The Magic of the Trail: Austria's Most Beautiful Hiking Villages

Following in the footsteps of legends, with breathtaking lake views or along river paths: Austria's most enchanting hiking villages lead you to the country's most beautiful spots. The villages themselves also boast their own charm.

If simply looking out the hotel window makes you eager to spend a day outdoors, you've chosen the right hiking village in Austria! Ideally, your vacation spot will act as a bridge between people and nature.

The good news: Many villages in Austria achieve just that and have received the Austrian Hiking Seal of Approval. Villages are evaluated for this recognition

A number of lovely villages in Austria shine in these aspects. Here, we introduce you to our nine favorites among the hiking villages in Austria.

Seeboden is located directly by Lake Millstatt and is a recognized air health resort. For hikes, the idyllic St. Wolfgang Loop is a great option, covering nearly seven kilometers of picturesque landscapes and the St. Wolfgang Church. The Garden:Art Tour takes you through beautiful parks up to the villages on the sun plateau, offering the best views.

In Seeboden, many parks extend all the way to Lake Millstatt. At the Bonsai Center's garden, you can watch about 3000 bonsai trees grow over 15,000 square meters-a truly meditative pastime. A boat ride over the lake and a visit to Sommeregg Castle, which also houses a torture museum, are must-do activities in the hiking village of Seeboden.

With fewer than 200 residents, Warth is the second smallest community in Vorarlberg. Situated at 1500 meters, it is known as a winter sports destination, but during warmer months, it is an ideal starting point for hikes. Theme trails around Warth trace the paths of the Walser, who settled the area in the 14th century.

There are various hiking opportunities on the local mountains Wartherhorn, Biberkopf, and Widderstein. Körbersee is also a popular destination. Guided hikes during sunrise and sunset, as well as herb walks where fresh scents fill your lungs, can also be booked in Warth.

On a sunny plateau in Brixental, you'll find the idyll of Westendorf. Farms, blooming geraniums in the windows, alpine pastures, and diverse nature shape the picture. The charming church in the center of the village is also noteworthy. The surrounding area offers the Tyrolean mountain world and the Windautal recreational area.

Among the classic circular hikes is the Filzenscharte - Rotwandalm tour, which is of medium difficulty and offers great views of Windautal. For those who prefer not to walk, the Alpenrosenbahn takes you to the interactive experience park Alpinolino or to the waterfall trail.

Even the starting point sounds inviting: From the Faulenzerhotel Friedersbach, you can join a guided hike focusing on river paths, coves, and rock formations. But that's not all. The forest adventure path, pyramid path, Hundertwasser path, stork view path, and the 5-village path are just a few hiking routes accessible from Zwettl.

The town itself lies nestled in a valley. Kamp and Zwettl rivers converge here, resulting in vibrant greenery, fields of rapeseed, poppies, hops, and diverse flora and fauna. Zwettl is worth a visit: The baroque Zwettl Abbey Church with the Prälatengarten welcomes visitors and transports them to a peaceful oasis.

Located in the Feistritztal and at the foot of the 980-meter-high Wechsel, Kirchberg offers a wide range of hiking trails. There are short walks, themed paths, and circular trails to long-distance hikes, such as the family-friendly Märchen- and Mühlenweg Ödenhof and the pilgrimage trail from Kirchberg am Wechsel to Payerbach an der Rax.

Also, visit the largest dripstone cave in Lower Austria in Kirchberg. The Hermann's Cave features multi-level passages home to eight species of bats. An architectural highlight of the town is the Wolfgang's Church on a hillside of the Lienberg.

Alpine pasture lovers will find joy in the mountaineer village Hüttschlag. You can comfortably hike to about 40 managed alpine pastures in the area. Guided tours include the so-called 'slow down day' in the mountains, alpine flower hikes, yoga hikes, or challenging mountain hikes.

The community of Hüttschlag is part of the Hohe Tauern National Park and is situated at 1000 meters. About 30 kilometers away, visitors can witness a special natural phenomenon: the Liechtensteinklamm in St. Johann, considered one of the deepest gorges in the Alps with impressive waterfalls.

The small market town of St. Lambrecht is located in the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park. From April to November, it's hiking season here. The town offers a tranquil mix of nature, peace, and opportunities to explore the surroundings with its rushing streams and quiet forests step by step.

The town features the 900-year-old Benedictine monastery considered the cultural center. The monastery garden, with its fragrant roses and herbs, is also beautiful. From the Benedictine monastery, you can head to the St. Lambrecht gorge and explore the Ice Age Trail, which is family-friendly.

Liesing in the Lesachtal is surrounded by blooming meadows and authentic nature, perched on a hilltop. This sparsely populated area, with barely more than 100 residents, lies in what is said to be Europe's most pristine valley, marked by its seclusion and regional building culture.

In town, you can sample a fitting culinary delight: traditional farmhouse bread, baked on the valley's farms for centuries.

For those who wish to discover the beautiful nature and surrounding mountain world of Liesing with expert guidance, this is possible every Thursday. Free full-day tours commence in Liesing. Offerings include sunrise hikes, enjoyable summit tours, or the 'shepherd's circuit,' recreating the morning route of a Niedergail shepherd.

Whether the legend of the Overflowed Alm or the Kettle Ghost, Dienten is a hotspot for legends. You'll find them on the audio legend trail around Dienten. While enjoying the landscape, you can listen to Dienten legends at twelve audio stations.

If you're up for more scenic tours, join a guided hike, such as to the Erichhütte and on to the Taghaube, or from the Kräuteralm Grünegg to the Gabühelhütte and further to the Steinbockalm.

If you want to feel your legs really burn, you can explore the area by bike instead. Those coming for a relaxing holiday can also rent an e-bike.

The town of Dienten itself has just over 700 residents and is nestled in the impressive backdrop of the Hochkönig, the highest massif in the Berchtesgaden Alps at 2,941 meters. Anyone staying here will surely fall asleep with gorgeous alpine views.