The best walks and hikes in Upper Austria

Upper Austria offers an extensive network of over 17,800 hiking trails. These routes cater to all levels, from leisurely walks to challenging alpine ascents, and have been explored by more than 368,000 hikers using komoot.

Upper Austria boasts incredibly diverse landscapes. You'll find picturesque pre-Alpine regions with numerous crystal-clear lakes like Traunsee and Hallstätter See in the Salzkammergut. The Kalkalpen National Park features extensive forests, wild gorges, and panoramic mountain peaks. The Pyhrn-Priel region offers striking peaks, dense forests, and idyllic mountain lakes, including the impressive Tote Gebirge mountains.

Yes, Upper Austria has over 8,500 easy hiking routes perfect for beginners and families. Many trails offer gentle paths, such as lakeside walks or interactive nature trails. A great option is the Family hike on the Heilbronn circular hiking trail in Dachstein Salzkammergut, which is moderate but designed with family enjoyment in mind.

Absolutely. For experienced hikers, Upper Austria offers over 1,100 difficult routes. The Tote Gebirge mountains, with peaks like Grosse Priel and Warscheneck, provide demanding tours. The Stoderer Dolomiten Trail is an impressive high-altitude route with dramatic views, and the 7-lake view hike and 3-summit tour offers panoramic vistas and summit ascents.

Yes, Upper Austria is home to spectacular gorges and waterfalls. The Dr. Vogelgesang Gorge in the Kalkalpen National Park is a notable highlight, offering secure wooden walkways alongside roaring waterfalls. You can experience this on the Durch die Dr. Vogelgesang-Klamm hike.

Upper Austria is known for its long-distance routes. The BergeSeen Trail, covering 23 stages and over 370 kilometers, winds through the scenic Salzkammergut region. Another significant route is the Kalkalpenweg, an 11-day, 150 km trail through the Kalkalpen National Park. These trails offer multi-day adventures with stunning scenery.

Yes, many hiking routes in Upper Austria are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the Wanderung zum Hinteren Gosausee is a popular circular trail offering beautiful views of the lake and surrounding landscape.

Hiking in Upper Austria often leads to fascinating attractions. You might encounter impressive summits like Schober Summit, or pass by cozy alpine huts such as Dümler Hut and Gablonzer Hut. The region also features significant mountain passes like Hengstpass and Pyhrn Pass, offering historical and scenic interest.

Many hiking routes in Upper Austria are accessible by public transport, making it convenient to explore the natural beauty without a car. This allows for point-to-point hikes or reaching trailheads in more remote areas.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 53,000 reviews. Reviewers often praise the diverse terrain, from serene lakeside paths to challenging mountain ascents, the crystal-clear lakes, dense forests, and the well-maintained network of trails that cater to all abilities.

Yes, the Salzkammergut region, in particular, is famous for its numerous crystal-clear lakes such as Traunsee, Attersee, Mondsee, and Hallstätter See. Many hiking trails run alongside these lakes, offering refreshing opportunities for a swim during warmer months.

The best time for hiking in Upper Austria generally spans from late spring to early autumn (May to October). During these months, the weather is typically mild, and trails are clear of snow, especially at lower elevations. Alpine routes are best enjoyed in mid-summer (July and August) when snow has melted from higher peaks.