![\"Breathtaking](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Austrian-Alps-adventure-holiday-1.png\")
\t\tMy Alps adventure holiday with three different high-octane experiences\t<\/p>\n\t\t\tFriday 01 May 2026 1:59 pm
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Updated:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\tFriday 01 May 2026 2:11 pm\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\tMy Alps adventure holiday with three different high-octane experiences\t<\/p>\n
Simon Miller on an Alps adventure holiday stuffed with high-octane adventuring<\/p>\n
I\u2019m never going to argue that a good book and a sun lounger isn\u2019t a winning summer holiday formula, but go on enough of those trips and the novelty starts to wane. Seen one swim up bar, you\u2019ve seen them all.<\/p>\n
I wanted to do something different, something that would get the blood pumping. The \u00d6tztal<\/a> region in Austria seemed to fit the bill \u2013 a long, twisty Alpine valley that boasts an extraordinary range of activities to cater for all moods, tastes and abilities. Not only were there plenty of direct flights from the UK, but because it\u2019s not a popular destination for the British, they are remarkably good value.\u00a0<\/p>\n HIKING IN THE ALPS\u00a0<\/p>\n No trip to the Alps is complete without a good hike, ideally one that culminates in a mountain summit. The summit in question for our family was the Similaun Spitze, at an altitude of 3606m.\u00a0 The climb wouldn\u2019t be difficult, but long enough to require an overnight stay in a mountain hut. And, because the summit would involve walking across a glacier, we booked a guide.\u00a0<\/p>\n We set off from the tiny village of Vent and after six hours of walking up a picturesque valley we arrived, exhausted and exhilarated in equal measure, at the Similaun Hut. Over dinner we were briefed on how to use crampons, metal spiked footwear that grips to ice and snow. And that\u2019s when the fear set in. We weren\u2019t climbers, we were a family of five who had innocently set off on a nice walk, not expecting to be told we would need to be roped together for our own safety or that we had to be up well before dawn in order to cross the glacier before the sun softened it.\u00a0 However, given we were all too terrified to sleep, getting up at an ungodly hour didn\u2019t prove to be an issue.<\/p>\n In the pitch black of early morning we nervously set off, roped up and for the first time ever, wearing crampons.\u00a0 We made steady progress and after two hours we were sitting atop Austria\u2019s sixth highest mountain. The sense of achievement was immense \u2013 our motely crew of five (youngest 8 years of age) had climbed a proper mountain and created a memory that I\u2019m certain will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n \t\tBIKING IN THE ALPS Mountain biking is a big thing in \u00d6tztal, everything from extreme down hill tracks to gentle rides along the valley. We decided to give down-hilling a go so booked in for a beginner lesson. After practicing the basics it was time to head up the mountain proper on a telecabine to test our skills on a downhill descent. Or at least it should have been. One look up to where we were going and four of our party asserted what can only be described as an unequivocal refusal. So while the others explored the more leisurely cycling options of the valley floor, I was the only one of our group to take my bike up the mountain. Conclusion: not for the faint-hearted.<\/p>\n After a week in \u00d6tztal, we felt renewed. The mountain air, the activity, the adrenaline and of course the noodle soup had all worked their magic. There is nothing better than the aches, pains and few bruises from unaccustomed activities to bolster holiday anecdotes and memories. Avoid the risk of your next beach holiday blurring into the last and give the Austrian alps a go.\u00a0<\/p>\n OUTDOOR ADVENTURE<\/p>\n Having earnt some downtime, the next day we hit Area47, an outdoor adventure playground split into three zones \u2013 climbing, water and outdoor pursuits \u2013 it is a riot of activity. We spent our time white water rafting, canyoning, blobbing (being catapulted into the water from an inflatable bean bag) and being shot across a lake by something that has an alarming similarity to a canon.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fact Box![\"Cyclists](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Austrian-Alps-adventure-holiday-biking-1.png\")
Simon\u2019s bike experience included an intense downhill descent <\/p>\n
\u00d6tztal Tourist Office at oetztal.com<\/a>; Simon stayed at the Habicher Hof Hotel habicherhof.at<\/a> and visited Area47 area47.at<\/a><\/p>\n