Ahorn mountain is booked up for the entire 2008 summer season. For the indulgent among us. For nature lovers. For the romantic at heart. Stress? Up here, on the doorstep of Mayrhofen? Never heard of it. Wend your way along mile after mile of hiking trails, ascend to original Tyrolean alpine huts and you’ll see straight away: in these parts, the ‘stress’ is placed on relaxation. As spring moves to summer, even the cable car unwinds you – as it weaves its way up high. The Ahornbahn, Austria’s biggest gondola car, not only offers plenty of space to walk around; if the sun should temporarily stop shining it quickly transforms into a cosy alpine café. What a welcome change, with speciality coffees and freshly baked cakes.

“Leisure mountain” is a true Mecca for those who appreciate the simple things in life: untouched nature, alpine scenery and stunning views. From the moment you alight on the mountain the enchanting backdrop inspires. Cast your gaze over snow-clad 3000 metre peaks, soak in the panorama – a mountaintop plateau straight out of a picture book, from the Fitzen Alps right down to Mayrhofen, Hippach and Finkenberg, and beyond to Tux valley. At 1965m above sea level, the panorama platform is the heaven’s gate to a hiking paradise high up in the Zillertal Alps Nature Reserve, an area covering 372sq km of leisure hiking, more challenging ascents to the peaks, traditional alpine huts and idyllic mountain meadows.

Mayrhofen is the ideal place to explore untouched countryside, with scores of options to relax and unwind. Take a stroll along the immaculate panorama trail stopping at any of the many viewing platforms, or soak in the atmosphere of the ‘tranquil garden’, Lake Ahorn or simply the barbecue site. The big Ahorn bonfire on 4 September underneath the Filzenköpfl – breakfast at dawn, with its amazing lights and illumination – is a genuine highlight for anyone who savours the romantic side of nature.     

Coffee and cake over mountains and valleys

Of course the main function of a gondola lift is to help you scale a mountain. Not the Ahornbahn. Not only does it transport you quickly and comfortably to the mountaintop world of Mayrhofen, in the summer to come it will become an attraction in itself. Whenever the skies cloud over, Austria’s biggest gondola car will transform miraculously into a café. With an internal capacity of 40sq m it offers plenty of room for a bar and comfy seating, elegantly finished off with subtle yet sophisticated decorations.

If the rich scent of coffee is what you seek, then the staff will be delighted to serve you. Take a seat, warm your bones, relax and enjoy the atmosphere – an unforgettable experience.      

In the last summer season not only did the Tyrolean gondola car operators go to great lengths to transport all visitors, they also treated them to a week of culinary delectation. It was such a success that the Mayrhofen locals have decided to extend the idea to the whole summer season. In 2008, selected mountain huts on the Ahorn will also be participating in the promotion with local specialities served on every Tuesday. If you fancy making the dish yourself, the recipe is also available to take home – a cherished reminder of a relaxing time spent atop Mayrhofen’s leisure mountain.