Nature and parks in Austria

Gesäuse National Park is a true hiker's paradise with numerous beautiful hiking trails through the mountainous landscape. It is also possible to go canoeing, explore the huge Enns River, go mountain biking or climb the rock walls. In winter there are good opportunities for cross-country skiing.

The 11,000-hectare area consists of three main types of terrain: water, forest and rocks. Over millions of years, the waters of the Enns River have eroded the mountain range, creating a gorge with rock walls that reach a staggering 1,800 metres into the air. In some places you can find waterfalls over 100 metres high! In other words, Gesäuse National Park has everything you could want, from water sports to idyllic hikes.

The very best way to get up close to the stunning Austrian countryside is on foot. Hohentauern and the entire surrounding Styrian region offer hikes you'll never forget, with rugged mountains, idyllic streams and vast forested areas. In the east of the region you will find some of Europe's largest alpine pastures and to the south the beautiful and gentle wine country. The routes are incredibly varied and include both short and long hikes, easy and difficult terrain and mountain climbing. The tourist office in Hohentauern will help you find the perfect route for you.

Glide through the stunning landscapes of Styria by bike. The region is tailor-made for cycling, whether you are an experienced mountain biker or just a nature lover on two wheels. Styria is ideal for summer holidays or active holidays and the scenery changes regularly as you move around, with rugged mountains to the north, vast beautiful meadows to the east and gentle wine country to the south. Idyllic waterfalls and rushing rivers, lush green forests and turquoise bubbling springs are just some of the things you'll encounter on your way. The routes are countless and extremely varied and at the tourist offices around Styria, you can find maps and help to plan just the right route for you.

If you like beautiful scenery, book a hotel with Risskov and take a cheap self-drive holiday to Edelrautehütte, which is a great hiking destination. From here, plenty of new routes pop up that you'll want to explore. Set in a sublime mountain landscape at 1,725 metres above sea level, this small hut is the perfect place to stay. From here you also have a view of the beautiful alpine meadows and the mountains of the Gesäuse to the north. Right next door are the Scheibel Lakes, which are always a delightful place to stay.

Gollinger vandfaldet er en af egnens mest besøgte og romantiske naturlige seværdigheder. Her kan I opleve vandet, der falder 75 meter ned i dalen. I kan parkere knap 10 minutters gang fra vandfaldet.

Det koster omkring 3 euro for en voksen at besøge vandfaldet.

Lammerklamm (also known as Lammer Gorge) is a stunning natural monument near Scheffau in Salzburg. Carved by the Lammer River through steep limestone cliffs, the gorge stretches around 1,000 meters with a 43-meter drop between narrow and wide sections. A secure trail of wooden walkways, stairs, and bridges lets you explore “Dark Gorge” and calm pools of bright turquoise water in comfort. Open from spring through autumn, this scenic walk is well-suited for families, with nearby parking, restrooms, and optional entry from Oberscheffau that includes a traditional inn.

Hiking in the region is fun. At the top of the scale you'll find the Dobratsch Nature Park, which is not only a delightful garden of rare plants, but also has the highest mountain church in Europe. The cable cars make sure that from the beginning of the hike, you are not completely out of breath and never reach the top. They take you easily and comfortably to dizzying heights. The guided hikes guarantee that you won't miss out on the unforgettable mountain experience.

The lake is located northeast of the town of Villach, and is a popular tourist destination. There are several campsites, guesthouses and hotels. During the summer, temperatures in the lake can rise to 28°C, making it a great place to take a dip.

Some of the uninhabited lakeside areas are also protected as nature reserves.

Großglockner is Austria's highest mountain in the Alps and has a height of 3,798 metres. The magnificent mountain is located on the border between the two states of Carinthia and Tyrol in the Glocknergruppe, part of the Hohe Tauern mountain range.

The Raggaschlucht in Flattach is a pure adventure world for those who love hiking. The Raggachlucht is one of the most beautiful gorges in the Alps, surrounded by vertical rock walls and very narrow gorges with the sound of the rushing water in the background. There are waterfalls and at times it can seem like you are standing in the middle of a huge steam bath. An absolutely thrilling experience that testifies to the power of nature.

The Hohe Tauern National Park offers one of the most impressive alpine natural scenarios that cannot be easily matched anywhere else in the world. The highest mountain in Austria, Großglockner, impresses with its 3,798 metres and Pasterze, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, is also a magnificent sight and testifies to the mighty forces of nature that move valleys and make mountains. Beautiful waterfalls such as Fallbach in Malta or Jungfernsprung in Heiligenblut are sought-after tourist destinations, and there are also plenty of cultural monuments such as the famous Apriacher Stockmühlen.

An ideal destination for a summer holiday or mini break for nature lovers. The nature park is a great place to take photos, so be sure to charge your camera and bring it with you.

Jungfernsprung is close to Heiligenlbut in the Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria, and with an impressive 130-metre drop it's easy to spot from the road. There is a path that leads through the forest up to the edge of the waterfall.

The name of the waterfall comes from a local legend which says that a virgin was pursued by a devil and to escape the grim fate that awaited her, she jumped over the cliff but was then rescued by an angel on the line who then gently placed her in the valley, the waterfall then marking where the incident had taken place. Well worth a visit on a driving holiday around Austria.

Liechtensteinklamm is one of the Alps’ most dramatic natural attractions, located near St. Johann im Pongau in Salzburg. This gorge stretches roughly 4 km long with canyon walls rising up to 300 m high—some sections narrow to just a few meters. Visitors can explore a 1 km accessible pathway of wooden walkways, bridges, tunnels, and the impressive 30-meter “Helix” spiral staircase added after recent renovations. The trail leads to a waterfall and offers views that feel both powerful and peaceful thanks to misty air, mossy cliffs, and cascading streams.

Wildspitze is the highest mountain in the Ötztal Alps mountain range in Austria. It is also the second highest mountain in Austria after Großglockner.

The Wilder Kaiser Nature Reserve is one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Alps. Since 1963, the Kaiser mountains, consisting of the two main peaks Zahmer Kaiser and Wilder Kaiser and all their peaks, have been classified as a nature reserve to protect the rare plants and animals that live there and to preserve this magnificent mountain landscape.

Both the Tiroler Adlerweg (Eagle Trail), Tyrol's long-distance hiking trail, and the Jakobsweg (Way of St James), one of the world's most famous pilgrimage routes, lead you through the Wilder Kaiser mountains. The Wilder Kaiser region is known worldwide for its challenging hikes and climbing trails suitable for all levels.

The cosy resort of Zell am See is one of the most beautiful places in Austria, with a stunning location between Lake Zell and the Schmittenhöhe mountains. The small town is surrounded by high mountains and green hills. At the same time, the town is one of the cosiest, with many narrow streets in the centre where you can stroll and enjoy the atmosphere or sit in one of the many pavement cafés. The town square is lively and you can sit and watch the crowds.

One option if you want to enjoy the impressive mountains is to head to Fusch. From here you can take the hairpin turn on the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse panoramic road. On this tour you will reach an altitude of around 2000 meters and you can enjoy the stunning panoramic views throughout the tour.

Krimml Waterfalls are the tallest in Austria, plunging a total of 380 meters in three dramatic tiers. Set in the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, the falls are easily accessible via a well-maintained path with several viewing platforms offering impressive photo stops. Families can also visit the nearby “Water Worlds” exhibition, which combines fun and education about the power of water.

You can expect many wonderful hours in the beautiful nature of the Gastein Valley. Water, mountains and meadows in Salzburgerland lure with romantic charm. Dorfgastein, Salzburgerland, shows itself from spring to autumn from its best side. Majestic mountains, green meadows and vast forests surround you on all your excursions. The Gastein Valley is also called the "valley of water". The refreshing water with the equally refreshing mountain air guarantees a relaxing holiday in Gastein.

The combination of the flat, wide valley and the surrounding beautiful mountains will amaze you. The climate is gentle and mild. If you hike in Gastein, you can experience the unique mountain landscape. In the national park you can conveniently hike from one pasture to the next, or climb the high peaks. Change is guaranteed by the 55 beautiful meadows and 350 km of alpine hiking trails that all await you in Gastein. You can also go on excursions by bike or mountain bike. Whether you prefer the flat valley cycle paths or mountain bike trails in the mountains, you'll find great opportunities in Gastein.

Enjoy an active holiday in beautiful countryside with mysterious lakes, a multitude of flowers in many colours and the majestic mountains. These beautiful surroundings await you in Altaussee, where you will find countless nature activities everywhere. In the mountains surrounding the town there are several marked hiking trails, with different routes for all levels, so you can enjoy a hike in the beautiful nature. The many lakes also offer a wealth of activities, such as swimming in the crystal clear waters, diving, fishing or canoeing. In summer there is an exclusive bathing area at the Kahlseneck snack station. You'll also find great cycling trails and the chance to go high ropes climbing. Find an active holiday with Risskov and get away to Austria at your own pace.