Best Wildlife Resorts in Austria

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.

Söll rests snugly in a wide valley between the Wilder Kaiser and Hohe Salve peaks. With lush green meadows, alpine dairy farms and chalet-style buildings, the village is a Tyrolean gem that just oozes chocolate-box appeal. Visitors soon fall head-over-heels for the panoramic walks, mountain runs and gnarly bike routes – and to really make it above par, the area’s a haven for golfers.

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.

Sankt Gilgen, or Mozart Village (the composer’s mum and sister once lived here), is flanked by rolling meadows and the enticing waters of Lake Wolfgangsee. The town’s packed full of historic buildings and you can usually see magnificent flower displays that would put Chelsea to shame! St. Gilgen’s an awesome base for a whole host of activities – whether it’s scaling the Zwolferhorn, taking a lakeside stroll or trying your hand at the water sports on offer.

Often ranking high on lists of ‘the prettiest’, this posh Alpine resort is one of Austria’s classics. The village is traditional and the Arlberg mountains jaw-dropping but Lech’s not just somewhere to feast your eyes upon – this is a real hotspot for walking, with a mix of easy family trails and more demanding climbs. The river dissecting the town is great to get to grips with canoeing, paddle boarding and canyoning and cyclists are spoiled for choice on a variety of paths.

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.

Kaprun is classically Austrian with wooden chalets and an imposing castle and the surrounding pine forests and pastures are ideal for enjoying the open air. You’ll find a fantastic range of cycling routes from short, gentle jaunts to challenging mountain descents and hiking and walking trails will guide you past Salzberg’s iconic rugged mountains, reservoirs and the glittering Lake Zeller.

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.

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.

Bursting with Alpine charm – thanks to its traditional chalet town and sloping, tree-lined valley, Hinterglemm’s an attractive base for an active break in Austria. A total 400km of walking and cycling trails sprawl forth from the village, whilst the Pinzgau and Tauern bike circuits are also within easy reach. Attracting daring hikers throughout the season, the Seven Summits of Saalbach-Hinterglemm loom over the town, though there’s no shortage of gentler routes (with the obligatory Gasthof stop) for casual walkers to explore too.