Hiking in Austria is far more than exercise; it’s a window into Austrian culture. As you journey on foot into the Austrian Alps, you can experience alm culture, culinary traditions, and historic mountain huts. The Austrian Alps stretch across most of the country, with the highest peaks in the states of Tyrol, Carinthia, and Salzburg.
With so many ranges to choose from, it can be a bit daunting to figure out where to go. The mountains of Austria require lifetimes to explore. We’re determined to uncover the best hiking trails in Austria, one summer at a time. So, below you’ll find our favorite day hikes in Austria to date, including hikes in the Lechquellen Gebirge, Lienz Dolomites, Dachstein, Schaldminger Tauern, and the Hohe Tauern. This post will continue to grow, so do check back in at the end of summer, or even next year.
If you’re interested in hut-to-hut hikes in Austria, read Trekking Austria.
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The Best Day Hikes in Austria
- Formarinsee to Spullersee in the Lechquellen Mountains
- Lünersee Circuit Trail in the Rätikon Alps
- Olpererhütte and Friesenberghaus Loop Trail in the Zillertal Alps
- Margaritzenstausee and Sandersee in Hohe Tauern National Park
- Innergschlöss Glacier Trail in Hohe Tauern National Park
- Giglach Lakes in Schladminger Tauern
- Sulzenalmen in the Dachstein Mountains
- Salzburger Almenweg Stage 2 in the Hochkönig Mountains
- Stone Pine Path in the Tux Alps
- Karlsbader Hütte in the Lienz Dolomites
Best Hikes in Austria Map
1. Lake Formarinsee to Lake Spullersee
Lechquellen Mountains
- Austrian State: Vorarlberg
- Trailhead: Formarinsee
- Distance: 11.3 km
- Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult, depending on weather conditions
- Altitude Difference: 568 meters ascending / 612 meters descending
- Time Needed: 4:30 – 5:00 hours
- When to Go: Late June – Late September (when the buses are operating)
- Where to Stay: Lech am Arlberg
- Budget: Haus Melitta
- Midrange: Hotel Gotthard
- Luxury: Hotel Sonnenburg
- Look for accommodation in Lech am Arlberg.
The day hike from Lake Formarinsee to Lake Spullersee gives you an outstanding overview of the enchanting Lechquellen Gebirge in Vorarlberg. The River Lech originates within the range, which is why it’s called “Lech Source Mountains.”
From the village of Lech am Arlberg, you’ll take bus #7 to Formarinsee. These buses don’t run very frequently, so make sure to plan ahead. From the bus stop, you’ll hike around Lake Formarinsee to the mountain hut Freiburger Hütte. Enjoy the views of Rote Wand, the “red wall” mountain.
Starting at Freiburger hut, the trail ascends gently through wildflower-carpeted slopes and alpine pastures to Steinernes Meer (“Stone Sea”), an impressive karst landscape. After traversing the Stone Sea, you’ll continue your ascent to the Gehrengrat mountain ridge. Next, you’ll follow the ridge downhill in the direction of Spullersee.
Romantic scenery coupled with interesting, varied terrain makes this our favorite day hike in Austria.
Learn More: Formarinsee to Spullersee Day Hike
2. Lünersee Circuit Trail
Rätikon Alps
- Austrian State: Vorarlberg
- Trailhead: Douglashütte / Lünerseebahn (cable car station), Brandnertal.
- Distance: 6.1 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Altitude Difference: Minimal
- Time Needed: 2 hours
- When to Go: May – October
- Where to Stay: Brandnertal
- Budget: Hotel Lün
- Midrange: Pension Bergkristall
- Luxury: Alpenhotel Zimba
- Look for accommodation in Brandnertal.
Lünersee is a large alpine lake high above Branderntal in Vorarlberg. Set amidst the striking limestone mountains of the Rätikon, this beautiful lake is a destination like no other. A cablecar from Brandnertal (Brandner Valley) takes you directly to the lake. See Opening Times and Prices here.
This hike is suitable for families with small children. If you want to extend your hike into a full-day adventure, we recommend hiking to Schesaplana, the highest mountain in the Rätikon Alps.
Learn More: Lünersee Hiking Guide
3. Olpererhütte and Friesenberghaus
Zillertal Alps
- Austrian State: Tyrol
- Trailhead: Schlegeis Stausee (1,785 m)
- Distance: 13 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Altitude Difference: 820 meters ascending, 854 meters descending
- Time Needed: 7 hours
- When to Go: mid-June – early- October
- Where to Stay: Mayrhofen
This excellent loop trail begins at the Schlegeis Reservoir, accessible by car, or bus. While most Olpererhütte visitors will hike the short, direct route to the hut, we recommend hiking first to Friesenberghaus. From here, you’ll join the Berlin High Trail and hike along a breathtaking balcony trail to Olpererhütte.
Learn More: Olpererhütte Day Hike, Zillertal Alps
4. Margaritzenstausee and Sandersee
Hohe Tauern National Park
- Austrian State: Carinthia
- Trailhead: Glocknerhaus (2132 m), Grossglockner High Alpine Road
- Destination: Sandersee, or Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe
- Distance: 4.1 km to Sandersee (one-way), 5.5 km to Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe (one-way)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Altitude Difference: 470 m
- Time Needed: 2 – 2.5 hours one-way (4-5 hours total)
- When to Go: June – September
- Where to Stay: Heiligenblut am Großglockner
- Budget: Berggasthof Wallackhaus
- Midrange: Hotel Kärntnerhof
- Luxury: Nationalpark Lodge Grossglockner
- Look for accommodation in Heiligenblut.
This spellbinding day hike is located in Hohe Tauern National Park, just off the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Well-marked and easy-to-follow, the hike delivers unbeatable views of Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner, and the rapidly receding Pasterze Glacier. This route is also the first stage of the Alpe Adria long-distance trail, which starts at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and ends in Heiligenblut. Though you can hike in either direction, we recommend starting in Glocknerhaus, because the views unfold spectacularly as you near the foot of Grossglockner.
Initially, the trail descends from Glocknerhaus to the reservoir Margaritzenstausee and then continues left along the water and over two reservoir cement walls. The water of Pasterze Glacier feeds Margaritzenstausee. Next, the trail ascends to Sandersee (lake). From here, you’ll have a great view of Pasterze and Grossglockner.
You can either continue all the way up to Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe or turn back here. If you continue to Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, it’s possible to take a shuttle back to Glocknerhaus. However, these shuttles are very infrequent (max 3 per day). Inside Glocknerhaus, there’s a timetable for the shuttle bus, which you can check before you set off.
Learn More: Grossglockner High Alpine Road – Where to Stop, Eat, and Hike
5. Innergschlöss Glacier Trail
Hohe Tauern National Park
- Austrian State: Tyrol
- Trailhead: Matreier Tauernhaus, East Tyrol. Take Venediger Taxi (5 EUR one-way) to Innergschlöss.
- Destination: Glacier Lookout Point
- Distance: 9.1 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Altitude Difference: 600 m
- Time Needed: 4 hours
- When to Go: June – September (October)
- Where to Stay: Matrei in Osttirol
- Budget: Zedlacherhof
- Midrange: Matreier Tauernhaus
- Luxury: Natur- und Wanderhotel Outside
- Look for accommodation in Matrei in Osttirol.
This secret day hike in Hohe Tauern National Park is hands down one of the best hikes in Austria. The glacier trail begins in the fairy-tale-like hamlet of Innergschlöss. From here you’ll follow a loop trail past rivers, waterfalls, and lakes and ultimately to a spectacular glacier lookout point. You’ll be able to spot the prominent peaks of the Venediger Group, including Austria’s second-highest mountain: Grossvenediger. The Innergschlöss glacier trail marked the final stages of our Venediger High Trail trek, a multi-day hike that wraps around the Venediger Group. And, it was the absolute best part of the entire hike.
Learn More: Innergschlöss Glacier Trail
6. Giglach Lakes
Schladminger Tauern
- Austrian State: Styria
- Trailhead: Ursprungalm (1601 m)
- Destination: Giglachseen (1921 m), Ignaz-Mattis Hütte (1982 m)
- Distance: 8.2 km total
- Difficulty: Easy
- Altitude Difference: 381 m
- Time Needed: 3 hours total
- When to Go: Late-May – Mid-October
- Where to Stay: Schladming
- Budget: TUI BLUE Schladming
- Midrange: Thalers Mariandl
- Luxury: Hotel Schwaigerhof
- Look for accommodation in Schladming.
This delightful hike takes you to and around the Giglach Lakes: Oberer Giglachsee (Upper Giglach Lake) and Unterer Giglachsee (Lower Giglach Lake) in the Schladminger Tauern mountains.
From the high alpine hamlet Ursprungalm, accessible by a toll road, it only takes 1 hour to reach the Giglach Lakes.
Depending on the weather and snow conditions, this toll road will open May 21, 2020, and it will stay open until mid-October. As of 2019, the toll was 4.20 EUR for cars. Note: it’s also possible to take a bus from the Schladming Train Station to Ursprungalm.
You’ll first arrive at Giglachseen Hütte, a mountain hut located a the Upper Giglach Lake. You can take a break there, or continue 20 minutes to Ignaz-Mattis Hütte, a mountain hut perched above the Lower Giglach Lake. This is an ideal location for lunch. From here, you can continue hiking to the end of the Lower Giglach Lake and then follow the trail along the lake back in the direction of Giglachseen Hütte. This route marks the first stage of the multi-day Schladminger Tauern High Trail.
7. Sulzenalmen
Dachstein Mountains
- Austrian State: Salzburg
- Trailhead: Hofalmen
- Destination: Sulzenalmen
- Distance: 2.2 km one-way
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
- Altitude Difference: 300 m
- Time Needed: 1 hour one-way
- When to Go: June – September
- Where to Stay: Filzmoos
- Budget: Hotel Bergglück
- Midrange: meiZeit Lodge
- Luxury: Hotel Dachstein
- Look for accommodation in Filzmoos.
From the town of Filzmoos in Salzburg, take the toll road to Hofalmen (5.50 EUR per car). From the alm restaurants at Hofalmen, follow signs to Sulzenalmen, which is a high alpine pasture with two alm huts. You can begin the hike by following the trail to Unterhofalm and around Almsee lake. Or, you can access the trail from Oberhofalm and save the small lake for later.
The initial 30 minutes are steep. As you ascend, you’ll have splendid views of the Gosaukamm mountains, which are part of the Dachstein range. The last stretch of the trail meanders gently through pastureland. As you near Sulzenalmen, you’ll have to choose between having lunch at Krahlehenhütte (the lower hut) and Wallehenhütte (the upper hut). Or, perhaps eat at both, as we did. It’s easy to extend this hike into a full day circuit hike, heading in the direction of Sulzenhals (1824 m), Rinderfeld (1760 m), Kesselwand (1750 m), and ultimately Hofpürglhütte (1705 m), before descending back to Hofalmen.
Read Next: Best Things to Do in Filzmoos in Summer
8. Salzburger Almenweg Stage 2
Hochkönig Mountains
- Austrian State: Salzburg
- Trailhead: Erichhütte Parkplatz (Parking Lot) or Wander Bus Stop “Erichhütte” Line: 593. To find out how to get here from Salzburg City with public transit, read Best Hikes in Salzburg.
- Destination: Arthurhaus (1503 m)
- Distance: 11.3 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Altitude Difference: 566 m ascent, 405 descent
- Time Needed: 3:30 h
- When to Go: June – October
- Where to Stay: Maria Alm or Mühlbach am Hochkönig
- Budget: Jugendgästehaus Oberau in Maria Alm
- Midrange: SEPP – Alpine Boutique Hotel (Adults Only) in Maria Alm
- Luxury: Hotel Bergheimat in Mühlbach
- Look for accommodation in Maria Alm or Mühlbach am Hochkönig.
The Salzburger Almenweg is a 31-stage long-distance hiking trail in Salzburg. As the name suggests, this is a thematic hiking trail linking the region’s alms, or high alpine pastures. The entire circuit is 350 km and connects 120 Almhütten (alm mountain huts). You can hike different stages of the trail as thru-day-hikes, like stage 2, which traverses the slopes of the Hochkönig Mountains.
The hike begins at Erichhütte Parkplatz (1340 m), which is a parking lot close to the Dienten Saddle along Hochkönig Strasse. You’ll hike 1.5 km and ascend 200 meters to Erichhütte mountain hut (1540 m). From Erichhütte, continue right along an easy, mostly flat path in the direction of Vier Hütten (Trail No.436/401A). As you walk along the slopes of the Hochkönig peaks, you’ll be treated to marvelous views of the Alpenhauptkamm and Südwände des Hochkönigs. You’ll pass a few mountain huts along the way, including Brandstätthütte, Schartenhütte, and Molterauhütte (Windraucheggalm).
The end of the hike is marked by the large lodge and restaurant Arthurhaus, which is accessible by car and bus. Near Arthurhaus, you’ll find the charming mountain hut Sennerei Schweizerhütte and its many furry residents, including goats, pigs, bunnies, and marmots.
Read Next: Best Hikes in Salzburg
9. Stone Pine Path
Tux Alps
- Austrian State: Tyrol (Tirol)
- Trailhead: Patscherkofelbahn cable car mountain station (Igls)
- Destination: Glungezerbahn II mountain station (Tulfes)
- Distance: 7 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Altitude Difference: 200 m ascending, 90 m descending
- Time Needed: 2:30 hours
- When to Go: Late May – Early October, when cable cars are operating
- Where to Stay: Innsbruck, Hall in Tirol or Tulfes
- Budget: B&B Appartements Glungezer in Tulfes
- Midrange: Gasthof Badl in Hall in Tirol
- Luxury: Nala Individualhotel in Innsbruck
- Look for accommodation in Innsbruck, Hall in Tirol or Tulfes.
The Stone Pine Path (“Zirbenweg” in German) is a blissfully easy walking path in the Tux Alps, high above the Inntal Valley in Tirol, Austria. Lined by Europe’s largest and oldest stone pine trees (Zirben), this undulating forest trail invites you to breathe deeply, slow down, and contemplate your next Zirbenschnaps.
This easy walk is a perfect activity if you’re:
- Hiking with children
- Hunting for bird’s-eye views of Inntal Valley and Innsbruck
- Visiting Hall in Tirol, or Innsbruck
- Craving some fresh air, but you don’t want to break a sweat
Learn More: Walking the Stone Pine Path
10. Karlsbader Hütte
Lienz Dolomites
- Austrian State: Tyrol (East Tyrol)
- Trailhead: Dolomitenhütte, Lienz (1616 m)
- Destination: Karlsbader Hütte (2260 m)
- Distance: 4.3 km one-way
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Altitude Difference: 660 m
- Time Needed: 1.5 -2 hours one-way
- When to Go: Late June – September
- Where to Stay: Lienz
- Budget: Privatzimmer Bundschuh
- Midrange: Hotel Holunderhof
- Luxury: Hotel Wildauers
- Look for accommodation in Lienz.
Overlooking Laserzsee lake, Karlsbader Hütte is an undeniably scenic mountain hut in the Lienz Dolomites. This mountain group is part of the Gailtal Alps and is situated on the southern border of Austria, close to Italy. The name is rather misleading because these mountains are limestone and actually do not contain any Dolomite rock, despite their appearance.
To begin this hike, drive up to the mountain hut Dolomitenhütte, located high above the town of Lienz. You’ll have to pay an 8 EUR toll to complete the drive. There’s a parking lot very close to Dolomitenhütte. From here, follow the road. After about 20 minutes, you’ll reach an intersection, where a hiking path continues straight (signed “Steig”) and the road continues left. Follow the trail.
The views get increasingly more riveting as you near the limestone crags and pinnacles framing Karlsbader Hütte. It’s a paradise of stone. During the hiking season, Karlsbader Hütte is open for overnight guests and serves food and refreshments. You’ll likely see mountaineers gathered here, as this is a popular starting point for climbing.
When we arrived in mid-June, Laserzee was still mostly ice. The snowfall made it difficult to explore the area more extensively. If you visit later in the summer, definitely follow the trail around the lake for the best viewpoints of the hut.
Learn More about Hiking in Austria:
- Austrian Alps Hiking Destinations
- Best Treks in Austria
- Hiking in the Vienna Mountains
- Hochschwab Summit
- Ötschergräben Gorge
- Hesshütte in Gesäuse National Park
Austria Travel Guides:
- Austria Travel Guide
- Vienna City Guide
- Best Places to Stay in Austria in Summer
- Best Places to Visit in Austria
Austria Itineraries:
Read More About Hiking in Europe:
There are 15 comments on this post
What a great resource! Thank you for sharing. I'm eager to go hiking in November as well (next weekend). I see your suggestions mostly end in October. Would you recommend any in November? I have crampons.
Hi JC,
It's already snowing in the Alps. I don't recommend hiking this time of year. Try reaching out to your destination's local tourist board for additional help.
This is so so helpful! My family is planning to rent a car from Salzburg in early June 2020 and spend three nights exploring and hiking in Austria. Aside from knowing we want to drive through grossglockner for sure, if you were going again for 2-3 days where would you stay and what hikes would you chose? Many thanks for any help in advance!
Hi Alexis,
Glad you find this post helpful!
Our road trip itinerary might help as well (starting on day 6)
I would give yourself 5 days, but you could potentially do something like this in 4 days.
Day 1: Experience some very wonderful Alm huts / Alm restaurants in Salzburg (around Filzmoos, Werfenweng, Hochkönig) - culinary hiking
Day 2: Drive Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Stay in Matreier Tauernhaus
Day 3: Hike the Innergschlöss Glacier Trail, Continue to Mayrhofen. Stay in Mayrhofen.
Day 4: Hike to Olpererhütte (get an early start), Stay in Mayrhofen (if you have time), or late drive to Salzburg.
Day 5: Head back to Salzburg
Thank-you so much for your time and generous advice, Sabrina!! This is a once in a lifetime vacation for my parents from Canada so I'm really trying to make it extra special. I think we will have to cut out one activity... either the alm huts, Innergschlöss Glacier Trail or the hike to Olpererhütte which would you skip? They all look amazing so I am having a hard time deciding and would greatly appreciate your experience!
Hi Alexis,
Very happy to help! I'm going to send you an email with a few more ideas. If you didn't get an email, check your spam.
Are your parents very active? Do they like challenging hikes?
Mayrhofen/Zillertal Alps (Olpererhütte) is an impressive destination, but it's a bit out of the way. I think you should concentrate your time around Salzburg (visiting alms/Northern limestone alps), then do the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, and then Innergschlöss in East Tyrol. One thing to be aware of: early June can be a bit tricky, because of snow. Last summer, there was tons of snow until the end of the month (but that just depends on how long the winter is). It can impact mountain hut / alm huts opening times.
Hi!
Thanks for a great post!
We are going to be in Salzburg during July 2020 for 2 days.
We will do the interrail throughout Europe, and therefore we will not have a car.
Is it possible to stay in the citycentre of Salzburg, then take public transportation and do the Salzburger Almenweg Stage 2 and then head back by public transportation in the afternoon? I see that you have written that it is close to a bus stop, but I cannot find which bus from Salzburg that goes to Erichhütte, or back from Arthurhaus for that matter... Thank you!
Hi Andrei,
We updated our best Salzburg trails post with details on how to get to the Almenweg Stage 2 trailhead with public transit. It's definitely easier with a car, but possible (if you're determined) without one.
Best of luck! - Kati
Hello, I am thinking of going hiking in April 2020 around Easter. Is the ground still snow covered then? I am an experienced hiker from Australia, however not in an Alpine environment - just in coastal Australia in spring / summer. I would be hiking solo, so would prefer to find some day hikes to do, or do some walks which are popular and thus have other hikers on them (although not too many!). I've looked at hiking tour companies however they're very expensive. Many thanks!
Hi Justine,
April isn't a great month for hiking in Austria. It's the tail-end of the ski season. There may be low-elevation walks you can do, but I don't recommend planning a hiking trip for April. "The Alps" hiking season is from (mid-June) July until end of September. If you're determined to go hiking in April, I recommend heading to Portugal. Here's a summary of some great hikes in Portugal.
-Sabrina
This is such fantastic information, and incredible photos.
I'm going to be travelling to Bavaria/Austria/Switzerland in late May / early June. Do you think this will be too early to do most of these? Does it just depend on weather at the time? Do you have any other recommendations for this time of year?
Hi Pete,
Late May is too early for these hikes. In early June, it may be possible to hike to Sulzenalmen, Ursprungalm to Giglach Lakes, and Salzburger Almenweg Stage 2. But, it really depends on how long the winter is. Last summer, we were hiking in snow until the end of June. But, hopefully, this year's winter is shorter. Definitely bring crampons.
- Sabrina
Hi. I’ve just came across your website and you are sharing some amazing information. Thank you. At the beginning of May, myself and another 3 guys are planning to travel to Vienna for a long weekend. In one day we would like to go hiking and I was wondering if this is a good time to do this and if you have any recommendations. Based on what I have read so far here, the hiking season seems to start towards the end of may. Looking forward for your advise. Cosmin
Hi Cosmin,
The best time to hike in Austria is from mid/late June until the end of September. However, it really depends on how long the winter is. It's difficult to say now what's possible this May. Also, Vienna is a good 3 hours away from good hiking.
-Sabrina