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Austria is a nature lover's paradise, with towering mountains, lush forests, and pristine lakes. The country is crisscrossed by the Alps, with their jagged, snow-capped peaks, green meadows, and valleys. The Alpine way of life is deeply rooted in Austrian culture, with locals cherishing their natural surroundings. The Austrian landscape also boasts cascading waterfalls, rolling hills, vineyards, and glaciers. The country's natural wonders extend from the majestic Grossglockner, the nation's highest point, to the tranquil lakes and rivers that dot the countryside. Austria's diverse environments range from the Bregenz Forest, known for its traditional wooden architecture, to the vibrant cities of Vienna and Salzburg. Nature enthusiasts can explore hiking trails, climb mountains, or cycle through scenic paths. The Seegrotte, a man-made gypsum mine turned underground lake, offers a unique experience. The Wilder Kaiser range, with its 400 kilometres of trails, and Lake Hallstatt, surrounded by the picturesque town of the same name, are also must-sees. For birdwatching, Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park is a haven, while the Thayatal National Park, bordering the Czech Republic, showcases castle ruins and wildflowers. Austria's natural beauty, from the Stilluptal Valley to the crystal-clear Seebensee, invites visitors to immerse themselves in its breathtaking landscapes.
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What You'll Learn
The Alpine way of life
Austria is a country of towering mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes. The Alpine way of life is deeply ingrained in the culture, with locals cherishing their natural surroundings and the leisure activities they facilitate.
The Austrian landscape is dominated by the Alps, with their jagged, snow-capped peaks, green meadows, and valleys. This diverse landscape offers something for everyone, from extreme mountaineers to leisurely hikers. The Grossglockner, the highest spot in the country, is a short distance from ice caves, rugged mountains, summer lakes, rolling hills, waterfalls, and vineyards.
Austria's natural wonders include the Seegrotte, a huge underground lake created when a gypsum mine collapsed in 1912, and Lake Hallstatt, one of the many stunning mountain lakes surrounded by picturesque towns. The Wilder Kaiser range offers 400 kilometres of forest and mountain paths, while the Schladminger Tauern region boasts a heart-shaped lake visible only in spring and summer.
The Austrian Alps are also home to charming villages and towns, each with its unique character and rich culture closely tied to the Alpine environment. The town of Hallstatt, on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, is one of the most photographed destinations in the world, offering activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and cycling. The Bregenz Forest is another example, known for maintaining its traditional wooden architecture and costumes.
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The Grossglockner
The region around the Grossglockner has been designated a special protected area within the High Tauern National Park since 1986. The view from the summit is one of the farthest of all mountains in the Eastern Alps, ranging 220km or, taking into account atmospheric refraction, almost 240km. From the summit, one can see as far as the Upper Swabian Plateau in the northwest, Regensburg and the peaks of the Bohemian Forest in the north, Ortler in the west, the Padan Plain in the south, and Triglav and the Totes Gebirge range in the east.
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Lake Achensee
The lake is a popular destination for tourists all year round, with a huge variety of activities on offer. In the summer, visitors can enjoy scenic running trails, exploring the blooming valleys and snow-capped peaks. The lake itself is also a great spot for swimming, boating, and paddleboarding. The Achensee shipping dock provides opportunities for boat rentals, with paddle boats and small motor boats available for exploring the lake. The Seespitz ferry also offers a unique perspective of the lake with its hop-on-hop-off cruise.
In the winter, the area transforms into a cross-country skiing hub, with 53 km of family-friendly slopes and over 220 kilometres of trails groomed for classic skiing. The lake's level is lowered by up to 6 meters during this time, changing the size of the lake. The gondola lift provides magnificent views of the lake and its surrounding landscape.
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Hohe Tauern National Park
The park is known for its exceptional biodiversity, with many plants and wildlife species originating from the Central Asian tundra, the Arctic, and even Southern Europe. More than 10,000 alpine animals and around 1,800 plant species call the Hohe Tauern National Park home. The park is also home to Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, which stands at 3,798 metres. Other highlights include the Krimml Waterfalls, the highest waterfalls in Europe, and the Pasterzen Glacier, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps.
The region is known for its excellent ski areas, suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. In the winter, snowshoe hikes and ski tours are a favourite among visitors. The eight ski areas in the park stretch from the Grossarl, Gasteiner, and Rauris valleys in the east to the glacier ski area on the Kitzsteinhorn and the Panorama lift in Hollersbach in the west. The park also offers convenient shuttle services and eco-friendly mobility options to make your journey simple and stress-free.
The best way to explore the habitats in the park is on a guided tour with a national park ranger, who can provide deeper insights into the nature and history of the region. The National Park House in Matrei in East Tyrol offers a good overview of the entire nature reserve. The indoor visitor facilities in the park provide insight into the special animal and plant life of the area. The free app "Erlebnis Nationalpark" facilitates tour planning and provides information on various vantage points.
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Lake Weissensee
Austria is a nature lover's paradise, with its mix of mountains and lakes. One such natural wonder is Lake Weissensee, a pristine nature reserve in Carinthia, recently awarded the European Tourism and Environment Prize.
The region offers a range of activities for nature enthusiasts. In summer, visitors can enjoy mountain biking and alpine hiking, exploring the unspoilt nature and intact flora and fauna. In winter, the lake freezes over, transforming into a playground for skaters and hosting ice sports events, such as the Dutch 11-City Tour and the underwater ice hockey world championship. The area also offers ice stock sport, cross-country skiing and alpine skiing.
With its breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife and range of activities, Lake Weissensee is a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in Austria's natural wonders.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is known for its towering Alps, agricultural plains, ice caves, mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. Some natural wonders in Austria include:
- Lake Hallstatt
- Seegrotte Hinterbrühl
- Lake Weissensee
- Lake Neusiedl
- Hohe Tauern National Park
- Wilder Kaiser
Austria is a great place to hike, climb, mountain bike, swim, boat, fish, snowboard, ski, and more!
The Stadt Park in Vienna is a large and beautiful park that hosts many statues, including the famous Strauss gold.
