Summer in Austria means that there are two types of people: the ones that go to one of our beautiful lakes and the ones that explore every weekend another of our several mountains. I am mix of both but sometimes I really like a good hike here and there. I have to say I don´t like hiking for four days in a row, but one day, a few hours or maybe two days can be really nice from time to time. Hiking is really relaxing and you can really set your mind new and focus on all the things in life that really matter. 

I have to say on this post I teamed up with my dad, because he is a passionated hiker since he was a little child, therefore he knows, which routes are good to go and which ones you should avoid. Sometimes the offers of hiking spots in Austria can get quite overwhelming, so here are my recommendations for every hiking occasion!

1.Carinthia: Way of Love

Newly enamored lovers, couples and hiking enthusiasts are drawn to the Millstätter Alpe high above Lake Millstatt this summer. Up there, nearby Alexander lodge, the “Way of Love. Sentiero dell‘ Amore“ begins. This is indicated by the steel plate that lovers write their thoughts down on. Starting your hiking tour from here will offer you three inspiring hours and seven places that facilitate sensuous meetings and encounters with people and nature, which invite you to rest for a moment. Seven books, one at each stop, accompany hikers who try to learn more about human relationships and the emotions they entail. „What is love?” and “what feeds it?” are only two of the questions they will be confronted with. Quotes, poems, and stories will help finding the answers. At the final seventh stop, the Garnet Gate – a gateway filled with tons of garnets – will allow the hikers to take a look at their future together to complete the tour.

Length: 3h     Difficulty: Medium.  More information: here



2.Tyrol: Circular Hike Riegetal – Großsee – Hochzeiger

This mountain hike of intermediate difficulty takes in the 2,560m Hochzeiger peak. It begins with a walk into the Riegetal Valley, a side valley branching off the larger Pitztal Valley. This quiet and secluded region in the west of Tirol is a protected nature reserve and home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Highlights include marmots, mountain salamanders, chamoix and sheep as well as many bright alpine flowers in bloom. The hike also passes the Groaßsee lake, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Pitztal Valley, where the craggy peaks of the Wildgrat mountains are reflected on the water’s surface. Magical!

Length: 5h. Difficulty: intermediate. More information: here

 
3. Salzburg: Kapuzinerberg

This is my recommendation for everybody who hates hiking, but has a family that loves hiking (Yeah Mum this is more of an “Us” trail!) Because although you are hiking, you can see Salzburg from the top and you can go for a coffee and a cake afterwards! 

The 640 meters-high Kapuzinerberg lies to the right of the River Salzach. Its green plateau provides a population recreation area for walkers, hikers and fans of all kinds of outdoor sports. The mountain is home to churches, an abbey, along with meandering hiking paths, and even chamois!

Length: depends on how long you want to go.       Difficulty: easy.       More information:here

4. Carinthia: Seebachtal/Hohe Tauern

This is our go-to hiking trail, because it is easy for the whole family, you have a beautiful scenery, a natural playground for children and furthermore the best blueberry “Schmarrn” at Schwussnerhütte!

Located in the Mallnitz region, the Seebach valley is one of the most pristine valleys left in complete natural state in the Eastern Alps – als another nature jewel lies in this magnificent landscape: the Stappizer lake. Nature monuments are quite important the langjährigen Carinthian mythology – in fact the legend tells that the famous Lindwurm emerged from this spot all the way down to Klagenfurt though the Möll and Drau rivers. This quiet, deep-blue lake with its typical reeds vegetation is also a paradise for birds (resting place for birds of passage). A visit to the Stappitzer lake is anyways worthwhile not only in the summer months: in fact also in winter the frozen lake surrounded by a glittering snow landscape is a breathtaking view. 

Length: 2h.      Difficulty: easy, even for kids.      More information: here

5.Styria: From the Glacier to the Wine

This tour from the eternal ice on the Dachstein to the wine country of Styria makes the hearts of nature lovers beat faster. Imposing mountains, nature reserves, rich cultural history, hot thermal springs and regional cuisine. You can experience all of this in the truest sense of the word on the new long-distance hiking path from the Dachstein to wine country on a northern and southern route.

But not only is the route the destination, but in addition to the diverse landscape whose density is unrivalled in Europe, there are also numerous culinary and cultural highlights to be discovered on this journey. The trip starts on the Dachstein glacier at the foot of the Dachstein and all of its 2,995 metres.

Length: That´s up to you and how long you want to go.  Difficulty: Depends which sort of trail you take, but in general this is nothing to do with kids.   More information: here

I hope you like this post and got some inspiration from it! If you have some hiking recommendations, write them in the comments, so I can check them out too! 

Love, Sophie

`The pictures are not mine! If you click on more information under each picture you will find the pictures and will be referred to the site I took them from!