Experiences
Natural treasures of Austria
Roaring gorges, turquoise mountain lakes, fragrant Zirbe (stone pine) forests and summits with sweeping views – Austria's most beautiful natural wonders lie right outside our huts. Here is your treasure map.
Briefly explained
What makes Austria's nature so special?
Within a small area, Austria shifts from deeply carved gorges to quiet Alm pastures, from bath-warm lakes to karst plateaus where only rock and sky remain. Much of it is protected – as a national park, nature park or biosphere park.
We have collected the natural treasures that belong to our holiday regions. Each card takes you to the matching region – there you will find the details, the trails and our huts nearby.
Gorges & canyons
Where the water carved the way
Four wild gorges – each in one of our holiday regions, each worth an outing.
Wolfsklamm
Up 354 steps and wooden walkways through one of the most beautiful gorges of the Alps – roaring water, narrow rock walls and, at the top, St. Georgenberg monastery. The classic of the Silberregion Karwendel.
Ötschergräben
Deeply carved ravines at the foot of the Ötscher: trails, bridges, waterfalls and, in the middle of it all, the Jausenstation (snack station) Ötscherhias. Lower Austria's wildest piece of nature.
Breitachklamm
150 metres below the rock walls, right along the roaring Breitach – the deepest gorge in Central Europe lies at the entrance to the Kleinwalsertal.
Halltal
The wild valley behind Absam: salt-mining history, chapels and quiet paths into the Karwendel – car-free, you walk or cycle in.
Lakes & water
Turquoise, clear and sometimes bath-warm
Four water spots between fjord feeling and a family afternoon.
Achensee
Tyrol's largest lake lies like a fjord between the Karwendel and the Rofan – shore paths, boat trips and a grand mountain backdrop. Quickly reached from the Silberregion and Hall-Wattens.
Reintalersee
One of Tyrol's warmest swimming lakes, with sunbathing lawns and a circular path – the summer classic of the Alpbachtal near Kramsach.
Erlaufsee
Turquoise-green and crystal-clear, the Erlaufsee lies at the foot of the Gemeindealpe – sunbathing lawn, pebble beach and mountain views, the most beautiful way to wind down after the Ötschergräben.
Turracher See
A dark, clear mountain lake among Zirben (stone pines) at over 1,700 metres – just behind the Hochrindl on the Turracher Höhe.
Almen & stone pines
Where Austria is at its quietest
Alm meadows, Jause benches and the scent of Zirbe wood – four places to breathe deeply.
Walderalm
From the Gnadenwald plateau up to a real Alm with Karwendel views and a good Jause (snack) – for many of our guests the most beautiful half day in the Hall-Wattens region.
Hochrindl-Almen
A whole village of Almen at 1,600 metres in the Nockberge – paths from hut to hut, gentle domes and plenty of sky above.
Zirbenweg am Glungezer
At around 2,000 metres, almost level through one of the largest Zirbe (stone pine) stands of the Alps – with views over the whole Inntal. Easily reached with the Glungezerbahn.
Nockberge
Carinthia's gentle mountain world: rounded domes instead of rugged ridges, Almrosen (alpine roses) in summer and the Nockalmstraße as a panoramic road right through it.
Summits & sweeping views
Once at the top, everything forgotten
Four views you will never forget – from easily reachable to mountain experience required.
Großglockner view
Austria's highest mountain shows its quiet side from East Tyrol – from the mountain meadows around Matrei it stands on the horizon as if painted.
Ötscher (1.893 m)
The striking local mountain of the Mostviertel – via the Rauher Kamm for the experienced or more leisurely from Lackenhof, with the highest viewing balcony far and wide at the top.
Hoher Ifen & Gottesacker
The tilted table mountain and its karst plateau are one of the most unusual landscapes of the Alps – the Ifenbahn takes you up in comfort.
Kellerjoch (2.344 m)
The viewpoint mountain above the silver town of Schwaz – a small chapel stands at the top, and the view stretches from the Karwendel to the Zillertal Alps.
National parks & nature parks
Protected nature, open to experience
Four protected areas where Austria's nature is at its most unspoilt – all in our holiday regions.
Hohe Tauern National Park
Glaciers, waterfalls, golden eagles: the largest national park in the Alps begins right outside the mountain villages of East Tyrol – with ranger programmes for families too.
Karwendel Nature Park
Austria's largest nature park: wild valleys, maple pastures (Ahornböden) and golden eagles above the ridges – the Silberregion and Hall-Wattens lie right on its southern edge.
Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park
Lower Austria's largest nature park: the Ötschergräben, the wild Tormäuer along the Erlauf and quiet trails in between.
Nockberge Biosphere Park
The gentle Nockberge are a UNESCO biosphere park – Alm farming, Zirben (stone pines) and rare herbs, with the Hochrindl right in the middle.
And right in the middle
Our huts stand in the middle of these natural treasures.
From the Karwendel to the Nockberge: we have visited every one of our accommodations in person – and each one honestly states which natural wonders lie outside the door.
Find your hut by what matters to you
Choose what makes your holiday – and instantly see the matching huts.
Onwards
Which natural treasure is calling you?
Discover all regions
From Tyrol to Lower Austria: our holiday regions with all excursion destinations, trails and tips in detail.
To the regions →
Or choose by holiday theme
With the family, as a couple, with your dog or entirely without electricity – find the holiday that suits you.
To the holiday themes →
Natural treasures of Austria
Natural treasures of Austria – your nature experience in the Alps
Looking for real nature experiences in the Alps? In Austria you will find wild mountains, clear lakes and untouched forests. Whether a hut holiday, a hiking trip or simply time in nature – over 60% Alpine landscape, national parks and rare animal species await you here.
Unique mountain world in Austria
Glittering mountain lakes in the Alps, the most beautiful summits and Alm huts rich in tradition shape our mountain world. Over 60% of Austria is covered by the Alps – making our homeland one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Europe. Whether you hike in summer or ski in winter, you will feel the power of nature everywhere.
Diverse natural habitats and biodiversity
The animal and plant world is as diverse as the landscape. Around 46,000 animal species and 21,000 plant and fungus species live in Austria. Many of them you will only find here – from the marmot and the golden eagle to protected orchid species.
Our impressive national parks and nature parks
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Karwendel Nature Park (Tyrol)
Tyrol's largest protected area, covering 739 km², invites you to hikes through untouched valleys. Here you can see chamois, ibex and large birds of prey in the wild. -
Kalkalpen National Park (Upper Austria)
Hidden gorges, old beech forests and clear mountain streams make this park a true natural jewel.
Hohe Tauern National Park and the Gesäuse nature paradise
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Hohe Tauern National Park
The largest national park in the Alps impresses with vast glacier fields, roaring waterfalls and deep valleys. -
Gesäuse National Park (Styria)
Austria's youngest national park, where the Enns winds wildly through the steep rocks. A paradise for rare species and the adventurous.
Dein nachhaltiges Naturerlebnis in Österreich
On a hut holiday you experience nature up close. Enjoy regional products, experience gentle tourism and recharge in the Alps.
More from our holiday know-how: Almost every Alm area that lies there so naturally was created by hand. And the most widespread claim about Almen is not true: Alm, Alpe, Bergmahd – and which of them really lies above the tree line.