Walking In Austria’s National Parks

When it comes to destinations for a rambling holiday, few spots in the world can beat the Alps. With its stunning landscapes and challenging yet accessible trails, it is easy to see why this mountain range has been attracting hikers of all ages for the past few decades.

However, while the Alps as a whole are well-known as a prime trekking destination, most enthusiasts planning to go walking in Austria, for example, may not be aware of just exactly which locations within that country’s portion of the Alps offer the best trails and hikes. For them, a good bet might be to try out one of the country's Alpine national parks, of which there are six, all offering excellent opportunities.

A Walk In The Park

Regardless of which of these parks they choose for their holiday break walking in Austria, keen trekkers are unlikely to be disappointed. The country is well known for its quaint landscapes, and the Alps in particular have more than their fair share of these. A visit to any of the main national parks will therefore provide tourists with a passion for hiking with an opportunity to enjoy all this country has to offer in that regard.

A good starting point for this type of holiday might be the Hohe Taurern (or High Towers) National Park. With a deserved reputation as the country’s main natural reserve, this sprawling 2000-square-kilometre area offers the perfect mix of mildly taxing mountain trails and gentle, scenic meadows, providing rambling enthusiasts with a taste of both the main features the Austrian Alps are known for. Highlights of this location include the country's highest mountain, Grossglockner (sure to present a challenge for experienced ramblers walking in Austria) as well as the country’s largest glacier.

Another great option is the Kalkalpen National Park. This is the country's largest protected forest area, and offers a multitude of caves and forest trails to explore, along with plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of Austrian wildlife. Animal and plant enthusiasts should definitely not pass up the chance to visit this park and partake in its natural diversity.

Worthy Alternatives

Aside from these two main national parks, hikers are likely to enjoy any of the other four areas of this type scattered across the country. While offering less in the way of remarkable sights, the Gesauese, Neusiedler See, Donau-Auen, and Thayatal parks still provide plenty of good rambling opportunities and breath-taking Alpine views. The latter three in particular are laid out over rather gentle terrain, making them perfect for beginners just discovering the pursuit of rambling.

All of these parks possess a variety of clearly marked and laid-out hiking paths, further cementing them as top-shelf options for holidays involving walking in Austria.

Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us on a holiday walking in Austria to see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 140 guided group walking holidays in over 60 different countries.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.