Hiking in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region
Alpine summer in the SalzburgerLand
1,100 kilometres of hiking trails, 13 national park valleys and a mountain landscape featuring waterfalls, alpine pastures, glaciers and Austria’s highest peaks.
Whether it’s a relaxed hike in the valley, a family hike, a trip to an alpine hut, a mountain hike with stunning views or a multi-day long-distance hiking adventure: In the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region, you’ll find hikes to suit all different abilities.
All around the largest national park in the Alps, signposted hiking trails lead through 18 national park villages and 13 national park valleys – from the Krimml Waterfalls to Hüttschlag in the Großarl Valley.
To help you understand the unique features and the ecological, socio-cultural and economic interrelationships of the Hohe Tauern National Park better, there are many interactive visitor and educational facilities, such as themed trails and exhibitions, as well as a wide range of guided full- and half-day tours led by the national park rangers. Multi-day trekking tours with luggage transport can also be booked here.
Topographical hiking map
On Outdooractive’s topographical hiking map, you’ll find hiking trails and routes with GPX data, distance, elevation profile, difficulty rating and route descriptions.
Which hike is just right for you?
Not every day’s hike has to end at a summit. Discover the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region in a way that suits you, your fitness level and the amount of time you have.
Austrian Hiking Quality Seal & Austria’s Hiking Villages
Exceptional hiking whilst fully experiencing the ‘magic of walking’ – that is what the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal stands for. For many years, the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region has been one of more than 40 hiking regions to have been awarded the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal and to form part of the network of Austria’s Hiking Villages. This means the region stands for a holiday experience where hiking, experiencing nature and the needs of hiking guests take centre stage. You can find everything you need to know about the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region at this link.
Well prepared for the mountains
The high altitude and alpine terrain of the Hohe Tauern require careful route planning. Before setting off, find out about the weather, the difficulty, the condition of the trails and the demands of your chosen route.
A quick check before starting:
- check the weather and current conditions
- choose a route suited to your fitness level and experience
- wear sturdy footwear
- take protection against rain, cold and sun
- pack plenty of drinks and food
- stay on marked paths
- go back if the weather or your fitness requires it
- show respect for grazing livestock and wildlife
Alpine emergency number: 140
European emergency number: 112
Hiking highlights
Hiking with your dog
You can explore the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region on many hiking trails, even with your dog. Dogs must be kept on a lead within the National Park. It is particularly important to keep a safe distance from grazing animals, especially on alpine pastures.
Not every route is suitable for dogs. When planning your hike, keep in mind: the length, difficulty, terrain and the need for enough water. You should also check the rules regarding dogs on mountain railways, buses and at mountain huts in advance.
More experiences = National Park Sommer Card
You can obtain the National Park SommerCard when staying at a participating partner accommodation, from your first night’s stay onwards. It is valid from 1 May to 31 October.
The card includes one attraction per day from a selection of over 60 included partners. It also covers selected transport services. Of particular interest to hikers are, for example selected mountain railways, hiking taxis and other transport services in the National Park region. The relevant terms and conditions and operating hours apply.
Hiking FAQs
When is the best time for hiking in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region?
For most hikes, June to September is particularly suitable. Depending on weather and snow conditions, lower-altitude walks may also be possible in May and October. At higher altitudes, snow and wintry conditions can occur at the beginning and end of the season.
Where can I find current trail closures and conditions?
You can find up-to-date tour information in our Touring Portal. For the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail, the current status of the individual stages is also published online. Please also check the latest weather conditions before setting off.
Which hikes are suitable for beginners?
Short valley walks, themed trails and easy alpine pasture hikes with moderate elevation gain are particularly suitable for beginners. In the Touring Portal, you can choose tours according to distance, duration and difficulty.
Which hikes are suitable for families?
Families can choose from leisurely walks, themed trails and shorter hikes offering plenty of opportunities to experience nature along the way. Always select a route that matches the children’s age, fitness and hiking experience.
Can I hike in the National Park with my dog?
Yes. Dogs must, however, be kept on a lead throughout the Hohe Tauern National Park. Keep a safe distance from grazing animals, particularly on alpine pastures. Please note that not every route is suitable for dogs. Dogs are not permitted on the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail.
Where can I find open mountain huts?
You can find an overview of mountain huts and alpine pastures on our Huts & Alpine Pastures page and in the Touring Portal. As opening times may depend on the season and weather, we recommend checking them before your hike.
Can I reach hiking routes by bus or train?
Yes. Many starting points can be reached by public transport, hiking buses or hiking taxis. Overnight guests can also use the Guest Mobility Ticket for public transport throughout SalzburgerLand during their stay.
Which mountain lifts operate in summer?
Several mountain lifts provide convenient access to hiking areas in summer – from Königsleiten and the Wildkogel-Arena to the Weißsee Glacier World, Rauris, Gastein and Grossarl. Current operating times can be found in our overview of summer mountain lifts.
What is the Nationalpark SommerCard?
The Nationalpark SommerCard is a guest card for holidaymakers staying at participating partner accommodations in the Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern. It includes more than 60 attractions and experiences, as well as mobility services such as hiking taxis and selected panoramic road benefits.
Are guided hikes available?
Yes. During the summer months, a wide range of guided tours with National Park Rangers is available. Along the way, you can learn more about the wildlife, plants, glaciers and special habitats of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Is it possible to explore the Hohe Tauern National Park with a hiking guide?
Yes, it is possible to book a National Park Ranger to explore the Hohe Tauern National Park and learn more about the region and its history. A varied programme of tours is offered in the Winter and Summer months. Under the motto "Meet a Ranger", in the Summer months they are the first port of call for hikers and holiday guests in the National Park valleys. During the Summer months they can be found several times a week in the information huts at the valley entrances. They provide maps, answer questions and give hiking tips. More about the possibilities >>
What does the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal mean?
The Austrian Hiking Quality Seal stands for quality-assured hiking experiences. Criteria include hiking trails, orientation, infrastructure, the natural experience and hiker-friendly services. The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is also a hiking region within Austria’s Hiking Villages (Österreichs Wanderdörfer).
Where can I find GPX data for my hike?
The Touring Portal an the App "Erlebnis Nationalpark" provides routes with maps, elevation profiles, distance, difficulty and GPX data to download.
What equipment do I need?
Your equipment should always match the route and weather conditions. Basic hiking equipment includes sturdy footwear, weatherproof clothing, sun and rain protection, sufficient food and water, a mobile phone and a small first-aid kit.
Which emergency number should I call in the mountains?
For an alpine emergency in Austria, call 140 for mountain rescue. Alternatively, call the European emergency number 112.