Ultimate Guide To Hiking In Austria

Austria is a hiker’s paradise where jagged alpine summits meet gentle vineyards and rolling hills. Over 60 % of the country is Alpine terrain, so many trails push high into dramatic mountain ridges, while the eastern regions offer softer walks through vineyards and charming villages.

Whether you’re traversing glacier-touched passes, listening to the wind in alpine meadows, or descending into lush valleys with wildflowers and wildlife, each hike can feel completely distinct. For those who want a walking destination that combines high drama, cultural texture, and layered landscapes, Austria delivers a perfect balance.

Why Hike in Austria?

Austria (sometimes confused with Australia) is nothing short of a hiker’s paradise. From the rolling hills of wine country (yes, there is wine country in Austria!) to the majestic peaks of the Alps that cover more than 60% of Austrian territory, there are a seemingly limitless number of beautiful hikes for new hikers and seasoned trekkers alike.

In Austria, there is an extensive network of well-marked trails, which makes it easy to explore its natural beauty. And speaking of beauty, the towering Austrian Alps offer some of the most gorgeous hiking trails in all of Europe, with challenging routes that will reward you with stunning and panoramic views along the way.

Meanwhile, the eastern regions of the country provide more gentle paths that will lead you through lush vineyards and charming European villages. And no matter where you go, you’ll be treated to the sight and scent of alpine flowers and interesting wildlife like ibex and marmonts (more on this in a bit).

The summers in Austria tend to be quite warm and ideal for hiking, but sudden changes in the weather can occur. This is why it’s important to be prepared with the right gear before you set out on your Austrian hiking adventure.

If you were wondering about how to travel within Austria, you’ll be glad to hear that it’s very straightforward thanks to the efficient network of buses, trains, and cable cars that make accessing each hiking location a total breeze.

Let’s explore more about what you can expect from beautiful hikes and long distance walks in Austria in greater detail.

Best Hikes in Austria

The trails below offer an overview of the best hiking options in Austria.

Best Beginner’s Hike in Austria: The Rax Plateau

The Rax Plateau is a great hike for those who are new to hiking. It’s located close to Vienna, so it’s easily accessible if that’s where you’ll be flying into the country. Go to the Rax Cable Car station so you can get to the Raxalpe circuit, and then you’ll be led to a number of well-marked, easy hiking paths that meander through alpine meadows and forests.

Best Long Distance Walk in Austria: The Alpe-Adria Trail

The Alpe-Adria Trail is an amazing long distance walk that is more than 460 miles/750 kilometers long. It stretches across three countries (Austria, Slovenia, and Italy) and through a variety of landscapes, including alpine terrain in Austria and more Mediterranean-like terrain in Italy. It’s a very picturesque trail with various accommodation options along the way.

Best Day Hike in Austria: The Zirbenweg Trail

If you’d prefer a quick day hike that’s also very scenic, one of the best options is the Zirbenweg Trail located near Innsbruck. This trail can be hiked in around four hours, and the main attraction is the stunning views of the Inn Valley along the way.

Best Expert’s Hike in Austria: The Grossglockner Ascent

For you seasoned hikers who are really seeking a challenge, the ascent of Grossglockner will be the ultimate Austrian hiking adventure for you! But be forewarned, this is a very demanding climb that requires you to have an excellent level of physical fitness, high quality equipment, and good climbing skills. It’s also a good idea to undertake this ascent with a certified mountain guide who can help you along.

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Companion Article: Best Hikes in Austria

For trail-by-trail detail, check out Best Hikes in Austria. That guide zooms into routes like the Eagle Walk, The Alpe-Adria Trail, Lake district day trails, and forest paths — giving you maps, difficulty comparison, and tips to plan each hike.

World Famous Hikes in Austria

If you’d prefer to go for more world famous hikes in Austria so you can say that you’ve hiked these well-known trails:

The Eagle Walk

The Eagle Walk is arguably the most famous hiking trail in Austria. It covers over 250 miles/400 kilometers and is divided into 33 states. The trail is so named because it is in the shape of an eagle that is spreading its weeks around Tyrol. Terrain wise, the Eagle Walk includes everything from dense woods to green meadows to high alpine peaks. Some sections of the trail are good for beginners, while others are better for more experienced hikers.

The Dachstein Skywalk

The Dachstein Skywalk is another iconic hike in Austria. It consists of a glass platform that is suspended over a cliff, and offers a highly unique, panoramic view of the peaks and valleys below. From there, you can hike on to the Dachstein Glacier and explore the ice caves and crevasses.

KAT Walk

The KAT Walk, or Kitzbuhel Alpine Trail, is a more leisurely hike that is divided into six stages across 62 miles/100 kilometers. This famous tail will take you across lush pastures and up and down rolling hills, and you can stay at alpine huts along the way. It’s a very accessible trail for a wide range of hikers.

Hiking Hubs, Regions, Towns, and Hotspots to Hike in Austria

Austria is home to many hiking hubs, regions, and hotspots that attract both local hikers and tourist hikers alike.

Some of the best places to hike in Austria include:

The Tyrol Region

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and is a prime hub for hikers in Austria. It’s nestled right in the heart of the Alps and presents access to a multitude of trails. The most popular is the long distance Eagle rail, which runs directly through Tyrul and sections of Innsbruck.

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a small town and UNESCO World Heritage site and is located in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. It serves as a popular starting point for many trails, some of which will present you with incredible views of Dachstein Glacier and Hallstatt Lake.

Grossglockner

Grossglockner is the tallest mountain in Austria. As you can imagine, there are a multitude of hiking trails in its general vicinity, including the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Wachau Valley

The hiking trails in the Wachau Valley will be a great choice for you if you prefer much more gentle hikers. This valley is known for its historic towns and vineyards along the Danube River. The real standout trail is the World Heritage Trail Wachau.

Zell am See and Kaprun

The Zell am See and Kaprun are resorts located in the Salzburg region of Austria. They are right next to the Schmittenhohe and Kitzsteinhorn mountains, both of which have a number of high-altitude hiking trails that are accessible via cable cars.

Voralberg

Vorarlberg is the westernmost state of Austria. It;s known for rolling hills and lush meadows that contain a number of well-marked hiking trails. The most well-known trail here is the Bregenzerwald Cheese Route, which just like the name suggests, combines hiking with some neat culinary experiences.

Types of Hiking That You Can Expect in Austria

One of the appeals of hiking in Austria is the variety of hikes that it offers, including:

Day Hikes in Austria

For those of you who enjoy exploring nature but without committing to a multi-day trek, you’ll be glad to hear that Austria offers a number of fun day hike options.

These hikes typically only require a few hours of your time and still offer you a great way to explore Austria’s inherent beauty.

One example is the network of hiking trails in the Salzkammergut region, where you can enjoy scenic views of the lakes and mountains. Meanwhile, the trails in the Bregenzerwald area are known for their rolling hills and villages that dot the landscape. These would be good trails for families and casual hikers who seek a pleasant day in the outdoors.

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Long Distance Walks in Austria

If you’re up for more of a challenge, Austria also has several longer distance walking trails. For example, the Alpe-Adria Trail stretches from the Alps all the way through Slovenia and Italy to the Adriatic Sea. You can walk a part of the Austrian part of the trail if you’d prefer to stay in the country.

Another good option is the Eagle Walk near Tyrol. This hike is nearly 250 miles (400 kilometers) long and offers more scenic views of the Austrian landscape. You can hike as much or as little of this route as you wish.

Mountain and Alpine Hiking in Austria

Austria also has several higher altitude hikes that you may want to check out as well. These hikes will take you up rugged mountains and past glacial lakes. The 30 mile/48 kilometer long Grossglockner High Alpine Road, for example, will lead you to a stunning view of Grossglockner mountain, which is the highest peak in the country. This trail is very demanding, so it will only be good if you have a high fitness level and good gear.

Wine Hiking Trails in Austria

If you’re into wine, what could be better than going for a nice day hike through wine country and then capping off the day with a refreshing glass of your favorite Riesling or Gruner Veitliner?

You’ll want to check out the Wachau Valley’s famous wine trail, which combines beautiful hikes with the opportunity to sample local wines at wine shops and restaurants along the way. See here for a 3 day guide on how to make the most out of this area, and its wine!

Weather Considerations For Day Hikes in Austria

Austria experiences all four seasons, and each season will create a different hiking experience for you. Springtime in Austria is from April to June and is noted for its mild temperatures and blooming flowers. This is an excellent time to go for a day hike in the lower altitudes of the country, but the higher altitude trails will likely still have snow then.

Summer is from July to September and is by far the most popular time to go hiking in the country. Summer in Austria is characterized by its warm days and long daylight hours, which make it a more ideal time to explore the higher altitude regions of the country.

Fall is from October to November and offers cooler temperatures along with distinctive fall foliage. Winter is from December to March and is a good time to enjoy snow sports (such as snowshoe hiking) in the country, but most hiking trails will be inaccessible for hiking during this time.

One thing to know about Austria is that regardless of the season, the weather can change rapidly. Even in the summertime, a hot and clear summer’s day can quickly turn into a massive rainstorm, or at the very least temperatures can drop rapidly as you ascend into higher elevations. That’s why it’s vital to always be prepared and to bring a waterproof jacket and extra layers of clothing in your pack at all times.

Flora and Fauna To Expect in Austria

Here are the flora and fauna that you can expect in Austria:

Flora of Austria

Austria’s landscape is home to a variety of distinctive plant life. In the alpine regions of the country, you’ll get to see flowers like the Edelweiss, which are known for their white star-shaped blossoms, and the Gentian, which is known for its deep blue hues. The meadows of Austria are referred to as Almwiesen and are noted for beautiful wildflowers that cover the landscape, such as Alpine pink primrose flowers.

The forests of Austria are mostly comprised of fir, pine, and spruce trees. The Stone Pine tree in particular is often found at higher elevations.

Fauna of Austria

The meadows, forests, and mountains of Austria provide a natural habitat for several kinds of wildlife as well. High in the mountains, you might catch sight of the majestic Ibex, which is known for its impressive curved horns. Or, you might spot the goat-like Chamois that is very adept at navigating steep and rocky terrains.

The red deer is the most common large animal species found in the forests, and even if you don’t see them, you’ll still hear their calls echoing during the fall rutting season. The marmot is another animal that you may hear instead of see; it’s a large ground squirrel that will often whistle loudly to alert others of its kind to perceived danger.

In the sky, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the golden eagle, which is one of the most common large birds found in Austria. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Großglockner) is a great spot to see this majestic creature as well as other types of birds, such as vultures and Ravens.

Back on the ground, keep a careful eye out for the European adder, which is a very venomous snake and is often found lurking around in the undergrowth of the Austrian forests. This is why including an emergency snakebite kit in your hiking pack would be wise.

Walking Holidays in Austria

Austria’s mix of terrain, lodging infrastructure, and trail connectivity make it ideal for walking holidays. You can plot multi-day traverses across Alpine passes, stay in mountain huts, or link gentler vineyard trails in Wachau with cultural pit-stops between villages.

The country’s network of long-distance routes and regional hikes lets you blend strenuous tall-gear days with calmer stretches, making your walking holiday flexible, scenic, and rich in variation.

“From Alps to coastlines, our free Walking Holiday guide helps you plan smarter.”

Where to Next?

Here are some related destinations to continue your hiking journey:

• Vienna: A City Guide for Hikers — urban trails, nearby hills, and cultural walkouts
• Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Switzerland — for high-alpine terrain and glacier views
• Walking Holidays in Italy — combine hill towns, mountains, and coastal paths
• Best Hikes in Slovenia — forest, lake, and ridge routes across the border

H3: Wider European Inspiration

• GR20 in Corsica — rugged island trekking with wild landscapes
• Alpe-Adria Trail (Austria–Slovenia–Italy) — a classic cross-border walk through Alps and valleys
• The Pennine Way — Britain’s iconic moor, ridge, and valley traverse
• Hiking the Dingle Way — coastal trails and rural magic in Ireland

Conclusion

Austria offers a diverse range of trails that can cater to all levels of hikers. From the challenging alpine routes of the majestic Austrian Alps to the serene vineyard paths of the Wachau Valley, the well-marked hiking trails of Austria provide endless opportunities to explore its natural beauty.

Whether you seek the thrill of scaling high-altitude peaks or prefer leisurely walks through picturesque landscapes and charming villages, Austria’s extensive network of hiking routes will ensure that you have a fun and memorable adventure.