Austrian Alps
Austria

Austrian Alps

Cross the Austrian Alps on foot through some of Europe's most dramatic mountain terrain, from the Kitzbühel peaks to the Italian Dolomites, on well-marked trails built for walkers who take their mountains seriously.

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Overview

Walk through the heart of the Austrian Alps on a landscape shaped by centuries of mountain culture. Austria has over 50,000 kilometres of meticulously marked trails, a network of mountain huts serving cold beer and hearty Tyrolean food, and a walking tradition that stretches back to the 19th century. The routes cross high alpine passes, glacier-carved valleys and historic postcard villages, with cable cars available to access the highest terrain. Whether tackling the full crossing of the Austrian Alps or the spectacular traverse from Kitzbühel to the Dolomites, the scenery is relentless and the infrastructure exceptional.

Available Walks

Hiker on a high-altitude trail offering a sprawling panoramic view of the Inn Valley - supplied by Eurohike
Self-Guided

Crossing the Austrian Alps - 8 days

Duration8 days
Walking Grade
5
From$2,260
View Walk
Red backpack hanging at a bench in the quintessential spirit of an Alpine summer hike in Austria - supplied by Eurohike
Self-Guided

Panoramic Peaks of the Kitzbuhel Alps - 8 days

Duration8 days
Walking Grade
4
From$2,135
View Walk

The Austrian Alps experience

Wonder
Trek across the Kitzbuhel Alps with panoramic views of more than 30 peaks above 3,000 metres
Cross the main Alpine ridge at Sandjochl pass on paths once used by smugglers
Walk the spectacular Nordkette ridge with the city of Innsbruck spread far below
Wellness
Refuel at rustic alpine huts with local Tyrolean delicacies, including Buchteln and Nidai
The Kitzbuhel Alps walk suits confident walkers who want genuine high-route mountain terrain
Comfortable hotels in resort villages like Saalbach-Hinterglemm each evening
Nature
Traverse the Wetterstein, Karwendel, and Stubai Alps through three countries in a single walk
Walk through the thundering Partnach Gorge before climbing into the high alpine world above
Flower-filled meadows, cowbell valleys, and turquoise alpine lakes throughout the route
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Local recommendations are coming soon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The walking season runs from May through October, though the exact window varies by itinerary. The Lakeside Trails and Alpine Trails of Austria's Lake District are available from early May to early October — prime time for wildflowers, open alpine huts, and long evening light. The Crossing the Austrian Alps has a shorter window, mid-June to late September, when the high passes are reliably clear and the mountains are at their most dramatic.

Solo walkers are not accepted on any of the Austrian itineraries. Some sections of the trail pass through remote alpine terrain with limited mobile coverage, and the safety risk of walking alone in those areas is genuine. These walks are best done with a companion or small group.

Your main luggage travels ahead each day while you walk with just a daypack. Leave your bag at hotel reception each morning and it will be waiting at your next stop by the time you arrive. On the Crossing the Austrian Alps, bags must be ready by 8:00am, must be soft-sided (no hard cases), and weigh no more than 20kg. On the Lakeside Trails and Alpine Trails, the cut-off is 9:00am with a 20kg limit per bag. Keep your bag manageable — occasionally you may need to carry it a short distance from a bus stop or up a flight of stairs.

Across all three itineraries, you'll stay in a mix of 3 and 4-star hotels, country inns, and guesthouses, all handpicked for their comfort and local character. Ensuite bathrooms and a hearty local breakfast are standard. Lunch and dinner are your own to explore — and that's genuinely part of the appeal. Alpine huts serving homemade pastries, lakeside beer gardens, and village restaurants are all part of the experience.

A well-fitted daypack is all you need on the trail. Pack your rain jacket, a warm layer, one to two litres of water, lunch and snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, a basic first aid kit, and some cash. Walking poles are worth bringing, particularly for the rocky descents on the Alps crossing. Most daypacks are not fully waterproof, so line yours with a heavy-duty plastic bag or use a waterproof cover — afternoon storms in the mountains are not uncommon.

Alpine weather moves fast. A clear morning can turn into an afternoon storm with little warning, and visibility can drop quickly at altitude. Pack for sunshine and rain in equal measure. At least one person in your group should be comfortable reading a map and compass if conditions deteriorate on more remote sections of the trail.

Austria uses the Euro. Cards are widely accepted in hotels and larger towns, but you will need cash for local bus fares along the trail — these run between roughly EUR 5 and EUR 22 per person, cannot be pre-booked, and must be paid on the day. It's worth carrying a decent amount before heading out each morning.

Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up the bill at a cafe or restaurant is standard practice and always warmly received.

Only breakfast is included in the trip package, which gives you flexibility to eat around most dietary needs at lunch and dinner. Austrian cuisine leans heavily on meat and dairy, so strict vegans may need to plan ahead and seek out specific restaurants in larger towns. If your requirements are complex, stock up on supplementary snacks in the city before heading out on the trail.

Yes, and it is a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, cancellation, luggage loss, and medical evacuation. These are self-guided walks through genuine alpine terrain — adequate insurance is not optional.

Coverage is reliable in towns and most settled areas, but can be patchy on more remote sections of the alpine tracks. Carry your phone fully charged, bring a backup power bank for longer days, and know that most accommodations have WiFi.

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