The best way to absorb the culture and beauty of the Austrian Alps is by embarking on a hut-to-hut trek, or long-distance hiking trail.
The problem is: where do you go? There are 57 mountain groups in Austria. When trying to decide where to hike, you may experience the paradox of choice. Sometimes too many options lead to choice paralysis – like the cereal aisle in a U.S. supermarket.
We’re on a mission to help hikers figure out where to hike in the Austrian Alps because Austria is a dream destination for hut-to-hut hiking and long-distance trekking, and, too many people are missing out.
Dazzling alpine scenery combined with cozy, warm Hütten (mountain huts) makes Austria the ultimate destination in Europe for accessible, comfortable, easy and challenging, cultural, and savory (the food is excellent) hiking.
In this guide, we’ve outlined our favorite treks in Austria. We’ll tell you exactly what we loved and what we disliked about each hiking trail, so you can decide which Austrian trek is best for you.
Also, read Visiting Austrian Mountain Huts and Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria: Essential Tips for guidance on how to reserve mountain huts and how to prepare for a multi-day hike in Austria.
If you’re interested in self-guided hiking tours, we recommend booking with Alpenventures Unguided. Their 6-Day Hut to Hut Light in the Austrian Alps is appropriate for families with children who already regularly hike. They also offer an 8-Day Culinary Delight Hut Hiking Tour as well as a 3-Day Culinary Delight Extended Weekend Hiking.
- When to Trek in Austria: The best time to embark on multi-day treks in the Austrian Alps is between mid/late June and mid/late September.
- When to Book Treks in Austria: This varies depending on the popularity of the trek. If you want to hike the famous Berlin High Trail, it’s best to book a few months in advance. If you want to book a lesser-known trail, it’s usually possible to book a few months in advance (or even a few weeks in advance).
- Hut to Hut Hiking versus Wild Camping: Wild camping is strictly forbidden in the Austrian Alps. So, the only way to hike long distances in Austria is to embark on a hut to hut hike.
- Trail Signage and Waymarking: Excellent
- Vocab: German Hiking Vocabulary
- Packing List: Hut to Hut Hiking Packing List
1. Karwendel High Trail
The 6-stage Karwendel High Trail (Karwendel Höhenweg) is a hut-to-hut hike in the Karwendel Mountains of Tyrol. Forming the northern-backdrop of postcard-pretty Innsbruck, the Karwendel range is easily accessible by public transit.
You can reach the Scharnitz trailhead by train from either Innsbruck, or Seefeld in Tirol, in Austria, or from Munich in Germany.
This 63-km U-shaped hiking trail in Tirol weaves through gorgeous high alpine environments, gifting hikers sweeping views of the Stubai and Zillertal Alps as well as the Inntal, Halltal, and Sammertal Valleys.
In 6 days, hikers will walk along the Isar river, summit Speckkarspitze and Kleine Stempeljochspitze peaks (optional), follow a narrow balcony trail overlooking Innsbruck, and conquer the challenging ascents and descents to the Stempeljoch and Frau Hitt mountain saddles.
Beyond the stirring views of the limestone mountains, you’ll experience some of Austria’s most welcoming and convivial mountain huts.
Each hut along this route is staffed by an attentive and hospitable team. And, the food is sensational as well.
Trek Stats
Starting Point | Scharnitz
Ending Point | Seefeld in Tirol
Duration | 6 Days
Distance | 63 km u-shaped circuit
Difficulty | Difficult
When to Hike | July, August, September
Pros | Excellent mountain huts, stunning trails, and striking mountain scenery.
Cons | Stage 4 is extremely long. However, you can break it up by staying in Innsbruck (cableway descent), and hop back on the trail the next day (cableway ascent).
Learn More: Karwendel High Trail Trekking Guide
2. Eagle Walk
The Eagle Walk (Adlerweg in German) is Austria’s most famous long-distance hiking trail. The route traverses the Austrian State of Tyrol in 33 stages, from East to West.
In North Tyrol, the hiking trail starts in St. Johann in Tirol and ends in St. Christoph am Arlberg (Stages 1 – 24). The trail continues for another nine stages in East Tyrol (Osttirol).
Some may want to hike the Eagle Walk from beginning to end.
Others may want to hike the Eagle Walk across a specific range: Wilder Kaiser, Brandenberger Alps, Karwendel, Tux Alps, Wetterstein Mountains, and Lechtal Alps.
Eagle Walk Lechtal Alps Stages 19 – 24
We decided to hike the last six stages of the North Tirol Eagle Walk across the Lechtal Alps.
The Lechtal Alps (Lechtaler Alpen) are the longest range in the Northern Limestone Alps, and they are utterly magnificent. No mountain looks like another.
This was a technically demanding trek, replete with ridge line climbs, grueling ascents, secured passages, and lots of rock-hugging (that’s what I’m calling it).
Visually, it was sensational – worthy of tears. I’ll be dreaming about these mountains until the day I die!
Throughout our trek, we rarely saw anyone, even though we hiked in high season (mid-July).
The only “busy” place is Memminger Hütte, where the Eagle Walk intersects with the E4 and E5 European long-distance trails.
Stages 19-24 Trek Stats
Starting Point | Boden
Ending Point | St. Christoph am Arlberg
Duration | 6 Days
Distance | 57 km point-to-point
Difficulty | Very Challenging
When to Hike | July, August, September
Pros | Captivating scenery, remote trails, alpine lakes, wildlife sightings, challenging terrain
Cons | Some of the hut managers are unfriendly.
Learn More: Eagle Walk Lechtal Alps Trekking Guide
3. Montafon Hut to Hut Circuit
The Montafon Hut to Hut Circuit (Montafoner Hüttenrunde) is a 13-stage hiking trail that traverses the mountain ranges enveloping the Montafon Valley in Vorarlberg.
The U-shaped trail starts in the crystalline Verwall range, continues into the Silvretta range, and then ends in the limestone Rätikon Alps.
This classic Austrian hiking route offers mountain lovers a chance to marvel at glaciers, 3000 m+ peaks, and verdant river valleys.
A highlight of our trek was staying in Saarbrücker Hütte. This is one of the loveliest mountain huts in Austria. The food is excellent, the staff is kind, and the interior is heart-warming.
And, of course, this hike is in Vorarlberg. Let me admit my bias right now. I truly believe that Vorarlberg is home to the kindest, most open-hearted Austrians.
Trek Stats
Starting Point | Silbertal, Montafon
Ending Point | Tschagguns-Latschau, Montafon
Duration | 13 stages which can be hiked in 11 days
Distance | 133 km u-shaped circuit
Difficulty | Moderate
When to Hike | July – late September
Pros | You get to hike across three different mountain ranges; laid-back mountain huts; traditional Alpe(n).
Cons | Short stages (especially stages 9-12), but you can easily combine them.
Learn More: Montafon Hut to Hut Circuit Trekking Guide
4. Schladminger Tauern High Trail
The Schladminger Tauern mountains are a subrange of the Austrian Central Alps and are located in the Austrian federal states of Salzburg and Styria (Steiermark).
The Schladminger Tauern range is bounded by the Dachstein in the north, the Radstadt Tauern to the west, the Nock Mountains to the south, and the Rottenmann and Wölz Tauern to the east.
The five-day Schladminger Tauern High Trail is one of the least-known, but most impressive hiking trails in the Austrian Alps.
If you love pristine alpine lakes, this is for you. On day 1, you’ll hike by Klammsee, Brettersee, and Giglachseen.
On day 3, you’ll hike to Oberen Landawirsee and Unteren Landawirsee. And on day 4, you’ll cross the Klafferkessel cirque, which contains more than 30 lakes.
When we think about which treks in Austria we want to re-do, this is always our #1 choice. It’s not crowded.
The huts are small and intimate. And, of course, the food is excellent. We’re hoping that the hut management along this route never changes.
Trek Stats
Starting Point/Ending Point | Schladming
Duration | 5 Days
Distance | 45 km circuit
Difficulty | Difficult
When to Hike | July, August, September
Pros | Alpine lakes and authentic mountain huts
Cons | None
Learn More: Schladminger Tauern High Trail Trekking Guide
5. Venediger High Trail
The Venediger High Trail (Venediger Höhenweg) is a multi-day trek through the Venediger Group in Austria’s Hohe Tauern National Park.
This East Tyrolean hut to hut hike partially wraps around Grossvenediger, Austria’s second-largest mountain, delivering views of mammoth mountains, melting glaciers, and countless waterfalls.
The scenery is impressive in a vast and bleak type of way. On some stages, it feels like you’re hiking into the heart of Mordor. On other days, you feel like you’re hiking on the spine of a dragon.
For us, a compelling reason to hike in Austria is the food and hospitality of the mountain huts.
Unfortunately, the food in Badener Hütte, Bonn-Matreier Hütte, and Neue Prager Hütte, was ghastly. Hopefully, they’ve made some drastic changes in the last few years.
Trek Stats
Starting Point | Virgental Valley
Ending Point | Gschlöß Valley
Duration | 6 Days
Distance | 56 km point-to-point
Difficulty | Moderately-Difficult
When to Hike | July – mid-September
Pros | Glaciers and Solitude
Cons | Subpar food and unfriendly and patronizing hut managers.
Learn More: Venediger High Trail Trekking Guide
6. Berlin High Trail
The Berlin High Trail showcases the best of the Zillertal Alps in Tyrol, Austria.
It’s an unforgettable adventure packed with challenging ascents and descents, rustic and grand mountain huts, and memorable glacier and lake views.
This high-alpine route takes 8 days, though you can easily customize the route for shorter periods of time.
Our favorite Berlin High Trail experiences were hiking from Friesenberghaus to Olpererhütte, the descent from Schönbichler Horn peak (3134 m), the stately Berliner Hütte, and warming up and eating EVERYTHING in Greizer Hütte after hours in the rain.
Trek Stats
Starting Point | Finkenberg, Mayrhofen
Ending Point | Mayrhofen
Duration | 8 Days
Distance | 86 km u-shaped circuit
Difficulty | Difficult
When to Hike | July – mid-September
Pros | Scenery
Cons | If the weather is unstable, this is a difficult hike to do safely.
Learn More: Berlin High Trail Trekking Route
7. Rätikon High Trail Circuit
The Rätikon Alps extends across the borders of Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. With its limestone peaks and rolling pastureland, Rätikon delivers one storybook scene after another. It doesn’t get more fairy-tale-like than this.
Our 4-day Rätikon Alp trekking itinerary follows the Rätikon Höhenweg Nord (North Rätikon High Trail) in Vorarlberg, Austria and the Prättigauer Höhenweg (Prättigau High Trail) in Graubünden, Switzerland.
You’ll overnight one night in an Austrian mountain hut and two nights in Swiss mountain huts.
The first three stages are moderate, whereas the fourth stage is considerably more difficult. On the final day (stage 4), the trail steeply ascends from Schesaplanahütte to Schesaplana (2964 m), the highest peak in the Rätikon. The descent to Totalphütte, above Lünersee, is equally challenging, due to the rugged and unstable terrain.
Trek Stats
Starting Point/Ending Point | Lünersee
Duration | 3 – 4 Days
Distance | 45 km circuit
Difficulty | Easy – Moderate
When to Hike | July, August, September
Pros | Gorgeous limestone mountains, cross-border experience, alpine pastures
Cons | Stage 4 is very difficult and potentially dangerous, if there’s lingering snow.
Learn More: Rätikon High Trail Trekking Guide
8. Emperor’s Crown Hiking Trail
The Emperor’s Crown (Kaiserkrone) is a 5 stage hiking trail which circuits the Wilder Kaiser massif in Tyrol.
Unlike most of the routes described in this post, the Emperor’s Crown isn’t high-alpine. The trail leads hikers largely through forests and across alpine pastures.
The 65-km trail traditionally starts at Aschingerkapelle, Going (Hüttling). However, if you’re traveling by transit, it’s far easier to start the route in Kufstein, which has direct train connections to Vienna, Innsbruck, and Salzburg.
This is a really enjoyable hike with lots of variation in terms of scenery and terrain.
You’ll overnight in two exceptional mountain huts (Gruttenhütte and Stripsenjochhaus) and two guesthouses (in Gasteig and Hintersteiner See lake) along the way.
This is a perfect route for fit hikers who are new to multi-day hiking in Austria.
Compared to the other Austrian hiking routes summarized in this guide, the Kaiserkrone is moderate. However, if you don’t have any hiking experience in the Alps, consider this trail moderately difficult. This is a mountain trail with narrow uneven paths, secured sections, some technical sections, and significant elevation gain (certain stages). This is not a well-groomed track like the Tour du Mont Blanc.
If you’re concerned about the difficulty, please reach out to the Wilder Kaiser tourist office.
Trek Stats
Starting Point/Ending Point | Kufstein
Duration | 5 Days
Distance | 65 km circuit
Difficulty | Moderate
When to Hike | June – Early October
Pros | Trail variety (forests, meadows, ridges)
Cons | None
Learn More: Emperor’s Crown Trek
Austria Trekking Gear
Here’s our complete Hut to Hut Hiking Packing List.
Hiking Gear
Hut to Hut Hiking Backpack | Osprey Kyte 36 (for women) and Osprey Kestrel 38 (for men)
Grade B/C high-Cut Hiking Boots | Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (Kati’s Boots), Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (Sabrina’s Boots), Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (men’s equivalent)
CAT 4 Sunglasses | Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
Hiking Poles | Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
Climbing Gloves | black diamond half finger gloves
Mountain Hut Essentials
Sleeping Bag Liner | Sea to Summit Silk-Cotton Blend Travel and Sleeping Bag Liner
Waterproof Slippers | Crocs
Headlamp | Black Diamond Equipment Spot 350 Headlamp
E-Reader | Kindle
More Austria Hiking Guides
Hiking Guides:
- Best Day Hikes in Austria
- Innsbruck Hikes
- Salzburg Hikes
- Filzmoos Hikes
- Schladming Hikes
- Lech am Arlberg Hikes
- Vienna Mountains Hikes
- Lake Achensee Hikes
Europe Trekking:
Alps:
- The Alps in Summer: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting
- Tips for Hiking in the European Alps
- Our Favorite Hikes in the Alps
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Thank you so much for this guide! We love hiking and thought to go to Austria after the COVID restrictions end.
Did you book all the huts for the hikes, or it is a 1st come 1st serve basis?
Are there small private rooms or large dorms?
Hi Marina, We book all huts ahead of time. It depends on the hut. Some huts only have rooms with 4-beds, 6-beds, and dormitories (“lager”). Other huts have rooms with just 2 beds.
Hi Sabrina and Kati, thank you so much for those amazing hike descriptions! I am especially interested in Venediger High Trail. Are there any vegetarian options on the huts? I have read your full article, but I only found that food was quite terrible:) Thanks in advance
Hi Jana,
There should be a vegetarian option in each hut. It might only be pasta and tomato sauce, but you won’t starve.
Let us know how you like the trail.
All the best,
Sabrina
Hi Sabrina, thanks for the awesome guide! I’m planning about a month in Austria/Italy/Germany/Slovenia and all your articles have been super helpful. If you had to pick just one of the Austrian hut-to-hut hikes, which would say is your favorite (hard question, I know)? They all look so amazing, I am struggling to choose!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you so much for reading our blog! Scenically, the Eagle Walk across the Lechtal Alps and the Berlin High Trail are difficult to rival. In terms of huts, we loved Schladminger Tauern High Trail and the Karwendel High Trail. In terms of vast open space and peace, we loved Venediger High Trail. Each trail is very special. And, the Rätikon Alps trek is an absolute winner as well – great all-around experience! Can’t pick one.
-Sabrina
Hi,
I must say your guiding is probably the best I’ve ever seen. And was a major influence to try our first hut to hut – Schladminger Tauern Höhenweg. I have a question, though. Which area would you recommend for meeting fewest number of people? Really looking fed to rather remote, not crowded paths. many thanks in advance!
Hi Juraj,
Thank you so much! The least trodden trek we’ve hiked in Austria is the Eagle Walk – Lechtal Alps Stages. The only place that felt “busy” on the trail was Memminger Hütte, because it’s located on the crossroads of several long distance hiking trails.
Kindly,
Sabrina