If bruises are an indicator of how adventurous and fun your vacation was, then I can tell you I had an immensely great time at Area 47 in Tirol, Austria.
I don’t say this to alarm you – it’s a very similar experience to when you wake up after playing your favorite sport for the first time in a year and you can barely walk.
The body aches and pains, although sore, gives you a thrill because you know that you’ve used your body well and have been engaged in life.
That’s how I feel when I look at the bruises on my legs after visiting Austria’s largest outdoor adventure park, which has a 17 metre water slide that turns you into a human projectile!
But Area 47 in Otztal is not just about the water park, it has rock climbing, mountain biking, wake boarding and much more. It’s all about outdoor adventures with a thrill.
In this guide, I share my experience of visiting Area 47 and some of my favourite things to do there, so you can know what to expect from your visit.
About Area 47
I don’t even know how to describe Area 47 in Otztal, Tirol. It’s the Disneyland for adult thrill seekers and water adventurers.
It has climbing walls, slacklines, catapults, jumps, canyoning, high ropes courses, bungee jumping, and crazy waterslides.
It’s a place where you can test your courage, endurance, and fitness skills. Whether you’re tacking the high ropes course set 27 metres above the ground, or you’re traveling at 80 km an hour down the water ramp, or mountain biking in the indoor freeride area, there’s something for every adrenaline junkie here.
It’s moved on from being an extreme water park to an outdoor adventure park, and has four main zones: the water area, wake area, climbing area, and indoor bike park.
They also offer tours from canyoning and white water rafting, to mountain biking and caving.
Unlike traditional adventure parks, Area 47 doesn’t have a standard entry fee. You pay per experience or per zone, so you need to know what you want to do and how much time you have before purchasing tickets.
It’s popular for bachelor parties and boys day outs, but on the day we arrived, us ladies ruled the park.
Well maybe we tried to.
Things To Do In Area 47
1. White Water Rafting
We started our morning adventures white water rafting through the Imster Gorge on the Oetztaler Ache river with our guide, Alex, whose stern and direct nature grabbed our attention (and caused many giggles).
Often we were too distracted by conversations and GoPro adjustments to paddle forward on his command.
Our hesitation was only a stroke long and we quickly jumped back into rhythm to safely guide us through the rapids.
The rapids were no larger than a class three, so enough to give you a few little thrills, but not massive enough to toss you over or freak you out.
Alex our guide trying to figure us out
There was a point when Alex thought it would be fun for us to try paddling standing up. It was hard enough paddling sitting down. Alex did make it fun along the river with activities like this.
We had opportunities to jump out of the boat and swim in the ten degree waters. Surprisingly, it was refreshing, the thick wetsuits keeping us warm.
All this fun was complemented nicely with the jagged snow covered peaks of the Austrian alps as a backdrop.
Whitewater rafting at Area 47 starts at €93, depending on what day of the week you visit, and grants you free access to the Water Area on the day of the tour! Tours last 3 hours and includes all equipment and safety briefing. Previous rafting experience is needed.
Water Area and Extreme Water Slides
I think this might be me coming off the speed slide
After the fun of white water rafting, an infrared sauna warm up and a delicious curry lunch at the River Haus Bar in the food area, we convinced each other to wetsuit up again and hit the fun of the water slides.
It was not that appealing due to the cold, but they looked awesome fun and we knew we could possibly never be back here – although I am pretty sure Kalyra will be dragging me here again one day.
Area 47 Water Area has a variety of crazy waterslides, blobbing, wake boarding, deep-water-soloing (climbing up a boulder wall above the water), and even a Cannonball attraction, which gives you the ability to get shot out of a canon into the water.
After watching lots of yahooing down the slides as we ate lunch we decided to join them. There is a 27 metre tower with five slides at varying heights and degrees of thrill.
We tried the tame one first, which required lying down on an orange board, zipping down the slide, and then skimming over the water coming to a stop with the help of our feet as brakes.
It was great fun although the initial tip bought a gasp as you felt how steep the steel tube is – I’m talking almost vertical.
Feeling brave, we lined up for the fast speed slide, which I’ve only just discovered while writing this post that it’s 80km/h fast. I’m not sure why I never questioned whether this was a good idea or not.
I mean we had just seen all these men go hurtling off the side, flying high in the air, arms and legs waving, before landing with a giant splash in the deep water.
You go hurtling down that slide, water spraying in your face, so you become a little disorientated and kinda forget what to do, you hit the air trying to follow the instructions.
I got it all wrong as I landed exactly as he said we should avoid – a great old belly flop, except mine was leaning more to the slide.
It hurt.
The lifeguard threw me a line to pull me back into shore once he saw me winded and gasping for breath.
But boy it was fun. I loved seeing my friends make just as spectacular landings and trading bruising stories after. If I had more time, I would have (stupidly) done it again!
We finished our adventures at Area 47 on the flying fox. The Flying Fox is a 400 metre zip line, which runs across the 20,000 square metre length of the Area 47 park giving you a birds eye view of the madness and the stunning mountains behind it.
The zip line starts under a bridge on a ledge built into the pylon.
We walked up the hill until we could get to a ladder going up to a shaky wooden bridge. We were clipped on with just one weird carabiner – there was no lock on it, just a small gap that slid over the steel cable – honestly, I didn’t feel safe about this.
One one side of the bridge there was a railing, and the other, a piece of rope hanging down every few steps to grab onto.
The bridge was very wobbly and the stomach queasy due to the height and looking straight down onto the road. Then we had to walk around the pylon on one tiny plank holding onto the wall – like true spider man style.
If you slipped the carabiner would have helped you (I hope), but I have no idea how you would have gotten back onto the pylon. The Zip Line was fun but this part was truly scary!
So here’s a video from Area 47, showing you what the flying fox experience is like. Check out how scary it is getting to the zip line.
If you want more thrills, I recommend doing the high ropes obstacle course that continues on under the bridge, not of the feint-hearted, or the mega swing, which Guilherme did and said was awesome!
The Flying Fox costs €31 for adults and €26 for children.
E-MTB Rides (Mountain Biking)
We didn’t do this because we were mountain biking at Bike Republic Solden, also in the Ötztal Valley, but one of the top things to do in Area 47 is to go on an e-mountain biking tour in the MTB area (part of the outdoor area).
These tours are designed for beginner mountain bikers, and because you have an e-bike, you get a little help up the inclines. The tour goes around Lake Piburger, and through the alpine forests.
The ride is about 20 kilometres and has an incline of 500 meters. The tour lasts 3.5 hours.
Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
Area 47 is different from traditional outdoor adventure parks in that you pay per experience and zone, rather an a general entrance fee. Each tour or experience has a different price and length of time.
For example, a canyoning tour may last 4 hours, but the wake boarding area allows you to purchase a ticket for the entire day. It really depends what you want to do, and how much time you have. You can find out about tours and ticket prices here.
Area 47 is open throughout the summer from May 1st to October 7th. Only the indoor bike park is open in the winter.
Each zone has different opening times throughout the year.
Closed Mon & Tues, 2:00pm – 6:00pm Wed – Fri, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Sat & Sun
May 29 – Sept 7
12:00pm – 7:00pm daily, closes at 8:00pm Wed & Sat
Sept 8 – Sept 28
Closed Mon & Tues, 2:00pm – 6:00pm Wed – Fri, 12:00pm – 7:00pm Sat & Sun
Sept 29 – Oct 12
Closed Mon – Thurs, 12:00pm – 6:00pm Fri – Sun
Oct 12 – April 30
Winter break
Indoor Bikepark Opening Times
Dates
Opening Hours
May 1 – Oct 12
Closed Mon & Tues, 1:00pm – 7:00pm Wed – Sun
4 Nov – Dec 25
Closed Mon – Wed, 2:00pm – 8:00pm Thurs & Fri, 10:00am – 5:00pm Sat & Sun
Dec 26 – 30
Closed Tues & Wed, 10:00am – 5:00pm Thurs – Mon
Dec 31- Jan 1
Closed
Jan 2 – 6
10:00am – 5:00pm Thurs – Mon
Jan 7 – Feb 11
Closed Mon – Wed, 2:00pm – 8:00pm Thurs & Fri, 10:00am – 5:00pm Sat & Sun
Feb 12 – 16
10:00am – 5:00pm Wed – Mon
Feb 17 – Apr 27
Closed Mon – Wed, 2:00pm – 8:00pm Thurs & Fri, 10:00am – 5:00pm Sat & Sun
Before You Go
Before you go, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you should you get seriously hurt or require medical treatment, and also protects you from any damages.
I mentioned at the beginning of this guide that I left with a bruise that covered my whole back thigh, but I was lucky it wasn’t more serious than this.
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Would you be crazy enough to attempt the 80km/hr slide? What would be your favourite activity at this extreme water park in Austria? Let us know in the comments.
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