Hiking along Austria's Rivers & Lakes
Austria's hiking trails provide plenty of opportunity to encounter water spectacles, from tranquil rivers and lakes to enchanting gorges, canyons and waterfalls.
Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg - Tirol
This 125 km (77 mi) hiking trail along the River Lech leads from its spring near the Formarinsee in Vorarlberg (one of Austria's most beautiful spots) through Tirol to the Lechfall in Füssen, Germany. The Lech, with its distinct turquoise water, is the last wild river in Europe. The trail itself passes by one of the largest ibex colonies on the continent and a waterfall that magically dries up every year and flows anew. It also crosses Austria's longest pedestrian suspension bridge.
The European Hiking Association certified the Lechweg as a Leading Quality Trail. You can walk it in three different ways, depending on your preference and fitness level. The comfortable option takes 8 days to complete, the classic one 7 and the sporty one 6. Don't fancy carrying your stuff all day long? The Lechweg shuttle brings it from door to door, so, allowing you to hike just with your day bag.
Tirol
SalzburgerLand
Gorge Route in the Saalachtal
The Gorge Route leads to numerous, impressive cultural and natural monuments. Within a radius of just 2 km (1.2 mi), the Pinzgauer Saalachtal is home to 3 extraordinary natural spectacles known as the "Saalachtal Natural Wonders": the Vorderkaserklamm Ravine, the Seisenbergklamm Ravine, and the Lamprechtshöhle Cave. At the foot of the Loferer and Leoganger Steinberge Ranges, along with outliers of the Steinernes Meer massif, nature has created bizarrely shaped rock formations, thunderous waterfalls, and one of the biggest caves in Europe featuring a subterranean watercourse, all just a short distance apart. The full tour takes 6 days to complete, with 95 km (59 mi) and 31 hours spent on the trail. Guided hiking trips are available.
Liechtensteinklamm
The Liechtenstein Gorge in St. Johann in Salzburg has attracted the adventurous since 1875. It is not only one of the longest and deepest accessible wild ravines in the Alps, but also one of the most beautiful ones.
And there's more: The new wooden "Helix" spiral staircase right through the gorge allows nature fans to get even closer to the spectacle. The secured trail with roughly 440 steps is one kilometre (0.6 mi) long and takes hikers 30 m down into the gorge, allowing them to observe the interplay of water and rock up close - a truly mystical experience.
The hike to the Liechtenstein Gorge takes about 1.5 hours one way and makes a fun day out for the whole family (Please note it's not accessible with prams!). The entrance fee is included in the SalzburgerLand card.
Styria
Carinthia
Upper Austria
Dr. Vogelgesang Gorge
The longest gorge in Upper Austria and the second longest in the whole of the country (1.5 km / 0.9 mi), the Dr. Vogelgesang Gorge is more than just a beautiful natural attraction - it even holds a doctor’s title! Dr. Moritz Vogelgesang was the local GP at Spital am Pyhrn. His efforts to make the gorge accessible are the reason why it was named after him.
Fun fact: “Vogelgesang” means bird song in English, so, in case you ever hear people raving about the "bird song gorge", it's the same thing!
The hike to the gorge takes approximately 1.5 hours and is suitable for both beginners and families, provided you are comfortable with walking around 500 wooden and stone steps. There is a cosy mountain at at the end of the trail, so, you will be rewarded not just with stunning views but a delicious Austrian meal on top!