Best Walking Resorts in Austria

This is the largest town in Tyrol’s Paznaun region and links up to a 1000km network of hiking trails – a quarter of which can be found in Galtür alone. At 1600m, magnificent glaciers are never far away and there’s no shortage of daring, high-altitude climbs. The view from the summit of the Furgler is hugely rewarding and the incredible Lake Weignesee, Bielerhohe reservoir and Sunny Mountain pastures can be reached on some of the area’s gentler tours.

There are lots of famous ‘must hikes’ when it comes to St Johann. The Horn panorama circuit from Harschbichl does what it says in the tin, with awesome views from the Kitzbüheler Horn. We love the routes around Grießbach Gorg, which are pretty forgiving, making them perfect for family walks. To clock up some serious mileage, the Adlerweg / Eagle's Walk is the longest hiking path on the continent and takes you all the way from St Johann to St Anton. If you don’t fancy the long haul, the first bit is worth doing anyway as it takes you to the spectacular Schleier waterfall.

Sights of mountains, glaciers, reservoirs and waterfalls mean Ischgl’s hiking trails show you some of the very best of the great outdoors. The area’s part of a whopping 1000km network that spans the Paznaun, and includes an adventure path around Lake Vidersee as well as a tricky hairpin trail up to the Ritzenjoch peak. If you’ve a head for heights, the suspension bridges on the Walk of Lyrics (which cover two ravines) shouldn’t be missed!

With its trademark medieval streets and Crayola-bright houses, Kitzbühel town alone is a beautiful place to explore on foot. But it’s well worth exploring further afield… For starters, there’s the lovely riverside trail along the Kitzbühel Ache. We like to head northwards for tea and cake in one of St. Johann’s famed cafes (you can get the train or bus back if legs need a rest). There’s a super 25 minute ramble to the shores of Lake Schwarzsee (one of the warmest lakes in the alps, if you fancy a dip), as well as a number of Nordic Walking trails. Roam the wide, sloping meadows of the local mountains – there’s a nice and easy hike to the chapel of St. Bernard, which takes you on the legendary Hahnenkamm. To up the ante, tackle Austria’s steepest mountain road on the Horn (if the gradient doesn’t do the trick, those views will definitely take your breath away…).

Kaprun’s landscape is oh-so typically Salzburg, making it one of Austria’s most beautiful hiking destinations. Explore the miles of terrain that sprawl around the nearby reservoirs, gorges and Lake Zeller, or tread the rocky trails and pastures of the Schmittenhöhe and Maskogel. Save the Kitzsteinhorn for a clear day - from the tip of the glacier you can glimpse Grossglockner, the country’s tallest peak. If you’re here as a family, kids will love the Schmidolins Feuertaufe, where you walk an adventure trail in the path of a dragon, with lots of fun and games along the way.

With sight-seeing on the Schmittenhöhe, the family friendly Maiskogel and icy Kitzsteinhorn glacier, there’s mile upon mile to walk, ramble and hike around Zell am See. Pass reservoirs, cross meadows of alpine roses and scale summits – the top of the Kitzsteinhorn is one of the best vantage points in Austria. The hike at Krimml to the highest waterfalls on the continent make for an incredible day trip and there’s nothing like ending the day with a dip in the crystal-clear Zeller Lake. For a more leisurely walk, the lake has a beautiful shoreline route that you can follow over to Thumersbach – set off around midday for an afternoon exploring the village and relaxing on its bathing lawns or go wildlife spotting on a forest path.

You can’t get more elevation than Austria’s highest parish village – Obergurgl has some fantastic hikes through meadows and pine forests, past brooks and gorges and around the Stuiben and Rotmoos waterfalls. The Soomsee lake is a perfect picnic spot or for some serious legwork, the 400km Ötztal Trek is made up of mile upon mile of challenging trails, cartroads and paths. If you have little legs in tow, the Ötztal nature park is always good for a fun day out (the whole Rotes Wandl loop is buggy friendly).

We love walking in this neck of the woods and not just because the Ziller Valley’s so beautiful. Mayrhofen’s Ahorn and Penken mountains have oodles to explore, from buggy-friendly family trails to steep, high-altitude climbs. For an easy amble, take one of the riverside routes to Zell am Ziller and the Zillertal nature park - simply spectacular. Get the bus to the gorgeous Stilluptal Valley or head over to Zemmgrund, where paths from the village of Ginzling take you along the Zamser River. To take things up a level, hike the 60km hut-to-hut trail of mountaineering master Peter Habeler or ask the tourist office for maps of multiday routes like the Berlin High or Eagle's trail.

The circular route around Fuschlsee takes you on a breezy walk through woodland and pastures (the awesome views of the water go without saying). There’s even a bit of magic thrown in for children around here - sprogs will love following the ‘Zwergerlweg’ signs for the gnome’s woodland path. To clock up a few more miles, head over to St Gilgen on the shores of the larger lake Wolfgangsee – you’ll see some lovely old farmhouses along the way and if you pass the old Ruming mill at the right time, they often do demonstrations.

Sandwiched between the green pastures of Pinzgauer Grasberge and the rugged peaks of the Kitzbüheler Alps, walking in Saalbach can be as diverse and challenging as you make it. 400km of award-winning trails are accessible from the town – 24 of which form the formidable Seven Summits tour. Geißstein peak is our favourite vantage point of the expedition, whilst the relaxed Homeland Path is a winner for families and casual hikers. You’ll find the gentlest routes around Pinzgauer Grasberge, including the Homeland Path at the summit of Mt. Zwolferkogel (if you take the cable car of the same name, you can skip the steep hike). Saalbach’s Herbal Trail meanwhile starts at the tip of the Reiterkogel gondola and is a fascinating tour of Alpine herbs and wild flowers.