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The mountain is calling! Here are our tips for planning, the best accommodation and regions for your hiking vacation in Austria.
5 Insider Tips: Hiking in Austria
Increasingly, people are drawn to the solitude of nature. Luckily, Austria is full of hiking trails! Off the beaten track and a little removed from popular photo spots, you are able to discover true natural gems where you can truly unwind and recharge. Are you looking for a special hiking destination, a less-traveled path, or more remote peak? We have hit the trails just for you: Here are our 5 secret tips for hiking in Austria!
Wiegenwald Forest in Uttendorf, Hohe Tauern National Park Holiday Region
Our first insider hiking tip in Austria is definitely a well-kept secret: Wiegenwald Forest at the Enzingerboden in Uttendorf is best explored with a trained National Park ranger. No signs or markers indicate the start of the hike, as the goal is to protect this sensitive natural gem in the Weisssee Glacier World area. The hike begins at around 1500 meters above sea level, leading through dense spruce forest to a wild, romantic high moor with deep black peat ponds, larch trees, and one of the largest stands of Swiss pine in Hohe Tauern National Park. This natural gem in Uttendorf is reminiscent of the no-longer-secret Rauris Virgin Forest. From our chosen forest—some of the trees are roughly 1,000 years old!—the trail continues through mountain pines to Schwarzsee and Grünsee by the mid-station of the Weisssee Glacier Lifts.
This National Park excursion takes place every Thursday from mid-July to early September and is free with the Uttendorf Guest Card (automatically included when you stay at Tauern Lodges Uttendorf) or the National Park SummerCard. This moderately challenging hike takes about 4 hours (3 hours of walking time, 5 km, 300-meter elevation gain).
Egger Alm including Poludnig summit (1999 m), Nassfeld-Pressegger See
Our second insider tip is a hike on the Egger Alm, an idyllic high valley near Hermagor in Carinthia, up to the scenic Poludnig summit. Just 1999 meters high, it is accessible by means of a moderate hike, treating you to panoramic views of the Julian Alps in Slovenia and Italy, as well as the Hohe Tauern and Grossglockner. The starting point for this hiking loop is the Egger Alm, which is reached via the winding, paved Egger Alm road (about 15 minutes by car from Hermagor). Duration: about 4.5 hours, Length: 12.5 km, 650 meters elevation gain. A must: After the hike, try the award-winning Gailtal hill cheese made right there at the Egger Alm, or one of the other delicacies from the same dairy.
The Poludnig is located on the Carnic Milk Road, a network of trails that stretches from Lake Wolayer to Friuli in Italy, interconnecting an array of Italian and Austrian huts also famous for their dairies. The Carnic Milk Road includes 8 family-friendly hikes.
#3: Grebenzen and Pfaffentritt, St. Lambrecht
Our third insider tip for hiking in Austria is located in the Zirbitzkogel Grebenzen Nature Park: the Grebenzen, a mountain range with 3 peaks, stretches from St. Lambrecht to the Metnitz Valley and is located on the border between Styria and Carinthia. Our hiking tip leads from St. Lambrecht (and the Naturpark Chalets Lambrecht) via the family descent and the Pfaffentritt to the Erste Grebenzenhöhe with its summit cross. Just 10 minutes from the summit, you can stop off at the Dreiwiesenhütte: a sunny location, down-to-earth delicacies and a unique panoramic view await mountain lovers. You can hike back to St. Lambrecht via Schönanger and the pilgrimage church. The tour requires a good level of fitness: around 13 km and more than 800 m in altitude - it's worth it!
#4: Koppensteig - high trail, Lermoos in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
The hike starts at the valley station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn. Follow the Koppensteig trail to the top station of the Sonnenhang lift and enjoy the beautiful view before continuing along the Höhenweg trail towards Gamsalm. From there, the forest path leads back towards Ehrwald to the Hotel Diana Thörle, from where you can take the hiking bus back to the starting point. The medium-difficulty hike is approx. 5.9 km long, with around 360 m of ascent to overcome.
#5: Hörbrunn - Engelsberg round in Hopfgarten, Hohe Salve region in the Kitzbühel Alps
The next insider tip was revealed to us by the resort management of the Kitzbühel village resort: The loop takes you past the old Engelsberg ruins. You start at the Salvenaland leisure park, walk along the Ache river and past the Elsbethenkapelle chapel. Now a little steeper uphill to the Engelsberg ruins with their old wall remains. Engelsberg Castle in Hopfgarten, first mentioned in 1234, was central to the provostry of Hopfgarten under Regensburg and later Salzburg rule. It was partially destroyed in 1526 during the Peasants' Revolt and finally fell into ruin after 1608, when Hopfgarten's provostry was united with the court of Itter. You return to Salvenaland via a forest path. The easy, approximately 3-hour hike is around 10 km long (250 m difference in altitude).
Enjoy Remote Hiking Trails Away from the Hustle and Bustle: Our Tips
- Inquire about little-known hiking trails in your vacation region, it is often the less advertised trails that offer surprisingly beautiful experiences. Ask at reception and get advice from the local team.
Start early in the morning
- Nature in the soft morning light has a special charm.
Avoid weekends
- Most hiking trails are less frequented during the week than at weekends.
Use the off-season
- ,,If possible, avoid peak season dates and enjoy the peace and quiet on the hiking trails in fall, for example. Our article"
- is all about the best time of year for outdoor adventures.
Tauern Lodges Uttendorf
Bergresort Zugspitze Ehrwald
Naturchalets Turracher Höhe
Chalets & Glamping Nassfeld
Dorfresort Kitzbühel
Copyright © ALPS RESORTS, Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Michael Huber
Lisa Gruber
Content Marketing bei ALPS RESORTS
Gen-Z with a penchant for writing and being outdoors. Lisa enjoys discovering hikes and ski resorts for us and offers tips for the perfect vacation.
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