perfect for a holiday without barriers
Mobility in the Tyrolean mountains
Kaunertal Mountain Freedom
The Kaunertal is perfect for holidaymakers at all stages of life.
It's not just seniors who might be hanging up their mountain climbing gear and need some alternatives. Many lovers of nature face different limitations, and there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to explore this nature park and glacier region in Tyrol, as well.
You might have a bad knee, a bad back, or be in a wheelchair. And, of course, there are also young parents pushing prams instead of climbing rope walkways along mountain walls. The Kaunertal offers plenty to experience and the freedom to move at over 3,000 m above sea level.
Mountain's For Everyone
Inclusion is a core value in the Kaunertal – and we are committed to making the mountains accessible to everyone. Our brand-new brochure, “Mountain's for Everyone”, brings together all the key information you need for a fully accessible holiday in the Kaunertal – from accessible attractions and walking routes to accommodation and facilities. Because we firmly believe that everyone should be able to experience the beauty of the Kaunertal. View and download the brochure here, and start planning your accessible Alpine getaway.
Travel freely along the Kaunertal Glacier Road
The Kaunertal Glacier Road is a real challenge for mobility-impaired people using a handbike, but it's doable - as proven by the annual handbike race each June. The hosts at Café Seepanorama and the Glacier Restaurant invite you to enjoy an accessible stop-off. Right in front of it is also the ‘Drei-Länder-Blick’ viewing platform, which is accessible to people with disabilities. Everyone, without exception, can enjoy the spectacular views to the full here!
Kaunergrat Nature Park for everyone
A true role model, the Kaunergrat Nature Park has set the standard for unrestricted joy of movement. Older people, families with small children and prams, wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility - they all will find exactly what they’re looking for in the Kaunertal: a pure experience of nature!
The accessible attractions at Kaunergrat Nature Park include:
- the award-winning Kaunergrat Nature Park Museum at Piller Sattel
- the 'Gacher Blick' nature and culture panorama view
- the Piller Moor natural landmark with its 700 m accessible wooden walkway
- a playground accessible to people with reduced mobility
- exploring the many accessible themed walking trails, even in a wheelchair
- making use of the surrounding open space, including the wheelchair-accessible car park
By the wa: At the Kaunergrat Nature Park Museum, you can borrow Swiss Tracs, completely free of charge. With these traction devices, wheelchair users can tackle even the steeper forest tracks – for example, to the Gepatschhaus, the Falkaunsalm or the Aifneralm. Fancy heading up into the mountains? The Tyrolean holiday region makes it possible!
Fendels
Fendels summer mountain also offers a range of activities for travellers with limited mobility. One of the highlights is certainly the Bach am Moos nature playground, which is accessible to all – and is particularly popular with the younger generation thanks to its varied water activities and fun games.
The many extra-wide trails to the Sattelklause mountain restaurant are also wheelchair-accessible. Alternatively, the quad chairlift can take you up to 1,900 m above sea level. There are various themed trails, including the easily accessible local wildlife nature trail. No matter how you get to the Sattelklause, you can take the mountain cart back down, even in a wheelchair!
Good to know: prams, Swiss Tracs, and wheelchairs can be easily transported by the chairlift.
Winter in Tyrol without restrictions
In winter? In addition to the Kaunergrat Nature Park, the Kaunertal Glacier ski area is especially recommended for accessibility: An ideal place for those who want to be physically active in the cold season even if you are differently abled. Specially trained ski instructors and the Tyrol Monoski Area Award speak for themselves. In the winter, Kaunertal also makes barrier-free cross-country skiing possible.
Need more suggestions? Read more about accessible activities and excursion tips for this Tyrolean nature park and glacier region!
Wheelchair accessible shops and accommodation in the Kaunertal
Still lack the necessary sports equipment or just want a snack? Looking for a restaurant that's easy to reach even with a wheelchair? Check out the following shops, restaurants, and cafés:
Good to know:much accommodation in the valley is well prepared for the needs of mobility-impaired guests. Take a look at the list of barrier-free hotels and holiday homes.
Enjoy the freedom to move that the entire Kaunertal has dedicated itself to providing! Further details and information in the accessibility guide to Kaunertal nature park and glacier region.
Awarded for accessibility
Numerous initiatives make it easier for people of all ages to access the beautiful Tyrolean nature in the Kaunertal. Award-winning and named one of the top barrier-free destinations in Europe! The Kaunertal has received such awards as the EDEN Award and the Tourism for All Award. We're proud of the many awards received in recent years, including the:
- 2013 Eden Award - the Prize of the EU Commission for Sustainable Tourism Destinations
- Tyrol Touristica 2013 - the Tyrol Tourism Prizes in "Development of Offerings," Marketing and Sales", “Infrastructure and Buildings", and" Events and Major Events"
- Tourism for All - Awards for innovative and regional initiatives for barrier-free travel - Competition winner in Tyrol
- World Responsible Tourism Award - 2nd place in the world for "Accessibility"
Terra Raetica, Humana Raetica
A cross-border project among the regions where Austria, Italy, and Switzerland meet
Experience
the Kaunertal without barriers. The Kaunertal is probably unique in being a high alpine mountain valley that allows barrier-free access for heights up to 3,108 m above sea level! What began with the construction of a high mountain road is today an award-winning flagship project in Europe.
Detailed information on wheelchair-friendly tourist attractions in the Kaunertal can be found at www.terrareatica.eu/barrierefrei. Terra Raetica is an organisation that closely examines barrier-free offerings before certifying them.
