Zillertal to go

The speciality cheeses produced in Hochfügen are particularly tasty. The cheeses are made from the milk of cows that graze on mountain pastures at an altitude of more than 1,200m. They’re ripened for around six months, which results in a full–bodied and aromatic flavour.

When it comes to schnapps, Zichna must be one of Zillertal's most popular names. When you open a bottle of zirbenschnaps made by the Kölbl family, you're instantly hit by the fragrance of the Arolla pine. No surprise there – a lot of love and hard work go into distilling this highly aromatic Zillertal drink, made from the cones of the local tree. It's a magical cure if you suddenly feel the need to travel – and the perfect gift to bring back for those who stayed home!

At the Stiegler family’s shop, you’ll find a great selection of unique products made from cowhide, including belts, satchels, handbags, wallets, dog collars and much more. These high-quality items are decorated with traditional quill embroidery, a craft practised in Zillertal since the 17th century. And, of course, custom–made pieces can be ordered, too.

Zillertal’s speciality sausages are as much a part of the valley as the mountains and the music. The homemade products from Gasser’s butcher’s shop are included on the breakfast menus of the area’s hotels and B&B’s, and guests tend to like them so much, they buy them to take back home. The Gasser family produces flavoursome local sausages, such as Kräuterbeißer (with herbs), Landjäger (semi-dried), Pfefferbeißer (with pepper), Knoblauchstangerl (with garlic) and Kaminwurzn (usually beef and pork). Made the old-fashioned way, they only use organic ingredients and a natural smoking and drying methods. Another speciality is original Tyrolean sausage made from venison and lamb.

Treat yourself or a loved one to a little piece of artwork made from local wood. Geisler in Vorderlanersbach carpenter’s studio offers a wide selection of frames, lamps, vases, candlesticks and other decorative objects. These items are carved with love and care from matured timber or pine wood, and they fill every room with an incomparable fragrance.

Let’s be honest, who hasn’t dreamed of finding gold? The historical Hainzenberg gold mine shows just what an adventure the search for this precious metal was. Here, visitors gain an insight into the life of the miners and learn everything there is to know about their work underground. A highlight of the visit is the opportunity to mint some coins, which you can then take home as a souvenir to always remind you of Zillertal.