Hiking vacations in Austria: the best regions, tips and accommodation
Austria is one of the most popular destinations for hiking enthusiasts and for good reason. Over 50,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails lead through impressive mountain landscapes, past alpine meadows, waterfalls and tranquil mountain lakes. From leisurely valley trails to challenging summit tours, active holidaymakers will find the perfect conditions here. In Tyrol, Salzburger Land, Styria, Carinthia and Vorarlberg, you can expect not only scenic highlights, but also perfectly equipped accommodation. A hiking vacation in Austria combines experiences close to nature with regional charm and comfortable accommodation in the most beautiful locations in the Alps.
Find the right hiking vacation in Austria
A hiking vacation in Austria offers ideal conditions for mountain sports enthusiasts of all kinds - with each region offering its own highlights and experiences. Those traveling with small children have different requirements than experienced mountaineers or peace seekers. Questions such as:
are crucial
- Do you want to hike at a leisurely pace or gain altitude?
- Is accommodation with a wellness area important to you?
- Is a dog traveling with you?
- Or should the accommodation be as close as possible to a mountain railway?
It is therefore worth considering in advance which criteria are particularly important for your vacation. This way, you are sure to find the perfect vacation region for your hiking vacation in Austria.
4 tips for planning your hiking vacation in Austria
1. for families: hiking with play & adventure
Families benefit from routes with adventure stations, short stages and child-friendly design. Themed trails, water playgrounds or puzzle trails make hiking exciting and varied. Numerous tips, excursion destinations and experiences especially for vacations with children can be found around the family-friendly vacations with children in the mountains.
2. for sporty types: High-altitude trails and summit tours
Those looking for alpine challenges will find varied routes in all of Austria's major hiking regions. Especially in Tyrol, Salzburger Land, Vorarlberg, Carinthia and Styria, there are well-marked high-altitude trails, via ferratas and summit tours with numerous meters of altitude. The difficulty and terrain vary depending on the region - from classic mountain tours to challenging ridge crossings.
3. for connoisseurs: combine hiking and wellness
If you want to relax after a hike, ALPS RESORTS has the right offer for you. Whether sauna, pool, whirlpool or panoramic views from the lounger - the combination of exercise in nature and relaxation provides real moments of time out. Accommodation with a private wellness area or access to thermal baths and relaxation zones in an Alpine location are particularly popular. A large selection of holiday apartments with pool and sauna or holiday homes with pool and sauna is available for your hiking vacation.
4. for everyone: hiking directly from the accommodation
If you want to start without a long journey, pay attention to the location of your accommodation. Many hiking trails start directly at the resort or are easily accessible on foot. Particularly practical are accommodations close to valley stations, from which cable cars lead directly to the hiking area. This allows you to start the day relaxed and use the time on your hiking vacation in Austria for the essentials: nature.
Hiking vacations in Tyrol
Tyrol is one of Austria's best-known hiking regions: impressive mountain landscapes, panoramic high-altitude trails and family-friendly valley routes await you between the Zillertal, Kitzbühel Alps and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. Whether it's a leisurely alpine hike, a panoramic tour with a mountain railroad or a challenging ascent over 2,000 meters in altitude - everyone will find the right hiking trail in Tirol. Many tours lead directly past rustic huts that invite you to stop for a bite to eat and round off a day's hiking with culinary delights.
Accommodation for your hiking vacation in Tyrol can be found at ALPS RESORTS. Whether vacation apartments with high-quality living comfort or vacation homes with alpine luxury, a private pool and plenty of space: you always stay in the best location for your tours in the mountains.
Hiking vacations in Salzburger Land
The Salzburger Land region delights with its scenic diversity, well-developed hiking trails and impressive nature experiences. From gentle alpine hikes for families to panoramic summit tours for active hikers, the region offers suitable routes for all hiking levels. Popular regions such as the Rauris Valley in the Hohe Tauern National Park impress with waterfalls and varied themed trails. Zell am See-Kaprun inspires with hiking trails between glacier, lake and mountains and shows the scenic diversity of the region. Saalbach-Hinterglemm also offers a wide range of activities for active people, not only on foot but also in Austria's largest biking region. Families can look forward to hiking trails suitable for children, adventure mountains and excursion destinations that combine nature, play and exercise in a special way.
From family-friendly vacation apartments to spacious vacation homes with wellness facilities, ALPS RESORTS offers suitable accommodation for your hiking vacation in Salzburger Land. The location ensures short distances to hiking trails, adventure mountains and excursion destinations for young and old alike.
Hiking vacations in Styria
Styria is known for its pristine nature, vast forests, crystal-clear mountain lakes and impressive alpine landscapes. Hikers can discover a variety of routes off the beaten track. This makes the region particularly attractive for those seeking peace and quiet, nature lovers and families. Popular destinations include the Schladming-Dachstein region, Murau, the Lachtal valley and the Turracher Höhe. Well-marked trails lead through forests, over gentle ridges and to viewpoints with views as far as the Hohe Tauern mountains.
If you want to stay close to nature and relax in Styria, ALPS RESORTS has stylish vacation apartments with panoramic views or quiet vacation homes with a private sauna. Accommodation for your hiking vacation in Styria is surrounded by greenery and offers the best conditions for relaxing days in the mountains.
Hiking vacations in Carinthia
Carinthia combines mountains and lakes to create a unique backdrop for active recreation. Austria's southernmost and sunniest vacation region delights with gentle mountain ranges, panoramic ridge paths and family-friendly tours around numerous bathing lakes. Nassfeld, Lake Millstatt, the Villach region with Lake Ossiach and the Hohe Tauern National Park around Heiligenblut are particularly popular. Many paths run through varied natural and cultural landscapes, lead past bathing spots or invite you to take a break in quiet places with far-reaching views.
Whether between mountains or on the lakeshore - ALPS RESORTS offers accommodation for your hiking vacation in Carinthia in ideally located regions. Vacation apartments with a view and spacious vacation homes are the ideal starting point for eventful hiking days in southern Austria.
Hiking vacations in Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg is located in the west of Austria - a versatile hiking region between Lake Constance and the Silvretta. Well-marked hiking trails, rustic alpine pastures and family-friendly adventure offers such as the Golm forest rope park or the Alpine Coaster in Vandans await you in the Montafon in particular. Around the Silvretta-Bielerhöhe, Lake Lünersee and the Rätikon Nature Park, there are scenic tours for all levels. The combination of alpine landscape, culture and culinary delights makes hiking in Vorarlberg particularly diverse.
Accommodation for your hiking vacation in Vorarlberg can be found at ALPS RESORTS with the Montafon Suites Schruns - modern vacation apartments in a central location, ideal for active couples, small families and nature lovers.
The best time to travel for your hiking vacation in Austria
The ideal time for a hiking vacation in Austria is between May and October. In the spring months of May and June, you can expect blossoming alpine meadows, mild temperatures and trails that are still less frequented. Midsummer is perfect for tours at higher altitudes, especially in alpine regions such as Tyrol or Salzburger Land. Autumn is particularly attractive, when the forests glow in golden colors and the clear mountain air ensures the best visibility. Many hiking areas and cable cars are open until October and offer ideal conditions for active vacations even outside of the main season.
Sun and rain: The weather is moody in the mountains
In the summer months, the average temperatures in the valley are usually between 20 and 27 degrees. At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, it can also be significantly cooler in July and August, often below 15 degrees, depending on the weather. Rain falls mainly in June and July, mostly in the form of short thunderstorms in the afternoon. For higher altitudes, weatherproof equipment is always recommended, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
Well prepared for the mountains: what you need for your hiking holiday
Good preparation ensures greater safety and comfort when hiking in Austria. Sturdy hiking boots with a non-slip sole are important, even on easier paths. Breathable clothing based on the onion-layer principle helps you to adapt flexibly to changing weather conditions. A change of clothes in your rucksack is recommended for longer tours, especially if it gets warm on the ascent and significantly cooler at the summit. If you wear dry clothing on the descent, you will feel much more comfortable and avoid getting cold.
This belongs in every hiking rucksack:
drink enough
a healthy snack
Map material or GPS app
Mobile phone with full battery
Sun protection (sun cream, glasses, headgear)
Rain protection (rain jacket or poncho)
First aid kit
Mosquito repellent (depending on region)
optional: seat mat, towel, bin bag
Binoculars, magnifying glasses or hiking stamp cards provide children with moments of discovery along the trail. What inspires little hikers is often also a great opportunity for adults to experience nature with new eyes. You can find more ideas and tips at Hiking with children.
Inclusive added value: summer cards for your hiking holiday
In many ALPS RESORTS, the guest card is already included in the accommodation price and offers numerous benefits for your hiking vacation in Austria. Depending on the region, regional summer cards include services such as free rides on summer mountain lifts, free admission to museums, adventure parks or swimming pools and often also free use of public transport. This is ideal for anyone who wants to plan their excursions flexibly, experience a lot and save on their vacation budget at the same time. It is worth taking a look at the included services when booking.
Which benefits you can use depends on the region and the selected accommodation . The Sommercard can pay for itself after just a few excursions. Those staying longer or traveling with children will particularly benefit from the variety of offers. You can find out more about the various guest cards and their benefits on our information page on guest cards in Austria.
Plan your hiking vacation in Austria now
The rucksack is ready, the hiking boots are waiting. What's missing now is a place that feels right. Perhaps a breakfast with a mountain view. A lake where you can hear the silence. A summit that you deserve. Or simply the good feeling of being exactly where you want to be right now.
Time for new paths
Our holiday apartments, vacation homes and hotels are more than just a roof over your head. They are a starting point for adventures, a retreat after long tours and a piece of home in the mountains. You decide where you want to go: Tyrol, Styria, Salzburger Land, Carinthia or Vorarlberg. If you are looking for real discoveries, you will find new paths off the beaten track in our 5 insider tips for unforgettable hiking days in Austria.
FAQ
Regions with adventure trails, cable car support and easily accessible starting points are particularly suitable for families. Particularly popular are Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with its extensive range of children's and adventure activities, Salzburger Land with excursion destinations such as the Geisterberg or the Kodok adventure trail, Montafon with the Golm adventure mountain and the Schladming-Dachstein vacation region with themed trails and an attractive guest card. A variety of tours await on site, which are also suitable for smaller children. Many of them lead to play stations, water features or discovery routes and are also easy to do with a baby carriage.
Yes, many ALPS RESORTS are dog-friendly and also welcome four-legged companions. In many hiking regions in Austria, there are easily accessible paths for people and animals, shady trails and natural waterholes. Please mention your dog when booking, as a certain number of dogs are allowed depending on the accommodation. Some regions also require dogs to be kept on a lead or muzzled. You can find more information and tips on vacationing with your dog on our "Holidays with your dog" page.
Guided hikes are offered in almost all major hiking regions, usually organized by the local tourism association or mountain schools. Information and booking options can be found directly on site, at your accommodation or online on the website of the respective region. Some guest cards even include guided tours free of charge. In the ALPS RESORTS, the reception teams will be happy to advise you on offers in the surrounding area.