martini at the ice Q gourmet restaurant and taking the epic gondola journey up to the 007 ELEMENTS Plaza, where you'll find views to kill for.

The TOP Mountain Star hut is an architectural masterpiece perched on the ridge of the Wurmkogel

If you want an authentic taste of Austrian country life, visit one of Ötztal's mountain shelters, many of which are found at 3,000m above sea level around Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. A lot of these mountain huts are traditional restaurants dishing up local cooking alongside vegan and gluten-free options. TOP Mountain Star is a particular favourite – an architectural masterpiece perched on the ridge of the Wurmkogel with phenomenal views over the valley that together make for a truly unforgettable experience.

For more information: oetztal.com

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