Nature Breaks To Experience in Austria
Swimming, Biking, paragliding, summit climbing - and plenty of fun activities for the kids too. Discover Austria's top summer regions.
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Whenever we’re about to plan a nice and fun summer holiday we always ask ourselves what are the activities we are looking forward to doing. We know that the options are endless so we’re here to help you! Would you like to be hiking and biking through stunning mountain landscapes or surrounded by waterfalls? Or would you prefer some water activities? You can swim or raft in the picturesque Alpine lakes, canoe or kayak on wild rivers, and have lunch in a rustic mountain hut - or have a relaxing mountain spa retreat. Perhaps you want to attempt your first summit climb? Have you ever tried paragliding? Learning about the power of herbs from an expert? Or maybe enjoying a guided moonlight walk?
You can choose from all these options during your visit to Austria. As there are plenty of summer hotspots there, including Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Zillertal , Zell am See - Kaprun, and Kitzbühel, which ensure that your vacations will be unforgettable.
Whether you travel with your significant other, friends, children, or all by yourself, Austria's Alpine wonderland will never bore you. Prepare yourself for an ultimate nature break in #realAustria!
LECH ZÜRS: EXPERIENCE A MOUNTAIN SUMMER AMIDST THE ARLBERG’S PRISTINE NATURE
During summer in Lech Zürs, you'll find an array of activities as varied as the Arlberg itself. You can hike, go trail running, or take the perfect landscape shot. If you are a fan of golfing then this will be the perfect place to play. You can also try mountain biking, fishing, or having a nice swim in the new pool in the Lech forest.
You will be able to reconnect with nature in the natural paradise of Arlberg. The region has 350 kilometers of well-marked hiking paths which will lead you through the beautiful landscapes and offers various routes at all levels of difficulty including hut-to-hut hikes in the Lechquellengebirge range, sunrise hikes to the mountain peaks, or leisurely hikes through Alpine pastures and meadows. Don’t forget to refresh yourself with clear, fresh spring water while enjoying your hike!
(c) Lech-Zuers-Tourismus-GmbH by Daniel Zangerl
If you are looking for an exciting children’s activity, there’s a great children’s adventure program for kids to play in nature. They can enjoy activities like archery, children's climbing, the Arlenzauberweg trail, canyoning, the Waldcamp grill area, or even try out diving at the forest swimming pool.
If you are interested in golfing, then you will surely love playing in Austria’s highest 9-hole course set at 1,500 meters above sea level, while enjoying a stunning paranomic view of the mountains. Even at a glance, it’s easy to recognize that the golf course’s developers desire to preserve the authentic charm of the Zugertal valley. This was created with as minimal impact as possible on the environment and landscape.
Here, sports and outdoor experiences go hand in hand. It’s not uncommon to see marmots, golden eagles, and other animal Alpine animals during your round.
Lech Zürs Kids Program (c) Lech-ZuersTourismus
ZILLERTAL: A LEADING SUMMER DESTINATION FOR FUN-PACKED FAMILY HOLIDAYS
In Zillertal, Tyrol's largest side valley, a unique experience awaits you at every corner. You will see beautiful flowers that are in full bloom when you visit during the warmer months. You will be able to relax and escape the hustle of your everyday life and enter a magical world full of natural wonders.
Zillertal is an amazing family destination in the Austrian Alps. It has a unique mix of adventure, recreation, and relaxation for all ages. It features over 1,400 km of hiking and 1,300 km of biking trails, more than 150 mountain huts, 50 adventure playgrounds, an 18-hole golf championship course, 6 outdoor swimming pools, and 4 lakes.
Zillertal (c) Zillertaltourismus by Tom-Klocker
Imagine how nice it would be to spend your summer holiday taking peaceful hikes and walks, venturing into the perfect corners of the Nature Park Zillertal Alps, or using one of the ten summer cable cars, and savoring some culinary and alpine delights.
The best thing about Zillertal is that you’ll find in it all the fun summer activities such as paragliding, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing as well as cave trekking. At the same time, if you fancy a day trip to the snow, Zillertal brings you right back to winter, offering 365 days of skiing and underground adventures in eternal ice.
Zillertal Waterfall (c) Zillertaltourismus by Tom-Klocker
ZELL AM SEE - KAPRUN: A UNIQUE MIX OF GLACIERS, LAKES, AND FAMILY ADVENTURES
Zell am See-Kaprun is one of the most fascinating places in the Alps due to its combination of glaciers, mountains, and lakes. Numerous hiking, relaxation, and sports facilities, as well as fantastic day trip alternatives for active vacationers, families, and even athletes, surely will have a memorable holiday.
Zell am See-Kaprun is located at 750 km above sea level and is surrounded by the 3,203-metre-high Kitzsteinhorn on the edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park, the family mountain Schmittenhöhe – known for Schmidolin’s Adventure Park, huts and mountain restaurants as well as yoga courses – and the crystal-clear Lake Zell.
Zell-am-See (c) Zell-am-See-Kaprun-Tourismus
Would you like to go on a city stroll in the morning and swim in the lake later? Then Zell am See should be your holiday base. Or maybe you would prefer to try some glacier adventures? Then you should get to the eternal ice right from the village of Kaprun and enjoy the panorama platform, Top of Salzburg, and it's Gipfelwelt 3000 on the Kitzsteinhorn. Which features all-year skiing activities, a cinema, an ice rink, the National Park Gallery, and Salzburg's highest restaurant Gipfel Restaurant at 3,029 m.
In Zell am See – Kaprun, a Climate and Energy Model Region, all-mountain railroads run on 100% green electricity, and various hotels have developed their own climate-friendly measures. The Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs, a popular excursion location, use hydropower to generate electricity, saving about 500,000 tons of CO2 each year.
Zell am See Kitzsteinhorn National Park Gallery (c) Kitzsteinhorn
KITZBÜHEL: A SPORTS HUB, FOOD, AND EVENT HOTSPOT ALL IN ONE PLACE
Kitzbühel in Tirol is a well-known winter destination. However, if you've never traveled there during the summer, then you're missing out. Visitors may enjoy a terrific mix of exhilarating outdoor activities and restful holidays in the Alpine hub and nearby communities. It is the most iconic sports town in the Austrian Alps and it mesmerizes its visitors with 365 days a year of summit and leisure hiking, golfing on four local courses, mountain, and e-biking, trail running, or jogging.
You can hike the legendary Streif, the most difficult downhill racing course in the world. Bike the Hahnenkamm, take a free guided tour, ranging from beginner to professional hikes, or head for a culinary hiking adventure.
Kitzbuehel (c) OEW by Sebastian-Stiphout
Do you like to mix outdoor workouts with some pleasant cool-down time? There are numerous treks along the water's edge, with lakes and waterfalls along the way. Families with children will enjoy multiple areas like the Streif Adventure Park, the Kitzbüheler Horn's kids' climbing trail, and the Aurach animal park. If you are a food lover, you will feel quite at home here as well. Kitzbühel offers top-notch Tirolean and international dishes. Expect to dine at a different award-winning restaurant every night.
Last but not least, there’s the vibrant event scene: from Golf Festival to the Kitzbühel Cycling Marathon and the food-focused KITZ Culinary and KITZ Culinary x Piemont, you will certainly not get bored.
Kitzbühel Hiking (c) Kitzbüheler Alpen Marketing GmbH by Mathäus Gartner
Main Image Credits: Lech Zürs (c) Lech-Zuers-Tourismus-GmbH by Hanno-Mackowitz