Muddy Stilettos


<p>If Austria conjures images of Schnitzel, powdery pistes and woolly mittens, allow us to show you a different side of the picture. For decades, the country has been the poster child for winter sports. But we&#8217;ll let you in on a little secret. When the snow melts and the Alpine meadows explode into a kaleidoscope of wildflowers, Austria transforms into one giant summer playground. Us? We&#8217;re currently eying up <a href="https://www.austria.info/en-gb/recommendations/365-days/st-johann-tirol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Johann in Tirol</a> for a summer soirée that quite frankly has it all. Think paragliding, floral hikes, zip lining, and of course, Austria&#8217;s notorious wellness culture. Hello spa day!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1810" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wilder-Kaeser-Haus-in-Kirchdorf-in-Tirol_©-Tourismusverband-Kitzbueheler-Alpen-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-Wilder-Kaeser-scaled.jpg" alt="Wilder Kaeser Haus in Kirchdorf in Tirol_© Tourismusverband Kitzbueheler Alpen - St. Johann in Tirol - Wilder Kaeser" class="wp-image-134532" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wilder-Kaeser-Haus-in-Kirchdorf-in-Tirol_©-Tourismusverband-Kitzbueheler-Alpen-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-Wilder-Kaeser-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wilder-Kaeser-Haus-in-Kirchdorf-in-Tirol_©-Tourismusverband-Kitzbueheler-Alpen-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-Wilder-Kaeser-600x424.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wilder-Kaeser-Haus-in-Kirchdorf-in-Tirol_©-Tourismusverband-Kitzbueheler-Alpen-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-Wilder-Kaeser-1000x707.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wilder-Kaeser-Haus-in-Kirchdorf-in-Tirol_©-Tourismusverband-Kitzbueheler-Alpen-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-Wilder-Kaeser-1536x1086.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wilder-Kaeser-Haus-in-Kirchdorf-in-Tirol_©-Tourismusverband-Kitzbueheler-Alpen-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-Wilder-Kaeser-2048x1448.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll find the Baroque town centrally located between the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Wilder Kaiser, with direct flights from London to Innsbruck or Munich&nbsp;taking you to Sankt Johann&nbsp;in Tirol&nbsp;– an easy 90&nbsp;to 120&nbsp;min car or train ride away. Nothing quite bottles up the culture here better than the Austrian&nbsp;ethos of Lebensgefühl&nbsp;– a profound sense of life and joy shaped by landscapes, experiences, and encounters. At its heart, it&#8217;s about creating memories that stick with us way longer than those obligatory post-vacay Insta posts. Perfect for families, adrenaline junkies, wellness seekers, and everything in between, here&#8217;s why <a href="https://www.austria.info/en-gb/recommendations/365-days/st-johann-tirol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. Johann in Tirol</a> is firmly on our summer holiday radar.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adventure-with-altitude">Adventure with altitude</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hornpark-Kletterwald-©-Mirja-Geh-scaled.jpeg" alt="Hornpark-Kletterwald © Mirja Geh" class="wp-image-134517" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hornpark-Kletterwald-©-Mirja-Geh-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hornpark-Kletterwald-©-Mirja-Geh-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hornpark-Kletterwald-©-Mirja-Geh-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hornpark-Kletterwald-©-Mirja-Geh-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hornpark-Kletterwald-©-Mirja-Geh-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hornpark-Kletterwald © Mirja Geh</figcaption></figure>



<p>First things first: if you are the kind of person who takes their holidays with a dash of adrenaline, you’ve come to the right mountains. Paragliding is one of the most spectacular ways to meet the Alps in summer. Strap in, run a few determined steps down a grassy slope (try not to stack it), and suddenly the world drops away beneath you. Insert unreal views here. Mountain High Adventure Centre is a great option, offering tandem flights, plus Segway tours if you prefer life firmly on two feet.</p>



<p>Nearby, the region’s high-altitude rope parks and forest adventure courses at Hornpark Kletterwald turn trees into obstacle courses. Suspended bridges wobble between trunks, zip-lines send you whooshing through the canopy, and balance beams test your mettle at varying heights above the forest floor. There are a whopping 11 different courses&nbsp;and more than 106 elements&nbsp;in all difficulty levels. And if you&#8217;re feeling particularly brave, you can give the&nbsp;Flying Fox course&nbsp;a whirl. The longest individual rope slide spans 160 metres as you soar over the Angereralm mountain lake.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Rapidly-downhill-on-the-Harschbichl-trail-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1-scaled.jpeg" alt="Rapidly downhill on the Harschbichl trail in the St. Johann in Tirol region © Mirja-Geh" class="wp-image-134515" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Rapidly-downhill-on-the-Harschbichl-trail-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Rapidly-downhill-on-the-Harschbichl-trail-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Rapidly-downhill-on-the-Harschbichl-trail-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Rapidly-downhill-on-the-Harschbichl-trail-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Rapidly-downhill-on-the-Harschbichl-trail-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rapidly downhill on the Harschbichl trail in the St. Johann in Tirol region © Mirja-Geh</figcaption></figure>



<p>Prefer something with wheels? Mountain biking here ranges from gentle valley paths to proper thigh-burning climbs with rewarding downhill runs. Electric bikes have also become wildly popular, meaning you can explore further without needing Tour de France-level stamina. Try the 80km Kaiserradrunde which passes through postcard pretty villages that skirt the magnificent Wilder Kaiser massif and awe-inspiring lakes. More advanced? The Harschbichl Trails should challenge you with its drops, jumps, and banked turns. </p>



<p>Of course, the simplest adventure remains the trusty Alpine hike. The area has 200km of hiking paths FYI. Hop aboard the cable car (May &#8211; Oct) which can whisk you up the Kitzbüheler Horn for panoramic viewpoints and walks aplenty. Don&#8217;t miss the Eifersbacher waterfall (can get muddy, is pretty tough but very much worth the effort) and the Horn summit mountain trail. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-mountain-thrills">Unexpected mountain thrills</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Untitled-design.png" alt="MOUNTAINCART ST JOHN TIROL AUSTRIA" class="wp-image-134635" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Untitled-design.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Untitled-design-600x400.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Untitled-design-1000x667.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Mountaincart | Mirja Geh Events</figcaption></figure>



<p>Swap hiking boots for three chunky wheels and let gravity do the hard work on the <a href="https://www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com/en/stjo/so/hiking/mountaincart.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mountaincart</a> run in St Johann in Tirol. Starting at the middle station of the Harschbichlbahn, this 3.8km downhill route swoops through alpine meadows and forests all the way back to the valley station, with big mountain views and plenty of bends to keep things interesting. The sturdy three-wheeled carts are designed for stability and come with proper brakes and helmets, so it’s more exhilarating than hair-raising. Take it slow and soak up the scenery or race your friends to the bottom – either way, it’s a gloriously fun, slightly wild way to descend the mountain.</p>



<p>Over in nearby gorges such as the <a href="https://www.checkyeti.com/en/d/580/3620" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taxaklamm canyon</a> (arguably the most breathtaking one of all), pull on your big girl pants for canyoning. If you dare. You’d assume the biggest test of bravery is squeezing into a wetsuit that seems two sizes too optimistic. But a 16 metre vertical descent into a raging ravine might just trump it. Wade, scramble and swim your way downstream as you launch yourself down rock slides and into bracing plunge pools. It&#8217;s wildly invigorating. And let&#8217;s be honest, you&#8217;ll secure bragging rights for life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brilliant-for-families">Brilliant for families</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1765" height="1132" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hiking-paradise-Griesbach-gorge-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh.jpg" alt="Hiking paradise Griesbach gorge in the St. Johann in Tirol region © Mirja-Geh" class="wp-image-134521" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hiking-paradise-Griesbach-gorge-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh.jpg 1765w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hiking-paradise-Griesbach-gorge-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-600x385.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hiking-paradise-Griesbach-gorge-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1000x641.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hiking-paradise-Griesbach-gorge-in-the-St.-Johann-in-Tirol-region-©-Mirja-Geh-1536x985.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1765px) 100vw, 1765px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hiking paradise Griesbach gorge in the St Johann in Tirol region © Mirja-Geh</figcaption></figure>



<p>Who says the adults have all the fun? One of the biggest strengths of St. Johann in Tirol is how effortlessly it works for families with children of all ages. The region has clearly thought about how to keep younger travellers entertained without turning the mountains into a theme park. As mentioned, the cable cars help make the peaks accessible for even the smallest legs in tow. There are lots of pram-friendly walks, and the promise of apple strudel or a plate of hearty Tyrolean dumplings from one of the many rustic mountain huts should help them put one foot in front of the other.</p>



<p>Adventure parks, too, offer safe, age-graded rope courses, so smaller children can tackle obstacles while teenagers chase bigger thrills higher up in the trees. And during the summer, you can&#8217;t miss the lineup of family-friendly activities. It all properly kicks off with the Summer Solstice (20 June). Don&#8217;t miss the hundreds of bonfires which are lit across the mountain summits, including the Wilder Kaiser, Kalkstein, Loferer and Leoganger Steinberge, and the Kitzbüheler Horn. Definitely make the most of the special journeys up the cable car at night. </p>



<p>Then, from July to September, St Johann’s Wednesday Lang &amp; Klang nights capitalise on the lighter evenings with extended shopping hours and child-friendly activities like a bungee run, UFO bouncy castle, and spider wall. When it comes to kids, we love that there is a refreshing lack of stress about it all. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dates-for-your-diary">Dates for your diary</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Knodelfest-2024-c-klubarbeit.net-79.jpg.jpeg" alt="Knödelfest 2024 (c) klubarbeit.net (79).jpg" class="wp-image-135031" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Knodelfest-2024-c-klubarbeit.net-79.jpg.jpeg 2000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Knodelfest-2024-c-klubarbeit.net-79.jpg-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Knodelfest-2024-c-klubarbeit.net-79.jpg-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Knodelfest-2024-c-klubarbeit.net-79.jpg-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Knödelfest 2024 (c) klubarbeit.net</figcaption></figure>



<p><strong>Mountains Aflame Summer Solstice (June)</strong>: If you happen to be in St Johann in Tirol around the summer solstice, prepare for a proper goosebumps moment. Each year the surrounding peaks – including the Wilder Kaiser and Kitzbüheler Horn – are illuminated with hundreds of traditional mountain fires in a ritual known locally as <em>Feia brenna</em>. As dusk falls, glowing symbols and flames appear along the ridgelines, creating a dramatic spectacle that feels equal parts ancient tradition and natural theatre. The fires are believed to strengthen the power of the sun and protect people and livestock from evil – though for visitors it’s simply one of the most magical alpine sights you’ll ever witness.</p>



<p><strong>Lang &amp; Klang Summer Evenings (July – Sept)</strong>: Every Wednesday evening through the summer, the centre of St Johann turns into one big open-air party thanks to the weekly <strong>Lang &amp; Klang</strong> festival. The name literally means “long and sound” – longer shopping hours paired with plenty of music – and the atmosphere is brilliantly buzzy. Expect live bands, street performers and walking acts dotted through the town, plus restaurants and bar terraces spilling out into the streets. There’s also a lively kids’ play street (think bungee runs and bouncy castles) while adults sip something chilled and enjoy the music. Think balmy Alpine evening meets street festival.</p>



<p><strong>Dumpling Festival (Sept)</strong>: Yes, there is an entire festival dedicated to dumplings – and frankly that’s reason enough to visit. Held each September, the <strong>St Johann Dumpling Festival</strong> lays claim to the longest dumpling table in the world: a 595-metre feast running through the town centre. More than 26,000 dumplings made from around 27 recipes are served by local chefs and restaurants, from savoury bacon and cheese to sweet apricot. Add live music, locals dressed in traditional <em>Dirndl</em> and <em>Lederhosen</em>, and a wonderfully convivial atmosphere, and the whole town feels like one giant open-air inn. Come hungry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-post-adventure-bliss">Post-adventure bliss</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cool-down-at-Panorama-Badewelt-in-St-Johann-in-Tirol-©-Panorama-Badewelt-scaled.jpg" alt="Cool down at Panorama Badewelt in St Johann in Tirol © Panorama-Badewelt" class="wp-image-134527" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cool-down-at-Panorama-Badewelt-in-St-Johann-in-Tirol-©-Panorama-Badewelt-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cool-down-at-Panorama-Badewelt-in-St-Johann-in-Tirol-©-Panorama-Badewelt-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cool-down-at-Panorama-Badewelt-in-St-Johann-in-Tirol-©-Panorama-Badewelt-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cool-down-at-Panorama-Badewelt-in-St-Johann-in-Tirol-©-Panorama-Badewelt-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cool-down-at-Panorama-Badewelt-in-St-Johann-in-Tirol-©-Panorama-Badewelt-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cool down at Panorama Badewelt in St Johann in Tirol © Panorama-Badewelt</figcaption></figure>



<p>And… breathe. When your body is finally waving the white flag after zip-lining, canyoning and hiking your way across the region, it’s time to lean into Austria’s world-class wellness culture. The <a href="https://www.badewelt.at" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panorama-Badewelt</a> in St Johann is the town’s go-to for post-adventure recovery, with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms – plus a glorious panoramic pool looking straight out to the Wilder Kaiser mountains.</p>



<p>If you fancy something more hotel-spa chic, book into <a href="https://www.penzinghof.at/en/lavender-spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel Penzinghof’s Lavender Spa,</a> where the 18-metre panoramic infinity pool, brine steam bath and sauna deliver serious Alpine bliss (just add an Aperol and call it a day). <a href="https://www.laerchenhof-tirol.at/de/day-spa.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel Lärchenhof</a> or <a href="https://www.kaiserfels.at" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alpenhotel Kaiserfels</a> are both lovely options with indoor and outdoor pools, salt baths and saunas, while several <a href="https://www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com/en/stjo/accommodation/booking.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local hotels</a> offer luxe wellness spaces designed for exactly this moment – when the mountains have worked their magic and all that’s left to do is slow down and soak it all in. It’s pure Austrian <em>Lebensgefühl</em>: joy found in big landscapes, great experiences and the art of properly switching off.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



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The Alpine summer destination you didn’t see coming

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