Five of the best hiking destinations in the Austrian Tirol
Looking for a hiking trip this summer? Then the mountains and valleys of Austria’s Tirol are waiting for you…
You could point at anywhere on a map of the Tirol and find the start of an awe-inspiring hike. In the heart of the Austrian Alps, it’s a landscape filled with everything from rolling meadows and luscious valleys to thrilling ridge lines and sky-piercing peaks. The result is in an incredible choice of walks that suit every level of hiker. It’s just a case of choosing where to go!
Here are some of the best regions for a walking holiday:
1. St. Anton am Arlberg
Surrounded by the towering mountains in the west of Tirol, St. Anton am Arlberg is the perfect base for a hiking holiday. It plays host to the final leg of the 413km Eagle Walk, the well-known Tirolean hike that crosses the region from east to west. Taking around four hours from Kaiserjochhaus to St Christoph, the final 17.5km-long section offers a taste of this iconic walk, offering non-stop views of the wild and untouched terrain that the Arlberg is known for.
The Adlerweg (eagle’s path) | Photo: TirolWerbung/Gigler Dominik
2. Kitzbühel
With 1000km of paths running through Kitzbühel’s flower-filled meadows, lush pastures and gentle peaks, it’s easy to forget that the town is also home to one of the toughest ski races in the world – the Streif. But when the snow melts, this infamous ski run turns into a 3.8km hiking path, taking in iconic spots like the Mausefalle (mouse trap) and the steep Steilhang. It takes the best skiers two minutes to complete, but on foot it takes around 2.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to absorb the beautiful mountain scenery.
The start of the legendary Streif ski race | Photo: Michael_Werlberger
3. Alpbach
Made up of shimmering lakes, tranquil villages and untouched mountains, Alpbachtal Seenland is a stunningly diverse area with over 900 km of hiking trails. For a longer hike, it doesn’t get much better than the four-day trek into the Brandenburg Alps. Starting and ending in Kramsach, it passes through the wild Rofan mountains, quaint alpine villages and past the sparkling Zireinsee, with a night at the Bayreuther Hut offering the perfect escape from reality.
See German for lake, and Alpbachtal Seenland is unsurprisingly filled with beautiful lakes and streams | Photo: TirolWerbung/Bernd Ritschel
4. Kitzbüheler Alps
With 2500km of paths offering up every kind of hiking you can imagine, the Kitzbüheler Alps is a walker’s paradise. A great place to start is the Devil’s Alley, a 6.4km tour through a labyrinth of rocky passages near St. Johann. Or hike between the mountain peaks of Gaisberg and Talkaser, taking in glistening mountain lakes and drama-filled views. Be sure to stop off at the Bärstättalm, a mountain inn known for its traditional Tirolean dishes.
Hiking the Teufelweg, or Devil’s Way, in St Johann | Photo: Franz Gerdl
5. Wildschönau
An area known for its warm hospitality, traditional culinary walks and homestays, the Wildschönau makes a great base for an active alpine holiday. 300km of paths lead through the valley’s gentle, grass-covered mountains, dotted with must-visit inns. Walk around the Rosskopf mountain for a panoramic introduction to the valley, while a family friendly walk to Filzmoos Moor shows off the rich nature of this tranquil part of the Austrian Tirol.
Stunning views high above Wildschönau | Photo: A. Mayr
How to get there?
Innsbruck Airport is the gateway to the Austrian Tirol. EasyJet fly there directly from London Gatwick, Bristol and Liverpool. British Airways have direct routes from London Heathrow and Gatwick, while Monarch fly from Birmingham, Manchester and London Gatwick. You can also fly via Vienna or Frankfurt with Lufthansa. Alternatively, Munich airport is roughly a two-hour drive, with transfers operated by Taxi Tirol.
Post sponsored by visittirol.co.uk
