Zell-am-See Cities :: Zell-am-See Hotels

The medieval lake-side town of Zell am See is one of Austria 's most appealing winter and summer resorts. Its huge international popularity rests on its hard-to-beat setting on the shore of a beautiful lake at the foot of the 2,000-m Schmittenhöhe. The mountain provides ample easy intermediate skiing, and the towering presence of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier above the delightful neighbouring village of Kaprun (a ten-minute journey by free ski bus) means that snow is guaranteed in winter.

Hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding - everything you want to do is possible in the 'Europa-Sportregion'. Adventurous outdoor activities, hiking through an impressive landscape or the various facets of water sports, all these options - and even more - are open to you in Zell am See and Kaprun. Panorama flights above the Alps , summer skiing on the glacier of Kitzsteinhorn or canyoning are only some alternatives in a programme of more than 40 different kinds of sports. And in addition you can choose your favorites from Austria 's longest and most varied calendar of events.

The idyllic mountain town of Zell is situated in the centre of the 'Mittelpinzgauer Senke' ( Pinzgau Valley ) at 758 m (2,487 ft) above sea-level. The valley is being drained by the Saalach and Salzach rivers. The southern part of the valley is called 'Zeller Furche' (Furrow of Zell), the only beautiful U-shaped trough-valley in the 'Pinzgauer Grasberge' mountains. Here famous Lake Zell , 4 km (2.5 miles) long and 1.3 km (0.8 miles) wide, is situated.

During the last century, the ground-water level decreased by 1 m (3.3 ft), thus draining the meadows and fields of the 'Moos', the moorland around Zell. This unique basin is enclosed by various geological formations. In the north, the 'Steinernes Meer' ( Stony Sea ) rises up out of the limestone Alps , bordered on its eastern side by Mount Hochkönig . The snow-capped peaks of the ' Hohe Tauern ' mountains, including Austria 's highest mountain, Grossglockner , rise up in the south. The limestone and the central Alps are smoothly connected by the green grassy slopes on the schist of Schmittenhöhe and the Hundstein massif. And there is an additional mountain specialty that Zell has to offer: 'Hahnenkogel', also called 'Honigkogel', is 1,854 m (6,083 ft) high and here, forests grow in greater heights than on any other mountain in Europe .

The 175 million cubic metres of biologically and hygienically perfectly uncontaminated water of Lake Zell are crystal clear drinking water. The reed and moor areas have always been responsible for the exceptionally high water quality. In 1973, the government of the State of Salzburg declared it a nature reserve. The reed and moor do not just successfully clean the water but, in addition, grant innumerable possibilities for fish to lay their eggs. Thus, the area hosts an abundance of species in the lake which, on average, is about 48 m (157 ft) deep.

In summer this Alpine lake invites visitors to go diving, water-skiing, sailing or rowing in or on its pleasantly warm water. At the lidos you may get some of it on your skin. And guests who would rather stay dry can go on a lake cruise or glide across the water in a hired rowing boat. Thus you will be able to enjoy the summer fun and the luxury of bathing in drinking water in whatever way you like.