Top 5 Treks in Austria: Expert Picks
Explore Austria’s top trekking routes, from iconic high Alpine circuits to remote wilderness hikes, with expert insights on difficulty, seasons, and highlights.
Anja
January 6, 2026
7 min read
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Austria's Alps offer hundreds of hiking routes, but some stand distinctly above the rest. The best treks in Austria combine dramatic scenery, authentic mountain hut culture, accessible logistics, and that perfect balance of challenge and reward that transforms a hike into an unforgettable adventure.
This guide presents our five favorite multi-day treks—routes we've guided, refined, and watched transform hikers year after year. These aren't just popular trails; they're the routes that consistently deliver the most spectacular Alpine experiences Austria has to offer.
Whether you're seeking glacier views and high passes, wildflower meadows and gentle ridges, or authentic mountain wilderness, these five Austria trekking routes represent the finest experiences the Austrian Alps can deliver.
For comprehensive planning guidance, see our Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Austria, and to choose the perfect season for your adventure, check our guide on the best time to hike in Austria.
1. Stubai High Trail - The Glacier Circuit
The Stubai Höhenweg circles the Stubai Alps in 7 days, delivering glacier panoramas, high Alpine passes, and some of Austria's finest mountain hut hospitality. This is trekking in Austria at its absolute best—a complete mountain range circumnavigation that shows you everything these peaks have to offer.
What makes it special:
The route circumnavigates an entire mountain range with 360-degree perspectives that change dramatically each day. You'll cross multiple passes above 2,500m with stunning glacier views, experience excellent mountain hut infrastructure positioned in spectacular locations, and tackle challenging but achievable terrain—this is true Alpine trekking without technical climbing requirements.
Key details:
Duration: 7 days
Technical difficulty: 4/5 | Fitness level: 3/5
Cumulative elevation gain: ~7,000m
Highest point: ~2,800m
Best season: Late June through mid-September
Highlights on the Way
Stubai Glacier
The Stubai Glacier sits at elevations between 2,300 and 3,210 meters, forming Austria's largest year-round ski area at the head of the Stubai Valley. Its network of lifts provides access to high-altitude viewpoints across the main Alpine ridge, with the Jochdohle summit platform offering panoramic sightlines toward the Ötztal and Zillertal ranges. Glacial retreat patterns here have been documented since the 1850s, making it a reference site for long-term alpine monitoring. The area operates as both a winter sports center and a summer high-mountain access point.
Grawa Waterfall
Grawa Waterfall drops roughly 85 meters across a 200-meter-wide rock face in the upper Stubai Valley, making it one of the broadest curtain-style waterfalls in the Eastern Alps. A suspended footbridge built in 2006 crosses directly in front of the cascade, providing close proximity to the mist zone and unobstructed views of the falling water. Peak flow occurs during late spring and early summer meltwater periods. The site sits along marked trails connecting the Stubai Valley floor with higher alpine zones.
Wilder Freiger Peak
Wilder Freiger reaches 3,418 meters, forming the highest summit in the Stubai Alps and a prominent landmark visible across much of the central Tyrolean valleys. Its twin-peaked profile and glaciated north face create a distinct silhouette that has served as a topographic reference since early alpine surveys. The standard ascent from the Sulzenau Hut crosses moderate glacier terrain, making it accessible to mountaineers with basic ice experience. The summit position offers extended views toward the Ötztal Alps and the Italian border ridge.
Best for: Experienced hikers seeking classic Alpine trekking with sustained high-altitude hiking, dramatic glacier views, and authentic mountain hut culture where you'll share communal dinners with hikers from across Europe.
Experience this legendary circuit:
2. The Glockner Trail - Austria's Highest Peak Journey
The Glockner Trail takes you through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park in 7 days, culminating with spectacular views of Grossglockner—Austria's highest peak at 3,798m. This is one of the best treks in Austria for those seeking big mountain scenery combined with wilderness atmosphere.
What makes it special:
You'll hike through Austria's largest national park with protected wilderness stretching in every direction. The route offers spectacular views of Grossglockner and surrounding glaciated peaks, wildlife-rich terrain where chamois, ibex, golden eagles, and marmots are frequently spotted, and beautiful variety combining high Alpine passes with gentle valley sections. The rich Alpine botanical diversity across varied elevation zones makes this particularly rewarding for nature enthusiasts.
Key details:
Duration: 7 days
Technical difficulty: 3/5 | Fitness level: 3/5
Cumulative elevation gain: ~6,500m
Highest point: ~2,700m
Best season: July through early September
Highlights on the Way
Grossglockner (3,798m)
The Grossglockner rises to 3,798 meters, standing as Austria's highest mountain and the centerpiece of the Hohe Tauern range. Its pyramidal form and prominent position above the Pasterze Glacier have made it a focal point of Austrian alpine history since the first recorded ascent in 1800. The normal route involves glacier travel and exposed rock ridges, requiring technical alpine skills. The mountain's visibility from valleys across Carinthia and Tyrol gives it constant geographic presence in the Eastern Alps.
Pasterze Glacier
The Pasterze Glacier extends roughly 8 kilometers down the eastern flank of the Grossglockner, making it Austria's longest glacier and the most prominent ice feature in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Observation points along the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe road allow direct views of the glacier's surface and lateral moraines without technical access. Documented retreat since measurements began in the 1850s has reduced its length by over 3 kilometers, providing clear evidence of long-term glacial change. The glacier sits within protected park boundaries established in 1981.
Hohe Tauern National Park
Hohe Tauern National Park spans 1,856 square kilometers across Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol, making it the largest protected area in the Alps. Established between 1981 and 1991, the park encompasses elevations from 1,000 to 3,798 meters at the Grossglockner summit, containing extensive glacier systems, alpine meadows, and over 300 peaks above 3,000 meters. The area preserves traditional high-pasture farming alongside wilderness zones where human intervention remains minimal. Its scale and vertical range support one of the most diverse alpine ecosystems in Central Europe.
Best for: Hikers who want big mountain scenery, wildlife spotting opportunities, and varied terrain mixing challenging passes with easier valley walking. This route balances spectacle with accessibility.
Discover Austria's highest peaks:
3. Adlerweg Highlights - The Eagle's Path Sampler
The Adlerweg spans all of Tyrol across 33 stages covering 413km total, but our 5-day highlights section captures the route's most spectacular segments without the full month-long commitment. This makes it one of the most accessible multi-day treks for hikers new to Austria trekking routes.
What makes it special:
You'll sample the best of Austria's longest marked trail without overwhelming time commitments. The route crosses diverse Tyrolean landscapes from dramatic limestone peaks to rolling Alpine meadows, with lower technical demands than Stubai or Glockner routes—making it accessible to more hikers. Experience rich Tyrolean culture through traditional villages, and enjoy flexible routing that allows customization based on your fitness and interests.
Key details:
Duration: 5 days
Technical difficulty: 3/5 | Fitness level: 4/5
Cumulative elevation gain: ~5,000m
Highest point: ~2,400m
Best season: June through September
Highlights on the Way
Karwendel Nature Park
Karwendel Nature Park covers roughly 727 square kilometers north of Innsbruck, forming the largest nature reserve in the Austrian Alps. The park's terrain rises from forested valley floors near 900 meters to the 2,749-meter Birkkarspitze, characterized by limestone plateaus, deep gorges, and limited road access. Established in 1928, it maintains strict regulations that have preserved its remote character despite proximity to urban centers. The park's northern limestone walls create a distinct visual boundary visible across the Bavarian foothills.
Hafelekar Ridge
Hafelekar sits at 2,334 meters above Innsbruck, accessible via the Nordkette cable car system that climbs directly from the city center in under 30 minutes. The exposed ridge provides immediate views across the Inn Valley, the Stubai Alps, and the Zillertal ranges without requiring technical alpine approaches. Its position on the southern edge of the Karwendel massif makes it one of the most accessible high viewpoints in the Northern Limestone Alps. The station marks the upper terminus of infrastructure built in stages between 1928 and 2007.
St. Johann in Tirol
St. Johann in Tirol sits at 659 meters in a broad basin beneath the Kitzbüheler Horn and Wilder Kaiser ranges, functioning as a central hub for the Kitzbühel Alps region. The compact town layout provides quick access to lift systems and trail networks connecting multiple valleys. Its position along historical trade routes between Bavaria and Tyrol shaped its development as a market town from the medieval period onward. Modern transport links keep transfers efficient for hikers moving between the Kaiser and Kitzbühel mountain groups.
Best for: First-time Alpine trekkers wanting a manageable introduction to mountain hut hiking, families with teenagers, or anyone seeking varied scenery without extreme altitude challenges.
Walk the Eagle's Path:
See more about what there is to know about the Eagle’s Path in our dedicated Adlerweg hiking guide.
4. The Ötztal Trek Highlights - Remote Alpine Wilderness
The Ötztal Trek explores one of Austria's wildest and most remote valleys in 6 days, crossing high passes through terrain that feels genuinely untouched and pristine. For hikers seeking solitude and raw mountain beauty, this is authentic trekking in Austria.
What makes it special:
This is one of Austria's most remote and least-crowded major treks, offering dramatic glaciated peaks and rocky high-altitude landscapes that reward your effort with spectacular earned views. Experience authentic wilderness atmosphere with genuine solitude—you might hike for hours without seeing another person. The challenging terrain through valleys with rich mountaineering history makes this particularly appealing to those who appreciate Alpine tradition.
Key details:
Duration: 6 days
Technical difficulty: 3/5 | Fitness level: 3/5
Cumulative elevation gain: ~5,500m
Highest point: ~2,800m
Best season: July through early September (shorter window than other routes)
Highlights on the Way
Wildspitze
Wildspitze reaches 3,768 meters, forming the highest summit in the Ötztal Alps and the second-highest peak in Austria. Its twin summits—north and south—are separated by a glaciated saddle, with the southern peak holding the true high point. The standard route from the Breslauer Hut crosses moderate glacier terrain, making it one of the more accessible 3,700-meter peaks in the Eastern Alps. The mountain's prominence and isolation create long-range visibility across Tyrol and into South Tyrol.
Vent Village
Vent sits at 1,900 meters at the head of the Ötztal, making it one of Austria's highest permanently inhabited villages. Its position provides direct trail access to the Wildspitze, Similaun, and other high Ötztal peaks without long valley approaches. The compact settlement has served as a base for alpine exploration since the late 19th century, when early mountaineers began systematic ascents of the surrounding glaciated summits. Limited road access and elevation preserve a quiet, high-alpine character distinct from lower Ötztal villages.
Pitztal Glacier
The Pitztal Glacier area reaches 3,440 meters at the Hinteren Brunnenkogel, with lift infrastructure providing year-round access to high-altitude terrain at the valley's southern end. The Mittelbergferner and surrounding ice fields form one of Tyrol's most extensive glaciated zones still accessible by cable car. The site includes Austria's highest café at 3,440 meters, built in 2011 with panoramic windows facing the main Alpine ridge. Glacial monitoring here has tracked significant retreat patterns consistent with broader regional trends since the 1980s.
Best for: Experienced hikers seeking solitude, wilderness atmosphere, and raw Alpine beauty away from popular tourist routes. This trek rewards those who value remoteness as much as scenery.
Explore wild Ötztal:
5. 3-Day Hohe Tauern Hut-to-Hut Hike - The Perfect Introduction
For hikers new to mountain hut trekking or those with limited time, this 3-day Hohe Tauern sampler delivers authentic Alpine hiking without the week-long commitment. It's the perfect entry point to Austria trekking routes and mountain hut culture.
What makes it special:
Short enough for a long weekend but capturing genuine Alpine trekking experience, this route offers lower technical demands—making it the perfect first hut-to-hut trek. You'll experience spectacular scenery compressed into just three days, ideal for testing fitness levels before committing to longer routes. It's also a budget-friendly introduction to Austrian Alpine hiking that doesn't sacrifice quality or authenticity.
Key details:
Duration: 3 days
Technical difficulty: 3/5 | Fitness level: 2/5
Cumulative elevation gain: ~2,500m
Highest point: ~2,400m
Best season: Late June through September
Highlights on the Way
Grossglockner Views
Clear views of the Grossglockner's pyramidal summit extend across much of Carinthia and East Tyrol, with the mountain's 3,798-meter peak visible from distances exceeding 100 kilometers under favorable conditions. Viewpoints along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and surrounding ridges offer unobstructed sightlines toward the summit and Pasterze Glacier. The mountain's isolated prominence—rising 2,400 meters above nearby valleys—creates a distinctive profile recognizable across the Eastern Alps. Its visual dominance has made it a geographic reference point in the region for centuries.
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe sits at 2,369 meters along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, offering direct views of the Grossglockner summit and the Pasterze Glacier from an accessible viewing terrace. The site was developed in the 1930s alongside road construction and named after Emperor Franz Joseph I, who visited the area multiple times during the late 19th century. A visitor center provides interpretation of glacial processes and regional geology. The terrace's orientation allows for clear observation of the glacier's terminus and lateral moraines without technical access requirements.
Hohe Tauern National Park
Hohe Tauern National Park spans 1,856 square kilometers across Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol, making it the largest protected area in the Alps. Established between 1981 and 1991, the park encompasses elevations from 1,000 to 3,798 meters at the Grossglockner summit, containing extensive glacier systems, alpine meadows, and over 300 peaks above 3,000 meters. The area preserves traditional high-pasture farming alongside wilderness zones where human intervention remains minimal. Its scale and vertical range support one of the most diverse alpine ecosystems in Central Europe.
Best for: First-time mountain hut hikers, those testing Alpine trekking before bigger commitments, weekend warriors, or anyone with limited vacation time who still wants authentic mountain experiences.
Start your Alpine journey:
Choosing Your Austrian Trek
All five of these best treks in Austria deliver exceptional experiences—the "right" choice depends on your fitness level, experience, available time, and what you hope to experience in the Austrian Alps.
Quick decision framework:
For your first multi-day trek: Start with the 3-Day Hohe Tauern or Adlerweg Highlights—both offer authentic Alpine experiences with manageable technical demands.
For classic Alpine experience: The Stubai High Trail delivers everything that makes trekking in Austria legendary—high passes, glacier views, and spectacular mountain hut positioning.
For the biggest mountains: The Glockner Trail takes you through the heart of Austria's highest peaks with views of Grossglockner dominating your journey.
For genuine solitude: The Ötztal Trek Highlights offers remote wilderness and peaceful trails far from tourist crowds.
If you're looking for something even more accessible, explore our top 5 best hut-to-hut hikes featuring gentler terrain and shorter stages perfect for less experienced mountain hikers.
Are You Ready?
Each of these five Austrian trekking routes represents years of refinement—tested itineraries that consistently deliver transformative mountain experiences. We handle all logistics: mountain hut bookings, route planning, GPS tracks, daily instructions, and full support throughout your trek.
Browse our complete tour collection to explore all available routes, or get in touch to discuss which trek suits your experience level, fitness, and mountain dreams best.
The hardest part of any trek is deciding to go—once you commit, the mountains take care of the rest. See you on the trails!
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