Austria and Grand Angle have been a love story for more than 35 years. Even if France is the most beautiful country in the world (!), Austria is not bad either, when it comes to mountains and mountain culture; we still have plenty to learn from our cousins. Treat yourself this summer with hiking or cycling, and experience something wonderful in this incredible country. And to help you choose, discover our selection of trips to Austria!
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Travelling in Austria, a country of mountains, comfort and gastronomy
Austria is home to the Alps across 2/3 of its territory. The eastern part of the Alps stretches west to east, divided into massifs, with a high central ridge, where you find the Ötztal and Hohe Tauern massifs, culminating at 3797m at Grossglockner. With the Alps as a distinguished guest, nature is cherished: nearly 1/4 of the country is protected. Above all, diversity is remarkable, with its limestone or crystalline base depending on the massifs: lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, carved gorges…
Stream in the Zillertal © TVB Mayrhofen Paul Wechselberger
Walchsee Lake in Austria © AdobeStock
Hospitality is the ABC of mountain people: suffice it to say that in Austria, hospitality is in the genes! And since mountains are a harsh environment, why not soften it with beautiful and good lodges, bourgeois inns, curtains with white and red checks, feather quilts, carved balconies adorned with bright geraniums. Even above 2000m, you will meet waitresses in traditional dress (Dirndl), it’s prettier… Along the way, you will appreciate the excellent trail markings. Well done!
Horse-drawn carriage and Dirndl © Oö Tourismus
Hiking works up an appetite, and that’s handy: breakfasts bring joy (and strength to your legs), and the dishes of the Austrian mountains are simple, hearty and delicious. Mmm! happiness, at the end of a stage, to sit down in front of a hot Kaiserschmarrn dusted with icing sugar, or a warm Apfelstrudel!… With your guide, you will stop at mountain dairies; they will introduce you to many other specialities during your trip.
Kaiserschmarrn © Pixabay
Mountain dairy © Laurent Comte
Grand Angle and Tyrol, at the heart of the Austrian Alps
Tyrol is a country in its own right, a mecca of the mountains, with its pointed steeples and steep mountains like Zillertal, its great lakes like Achensee, its charming villages like Walchsee, its beautiful capital Innsbruck. Tyrol is large and varied: Grand Angle offers you a whole choice of self-guided or guided hikes, itinerant or based in one location. Our guided suggestion: hiking and fitness at Walchsee, for a wellness stay in an exotic setting of mid-altitude mountains! Our self-guided suggestion: Achensee lake and Zillertal mountains, through which you will discover the typical landscapes of Tyrol with its lakes and Achenkirch, but also the high alpine mountains and glaciers of Zillertal.
Zillertal © TVB Mayrhofen - Becknaphoto
The Wonders of Dachstein and Salzkammergut
You can find perhaps the most beautiful landscapes of Austria, with its forests, peaks and glaciers, its countless green or blue lakes (more than 70 lakes!), its mountains that are treasure troves of white gold (salt), its superb villages, its natural cirques… The alpine landscape of Dachstein-Hallstatt is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our guided suggestion: from Königssee to Lake Hallstatt. Our freedom suggestion: Lakes of Salzkammergut.
Panorama of Lake Hallstatt in Austria © Pixabay
View of Lake Mondsee from Schafberg © Rainer Mirau, Österreich Werbung
Austrian Mountains by Electric Mountain Bike
In Salzkammergut or in Tyrol, enjoy yourself on trails and slopes. It’s another pleasant way to discover the country; you’ll appreciate the electric assistance and you can adjust your effort as you like. You can of course opt for traditional mountain biking. Find 3 suggestions for beautiful cycling trips in the Austrian mountains: discover the trip in Tyrol by electric mountain bike or Salzburg and the Lakes of Salzkammergut or even explore the Dachstein Massif by electric mountain bike.
Cyclists on the shores of Lake Hallstatt © Ralf Hochhauser, Österreich Werbung
Electric mountain bike at Lake Gosau © Ralf Hochhauser, Österreich Werbung
The Great Crossings
Mountains have no borders, that’s well known. The great alpine crossings therefore pass through Austria sooner or later, such as ‘Salzburg-Verona’. Treat yourself to a mountain adventure over 10 to 15 days, on foot or by bike! Find our suggestions for great Austrian crossings: from Munich to Venice to discover on foot or by bike, for a unique and spectacular crossing, or discover the journey from Munich to Como.
On the trek from Munich to Venice © Johannes Braun
Austria is Also
Austria is also about cycling along the Danube or enjoying the beautiful trails around Lake Constance, at the borders of several countries. Discover our cycling trips along the Danube, the vast majority pass through Austria! Or discover all our trips around Lake Constance.
Schlögen Loop of the Danube
Cycling trip around Lake Constance © Radweg Reisen
Find more inspiration by reading our many travel stories about Austria:
- Lakes and Mountains of Salzkammergut,
- The story about discovering Vienna and Prague,
- The crossing of the Major Alps from Munich to Venice,
- The divine beauty of the crossing from Munich to Como,
- The travel story of Salzburg to Verona.
Text credit: Anne-Marie Billault
