Austria's Hiking Villages & the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal
Excellent hiking conditions in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region
Exceptional hiking that allows you to fully experience the “magic of walking”—that’s what the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal stands for. It signifies compliance with established quality criteria for hiking and creates experiences that guests will remember for a long time. For many years, the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region has been one of more than 40 hiking regions awarded the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal and part of the network of Austria’s Hiking Villages.
The Austrian Hiking Quality Seal assesses and certifies three areas: hiking villages, hiking trails, and hiking hosts. The hiking village serves as a starting point and central information hub. The hiking trails wind through the region, and specialized hiking hosts are available on-site to assist visitors. This creates a hiking experience where everything comes together—from navigation to support.
As a result, the Hohe Tauern National Park region stands for a vacation experience in which hiking expertise is essential to the overall hiking experience.
The Austrian Hiking Quality Seal
The Austrian Hiking Quality Seal recognizes quality-certified hiking offerings. The assessment goes beyond a single hiking trail; what matters most is the interplay of various elements that collectively contribute to a successful hiking experience. The following aspects of the hiking experience are evaluated and certified.
Hiking Regions
In an outstanding hiking region, the focus is on the entire experience—from the landscape and hiking adventures to information, infrastructure, and services.
Hiking Villages
These villages serve as the starting point for many hikes. Here, guests should be able to obtain information, get their bearings, and set out on their day’s hike well-prepared.
Hiking Trails
Selected hiking trails bear the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal. They meet defined quality criteria regarding trail routing, wayfinding, and the hiking experience.
Hiking Hosts
A successful day of hiking often begins right at the lodging. Certified hiking hosts are specially attuned to the needs of hiking vacationers and assist with planning and preparing for the next hike. The Austrian Hiking Quality Seal for hiking hosts highlights their special focus on hiking vacations.
What Certified Hiking Quality Means for You
Anyone exploring an award-winning hiking region should be able to count on excellent conditions for their hiking vacation. These include, among other things:
- clear wayfinding and information
- attractive hiking options with easy-to-follow descriptions
- suitable starting points for hikes
- infrastructure tailored to hikers
- nature and landscape experiences with a regional character
- services related to planning and carrying out hikes
- specialized hiking lodgings
Thus, hiking quality encompasses far more than just signage and trail guidance: From planning the tour to returning from the hike, various aspects are taken into account.
Certified Hiking Villages, Hiking Lodgings & Hiking Trails in de National Park Region
Hollersbach
From the herb-growing village of Hollersbach, the route leads directly into the Hollersbach Valley and thus into the mountainous landscape of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Here, you can combine alpine trails, nature experiences, and mountain hikes.
Certified Hiking Lodgings: Erholungshotel Kaltenhauser, Das Taubenhaus
Certified Hiking Trails: Hollersbach Stream Educational Trail, Village Loop
Piesendorf
From Piesendorf, hiking trails lead to the sunny side and on into the surrounding mountains. A variety of elevations offer hikes to suit different skill levels.
Certified hiking lodgings: Hotel & Apartment Klawunn, Haus Wegscheider, Notburgahof, M&M Apartments – Göpplerbauer
Certified hiking trails: Panoramaweg, Kunstweg
Großarl
Numeros alpine pastures, varied hiking trails, and the surrounding mountains make Großarl a versatile starting point for hikes. The options range from leisurely alpine pasture hikes to more challenging mountain tours.
Certified Hiking Hosts: Ziach & Candy, Hotel Alte Post, Hotel Johanneshof
Certified Hiking Trails: Saukaralm – Saukarkopf – Gerstreitalm and Filzmoosalm – Filzmoossattel – Filzmooshörndl – Remsteinkopf – Bichlalm
Niedernsill
Nestled between the valley floor, sunny slopes, and the surrounding mountains, Niedersill offers a variety of starting points for hikes—ranging from leisurely trails to longer mountain hikes.
Certified Hiking Hosts: Hotel-Gasthof Kröll, Gasthof-Pension zur Pinzgauerin, Pension-Jausenstation Burgeck, Erlachhof
Certified Hiking Trails: Naglköpflweg to the Power Spot, Luziarunde
Bad Gastein
Waterfalls right in the heart of the town, historic architecture, and the surrounding mountains define Bad Gastein. Numerous hikes of varying elevations start from here—ranging from leisurely trails to mountain hikes with spectacular views.
Certified Hiking Lodgings: Hapimag Kaiserhof Bad Gastein
Certified Hiking Trails: Gastein Trail
Hüttschlag
Surrounded by the mountains of the Hohe Tauern National Park, Hüttschlag offers numerous opportunities to explore nature and the countryside on foot. Hikes through alpine pastures, valley trails, and mountain hikes lead through a diverse alpine landscape.
Certified Hiking Hosts: Hotel Almrösl
Certified Hiking Trails: Kreuzeck – Karteistörl – Tappenkarsee – Draugsteintörl – Draugsteinalmen
Time for Your Hiking Vacation
Start off well-prepared, discover diverse landscapes, and choose from a wide variety of hikes: Experience excellent hiking in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region and book your vacation now.
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).
What is the difference between Austria’s Hiking Villages and the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal??
Austria’s Hiking Villages is a network of specialised hiking regions. The Austrian Hiking Quality Seal represents certified quality across various aspects of the hiking experience.
Why is the Seal Quality relevant for hikers?
The Quality Seal takes into account a range of factors that contribute to a great hiking experience – from trail quality and wayfinding to infrastructure, information and services.
Hiking in the Hohe Tauern National Park
Whether it’s a leisurely hike in the valley, a family hike, a trail through alpine pastures and to mountain huts, or a challenging mountain hike: In the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region, you’ll find hikes for all fitness levels and interests.