Ehrwald
The biggest town and the tallest mountain in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena: Ehrwald is a holiday destination full of superlatives. Another feature that speaks for it are the many opportunities for leisure activities, attractions and accommodation options. What can holiday guests look forward to in summer and in winter? And which offers are particularly attractive for families? Get to know Ehrwald!
Facts & figures
- Location: right at the foot of the Zugspitze
- Elevation: 1,000 m
- Districts: Obermoos, Ehrwald-Schanz, Oberdorf, Unterdorf, Schmiede and Weidach
- Neighbouring towns: Biberwier, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau, Lermoos and Mieming
- Highlights:
- Zugspitze
- golf course
- three ski resorts: Zugspitzplatt, Ehrwalder Alm, Wettersteinbahnen
- indoor climbing gym
- 3D archery course
Where is Ehrwald?
Let the Zugspitze guide you! If you visit the Tyrolean side of the mountain, you’ll sooner or later end up in Ehrwald. Because the region’s biggest town is located right at the foot of the Wetterstein range – to which the 2,962-metre-high Zugspitze belongs. In the valley of Ehrwald, Lermooser Moos (a now partially dry moorland area) borders with the municipality, and the river Loisach flows right through it.
What about its name? It most likely comes from the Old High German word “erro wald”, which means something like “the entrance to the forest”. Others believe the name comes from “alter Wald” (old forest) or maybe even “Erzwald” (ore forest), which seems plausible given that there several ore deposits nearby.
The history of Ehrwald
In 1274, Ehrwald was mentioned in an official document for the first time. Until the beginning of the 20th century, mining was the primary reason for people to move to the area from nearby Imst. Later on, the production of barrel staves became an important source of revenue for the town. And in the 20th century, tourism finally benefitted from increasing popularity on the Tyrolean side of the Zugspitze as well. As the federal state’s second cable car, the Tyrolean Zugspitzbahn in Ehrwald was ceremoniously inaugurated in 1926. Since then, the municipality has become one of the most important two-seasonal tourism destinations of the region – alongside Lermoos.
Summer in Ehrwald
In summer, it’s all about spending time in the mountains. The splendid panorama of Tyrol’s summits accompanies you on leisurely walks through the valley, hikes along mountain pastures or on high-alpine tours. Several via ferratas and the state-of-the-art Ehrwald indoor climbing gym provide climbing enthusiasts with additional challenges. And mountain bikers will appreciate the diverse landscape of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena.
Tip for those who’ve always wanted to play golf in a breathtaking mountain setting: On the nine-hole golf course in Ehrwald’s valley, golfers enjoy stunning scenic views of the Zugspitze.
Winter in Ehrwald
If two are better than one, then what about three? In Ehrwald, winter sports enthusiasts can look forward to triple the fun on the slopes – at the Ehrwalder Alm, Wettersteinbahnen and Zugspitzplatt ski resorts. Cross-country skiers enjoy the many groomed trails at the foot of the majestic Zugspitze and in the valley. In addition, Tyrolean evenings , ice stock (Alpine curling) or horse-drawn sleigh rides round off the offers for a diverse winter holiday in Ehrwald.
Ehrwald for families
The biggest town in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena offers countless opportunities for summer activities – from 3D archery at the Wetterstein lift to playgrounds, a minigolf course and the “Zugspitzi am Gaisbach” water adventure trail. At Tirolerhaus, young holiday guests are in the best of hands with our professional childminders. And Ehrwald Family Pool is a popular excursion destination year-round.
When temperatures start to drop, winter sports enthusiasts become more and more excited about the approaching winter season. And what’s even better, families can look forward to ski holidays full of variety in Ehrwald: freeride routes, snow parks, practice lifts, child-friendly ski school offers, … You’ll be amazed – promise!
Culture & attractions
Hiking, skiing, or getting a taste of the local culinary offers: Ehrwalder Alm is an important cultural asset of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena and well worth a visit year-round. The same holds true for the famous mountain fires that take place every year around the time of the summer solstice and St. John’s Day. If you’d like to find out about the history of the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car, you can do so at the Fascination Zugspitze Experiental World. Tip for explorers: The nature reserve in Ehrwald’s valley with its rare flora and fauna is a beautiful and informative destination for an excursion.
Images of Ehrwald
