The hills are alive in the Austrian Alps, a particularly scenic corner of the globe. These peaks —with their razor-sharp summits piercing the skies above emerald valleys—beg to be explored on foot, by bike, or skis. In fact, exploring them is a favorite Alpine pastime. But the Austrian Alps offer more than outdoor adventure. You can visit gothic castles and abbeys, marvel at ornate Hapsburg palaces and cathedrals, delve into the chocolate-box cities of Innsbruck and Salzburg, and applaud works by Mozart and Strauss at the Salzburg Festival and Bregenzer Festspiele.
The Austrian Alps are a year-round destination. Skiers and boarders flock to these superb slopes in winter when the Alpine towns seem like holiday cards come to life under a dusting of snow. With the arrival of spring, skis are switched for hiking boots as outdoor enthusiasts hit the trails to admire flower-strewn meadows and verdant valleys, which also offer a high-altitude escape from summer heat.
Austria has an excellent rail network, allowing you to reach the cities and larger towns via some scenic routes. Consider a rail pass if you plan on traveling by train. To reach remote Alpine villages, you’ll need to rent a car, take a bus, or hike or bike the trails (bicycles are available for rent at many rail stations). Cable cars linking the valleys with the summits transport skiers in winter and hikers in summer.
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the Austrian Alps, but there are a few things to know. There is no universal trail-marking system in Austria, but routes with blue signage are generally the easiest, red trail markings indicate medium difficulty, and black trails are the most difficult. Only attempt routes with signs warning “Nur für Geübte” (only for experienced hikers), if you are a seasoned mountain hiker with adequate gear.
