Walking

Austria’s famous Alpine scenery, crystal-clear lakes and rich flora and fauna provide the ideal setting for rewarding walking experiences.

Hiking options are available in all parts of the country along a vast network of paths - marked, mapped and maintained by various Alpine associations and by local tourist authorities - as well as a far-flung hut system. Particular favorites are the Innsbruck and Tirol regions, whose mountain and lake resorts offer excellent vacation bases for day hikes and longer treks.

Among the paths that all walkers love to follow are: the Vorarlberg Mountains between Lake Constance and Alpine glaciers; the Alpbach Valley & the Tirolean Lake District; the Danube Trail through the Wachau Valley; the eastern region of Burgenland on the Hungarian border.

Walking tour specialists offer international itineraries starting in Vienna and ending in Prague.

Biking

The Danube Cycling Path is the most prominent of all bike routes, and offers a tour that includes some of Austria’s most impressive cultural sites. Starting at the historic German border town of Passau, the trail follows the Danube River all the way to Vienna. En route you pass through the Wachau Valley and its historic towns of Melk, Duernstein and Krems.

Upper Austria has developed an outstanding infrastructure of clearly marked routes for cyclists.

Biking itineraries also link Vienna to Prague, and some stay along the way at such royal retreats as the Schlosshotel Obermayerhofen castle in Styria.

Skiing

The birthplace and world capital of downhill skiing, Austria leads the pack with an amazing variety of resorts and activities, extensive lift systems, cozy and sparkling villages plus world class ski schools. Consider just a few of the major Austrian ski centers.

Innsbruck: The sports capital of the Alps and twice host to the Winter Olympics, Innsbruck combines old world charm with some of the world’s best mountains for skiing and snow-boarding. The city has developed an outstanding system of free ski busses that whisk visitors to any of the six major ski areas around town, as well as to nearby St. Anton and Kitzbuhel. Free shuttle bus service links the various ski areas, and the “Super Ski Pass” is the key to 310 miles of ski-able terrain and 200 lifts. Non- skiers have plenty of opportunities for sightseeing as well as joining in for the apres-ski fun.

Kitzbuhel: A perfect Tyrolean town and the world’s most famous ski race, the Hahnenkammrennen define this center of Alpine skiing, which has 53 lifts and more than 100 miles of runs.

The Arlberg: Not only the region where modern Alpine skiing was born, but a popular playground for European royalty and other serious skiers heading for St. Anton and other resorts.

Semmering and Spital am Semmering: From either Vienna or Graz, skiers head here for runs catering to every level of skill; home to World and European Cup racing.

Zell am See and Kaprun: 60 lifts, 90 miles of runs, 130 miles of cross country, plus snow boarding, skating, ice surfing, tobogganing and apres ski at its finest; most easily accessible from Salzburg.

More information

For more on Austria's outdoor activities click here.