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The Austrian Alps are a year-round destination, with superb slopes for skiers and boarders in winter, and hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts in spring and summer. The best way to get around the Austrian Alps is by car, and there are incredible roads that traverse the mountains, such as the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which is one of the most scenic road trips in Europe. The Alps cover a large proportion of Austria, so it's best to decide where you want to visit and then look for rail, road, and air links to get there. Salzburg and Innsbruck are two dramatic cities within the Austrian Alps, and the province of Tirol is also a beautiful area to visit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended ski resorts | Mayrhofen, Saalbach, Seefeld, Westendorf, Obergurgl, Obertauern, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Alpbach, Salzkammergut, Kitzbugel |
| Cities | Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vienna, Zell am See, St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, Graz |
| Mountain ranges | Northern Limestone Alps, Central Alps, Southern Limestone Alps, Zillertal Alps, Karwendel Mountains, Hochschwab |
| Activities | Hiking, skiing, sightseeing, cycling, mountain climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, ziplining, swimming, water skiing, wakeboarding |
| Transport | Car, bus, train, cable car, gondola |
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What You'll Learn
- Ski resorts: Mayrhofen, Saalbach, Seefeld, Obergurgl, and Obertauern
- Family-friendly destinations: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Alpbach, and Salzkammergut
- Cities: Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Vienna
- Hiking destinations: Karwendel Mountains, Hochschwab, and Grossglockner High Alpine Road
- Transport: Car, train, bus, cable car, and hiking/biking trails
Ski resorts: Mayrhofen, Saalbach, Seefeld, Obergurgl, and Obertauern
Mayrhofen-Hippach in Tyrol is a top ski resort in Austria, with 142 kilometres of groomed slopes and 61 cable car and lift systems. It offers a good mix of slopes and vibrant nightlife, making it ideal for beginners. The Ahorn and Penken ski areas are particularly attractive to pleasure skiers, beginners and families, with their wide, sun-drenched pistes. Mount Penken, on the other hand, attracts action lovers with its legendary Harakiri slope and the Penken Park.
Saalbach is part of the larger Ski Circus area, which includes Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn. It is praised for its extensive network of beginner-friendly pistes and lively après-ski scene. The Ski Circus area offers 270 kilometres of well-groomed slopes and 70 modern lifts to discover, as well as freeride slopes and snow parks. The area also boasts over 60 ski huts serving traditional delicacies.
Seefeld is a ski resort known for its charming village atmosphere and abundance of non-ski activities, making it ideal for families. It is a world-class destination for cross-country skiing, with kilometres of prepared trails and an extensive network of cross-country ski schools. The Seefeld plateau and the villages of Leutasch, Mösern, Scharnitz and Reith offer a vast network of cleared walking trails in winter.
Obergurgl is a family-friendly ski resort known for its high-altitude slopes. It offers excellent snow conditions and incredible views while skiing, hiking and biking. The resort provides easy access to the mountains, with accommodation located on the ski slopes and trails.
Obertauern is a top-class ski resort in Salzburger Land, offering a wide variety of slopes for all skill levels. It features over 100 kilometres of groomed and easily accessible pistes with guaranteed snow from November to May. The resort also has numerous untouched deep snow runs and plenty of open terrain for freeriding. Obertauern provides a family atmosphere, with hotels located near the slopes, and an après-ski mile with dining options.
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Family-friendly destinations: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Alpbach, and Salzkammergut
The Austrian Alps offer a range of family-friendly destinations, with Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Alpbach, and Salzkammergut being notable examples. These locations provide a variety of activities and attractions suitable for families, including summer cards that grant access to cable cars and other amenities.
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, located in Tyrol, is known for its Alpine charm and family-oriented atmosphere. The region offers a diverse range of activities, such as hiking and biking, allowing families to explore the majestic surroundings of the Austrian Alps. With exclusive tips and inspiration, this destination provides a unique mountain holiday experience.
Alpbach is renowned for its quaint village atmosphere, offering a blend of scenic beauty and family-friendly activities. Families can enjoy exploring the local area, partaking in activities such as hiking and swimming in public pools. Alpbach also boasts good restaurants and accommodation options that cater to families, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Salzkammergut, including the Wolfgangsee area, stands out for its breathtaking scenery and family-oriented facilities. This region is ideal for day trips, offering easy access to picturesque villages, lakes, and natural wonders like the Krimml Waterfalls. The area's summer card provides economical access to various attractions, making it convenient for families on a budget.
In addition to these destinations, other family-friendly options in the Austrian Alps include Seefeld and Westendorf, which are recommended for families with beginner skiers. These locations offer a charming village atmosphere and a range of non-ski activities, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all ages and skill levels.
Whether it's the vibrant villages, stunning landscapes, or diverse activities, the Austrian Alps provide a plethora of family-friendly destinations that cater to diverse interests and create lasting memories.
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Cities: Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Vienna
Salzburg
Salzburg is a city in Austria that offers stunning views of the Austrian Alps. One of the closest opportunities to get up close and personal with the Alps is just a few miles south of the city in the Salzkammergut District. Here, you can enjoy the combination of quaint towns and clear lakes with the majestic backdrop of the Alps.
Within the city itself, there are several viewpoints that offer breathtaking vistas of the Alps. Maria Plain, a 30-minute bus ride and hike from the city centre, allows you to see all of Salzburg laid out with the majestic Alpine peaks in the background. The Judge's Height Lookout (Richterhöhe) offers a hidden gem, providing spectacular views of the Alps over a 4-mile-long grassy plain. Additionally, the Militia Wall, a 40-foot-tall medieval wall, offers unique perspectives of the city and the surrounding landscape, including views towards the west where the sun sets.
For those seeking an active experience, there are hiking opportunities in the area, such as the walk up the river way "Almbachklamm" from Kugelmühle to Hintergern, where you can take in the beauty of the Alps along the way.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is a city nestled in the stunning landscape of the Austrian Alps, specifically in the western part of Austria. The city boasts a unique blend of intricate Baroque and Gothic architecture, with colourful hues that harmoniously meld together. The Imperial Palace (the Hofburg) and the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) are notable landmarks that showcase the city's rich history and intricate design.
One of the standout features of Innsbruck is the funicular and gondola system that shuttles visitors directly from the city centre to the top of the mountains. The Nordkettenbahn gondola offers a 20-minute ride, providing panoramic views of the surrounding Alps. The Nordkette Cable Car takes you up to Nordkette Mountain, where you can enjoy spectacular views and hiking trails. The city is also home to the Bergisel Ski Jump, combining sporting history with modern architecture.
Innsbruck's surroundings include the craggy granite cliffs of the Nordkette Mountains and the Inn River, with river houses neatly lined up along its banks. The Alpine Zoo Innsbruck, located 750 metres above sea level, is another attraction, offering a chance to explore alpine species while taking in the Alpine scenery.
Vienna
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is not located directly in the Alps, but there are several options for experiencing the Alpine regions nearby. The Schneeberg mountain is one of the easiest to reach, with a train ride of about 90 minutes from the Hauptbahnhof station. The Salamander train takes you up to 1800 metres above sea level, where you can find walking trails and restaurants.
Another option is to visit Semmering, located along the main S6 road branching off the southern motorway from Vienna. It offers a direct train to the resort's railway station from Hauptbahnhof, and from there, a cable car service takes you up to the Rax alpine mountain hiking area at around 1600 metres above sea level.
For those who want to explore the Alps without leaving the city, Vienna has its own range of hills in the west, with the tallest being Hermannskogel at around 542 metres above sea level. These hills are included in some of the official city hiking paths, offering a taste of the Alpine experience within the urban environment.
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Hiking destinations: Karwendel Mountains, Hochschwab, and Grossglockner High Alpine Road
The Austrian Alps offer a plethora of hiking destinations, with trails suitable for all skill levels. Here are three notable hiking destinations to explore:
Karwendel Mountains
The Karwendel High Alpine Trail is a challenging six-day tour through Austria's largest nature park, the Karwendel Nature Park in the Tyrolean Alps. Covering 70 kilometres of hiking trails with 9,000 metres of ascents and descents, this trail offers a diverse experience, ranging from the solitude of the Karwendel wilderness to the lively Inntal valley. It is considered a black-level mountain trail, demanding caution and awareness of environmental conditions. The trail can be conveniently accessed via public transport, and hikers can join and leave at any of the mountain huts along the route.
Hochschwab
Hochschwab, located in the eastern part of the group, offers hiking, climbing, and mountaineering experiences. The best months for hiking and climbing are summer and autumn, while early summer is ideal for admiring the region's flora. The Hochschwab summit can be approached from different directions, including the south, east, and north, with varying hiking durations and difficulty levels. The southern approach can be initiated from the parking place at Bodenbauer, while the eastern approach starts at the main road on Seebergsattel or below it. The northern approach can be undertaken from the Salza valley.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road provides a scenic route for travellers driving from Salzburg to Vienna. It offers a unique panoramic view of Lake Zell and the Grossglockner mountain range. The trail includes various attractions, such as the Edelweiss Spitze, Fuscher Lacke (a small mountain lake), and the Piffkar station with its special exhibition and children's play area. The path also features display boards providing interesting information about the valley. Additionally, hikers may encounter freely roaming grazing animals and wild animals along the way.
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Transport: Car, train, bus, cable car, and hiking/biking trails
Transport
Car
The Austrian Alps are accessible by car. One source mentions driving from Vienna to Salzburg.
Train
Austria offers some of the most beautiful train rides in Europe. The Rail Jet high-speed train ride from Innsbruck to the Austrian border is touted as the most beautiful train ride in all of Europe. The views over the scenic Seefeld Plateau, the northern Tyrolean Alps, and the Bavarian Alps are nearly surreal.
Bus
There are several bus tours of the Austrian Alps. One source mentions a 6-hour private tour from Salzburg to experience the lake-side village of Hallstatt and the Austrian lake country. Another mentions a day trip from Vienna to Salzburg.
Cable Car
In the warmer months, you can take a cable car up into the Austrian Alps and explore after the snow melts. The town of Innsbruck, Austria, sits at the base of a portion of the Austrian Alps, and the Nordkette Cable Car runs straight up from the town. At the second stop, you'll find views for miles as well as a cafe with outdoor seating.
Hiking/Biking Trails
There are numerous hiking trails in the Austrian Alps. One trail starts from the top down to Kitzbuhel, which is a long hike but fairly easy, with no cliff-edge drop-offs and not-too-steep paths. The route is mostly gravel paths, with a few sections on meadows, and is clearly marked. Another trail starts from the top of the cityXpress cable car and leads to a small lake. A third trail begins at the cable car platform in Innsbruck and takes 20 minutes to walk, offering a variety of views.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian Alps cover a large proportion of Austria, so you can see them from many cities. Salzburg is perched on the edge of the Alps, so you can enjoy breathtaking mountain views from the city. Innsbruck is another city known as the capital of the Alps, so you can get to know the heart of the Alps from here. You can also see the Alps from certain parts of Vienna, although it may not provide a truly Alpine experience.
The best way to see the Austrian Alps is by car. There are incredible roads that traverse the Austrian mountains, such as the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which is one of the most scenic road trips in Europe. However, driving is dangerous in the winter due to icy conditions and avalanches, so summer is a better time for a road trip. If you don't have a car, you can easily rent one from most major cities and airports. Austria also has an excellent rail network, so you can also reach many cities and larger towns via scenic train routes. To reach remote Alpine villages, you may need to take a bus or hike/bike the trails.
The Austrian Alps are a year-round destination. In the winter, skiers and snowboarders flock to the slopes, while in the summer, there is hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, and ziplining. There are also lakes where you can try activities like stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, water skiing, and wakeboarding. If you're looking for more of a cultural experience, you can visit gothic castles and abbeys, Hapsburg palaces and cathedrals, and cities like Innsbruck and Salzburg.
