Exploring Tirol's Mountains in a Wheelchair

With the help of a Swiss Track, wheelchair users can head up to the Falkaunsalm hut in the Kaunergrat Nature Park. © Tirol Werbung - Jörg KoopmannWheelchair-friendly holidays in the mountains? Really? It may sound a little unlikely, but despite its alpine terrain the Kaunertal Valley in the west of Tirol is the perfect place for wheelchair users. Scroll down to find the best spots in the valley accessible to visitors on two legs and two wheels.

"I always dreamt of sharing this experience with Eelke, but I never thought it would be possible," says Dineke. She is talking about her dughter, Eelke, an electric wheelchair user who works in the Netherlands as a journlalist at Support, a magazine dedicated to disability-friendly travel and living. She was joined on a holiday in Tirol by two other wheelchair users, Tim and Christian, to spend a few days in the Kaunertal Valley and test just how wheelchair-friendly this region really is. The six-strong group also includes Harald (a wheelchair user) and Catherine, who does not use a wheelchair herself but is interested in wheelchair accessibility.

Harald, Tim, Christian and Eelke experienced first hand the wheelchair-accessible credentials of the Kaunertal Valley. In the background: Charly Hafele from the Hotel Weisseespitze, Catherine, Florian Van der Bellen from the Kaunertal Tourism Board, Dineke (Eelke's mother) and Christian (member of staff at the Hotel Weisseespitze).   Front Row: Nothing holds Harald, Christian, Tim and Eelke back from enjoying the great outdoors of Kaunertal Valley. Pictured from left to right. Back Row: Charly Hafele (Weisseespitze Hotel), Catherine (journalist from Great Britain), Florian Van der Bellen (Kaunertal Tourist Board), Dineke (Eelke’s mother) and Christian (dedicated staff member at Weisseespitze Hotel). © Tirol Werbung - Esther Wilhelm

The Kaunertal Valley has made an effort in recent years to make as many of its attractions as possible wheelchair-accessible. "Wheelchair users are often forced to stay in towns and cities, where things are generally more accessible. That's a shame as many of us are keen to enjoy the feeling of being outside in nature," says Harald Hörmann, a wheelchair user from Innsbruck with a passion for sport. He adds that he is pleasantly surprised just how much of the Kaunertal Valley can be explored on two wheels. Paths and trails make it possible for wheelchair users to pick up stones, admire plants such as wild mushrooms and wild cranberries, smell the scent of wet moss, touch the centuries-old trees and, last but certainly not least, marvel at views up to 3,100 metres above sea level. Wow, what a panorama!

Wheelchair-accessible places in the Kaunertal Valley

© Tirol Werbung - Peter Neusser

Swiss Tracs can be hired free of charge from the Kaunergrat Nature Park House. They give wheelchair users access to some of the most beautiful spots in the valley including the wetlands of the Piller Moor, the charming Falkaunsalm hut and several themed trails. Further highlights include the animal learning trail in Fendels followed by a fast and furious ride down into the valley on a mountain cart as well as the mighty Kaunertal Glacier offering views of Austria, Italy and Switzerland on a clear day. Two of the most spectaculart viewing platforms in the valley, the Gacher Blick and the Adlerblick, are also wheelchair-accessible.

Wheelchair-friendly accommodation in the Kaunertal Valley

© Tirol Werbung - Peter Neusser

For wheelchair users, finding the right accommodation can be a slog. Here in the Kaunertal Valley there are several hotels and holiday apartments with wheelchair-friendly infrastrucure. The most well-known is the 4* Hotel Weissespitze, which has been welcoming wheelchair users for many years. The holiday flats at the Appartment-Haus Renate have also been designed for wheelchair users. For more suitable accommodation options and details on each one, visit www.tirol.at.