Plan your trip to the Austrian Alps
After almost two decades of being nomadic, I finally settled in a small village in Tyrol in the Austrian Alps. These days, I spend time exploring my outdoor backyard and slowly compiling my experiences into a comprehensive hiking, via ferrata, and biking guide to the Austrian Alps. This is currently a work in progress, and articles are added regularly. If you need personalised help, you can schedule a call with me.
Austrian Alps Guide: Categories
Hut to Hut Treks
With over 950 alpine huts in Austria, 400 of which are in Tyrol, there is no shortage of hut-to-hut trekking routes. Visit some that I have already undertaken to get some inspiration for your next backpacking trip.
Via Ferrata Routes
There are approximately 500 via ferrata routes in Austria, and each year ca. 10 new routes are established. Via ferrata scrambling has risen in popularity in recent years. Check out some of the routes I have already done.
Day Hikes
If you prefer to stay in a hotel in a valley instead of a basic mountain hut, you can still tackle many day hikes in the Austrian Alps. In this category of my Austrian Alps guide, you will find out my favourites.
(E)-Bike Routes
Whether you are a mountain biker or prefer the battery-powered e-bikes, you will find countless bike routes in the Austrian Alps that lead to mountain huts, from where you can extend your trip by adding a summit hike.
Travel Itineraries
Do you plan a trip to the Austrian Alps but don’t know where to start? Check out some of my sample itineraries for outdoor lovers who want to include hikes, biking trips, and via ferratas in their holiday plans.
My most recent articles about the Austrian Alps
FAQ
Browse through my frequently asked questions section about the Austrian Alps to learn more and get you started with your planning
When is the best time to visit the Austrian Alps if I want to hike?
The hiking season starts officially in mid-June, and that’s when most backcountry huts open. July and August are hot and tempestuous but very beautiful. August is the month of holidays for many Europeans, and the trails can get very busy. September and October are my favourites. The summer storms subside, and so do the tourist numbers. Autumn colours start to transform the region. Most alpine huts close by the end of September. The ski season in the Austrian Alps starts at the end of October and finishes toward the end of April. During that time, hiking is only possible in the valleys or in selected areas, with no avalanche danger. If you choose to travel in the spring (May – mid-June), look for south-facing via ferratas and hikes. With longer sun exposure, they’ll have the highest chance of being snow-free.
How much time do I need to see the Austrian Alps?
I think a good amount of time to explore is at least one week, but of course, feel free to stay as long as you’d like. I can guarantee you won’t run out of things to do. If you only have one week, I recommend focusing on one or at most two regions.
What is the best way to travel to the Austrian Alps?
The closest international airport is in Innsbruck, which is the capital of Austria’s Tyrol region. If you are coming from overseas, it might also make sense to fly to Munich, Germany, and then rent a car, take a train, or take a bus to your chosen holiday destination. Munich is approximately 2 hours away from Innsbruck.
Do I need a car to travel around the Austrian Alps?
It depends. If you really value your independence, having a car will certainly give you more of it. I always use Discover Cars to compare prices and make bookings abroad. With that said, having a car is absolutely not necessary to travel around the Austrian Alps. There is almost no destination here that cannot be reached either via train or by bus. The public transport network is so far the best I have experienced in the World.
How to travel the Austrian Alps without a car?
This guide currently focuses on Austria’s Tyrol region, where I live. You will notice that for each guide to a day hike, hut-to-hut trek, and via ferrata route, I have included a section explaining how to reach the trailheads by public transport. If you want to check the schedule or purchase tickets, you can download the VVT (Verkehrsverbund Tirol) app. Many hotels also provide a guest card, which allows you to use public transport free of charge. This is a great scheme to limit the negative impact of cars on the environment. I encourage anyone to use it.
Are the Austrian Alps campervan-friendly?
As someone who lived in a campervan for extended periods, I think the Austrian Alps are relatively campervan-friendly. There are plenty of campsites, but they do tend to be quite expensive and crowded. Driving through the Alps certainly requires confidence, as some roads are narrow and windy. Doing that in a large campervan makes it even more difficult. Personally, I think it is better to just rent a compact car and stay in hotels, but if you are set on travelling in a camper, then Motorhome Republic is a perfect website for price comparison.
What language is spoken in the Austrian Alps?
German is the official language in Austria, but many dialects are spoken here. It seems to me that each valley has developed its own dialect, and some of them are very difficult for me to understand, even though I am fluent in German. English is also widely spoken amongst the tourism industry workers, and you have absolutely nothing to worry about if you don’t speak German.
What’s the tipping culture like in the Austrian Alps?
The restaurant workers are generally paid minimum wage or slightly above that. Tipping is a normal part of Austrian culture, and depending on the service quality (which is usually excellent), you should leave a 5-10 % tip. You are usually expected to round up your total; for example, if your bill is 41.50, you can round it up to 45 euros, which gives an 8% tip.
Can I use my credit card when visiting the Austrian Alps?
One of the cultural shocks I received when I first moved to Austria was how often I was required to pay in cash. It took me a while to get used to the fact that I should always have cash on me. Particularly in ski resorts. An ATM next to an alpine hut on a mountain is not an uncommon sight. With that said, paying with cards is normal in hotels, restaurants, shops & supermarkets.
Is it expensive to travel in the Austrian Alps?
Living in Austria, particularly in Tyrol, is not cheap. While wages are among the lowest in the country, the cost of living is the highest. Living in the mountains certainly comes with a high price tag. The same goes for tourists visiting the region. It’s hard to get a meal with a drink in a restaurant for less than 20 Euros. With that said, you have plenty of activities, like hiking or via ferratas, that won’t cost you a dime. There are also many accommodation options to suit every budget.
What is a klettersteig?
Klettersteig is a German word for a via ferrata or an iron path. Throughout my guide to the Austrian Alps, you will notice that I use the term Klettersteig frequently. In German, klettern means to climb or scramble, and Steig means a steep path. Put those two words together, as Germans love to do in their language, and you will get a Klettersteig.
Is freedom camping allowed in the Austrian Alps?
Strictly not. If you want to be in the mountains, there are many mountain huts where you can stay overnight instead. If you are going to break the rules, please don’t litter, don’t destroy any flora, and don’t light any campfires.
What are the best day hikes in the Austrian Alps?
There are countless day hikes you can do in Tyrol. So far, 3 of my favourites are: the 4-lakes hike in the Ötz Valley, Mutterberg See in the Stubai Valley, and Schönjochl above the Plansee lake. Guides to these hikes are coming soon.
What are the best hut-to-hut treks in the Austrian Alps?
So far, I have done 4 hut-to-hut treks in Tyrol, and I loved them all. Each year, I will be adding guides to new ones, because there are just so many backpacking trips I can do during one summer season. Below are my favourites so far:
What is the weather like in the Austrian Alps during the hiking season?
May is a really beautiful time of the year, but just don’t expect many hiking trails to be open because there is still a lot of snow at higher elevations. You should look for south-facing trails, where snow melts a lot faster. May is also a great month to start mountain biking. June is splendid, but hold your horses and don’t fall into a trap! If you plan your trip for June, let it be the second half of the month; there is no guarantee the trails will be snow-free. July and August are hot. Temperatures above 30 °C (86°F) in the valleys are not uncommon, but it is a lot cooler at higher elevations. In the summer months, the mornings are generally calm, but in the afternoon, as temperatures rise, tumultuous clouds build, resulting in heavy downpours and thunderstorms. The storms are quick and intense, generally not lasting long. In the peak summer months of July and August, I try to wake up early (around 5 AM). I do my hikes or climbs until around midday, then relax in the afternoon. This way, I’m avoiding the hottest time of the day, and I am finished by the time the afternoon storm rolls around. September and October have plenty of blue-bird, brilliantly sunny days. They are my favourite months. I’m flabbergasted that the majority of huts close in September and many towns turn into ghost towns in October. The autumn colours start to show in late September, usually peaking between mid-October and early November.
What is a Hütte?
Hütte is the German word for Alpine hut. If I were to describe them in my own words, I would call them high-alpine hostels. Almost all of them have restaurants, and most have overnight accommodations that hikers can use for a fee. They are often the most scenic options among your accommodation choices, so I highly recommend staying in as many as possible.
Is it safe to travel solo around the Austrian Alps?
After living in Austria for a few years, I can say that this is one of the safest countries in the World. Petty crime is virtually non-existent. I have hiked solo on a few occasions and never felt unsafe. Phone reception is generally quite good, even in the mountains, should you need help. Always tell others about your plan, though, before venturing out on your own.
Do you still have more questions?
You can schedule a one-on-one call with me, and I can answer any questions about travelling in the Austrian Alps.
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