Best Paragliding Resorts in Austria

Mayrhofen is ‘traditional Austrian’ from head to toe and the town has a refreshing buzz to it all summer long. Cross alpine pastures, speed down the Penken and discover deep gorges and canyons before letting your hair down with a stein and some Austrian folk music – you’d struggle to find a ‘best for Alps activities’ list that this place doesn’t crop up on.

Summer in Ischgl is a way more relaxed affair than the raucous scenes of winter - think lazy days by the river and chilled evenings listening to live bands on pub terraces. When it comes to picking up the tempo, the mountain biking is legendary and the hiking, paragliding and white water rafting are pretty good too...

Yes it’s the king of ski resorts but St Anton is also an incredible place in the summer. Roam the region on bike or foot and soak up glorious views of mountains, meadows, lakes and waterfalls all day long. Unlike the winter months, the summer evenings are pretty chilled – ask the barman for a local beer or wine and get some tips on where to explore tomorrow...

Lofty mountains, floral pastures, pine forests and the impressive Grawa waterfall border the village of Neustift, in Tyrol’s Stubai Valley. A typically Austrian resort, you can make yourself at home among its traditional architecture, wander the monastery and head out for some of the country’s most breath-taking nature trails.

Ellmau is a little mountain village with Austrian charm by the bucketload. It’s nestled in a lush green valley overlooked by the huge Wilder Kaiser Mountains (on a clear day the view is unbelievable!). There’s lots to keep you occupied, whether you fancy a long walk, a bike ride or even a round of golf.

Surrounded by dreamy meadows and thick forests, this small mountain village is beautifully tranquil - one of the walking trails is even called the ‘Path of Contemplation’! The area’s perfect for a relaxed walking or cycling holiday, with stunning mountains dotted with ‘alms’ – alpine pastures where you’ll often find farmers grazing their cattle.

A sunny little village, Pertisau sits on the shores of the incredible Achensee – the largest and deepest lake in the Austrian Tyrol. Bordered by mountains as well, this is a top spot for an active summer holiday. The village itself is lovely, too, and usually hosts live music events in the summer.

The Tyrolean architecture, flower-covered meadows and glimmering Wildsee lake are enough to stop you in your tracks but Seefeld is more than a pretty face; Mother Nature has made a real adventure base here. With hundreds of kilometres to walk and cycle, 17 tennis courts, 2 golf courses and a paragliding academy, you’ll have to remember to hit pause and enjoy the sights.

At the shore of Lake Wolfgansee, St. Wolfgang is an attractive old town characterised by its colourful chalets and landmark gothic church. Pilgrims have been visiting here for a millennium, nowadays it’s best known as a mecca of outdoor pursuits – with water sports, lakeside cycle routes and hiking in the Alps just some of many possibilities.

The market town of Sankt Johann in Tirol has charm in every nook and cranny, with coloured chalets, chic cafes and a twin-spired church between expanses of alpine pastures. Bordering the town are the Kitzbuhelerhorn and Wilder Kaiser mountain range – each with a fantastic set of trails and routes to discover on foot or by bike.