Hiking in Austria
10 Reasons to Go Hiking in Austria
Whether you’re exploring one of the national parks, experiencing the beauty of the Alps on a long-distance trail, or heading out on a family day hike – Austria offers unlimited opportunities.
Whether you’re exploring one of the national parks, experiencing the beauty of the Alps on a long-distance trail, or heading out on a family day hike – Austria offers unlimited opportunities.
1. The landscape is incredibly varied.
From rolling hills and gentle pastures to rugged mountain peaks and glaciers, Austria offers a wide range of landscapes. Visit Europe’s highest waterfall, walk along quiet rivers and lakes, hike an actual glacier, or see the largest ice caves in the world.
2. Well-marked hiking trails allow for self-guided tours.
Even inexperienced hikers can easily go on self-guided walks in the Austrian Alps. Paths are clearly and consistently tagged via red-white-red markings on trees or rocks, and signposts along the way indicate directions, durations and sometimes even the trail’s level of difficulty. Simply make sure to take all necessary precautions such as checking the weather, choosing the right trail for your fitness level, and taking a map with you (tip: get one at your local tourist office!).
3. A break at an Austrian mountain hut is something special.
On most every sign-posted hiking trail in Austria, you will sooner or later come across a mountain hut offering local cuisine and sometimes accommodation for long-distance hikers. Have a glass of refreshing elderflower juice or a pint of beer before hiking on!
4. The home-made food is simply delightful.
In the mountain inns, home-made Austrian dishes, regional specialties and even produce right from the Alpine pastures are served. Cold plates are popular (such as the famous Austrian “Brettljause” – a substantial snack consisting of bread, cheese, and speck) and breads with all types of spreads, but also traditional warm dishes such as Schnitzel, Schweinsbraten (pork roast), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles) or Kaiserschmarren (sweet shredded pancakes).
5. Conquer any mountain with summer cable cars and chairlifts.
In most Austrian regions, you’ll find summer cable cars or chairlifts that will take you up to panoramic trails and scenic summit platforms, allowing holiday-makers of all abilities to enjoy fantastic views.
6. Austrian hiking trails are perfect for families.
There are plenty of hiking trails in Austria suitable for the entire family. Discover adventure hiking trails with interactive stations, explore educational trails, or find easy, pushchair-accessible walking trails. Many of Austria’s hotels – such as the Kinderhotels – specifically cater to families.
7. You’ll find untouched natural landscapes.
About 27% of the Austria’s surface is under natural protection. 6 national parks, 50 nature parks, 7 biosphere reserves, and a host of locally protected areas have been set up to protect unique species, cultural landscapes, and traditional ways of living. Many regions in Austria have also started to implement a sustainable tourism scheme which encompasses car-free holidays, promoting e-mobility or locally-sourced food and energy. The Austrian National Parks also offer dedicated educational programmes.
8. Hiking in Austria has a long tradition and is part of the local culture.
Hiking has a long tradition in Austria and is the country’s unofficial national pastime. Dedicated to hiking or mountaineering, Austria’s “hiking villages” are a perfect base for a holiday with day hikes of varying difficulty levels. These villages offer special services for your hiking holiday, such as free help to plan your hiking tour and free guided hikes.
9. Easily combine nature and culture.
There are several cities in Austria that make combining culture and hiking breaks easy. The best example is probably Innsbruck, sometimes dubbed the “capital of the Alps”. Salzburg, the city of music, is also a perfect base for a hiking holiday in the surrounding mountains.
10. Get the full Austrian experience.
Austria offers a huge variety of different hiking options and themed walks. Conquering one of the countless mountain peaks, hiking from pasture to pasture, embarking on a multi-day hike, or just enjoying a leisurely day hike – all of it is part of the Austrian hiking experience.
Austria’s Top 10 Summit Platforms
Nothing quite beats the feeling of reaching a summit and looking down at the world. It is a feeling of freedom, of thrill, of exhilaration – and Austria’s summit platforms are the best places to experience it.
1. Dachstein Mountain, Upper Austria/Styria
Located centrally within Austria on the border of Upper Austria and Styria, Dachstein mountain stands at 2,995 metres (9,826 ft) high. And yet, reaching its summit is not as difficult as one might think: From the town of Ramsau am Dachstein, take a cable car up to 2,700 metres (2,296 ft) and watch the green pastures below turn into rugged rocks, as the lift passes by craggy cliffs. Right next to the mountain station, the first of four spectacular viewpoints awaits: the Dachstein Sky Walk.
2. Pyramidenkogel Platform, Carinthia
Located in Carinthia in Austria’s sunny south, the corkscrew-like Pyramidenkogel is the highest wooden viewing tower in the world (100 m or 1,312 ft). The best part: you can take an actual slide back down.
3. Hohe Wand Sky Walk, Lower Austria
Set within the Hohe Wand nature park just an hour outside of Vienna, this observation deck offers long, panoramic views, and a feeling of limitless freedom.
4. Adlerhorst Viewing Platform, Tirol
Situated along the Eagle Walk, Tirol’s award-winning long-distance hiking trail, Adlerhorst viewing platform is modelled on an eagle’s nest and made from wrought-iron metal. Here, on top of Gschöllkopf mountain, a 360-degree view awaits. Great as a destination for hiking trips!
5. BIG 3 in Ötztal Valley, Tirol
Sölden in the Tirolean Ötztal valley is home to no less than three mountains over 3,000 metres (9,843 ft) – the “Big 3”. Cable cars will take you to viewpoints on each of the three peaks, where you’ll be able to see as far as the Italian Dolomites in the south and the Zugspitze (Germany’s highest mountain) in the north.
6. Kitzsteinhorn Mountain, SalzburgerLand
Two hours from the city of Salzburg, a year-round world of snow and ice awaits: Located at 3,000 metres (9,843 ft), the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and the “Summit World 3,000” have amazing views and experiences in store: Take a guided hiking tour or go tobogganing in the middle of summer!
7. Top of Tyrol, Stubai, Tirol
Glacier summit platforms tend to offer spectacular views, but the Stubai Glacier is taking it one step further: Located at 3,210 metres (10,532 ft), its Top of Tyrol viewing platform makes you feel like you’re suspended in air and has views of 109 (!) mountains that measure above 3,000 m (9,842 ft).
8. Coral Viewing Platform, Tirol
The Triassic Park in the Steinplatte region of Tirol is dedicated to the primordial ocean that covered the land here 200 million years ago. Fittingly, the local viewing platform is shaped like a coral, one of the fossils commonly found in the area. If you’re rather safety-conscious, stay on the non-transparent coral-branch parts of the platform, but if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, step out onto the large-meshed grid between the branches.
9. Top Mountain Star, Tirol
Perhaps the best place to have a cocktail with a view: The futuristic, glass-enclosed Top Mountain Star in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is not just a viewing platform, but also a stylish restaurant and bar.
10. Glocknerblick Viewing Platform, SalzburgerLand
The Glocknerblick Viewing Platform in Bad Gastein (1.5 hours from the city of Salzburg) gives you a stunning view of Austria’s highest mountain, the Großglockner. Be sure to visit Europe’s highest suspension bridge on the way there!
