Scheffau Holidays

With rolling meadows in summer and snowy slopes in winter, holidays to Scheffau offer something special in every season.

Rustic beauty

With a secluded location – and some seriously magnificent scenery – Scheffau's as alpine as it gets. This hidden gem's tucked away in the greenery-draped Tyrol area of western Austria. The village centre's a jumble of quaint buildings, and it's got local food and drinks aplenty – as well as weekly summer festivals.

Skip to the lake

Don't visit Scheffau without stopping off at Lake Hintersteiner. Sitting in the pine-cloaked mountains, this mirror-like lake's famed for its crystal-clear water. It's a chilled spot perfect for an afternoon stroll with a The Sound of Music-worthy backdrop – or a wild swim in the mountains.

Snow patrol

Family-friendly Scheffau's known for its beginner slopes and laidback, Tyrolean feel. Catch a gondola up the mountain for far-reaching views across the Wilder Kaiser Mountains – and the snow globe-like cluster of buildings that make up this peaceful alpine village. There's no stay-up-late party scene here – but kids will love the snow-covered landscapes.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Scheffau:

• Guided glacier walks
• Waterfalls
• Guided walking tours
• Museum
• Wildlife spotting

At a glance

Catch an open-air concert in the village square
Swim in the shallows of Lake Hintersteiner
Wash down local cheeses with a glass of schnapps

Hintersteiner See

Hintersteiner See bathing lake is 4km above the centre os Scheffau. It’s a beautifully clear and clean lake that spans 56 hectares and reaches 36m in depth.
Sand and rocks

Hintersteiner See is in the middle of the Wilder Kaiser nature reserve, one of the most recognised mountain ranges in the Tyrol. The beaches are a mix of sandy patches and rockier shores, so make sure to bring along swimming shoes to protect your feet.
Everything you need

You’ll find all the facilities you need for a day by the water here. There’s a café on the south bank, changing rooms, meadows, and sun loungers and parasols. There's also a car park, but the lake is easily reached by public transport.

Bargain Buys

Scheffau is fairly quiet, so it’s quite common to spend laid-back evenings in the hotel, enjoying a few after-dinner drinks without having to leave the building.
Mid-Range Buys

Scheffau’s main town has very little by way of shops. The upper section is a small village with a couple of sporting goods stores, selling a range of typical mountain clothing and accessories.

Laid-back evenings

Scheffau has one village pub to visit, if you're after a traditional, small-town feel. They serve a basic menu of beer, wine and spirits. Since it's authentically Austrian, smoking is still allowed inside.
Lively evenings

The resort is quiet, but livelier evening spots can be found in nearby Ellmau or Söll.

Eating out

Tiny Scheffau has a charming village centre with a few cafés, bars and restaurants serving Austrian and Italian fare. Though if you want greater choice, you may have to venture to Ellmau or Söll for a bit more variety.
Family-friendly Gastof

In the lower part of the village is Gastof, serving traditional Austrian cuisine at pretty reasonable prices. This restaurant is great for families as it has a good-sized play area.
Lunchtime pit stop at Aualm

With views of the lifts, Aualm is ideal for a quick lunch at the bottom of the mountain. Whether you choose a burger, dumplings or currywurst, you’re bound to have a hearty midday meal with great views from the outdoor sun terrace.
Fresh Italian at Donatello Ristorante Pizzeria

Whether you want takeaway or a sit-down meal, Donatello Ristorante Pizzeria creates scrummy pizzas for decent prices. Everything is freshly made to order and there’s a great selection of both pizza and pasta to choose from.

On foot

If you speak German, the clue’s in the name here – Scheffau, or 'steep meadow', is a hillside village, so you’ll get some good exercise just walking around town. The village centre is lively and the perfect place to stop for a mid-stroll coffee.
Trains

There’s a train station in St Johann, 30 minutes away by bus, which offers trains to excellent locations like Kitzbühel (10 minutes) and Worgl (50 minutes), and even Salzburg (2 hours 20 minutes), Innsbruck (1 hour 30 minutes) and Munich (2 hours 30 minutes).
Buses

With your Wilder Kaiser Guest Card, you’ll get free use of the Kaiserjet bus service, which links Scheffau to the neighbouring villages of Ellmau, Going and Söll – and stops at the village centre, summer lift stations and leisure spots. The post bus will cost a bit extra, but it’s useful for getting to St Johann, Westendorf, Kitzbühel and Worgl.
Summer lifts

There are 13 lifts in the SkiWelt area, which are free to use if you purchase a Hiker’s Experience Pass – well worth it if you plan on doing a lot of walking or just want to get up high to see the views.

Walking

There are over 700km of trails, so it’s easy to get out and explore this extensive and truly beautiful region. The distinctive Wilder Kaiser Mountains are a rocky maze of scenic fields and lush mountain pines. On the other side, the Kitzbüheler Alps offer panoramic paths and spectacular views, easily reachable with summer lifts. A good place to start is by strolling to the neighbouring towns of Söll and Ellmau, and you simply must take a walk to the stunning Hintersteinersee lake. A Hiker’s Experience Pass will give you access to all the lifts and walkers’ buses.
Scheleirwasser Waterfall

A more challenging hike to a nearby waterfall, with incredible views down the valley towards St Johann. Catch the bus to Going Dorf and then follow route 818, which winds past farmhouses and the Badasee lake. Stay on route 818 as it winds up through the forest. After around 2 and a half hours you’ll reach the waterfall. Route 817 will take you back towards Going – and there’s great hut to stop at along the way.
Rosemarie Café

Follow the Blaikner Weg to the Blaiken guesthouse and then cross the bridge and carry on towards Seebach. Along the way, you’ll come to the Rosemarie Café, one of the best cafés in Scheffau. Enjoy drinks and scrummy homemade cakes here. To get home, follow route 56, cross the Seebach bridge and take the path bath to the village via the Niederscheffau farm.