Discover Austria: A Thrilling Adventure Awaits
For a small country, Austria packs in plenty of adventure, particularly if you love rugged and mountainous terrain.
Austria is often overlooked as an adventure destination; its mountains may not be as high as its Swiss and French neighbors. However, the charm, lakes, and cultural richness make up for it. There are awe-inspiring escapades to be had here: paraglide over the magical city of Salzburg, embark on a high-adrenaline summer tobogganing run (the Rodelbahn), or conquer a Klettersteig (via ferrata) on the spectacular Dachstein massif. You can also find world-class rapids along the Ötztaler River, engage in epic ski mountaineering in the Silvretta, or bike alongside legends in Leogang and the Tour de France star Eddy Merckx in the Salzkammergut. If all this sounds exhausting, indulge in Kaiserschmarrn, a calorie-packed pancake, or enjoy an Augustiner beer to unwind.
Hiking & Trail Running
Austria’s mountains have always been a popular destination for hiking holidays. The narrow, undulating trails are exceptionally well-suited for the growing tribe of trail runners seeking challenging climbs and epic views, with a mountain hut always nearby. The classic 120km Stubaier Höhenweg, which usually takes hikers seven to nine days, can be covered in half that time. Expect steep forest singletrack winding past thundering waterfalls and soft, fast trails contoured along the hillsides leading to glacial scree and rock formations.
A shorter but equally dramatic excursion is crossing the Ötztal mountains from the famous Gepatsch Haus to Sölden. This 33km trek involves two mountain ridges, demanding strong lungs and well-trained quads (and ideally, poles). Enjoy cold beer and stunning glacial views at Braunschweiger Hut (2758m) before your final descent into Sölden.
Mountaineering, Climbing & Skiing
While it’s easy to consider the Alps as a single chain of mountains, many diverse groups emerge upon closer inspection. Within Austria, mountain ranges like the Silvretta to the Stubaital and the Kaisergebirge to the Karawanken all possess unique identities and characteristics. Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner (3798m), presents a challenging ascent that requires crampons, rope, an ice axe, and the know-how to use them effectively.
Most of Austria’s tallest peaks are found in the Ötztal, the site where the 5000-year-old mummy of Ötzi was discovered. In winter, this area transforms into a playground for ski tourers. Skiing off the Wildspitze (3770m), the country’s second highest mountain, is an exhilarating experience on any big-mountain skier’s tick list. Additionally, Innsbruck serves as a hub for rock climbers, surrounded by some of Austria’s finest crags made of granite and limestone.
Whitewater Kayaking
Experiencing a landscape from a river’s perspective provides a uniquely immersive adventure. Kayaking through rapids and navigating narrow chutes delivers pure adrenaline and is arguably more thrilling than any other adventure sport. Austria is home to some of the best class III to IV rivers in the Alps. One of the premier locations is the River Inn, flowing east across Austria from the Swiss border through Tyrol before merging into the River Danube. This river and its tributaries offer breathtaking kayaking and whitewater rafting experiences. The Ötztaler River, former venue for the annual Sickline Extreme World Championships, offers class V rapids for pros and gentler routes for beginners. Most guided experiences conclude at Area 47, an extreme waterpark boasting thrilling attractions like an 80kph freefall slide and canyoning adventures.
Mountain Biking
If you’re serious about mountain biking, then Bikepark Leogang is your destination. This World Cup venue features nine trails varying in difficulty, from steep downhill runs to flowing singletrack. In Austria, the concept of cycling uphill is often seen as a challenge to endure, generally on wide fire tracks. However, those who relish the challenge will find joy in the 210km Salzkammergut Trophy, considered one of the toughest mountain biking marathons in the world with an astonishing elevation gain of 7119m as it winds through the striking World Heritage region of Hallstatt. This picturesque village, nestled between a lake and steep cliffs, is renowned for its beauty and is home to one of the oldest salt mines globally. The route also passes near the estate where Emperor Franz Joseph’s court initiated WWI.
Paragliding
Every two years, the world’s elite paragliding pilots gather in Salzburg for the exciting Red Bull X-Alps, where athletes hike and fly 1000km across the Alps to Monaco, often in just a week. Along this route are exceptional flying sites, such as the Gaisberg (1288m), which offers breathtaking views over Salzburg’s Baroque cathedrals and the majestic peaks of Berchtesgaden. The Pinzgau valley near Zell am See is renowned for its reliable thermals, ideal for cross-country flying, though caution is advised concerning the troublesome warm wind known as “föhn” that can hinder flights.
Road Cycling
Cycling in The Sound of Music country offers stunning landscapes. The picturesque Salzkammergut region, famous for the musical, is a cyclist’s paradise, featuring the Eddy Merckx Classic. Expect lush Alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes, and plenty of welcoming stops for kaffee (coffee) and kuchen (cake).
