Austria captivates visitors with its imperial cities, Alpine landscapes, and rich musical heritage. From Vienna's grand palaces to Salzburg's baroque architecture and the stunning Tyrolean Alps, this Central European gem offers world-class culture, outdoor adventures, and legendary coffeehouse traditions.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Wienerwald Lehrpfad (Vienna Woods Trail)
A beautiful forested trail through the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) biosphere reserve, winding through oak and beech forests with vineyard clearings. Passes through Grinzing and Neustift wine villages with Heurigen (wine taverns) for post-hike refreshment. Accessible by U-Bahn from central Vienna.
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2
Rax Plateau Circuit
The Rax plateau sits at 1,800m above sea level and is one of the closest true alpine hiking destinations to Vienna. The high plateau features karst limestone terrain, alpine meadows, and dramatic cliffside views over the Höllental gorge. Cable car from Hirschwang reduces elevation gain for families.
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3
Hallstatt Echerntal and Waldbachstrub Waterfall
A beautiful valley walk from the UNESCO World Heritage village of Hallstatt through the Echerntal gorge to the stunning 60-meter Waldbachstrub waterfall. The trail continues through alpine meadows with views of the Dachstein massif and Hallstättersee below. Easy enough for families with older children.
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4
Nordkette Ridge Hike (Seegrube to Hafelekar)
Take the Nordkettenbahn cable car from central Innsbruck to Seegrube at 1,905m and hike the ridge to Hafelekar at 2,256m. Panoramic views of Innsbruck, the Inn Valley, and the Karwendel Alps. Alpine terrain with some scrambling sections near the summit. Return by cable car.
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5
Großglockner Edelweißspitze Circuit
A rewarding hike around the Edelweißspitze (2,571m) peak on Austria's most famous alpine road with views of the Großglockner (3,798m — Austria's highest mountain) and the Pasterze Glacier. The route passes alpine meadows where edelweiss grows wild in July-August. Accessible by car via the toll Großglockner High Alpine Road.
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6
Dachstein Hallstatt Skyline Circuit
A demanding full-day circuit on the Dachstein plateau with access via cable car from Obertraun. The route traverses glacier-polished limestone karst, passes the Five Fingers viewpoint, and visits the Dachstein Ice Caves (separate admission). Stunning views over Hallstättersee and the Salzkammergut lake district below.
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7
Krimml Waterfalls Trail
Europe's highest waterfalls (380m total drop in three stages) in the Hohe Tauern National Park. A well-maintained trail with viewing platforms ascends alongside the thundering falls, drenching hikers in cooling mist. The path through the gorge forest ends at the top of the falls with views into the high valley above.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Austria.
- Spring
- Snow-free lower trails from April; alpine routes open from late May-June depending on elevation. Wildflowers begin in valley meadows. Waterfall flows at maximum. Some high mountain huts still closed in April.
- Summer
- Peak season July-August for alpine routes above 1,500m. All huts open. Afternoon thunderstorms common in Alps — start early. Crowded on popular routes. Best for high altitude hikes and via ferrata.
- Fall
- Excellent hiking September-October with stable weather, autumn foliage, and fewer crowds. Alpine huts close from mid-October. Some high routes may get early snow by October. Best season for clear long-distance views.
- Winter
- Most trails below 1,000m remain hikeable in Lower Austria and Vienna Woods. Snowshoe hiking popular on Rax and Schneeberg. Avalanche risk on alpine routes; do not attempt without experience and avalanche gear.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Rapid weather changes: Alpine weather can shift from sunshine to electrical storm in under 30 minutes above 2,000m — always carry waterproof gear and check the mountain weather forecast (bergfex.at or zamg.ac.at).
Hazard: Altitude effects: Elevations above 2,500m can cause headaches and shortness of breath for unacclimatized hikers — ascend gradually and stay hydrated.
Hazard: Sun exposure: UV radiation significantly stronger above 2,000m — wear SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat even on cloudy days.
Hazard: Ticks: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) risk in forested areas below 1,000m from April-October. Check for ticks after walks; TBE vaccination recommended for regular hikers.
Hazard: Loose rocks and scree: Alpine limestone terrain produces unstable rock debris — do not leave marked paths on rocky ground.
Hazard: Electrical storms: Seek shelter immediately at first thunder. Avoid ridge crests, lone trees, and summits — storm shelters marked on Austrian hiking maps.
Hazard: Water sources: Alpine spring water is generally safe to drink but glacier runoff may contain mineral sediment. Refill at marked mountain hut (Hütte) water points.