Ellmau is a chocolate-box ski village set in the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. Snow-dusted peaks frame the village and give it a storybook feel. The village is within the world-famous SkiWelt area and is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Stay active with hiking, cycling and mountain biking in the summer.
Things to do in Ellmau
The Ellmau town centre has all the charm of a traditional alpine village. Cafes spill onto the streets and colourful flowers bloom in window boxes. Beim Wegmacher, a beautifully renovated 16th-century farmhouse, is one of the prettiest buildings. It’s reimagined as a local history museum where you can learn about the village’s agricultural heritage.
Just outside the town is Gruberhof, a picturesque wooden cabin with sweeping views over the emerald-green pastured and snow-capped mountains. It’s a filming location for a long-running German TV show and is open for tours, except for when film crews are onsite.
Use Ellmau as a base for outdoor adventures in the Wilder Kaiser mountains. The hiking is spectacular, and you’ll find trails for all ages and fitness levels. Enjoy leisurely strolls through the flower-strewn valley or challenge yourself on a summit trail.
Ellmau is one of nine villages in the legendary SkiWelt, one of the largest winter sports destinations in Austria. Explore almost 300 kilometres of groomed trails serviced by dozens of lifts and cable cars. Ski huts dot the mountains and serve fresh-baked pretzels and steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
Take a plunge in the outdoor pools at Kaiserbad Ellmau. Enjoy stunning mountain views from the grass-covered sunbathing areas and work up a sweat on the tennis courts. Head inside to enjoy facilities like the herbal sauna, eucalyptus steam grotto and solarium.
Getting around Ellmau
Ellmau is compact and easy to get around on foot. The village is in Tyrol, a 1.5-hour drive from Salzburg and one hour from Innsbruck. Trains run between Salzburg and Sankt Johann in 2.5 hours. From here, it’s a 15-minute drive to Ellmau.