Hike on the Lechweg trail
Popular trip
- Duration
- 8 days
- Length
- approx. 93 km
- Reisecode
- WAN ALP 01
Hiking tours in Austria: Exploring high-altitude trails, alpine pastures and river valleys
When hiking in Austria, hardly any stage remains the same for long. Paths alternate between narrow passages and airy heights, sometimes leading close to the water, sometimes across alpine pastures or through wide valleys. This creates a hiking holiday characterized by movement and change – and by moments in which the surroundings unfold unexpectedly time and again.
Those looking for new hiking destinations beyond Austria will find them in our overview. Hiking in Europe further inspiration.
Overview of your benefits
- Very good value for money
- Tours including hotels and luggage transport
- Extensive route books & GPS data
- Over 30 years of experience
Hiking holidays from place to place – why this works particularly well in Austria
Austria offers ideal conditions for hiking trips from village to village. A dense network of well-marked trails connects valleys, alpine pastures, and settlements in pleasant day hikes, while accommodations along the routes have long catered to hikers. This allows you to explore a region step by step – and experience it much more intensely than if you were to set off on individual tours from a fixed base. Organized luggage transport is often part of the concept for such hikes, so the focus remains on the journey itself.
Hiking landscapes and long-distance hiking trails in Austria
Depending on the region, Austria reveals very different facets to its hiking landscape. From wild rivers and high alpine passes to tranquil lakes and valleys, a wide variety of paths open up for discovering the country on foot.
Along alpine rivers – hiking between whitewater and valleys
Along the Lech and Danube rivers, Austria reveals itself in two very distinct ways: On the Lech A wild Alpine river accompanies you through gorges, over suspension bridges and along wide gravel banks, while the Danube between Passau and Linz The river flows more calmly through vineyards and scenic viewpoints. Both routes follow the water, connecting pristine nature with life along the rivers and making the constant change of the landscape directly tangible.
Alpine crossings and long-distance hikes through the high Alps
On an Alpine crossing, the landscape changes step by step: from green valleys through gorges and high passes to the sunny slopes south of the main Alpine ridge. The route leads across borders through diverse mountain regions – hikes where the focus is not on a single place, but on traversing the Alps and experiencing the noticeable changes in landscape and climate. This is particularly impressive, for example, on the route from Garmisch to Merano experience. Likewise, a Circular hike around the Zugspitzehow diverse the region is.
Leisurely hiking between lakes and alpine pastures
Nestled between gentle alpine pastures, clear mountain lakes, and expansive panoramic trails, Austria reveals its tranquil side – especially regions like Carinthia or the... Salzkammergut These areas are considered classic destinations for a relaxing hiking holiday. Well-maintained trails lead across meadow slopes and through light mountain landscapes, past huts and viewpoints, without steep or challenging sections. Instead of alpine challenges, the focus here is on consistent stages, time to pause and a relaxed pace – ideal for hikes where experiencing nature and relaxation come together.
Gentle hiking regions along large river valleys
Along the Danube, Inn, and Drava rivers – as well as in western Alpine regions like Vorarlberg – these hiking trails in Austria follow the course of the water through open valleys where nature and lively towns alternate. Riverside promenades, small towns, and tranquil stretches between wooded slopes characterize the experience. The hiking remains consistently fluid – calm in its rhythm, with unobstructed views and a pace that makes continuous progress pleasant. The moderate elevation changes and the clear, well-defined routes along the water ensure relaxed, easily planned stages.
Who is a hiking holiday in Austria suitable for?
A hiking holiday in Austria appeals especially to travelers who want to actively experience nature without sacrificing comfort. Well-marked trails, reliable infrastructure, and diverse landscapes make many regions suitable for beginners and those returning to hiking. At the same time, experienced hikers will find a wide variety of options – from tranquil valley trails to more challenging stages in alpine environments, such as on a hiking holiday in Styria.
Best time to travel – hiking holidays in Austria in spring, summer and autumn
The hiking season in Austria begins in late spring, depending on the location, and extends into the golden autumn. While pleasant conditions often prevail in the valleys as early as May, higher-altitude trails and Alpine crossings are usually snow-free from June onwards. The summer months are considered the classic travel season with stable conditions, before autumn, with its tranquil atmosphere and warm colors, creates a particularly atmospheric time for hiking.
FAQ about hiking holidays in Austria
Many questions about a hiking holiday in Austria are similar – from choosing the right region to correctly assessing the landscape and difficulty. The following answers provide initial guidance and help with planning.
Particularly popular for hiking holidays are the Tyrolean Lech Valley with its pristine river landscapes, the Danube Valley between Passau and Linz on its Austrian section, and well-known Alpine regions such as the Zillertal and the Salzburg region. Austria as a whole impresses with well-marked trails, diverse landscapes, and an infrastructure that offers ideal conditions for both beginners and experienced hikers.
It largely depends on personal taste: While alpine regions impress with their rugged peaks and sweeping vistas, river landscapes like those along the Danube or pristine valleys in Tyrol offer particularly diverse experiences. It is precisely where water, mountains, and towns converge that Austria's scenic diversity is most strikingly evident.
For a hiking holiday in Austria for beginners, river valleys such as the Danube Valley or the Tyrolean Lech Valley, as well as gentle Alpine regions with numerous mountain pastures, are particularly suitable. Well-marked trails, manageable stages, and reliable infrastructure make navigation easy and the introduction to hiking enjoyable.
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Plan your hiking holiday in Austria now
The view changes from stage to stage – sometimes sweeping across mountain landscapes, sometimes close to the water, or between tranquil alpine meadows. Discover current offers for your hiking holiday in Austria and find the perfect trip for your next getaway.
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All hiking tours in Austria
Around the Zugspitze
The Zugspitze, at 2.962 m the highest mountain in Germany, is one of the most famous mountain destinations in the Alps and can be easily climbed by cable car. On your hiking week you walk around the Zugspitze and get to know all the views...
- Duration
- 7 days
- Length
- about 70 km
- travel code
- WABY 03
- 5,0 / 5 stars
Salzkammergut lake hike
The Salzkammergut attracts visitors from all over the world with the fantastic interplay of alpine mountains and bathing lakes with clean drinking water. This hiking week leads along the most famous lakes to the most beautiful places in the region. Discover and…
- Duration
- 7 days
- Length
- about 85 km
- travel code
- WASK 01
Hiking tour Donausteig from Passau to Linz
As casual as it may sound: you never lose sight of the Danube when hiking - and that throughout your hiking holiday! The hiking boots are laced, the rucksack is packed and the sun is shining from the sky. So let it begin.…
- Duration
- 7 days
- Length
- about 74 km
- travel code
- WADO 01
Hike on the Lechweg trail
Are you longing for a hiking trip that leads through the magnificent nature of Austria and Germany, as well as through endless, idyllic landscapes? Then our long-distance hiking trip on the Lechweg trail is just right for you. Experience the 125th…
- Duration
- 8 days
- Length
- about 93 km
- travel code
- WAN ALP 01
From Garmisch to Merano
Experience eight days full of unforgettable mountain adventures – that's guaranteed on our hiking tour from Garmisch to Merano. Discover wonderful hiking trails between Bavaria, Tyrol, and South Tyrol on foot. The routes lead past traditional…
- Duration
- 8 days
- Length
- about 100 km
- travel code
- WAN ALP 02
