Hiking in Austria: 5 regions for hiking

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Do you dream of hiking in the mountains and are you looking for practical tips? Austria is the perfect choice. Read this blog written by René Schwarte, founder and co-owner of Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu. In this blog, you will discover five beautiful regions, Stubaital, Hohe Tauern, Ötztal, Zillertal and Montafon, with safe, accessible and relaxed hiking trails.
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Whether you set off with the family, as a couple or solo, you will find well-marked trails and cosy mountain huts everywhere. We give examples of tours for different hikers for each region, and explain what you will need in terms of equipment and what you can do if the weather turns. So you are well prepared and can enjoy nature without a care in the world.

Well prepared for the mountains

Hiking in the Alps is feasible, provided you are well prepared. Make sure you have sturdy walking shoes, comfortable layered clothing and a backpack containing enough water, snacks and a first-aid kit. Always bring a raincoat or poncho, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains. Check the weather forecast before you set off, and start your trek in the morning so that you can be back in the afternoon if there is a chance of thunderstorms.  Plan your route carefully, choosing trails that suit your fitness level.

Many regions have simple hiking maps or marked routes on apps; take one with you so you know where the huts, lifts and shelters are. Let someone know which route you are taking, especially if you are hiking alone.  When hiking with children, the golden rule is to keep it fun and varied.

Choose shorter routes with places to play or explore, and take breaks at mountain restaurants (many of which have playgrounds). Singing and playing games along the way will also help to keep motivation high.  Remember: safety and fun come before speed. If the weather turns, turn around early or seek shelter in a hut. With this advice in mind, you can hit the road with confidence!

The Stubai Valley offers playful hiking trails for all ages.

This Tyrolean valley has it all: charming villages, lush green pastures and sparkling mountain streams, not to mention glaciers in the distance. Thanks to its many easy hiking trails and themed walks, this valley is ideal for beginners. Four different mountain areas in the Stubaital have lifts. This means you can reach the heights without a tough climb.

The Stubai Valley also has wonderful panoramic routes for hikers that don't involve much climbing. The Franz-Senn-Weg near Neustift is highly recommended: a 5 km (1.5 hour) valley path through forests and meadows. This easy hike is suitable for all fitness levels and starts right in the village. You walk almost entirely on flat ground and enjoy views of the high mountain peaks all around. Along the way, you will pass picnic benches and information boards about nature.  Fancy some water fun? Then hike (or drive) to the Grawa waterfall on the Wilde Wasser Weg. In 15 minutes, you will reach the viewing platform at this impressive waterfall via a wooden plank path.

Hohe Tauern: easy treks through rugged landscapes

The National Park is Austria's largest protected nature reserve, but don't be intimidated by the imposing peaks of mountains such as the Großglockner. As well as challenging mountain trails, there are plenty of gentle valley walks and educational themed routes, which are perfect for beginners. Spanning Tyrol, Salzburg and Carinthia, this area is perfect for those looking for a safe adventure: the trails are well-maintained, and information boards and signposts will help you on your way. Mountain guides and rangers also organise regular guided hikes for those who want to learn more about the area.

Osttirol

In Osttirol, the Tyrolean part of the Hohe Tauern mountain range, you will find fairytale valleys that are perfect for beginner hikers. The Gschlößtal, near Matrei and also known as Innergschlöss, is one such place. This glacier- and mountain-meadow-surrounded valley is easily accessible by bus or car from the Matreier Tauernhaus starting point. As you hike, you will pass babbling brooks, rock chapels and ancient alpine villages.  This tour proves that hiking in rugged terrain can be relaxed.

Solo hikers will appreciate the peace and quiet here: if you set off early, you might catch a glimpse of ibex or marmots without any other people around. Should the weather change, there are plenty of places to take shelter at the huts. Another advantage is that there is almost no mobile reception, so you can truly relax here. In short, Hohe Tauern offers pristine natural experiences accessible to all.

Ötztal: an adventure with cable cars, lakes and waterfalls!

The Ötztal Valley in Tyrol is long and varied. From the lovely lowlands near Ötztal to the high glaciers near Vent, there are routes everywhere. Cable cars play a big role here: with the Ötztal Summer Card, which many accommodation providers give out for free, you can take all the gondolas up once a day at no extra cost. This means you can start your hike high in the mountains without having to climb yourself, which is ideal if you have small children or are still developing your fitness. Popular lifts include those at Hochoetz, Sölden and Obergurgl, which whisk you up to panoramic hiking areas in no time.
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You will always come across a cosy mountain restaurant along the way for a break. As well as mountains and forests, the Ötztal region also offers plenty of water-based activities. A highly recommended way to spend a relaxing day is to walk around Lake Piburger near Oetz. Nestled in the woods, this idyllic lake is Tyrol's warmest mountain lake, reaching temperatures of up to 24°C in summer. The walk around the lake is about 3.5 km long and has hardly any elevation change. The path is easily passable (even suitable for buggies in parts) and takes one and a half hours at a leisurely pace — ideal for families with young children.

Zillertal: a child-friendly hiking paradise for all the family!

The Zillertal has been called the ‘most active valley in the world’, and for good reason. This Tyrolean valley is home to almost 1,500 km of hiking trails and has 10 modern summer mountain lifts that take you up in comfort. Thanks to those lifts and more than 150 mountain restaurants and huts, you never have to walk extremely long or strenuous trails here to still get high up in the mountains. This makes the Zillertal very suitable for beginners and families. You can go on a challenging hike if you like, but there are just as many short, flat trails for a leisurely walk with the whole family.

Some highlights for families:

* In the Erste Ferienregion (Fügen/Kaltenbach), you will find the Hubertus Wildtierpfad above Kaltenbach - a fun animal-themed trail that runs right through the ski and hiking area. Children hunt for wooden animal figures here and learn about the wild animals of the Alps through play.

​​​​​​​* At Zell am Ziller, you can take the Rosenalmbahn up and enjoy a short hike to the Kreuzwiesenalm, which is renowned for its delicious 'Schmankerl' (delicacies). This hike is short enough for young legs and is rewarded with Kaiserschmarrn on the terrace of the mountain hut.

* In Mayrhofen, the large Ahornbahn cable car takes you to the Ahorn plateau, which is 1,980 metres above sea level. The Ahorn is known as the Genießerberg, or the mountain for gourmets and epicureans. At the top, the Genießer-Rundweg trail runs across the entire plateau and is suitable for prams. This wide, almost flat path takes about 1.5 hours to walk around and offers panoramic views everywhere. You will pass the Ahornsee (mountain lake) and the Ahornbachl, a stream in which you can cool your feet. In summer, there is also a bird of prey show at the AdlerBühne Ahorn, where children can see eagles and owls up close. The combination of easy hiking, water activities and wildlife makes the Ahorn a must-visit destination. When you've finished playing, the gondola will take you safely back down the mountain.
Please read our blog about Summer holidays in Mayrhofen.

​​​​​​​*At the very back of the valley, near Hintertux, you will find the eternal snow of the glacier. There are even easy hikes, such as the short panoramic route on the Gefrorene Wand plateau, which is accessible by gondola. Another unique experience is a tour of the Natur Eis Palast (ice cave) in the glacier, which does not require any climbing. It is less suitable for small children, but definitely an impressive experience for teenagers.

Montafon: versatile and unspoilt mountain valley

Located in Vorarlberg in the far west of Austria, the Montafon is a versatile and unspoilt mountain valley. This lesser-known valley is therefore a little quieter, making it ideal for hikers who want to escape the crowds. It is surrounded by three impressive mountain ranges: the rugged limestone cliffs of the Rätikon, the glacier-clad peaks of the Silvretta, and the lush green Verwall Mountains. This variety is reflected in the hiking opportunities, with more than 1,100 km of trails ranging from easy to challenging.

Recommended hikes for beginners include the Wiegensee, the summit of the Zamangspitze and the Golmer Seenweg. The Montafon offers something for everyone: solo hikers can enjoy deep silence and untouched nature, while families looking for some extra fun can enjoy exciting play elements. The valley is less touristy than Zillertal, for example, so you will often only hear the tinkling of cow bells on the trails. As always, make sure you take a map or app with you and check the condition of the trails with the local tourist office, especially for longer routes. Then you can discover this hidden gem of Austria with peace of mind.

Conclusion

In a nutshell: Austria offers a wealth of opportunities for hikers. In Stubaital, Hohe Tauern, Ötztal, Zillertal and Montafon, you can experience the beauty of the Alps first-hand. Now you know how to prepare properly, what to do when the weather changes, and how to ensure that hiking remains enjoyable for you and your family. Nothing stands in the way of your adventure!

Get further inspiration from our 10 great places in Austria or discover 7 beautiful lakes for your summer holiday.