Questions & Answers (FAQs)

The Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest National Park in Austria and one of the largest in Europe. It covers an area of 1,856 km2 square kilometres in the provinces of Salzburg, Carinthia and Tyrol and includes a variety of mountain ranges, glaciers, valleys, lakes and waterfalls.

The Hohe Tauern National Park is located in the Austrian Alps and extends across the provinces of Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia.

More than half of all amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals that live in Austria are found in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The ibex, chamois, marmot, golden eagle and bearded vulture are considered the Big Five in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Read more >>

In 1971, the three provincial governors of Salzburg, Carinthia and Tyrol signed the Three Provinces Agreement in Heiligenblut, thereby committing themselves to creating a national park. The actual implementation period varied in length from province to province and took place in several stages. In the 1980s, National Park Hohe Tauern finally opened, Austria’s first and largest national park, since when this project has continued to evolve

The Hohe Tauern National Park is free of charge and - depending on the weather and snow situation - accessible around the clock all year round.

Please always keep in mind:

• Out of consideration for animals and plants, stay on the paths and avoid unnecessary noise.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash throughout the National Park.
• Do not leave waste behind, carry all rubbish out yourself.
• Wear good shoes and weatherproof clothing.
• You are in alpine terrain. Pay attention to the weather, to alpine dangers such as avalanches or falling rocks. Find out about risks from people on site who are experienced in the mountains.
• Leave flowers, insects and minerals alone.
• Camping and making fires in the wild is not allowed. Camp sites are available for this purpose in the National Park localities.

The Sulzbachtäler – a region spanning more than 6700 ha, 17 glaciers and 25 three thousand meter peaks are an internationally recognized wilderness area under the protection of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Here are some of the topographical features of the Hohe Tauern National Park:

1. Peaks: The Hohe Tauern National Park comprises 266 three-thousand-metre peaks (mountains with an altitude <3000 m), including the Großglockner (3,798 m), the highest mountain in Austria, and the Großvenediger (3,657 m).
    
2. Glaciers: In the Hohe Tauern there are about 130 km² of glaciers, including the Pasterze glacier at the foot of the Großglockner, the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps.
    
3. Valleys: The National Park includes many deep valleys, such as the Stubachtal, the Raurisertal and the Gasteinertal.
    
4. Rivers: Numerous rivers flow through the National Park region, such as the Salzach.
    
5. Lakes: There are 550 lakes in the National Park.
    
6. Alpine pastures: there are many traditional alpine pastures and alpine meadows in the National Park, which have been farmed for centuries.

The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is a popular holiday destination in the province of Salzburg in Austria, known for its breathtaking scenery, varied leisure activities and its national park. The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region includes 18 Salzburg National Park resorts from Krimml to the Grossarl Valley and 13 National Park valleys. The holiday region offers a unique combination of impressive mountain landscapes, glaciers, lakes and rivers inhabited by a rich flora and fauna. In addition, there are many cultural sights such as historic towns, castles and museums to visit.

The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is a popular destination for those who want to experience the beauty of the Alps and at the same time have the opportunity to actively relax and get to know Austrian culture.

The towns in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region in Salzburger Land are: Bad Gastein, Bramberg, Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße, Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße, Embach, Hüttschlag, Kaprun, Krimml, Mittersill, Hollersbach, Stuhlfelden, Neukirchen am Großvenediger, Niedernsill, Piesendorf, Rauris, Taxenbach, Uttendorf and Wald-Königsleiten.

The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is located in the south of SalzburgerLand in Austria. It comprises 18 national park towns and villages and stretches from the Oberpinzgau region via Kaprun, Rauris and Gastein to Großarltal.

The holiday region is the tourist vacation region surrounding Hohe Tauern National Park. The national park itself is the protected area; the holiday region provides guests with information about vacations, nature experiences, mobility, accommodation, and offers.

Yes, there are a variety of accommodation options in the holiday region, including hotels, guesthouses, holiday flats, farms and campsites. There are options for all budgets and needs. To the accomodation >>

The Hohe Tauern Nationa Park holiday region combines protected high-alpine nature with active holiday experiences. Guests can discover an exceptional variety of natural highlights here: three-thousand-metre peaks, glaciers, mountain lakes, waterfalls, alpine pastures, valleys, historic mule tracks and traditional villages. The region is surrounded by 266 three-thousand-metre peaks, 551 mountain lakes and 342 glaciers.

Particularly well known are:

Krimml Waterfalls
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Grossglockner, 3,798 m
Grossvenediger, 3,657 m
Rauris Primeval Forest
Valley of Emeralds
Hohe Tauern National Park Centre in Mittersill
Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail
Hohe Tauern Bike Trail
Nationalpark SommerCard

This combination of nature, activity, knowledge, relaxation and regional culture makes the holiday region an ideal travel destination for families, hikers, mountain bikers, nature enthusiasts, long-distance hikers, winter sports fans and connoisseurs.

The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is easily accessible by public transport. The Pinzgau local railway runs from Zell am See to Krimml (note: there is currently a rail replacement service between Mittersill and Krimml) and is the ideal means of transport to discover the region. Cyclists also greatly appreciate the narrow-gauge railway to get to the starting point of the Tauern Cycle Path. We have summarised the most important information on your journey to the holiday region by bus or train for you here.

The best time to travel depends on the activities you want to do. From Spring to Autumn the region is ideal for hiking and cycling, while in Winter the focus is on skiing, ski touring and cross-country skiing.

The focus at the National Park Centre is on sustainability. With the photovoltaic system, a significant part of the energy is generated in the building itself. In the in-house national park shop the focus is on regional products and sustainable materials. There is also a cooperation with the Salzburg clothing manufacturer Erdbär, with whom a sustainable clothing line was created.

Since 2001 the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region has been paying particular attention to sustainability, and it is now one of the most treasured tourist destinations in Austria. It is a true natural paradise with crystal-clear glacial streams and historic trade routes, ibexes and marmots, emeralds and thousand-year-old Swiss stone pines. In recent years, many projects and initiatives have already been implemented to promote sustainable tourism development. For example, the National Park SummerCard also includes public transport. Then there is the GreenSpirit package on the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail, which markets initiatives for a car-free holiday. The National Park Rangers, the ambassadors of the region, host informative adventure tours for National Park guests and visitors.

The National Park Hohe Tauern holiday region is a partner of the Guest Mobility Ticket. From check-in at your accommodation in the National Park Hohe Tauern holiday region, you can use all public transport throughout SalzburgerLand free of charge – for the entire duration of your stay. You will receive the ticket electronically as a wallet or PDF directly at check-in or pre-check-in at your accommodation in the province of Salzburg. This allows you to travel comfortably, flexibly, and sustainably.

Yes, the holiday region is a great place for families with children. There are many recreational opportunities for children and families, including playgrounds, childcare, wildlife watching and other adventurous activities.

The Nationalpark SommerCard is available for all guests who stay in a participating partner establishment. You get the card directly from your host.The Nationalpark SommerCard is available for all guests who stay in a participating partner establishment. You get the card directly from your host.

The Nationalpark SommerCard is valid for the entire duration of your stay in the period from 1 May to 31 October.

All participating accommodations can be found at nationalpark-sommercard.at.

The National Park SummerCard can already be used as a digital card for arrival via the Großglockner High Alpine Road and the Gerlos Alpine Road. This mobility service is available in addition to the free attraction per day. The partner business will be happy to send you the card.

The Nationalpark SommerCard is not available for purchase.

One of the 60 inclusive services can be used or visited free of charge per day.
In addition, many service partners grant every holder of a valid SommerCard a 50% discount on the regular admission price if the daily free admission has been used up. Details can be found in the National Park SommerCard folder or on the website. In addition to the inclusive service, the mobility services (hiking buses, day ticket for the Grossglockner High Alpine Road,...) can be used free of charge.

If you have any questions about the Nationalpark SommerCard,the team at the Hohe Tauern National Park Holiday Region GmbH will be happy to help you at card@nationalpark.at or by phone +43 6562 409 39.

The Nationalpark WinterCard is not available for purchase.

The Nationalpark WinterCard is valid for the entire duration of your stay in the period from 1 November to 30 April.

The Nationalpark WinterCard is issued by the partner companies on the day of arrival. This is possible in the form of a shell card or as a digital card.

All inclusive and bonus partners are listed in the Nationalpark SommerCard map - nationalpark-wintercard.at

If you have any questions about the Nationalpark WinterCard,the booked accommodation and the team at the Hohe Tauern National Park Holiday Region GmbH will be happy to help you at ferienregion@nationalpark.at or by phone +43 6562 409 39.

Yes, the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is an attractive destination for paragliders because of its impressive natural landscape and good thermals. The Pinzgau grass mountains are considered a popular take-off site. In order to protect the Hohe Tauern National Park, we ask all paragliders to observe the points below.

• As provided by law, take-offs and landings may only take place outside the core and outer zones of the National Park (except in emergency situations).
   
• Flying over special protection areas (e.g. the Sulzbach valleys wilderness area) is generally prohibited in accordance with the respective regulations.
   
• Flight taboo zones such as special protection areas, nests of golden eagles, bearded vultures and other birds protected under the Birds Directive as well as roosting sites of griffon vultures and temporary research areas are shown on the seasonally updated map below.
   
• The nests of golden eagles, bearded vultures and other birds protected under the Birds Directive as well as roosting sites of griffon vultures may not be overflown within a radius of 1 km.
   
• Surprise emergence from behind ridges must be avoided.
   
• Wild animals and packs of wild animals as well as mountain hikers and mountaineers may not be approached.The entire Hohe Tauern National Park may only be flown over in the period from April to the end of September from 9:00 in the morning until sunset.

You can find more about paragliding here >>

Yes, the app Erlebnis National Park is available free of charge in the app stores.

It contains a topographical hiking map (scale 1 : 25,000) of the holiday region, current tours for hikers, as well as information on viewpoints, huts, inns and leisure facilities.

Yes, there are a variety of animals to observe in the Hohe Tauern National Park, including chamois, marmots, eagles and many types of birds. Special tours are offered in the National Park Ranger Programme, for example deer rutting in Autumn or wildlife watching in Winter. To the ranger program >>

Yes, the region offers a variety of climbing routes for all levels of difficulty. Examples include in Neukrichen am Großvenediger in the municipality of Uttendorf/Weißsee or at the Hochgebiergs reservoirs in Kaprun. There are also via ferratas suitable for families in places like Taxenbach. More about the climbing possibilities >>

Yes, the holiday region is a great place for families with children. There are many recreational opportunities for children and families, including playgrounds, childcare, wildlife watching and other adventurous activities.

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 >>

Yes, fishing is possible in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region. You can find many places to fish from Rauris to Gastein, Mittersill and Großarl here>>.

In the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region there are many ways to spend your time even in bad weather:

• Visit a museum: There are several museums in the region that shed light on the history and culture of the Alps.
   
• Wellness: The region offers many opportunities to relax and unwind, for example - in a spa or an indoor swimming pool.
   
• Shopping: There are many shops and boutiques in the region where you can pass the time and shop.
   
• Cinemas: There is also a cinema in the region where you can attend films and other events.
   
• Cultural events: There are also regular cultural events in the region, such as concerts, theatre performances and more.
   
• Dining out: There are many good restaurants in the region where you can indulge in regional dishes.
   
• Indoor activities: There are also indoor activities such as climbing, bouldering, tennis and indoor golf ranges.

The most popular Winter activities in the Hohe Tauern National Park are skiing, snowboarding, ski tours, tobogganing and Winter hiking. To the winter possibilities>>

The holiday region offers a variety of activities such as hiking, mountaineering, cycling, skiing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and fishing. There are also many cultural sights to visit.

In the Summer and Winter months, the National Park Rangers will take you on various tours. If you don't want to set out on your own you can join the guided tours with knowledgeable National Park Rangers: With their knowledge, they open up a whole new world for hiking guests. Click here for the tour program >>

There are 8 ski areas. These stretch from the Grossarl Valley, the Gastein Valley, the Rauris Valley, Kitzsteinhorn, the Weißsee Glacier World, the Panoramabahn Hollersbach, and the Wildkogel Arena to the Zillertal Arena. Varied terrain, perfect pistes & great freeride areas are available.To the skiing areas >>

Every village in the National Park region offers entry points for hikes. Whether crossing the Tauern, family hikes or geological excursions - the offerings in the 18 villages and 13 valleys of the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region are rich with variety. The network of hiking trails leads from the outer zone, where a cultural landscape cultivated over centuries is preserved, to the core zone of the National Park with its pristine natural landscape. Details incl. tour description and GPX data can be found in the tour portal >>

Yes, the region offers numerous opportunities for rest and relaxation, including thermal baths and wellness hotels.

The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail is a long-distance hiking route through the Hohe Tauern National PArk holiday region. It offers impressive views of the Hohe Tauern mountain range and leads hikers through valleys, alpine pastures, traditional villages and scenic natural landscapes.

You need alpine hiking equipment for the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail:

• Day backpack, capacity: 25-30 litres, with waist belt and rain cover
• Hiking boots - minimum category B
• Weather-adapted and hard-wearing clothing in multiple layers. The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail is mostly at altitudes between 1,300m and 2,450m - this should be taken into account when choosing your hiking equipment (especially your clothing).
• Height-adjustable trekking poles
• Sun and rain protection
• Make sure take enough to eat and sufficiently large water bottles with you, as there are not refreshment stops and fountains on all stages (e.g. on stages 5 and 7).
• First aid kit
• Pocket knife
• Mobile phone
• Tour description or hiking map

The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail is more demanding in terms of fitness:

• Ascents average 870 metres in altitude difference
• Descents on average 823 metres in altitude
• Average trail length 16.2 km
• The walking times per stage range between 3:00 hours and 7:00 hours, please add breaks. For some stages it is possible to shorten the stage with a hiking taxi, public bus or mountain railway. Details can be found in the stage descriptions.

Tip: Always plan a rest day between the stages.

In the course of seventeen daily stages, hikers cover a distance of 270 kilometres from the starting point at the foot of the Krimml Waterfalls over the Schmittenhöhe high above Zell am See to Hüttschlag.

The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail follows marked hiking trails and is also signposted. The Hohe Tauern Trail logo can usually also be found on the existing hiking trail markings. The arrows always point towards Lake Zeller See. 

Find out more about the signposting here >>

Here you can find a list of accommodation along the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail. Booking your hike at the official Panorama Trail Info & Booking Centre Trail Angels includes accommodation in three categories, shuttle services, luggage transport, tour documents, trail hotline and optional services such as guides, travel insurance and special experience packages.

Booking Centre & Info Hotline:
Trail Angels GmbH
phone: +43 4782 93093
mail: info@bookyourtrail.com

The Nationalpark SommerCard is an all-inclusive card and is issued by participating accommodation businesses on the first overnight stay. With the card you can visit one of the 60 attractions per day - including sights, museums and natural spectacles, leisure and sports facilities and mountain railways - free of charge.

The Nationalpark SommerCard also entitles you to free use the participating hiking taxis. In addition to a one-day admission to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road Adventure World, the Nationalpark SommerCard also includes a one-day ticket for the Gerlos Alpine Road.

More information about the Nationalpark SommerCard >>

The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail takes you along signposted mountain paths into high-altitude regions of up to 2,450 metres above sea level. For the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail you need alpine hiking experience, surefootedness and a head for heights.

Officially, the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail has a moderate degree of difficulty: The stages take you along moderately difficult mountain paths with a red dot.

The best time of the year for your long-distance hike along the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail is from June to the end of September. In July and August, on the other hand, the high-altitude Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail (between 1,200 m and 2,450 m above sea level) is ideal for escaping the hot temperatures of the valley. 

Details on the current accessibility of the individual stages >>

The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is very well connected to the public transport network. There are many cross-regional trains to Zell am See. From Zell am See the hourly Pinzgauer Lokalbahn train stops at all towns and villages in the valley between Zell am See and Krimml. There are also buses. 

Details on how to get there >>

Yes, of course! At the last stage, the Krimml Waterfalls, the fine spray mist of the waterfalls provides a pleasant refreshment.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail.

The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail is suitable for children from the age of 12 with an excellent level of fitness.

Best Trails of Austria is an association of five premium long-distance hiking trails across Austria. The aim is to offer high-quality, enjoyable and easily walkable long-distance hiking experiences.

The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail has been part of the Best Trails of Austria association since 2026 – a strong partnership that unites Austria’s five finest long-distance hiking trails. The association’s goal is to make high-quality long-distance hiking accessible to everyone who wishes to combine nature, expansive views and relaxation.

The trails are ideal for leisure-oriented hikers, beginners in long-distance hiking and nature lovers who prefer impressive landscapes without exposed or technically demanding sections. Comfort, safety and quality are key priorities.

The Hohe Tauern Bike Trail is a multi-stage bike route through the Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern. It leads through 14 national park valleys and combines alpine nature, authentic villages and impressive views of Austria’s highest mountains. The route includes 14 stages, around 530 kilometres and approximately 12,000 metres of elevation gain.

The total distance is about 535 kilometers with approximately 12,000 vertical meters.

Technically, it is an easy to moderate mountain bike route, mainly on forest and alpine farm tracks.

The Hohe Tauern Bike Trail is suitable for children aged 14 and older, provided they have a good level of fitness.

Assessing whether the trail matches your riding skills and fitness level is not always easy. If you are unsure or would like to know which stages are best suited to you, please contact our official booking center. You will receive individual advice tailored to your needs.

Booking Center & Info Hotline
Trail Angels GmbH
Tel. +43 4782 93093
E-mail: info@bookyourtrail.com

Please note: Personal advice does not replace your own responsibility to realistically assess your abilities.

Yes, with sufficient motor power and battery capacity, the trail is very well suited. A motor with at least 70 Nm of torque and a battery with a minimum capacity of 625 Wh are recommended.

Due to their technical and physical demands, mountain bike trails are generally only limitedly suitable or not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
To clarify individual cases (depending on the degree of limitation), we recommend contacting the Trail Info & Booking Center before booking.

No, due to gravel sections, climbs, and alpine terrain, the trail is not suitable for trekking bikes.

Yes, when booking via the official Hohe Tauern Bike Trail booking center, Trail Angels, a luggage shuttle service can be selected. Your travel luggage (max. 20 kg) will be transported from one accommodation to the next. To the booking centre >>

Yes. The return transfer is included and provided as part of the official Hohe Tauern Bike Trail mobility service.

The Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region is very well connected to the public transport network. There are many cross-regional trains to Zell am See. From Zell am See the hourly Pinzgauer Lokalbahn train stops at all towns and villages in the valley between Zell am See and Krimml. There are also buses. 

Details on how to get there >>

As only a few stages exceed 2,000 metres above sea level, most sections are typically rideable from mid-May onwards. Depending on the winter conditions, higher sections may vary.

September to mid-October often offers stable conditions, pleasant temperatures and less traffic on the stages. In October, short-term winter conditions may occur on higher sections.

From mid to late October, many stages are often still rideable. However, some accommodations and mountain huts may already be closed, and temperatures can be significantly cooler.

Yes. July and August are considered peak season. Despite summer temperatures, riding conditions are generally manageable thanks to airflow and the elevation of the valleys.

No. From November to early May, the trail is not rideable. The paths are covered with snow and certain sections are officially closed.

From early to mid-May, some higher sections may still be covered with snow. However, selected and well-rideable stages are available with the “Wilde Wasser – Ready to Ride” package.

The ideal period for a tour is from mid-May to mid-October.

You can find the current status, as well as any closures or possible restrictions, updated daily under “Best Time to Visit” and “Route.”

Selected long-term parking areas are available along the Hohe Tauern Bike Trail from Hüttschlag to Krimml. These serve as ideal starting points for multi-day tours. An overview of the long-term parking areas can be found here >>

No reservation is required. However, it is recommended to check the specific conditions and any possible restrictions at the parking area in advance.

Fees may apply depending on the location. The exact regulations vary by municipality and parking area and should be checked on site.

The Bike Basecamps are mountain bike packages along the Hohe Tauern Bike Trail with a fixed accommodation and no daily hotel changes.

5 days / 4 nights / 3 tours.

For mountain bikers who want to experience alpine tours without changing accommodation daily.

From May to October 2026, daily arrivals possible.

Via provided travel documents and route suggestions.

Each Basecamp package includes 2 trail stages and 1 additional mountain bike tour, all starting from one fixed location.

Between Hüttschlag and Königsleiten in the Hohe Tauern National Park Holiday Region (Salzburg).

The Bike Areas are designed for:

• Ambitious mountain bikers

• Leisure riders with a focus on panoramic views

• E-mountain bikers

• Multi-day tour guests

• Bike holiday guests staying in one location

Thanks to the range of difficulty levels, every target group can find suitable routes.

Yes. In the Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, there are eight additional Bike Areas offering numerous quality-approved mountain bike tours with varying levels of difficulty.

The Bike Areas are independent riding zones within the Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern in Salzburg, Austria.

They offer:

• Quality-approved mountain bike tours

• Various difficulty levels

• Clear and consistent signage

• Nature-based route design

• Direct connection to the Hohe Tauern Bike Trail

This makes them ideal both as an extension to individual stages of the Bike Trail and for standalone bike days.

Five consecutive stages are selected. The exact choice is made during the booking process.

For experienced and sporty mountain bikers who enjoy multi-day tours and want to combine the true bikepacking experience with well-organized infrastructure.

Yes. The luggage service is included but optional. Those who prefer to travel fully self-sufficiently can complete the stages without luggage transport.

For mountain bikers who want to travel in a climate-friendly way while enjoying a well-organized multi-day tour along the Hohe Tauern Bike Trail.

The Hohe Tauern Bike Trail Info & Booking Center will assist you in planning your train journey and selecting the most suitable rail connection; however, the train travel itself is not included in the package price.

Yes. An optional bike rental service is available.

It is suitable for active guests looking for a short multi-day mountain bike tour in Austria with minimal planning effort.

Yes. Two consecutive stages must be selected.

The package lasts 2 nights and 2 stages at the Hohe Tauern Bike Trail.

Yes. The three weekly sections can be combined from east to west.

Yes. Three predefined weekly sections are available.

The package includes 7 days with 6 nights and 5 stages.

The package includes 16 days with 15 nights and 14 stages.