Afitos
Fresh alpine air, scenic strolls and hearty Tyrolean cuisine – holidays to Soll couldn't get more blissful if they tried.
Sitting just shy of the German border amid north Austria's Wilder Kaiser Mountains, Soll's a treat all year round. In winter, locals hit the nearby slopes, then warm up with a glass of Tyrolean schnapps. Come summer, there are plenty of hiking trails and festivals to keep visitors on their toes.
Drive south to the Salzburg region and you'll find Hohe Tauern National Park – the biggest conservation area in the Alps. It's enormous, but you can reach the thundering Krimml Waterfalls in 90 minutes. As you wander through flower-filled meadows and alpine forests, keep your eyes peeled for resident marmots, ibex and golden eagles.
Traditional Tyrolean architecture gives Soll its fairy tale feel – think frescoed houses with pine-wood balconies. For a taste of age-old customs, dance alongside locals to live folk music out in the open air. You may even see a few toe-tappers and thigh-slappers wearing traditional lederhosen.
Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Söll:
• Lakeside promenade
• Lakeside path
• National park
• Guided glacier walks
• Waterfalls
• Museum
In the centre of the village you’ll find the Ahornsee bathing lake. It reaches depths of 11m and spans 10,000m², which is quite small compared to other lakes in the area. It’s a pretty spot to cool off in the summer sun.
Ahornsee lake is sandwiched between the Wilder Kaiser mountains and the Hohe Salve. Aside from being picture-perfect, the bathing lake blends relaxation with fun – in the form of a diving board. In winter, the lake serves as a snow-making reservoir for Hochsöll.
This bathing lake has four jetties, shower areas, a children’s play space, refreshment kiosk and deckchairs with parasols. It’s great for a laid-back day by the water, whether you’re visiting with family or friends, or are just looking for a peaceful dip after a hike.
For some local bargains, don't miss the Z'sammkemma on Wednesdays. It's a market and festive evening rolled into one, so you can try some food specialities and browse the stalls of craftsmen who come to present their work.
Söll has a smattering of sports shops where you can find a mix of activewear and casual gear.
As Söll is pedestrianised, pottering around on foot is a wonderful way to spend a quiet evening – window-shop, people-watch and snap some evening holiday photos.
Immerse yourself in traditional Austrian culture at the village Tyrolean evening. It takes place on Thursday evenings at 8.30pm, and offers a fun night of yodelling, Tyrolean music and folk dancing.
Söll is proud of the local ingredients – like honey, cheese, milk and even schnapps – that originate from the numerous local farmers in the area. From these ingredients, delicious specialities like the sweet germknödel with poppy seeds and butter are born – definitely a must-have while you're here. When it comes to eating out, you’ll find everything from small, casual eateries to fine-dining restaurants dotted around the resort, and even a couple of huts up in the mountains.
At the top of the main gondola is Gastof Hochsoll, a mountain restaurant with incredible views from its large outdoor terrace. Half the restaurant is self-service, while the other has table service – but both offer local favourites and homely classics.
In the centre of town is the popular Auf da Muhle, a large restaurant with excellent steaks and pizza and a lively atmosphere. There’s a large bull on the wall outside, if you need help finding it.
Just down the road is Schindelhaus, a popular and reasonably priced restaurant offering international cuisine. Whether it’s a burger or calzone, you’re guaranteed to receive some top-notch nosh.
Söll is easy to traverse on foot, as it’s a relatively flat village surrounded by rolling hills and pastures. It’s usually quiet too – except of course when there’s a parade or festival.
You can catch a bus to the train station in Wörgl (25 minutes) and, from there, take a train to Innsbruck (30 minutes) or even Munich (2 hours 30 minutes).
Your Wilder Kaiser Guest Card will give you free use of the Kaiserjet bus service, which connects Söll to the nearby villages of Scheffau, Going and Ellmau. There’s also a local bus service to Kuftstein (25 minutes), St Johann (35 minutes) and Wörgl (25 minutes). If you purchase a Hiker’s Experience Pass, you’ll get free use of the hikers’ buses too.
If you’re a keen walker, a Hiker’s Experience Pass is well worth purchasing – it’ll give you free use of the 13 summer lifts in the area, so you can access mountain walking trails and see incredible views. Please note that some lifts don’t open until mid-June.
Söll has a real mix of walks and hikes, so there’s something to suit every ability. The area around the village is all rolling hills and wide green pastures, where you can spend days strolling and enjoying the scenery without breaking a sweat. The dramatic mountain backdrop is where you’ll find more challenging walks and hikes – though the summer lifts mean you can get the views without the physical effort. There are 700km of trails, though it’s always nice to start with a stroll to nearby Moor lake or the village of Scheffau. A Hiker’s Experience Pass gives access to the lifts and hikers’ buses.
From town, head towards Lake Moorsee and follow the road around the shore. After the underpass, you’ll reach a river and, once across, see signposts for the Hintersteinersee. The route is uphill but not too demanding. You can spend the day on the shores of the largest lake in the Wilder Kaiser Valley, or swimming in the crystal-clear water – a must for anyone visiting this area.
Catch the bus to nearby Scheffau and then take the cable car up the mountain. Find the signs for route 6 and follow it to join route 11, past the Hartkaisersee lake and through beautiful woodland. Route 4 will take you down into Ellmau – stop at the Rubezahlam restaurant along the way. You can hop on the bus from Ellmau to get back home.
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