1,880 m · right at the topEast Tyrol · Matrei
Zarze Almhütte
Half an hour’s climb, alpine meadows and the Hohe Tauern all around. For everyone who wants to escape not just the heat but also the traffic and the bustle.
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Coolcation the Austrian way
Escaping the heat. Up into the mountains.
When the valley shimmers, the holiday may go higher up. All accommodations on this page lie above 800 metres – summer there is not automatically cold, but calmer, airier and noticeably more pleasant in the morning. Entirely without air conditioning.
Personally checkedCool heights
since forever
since forever
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Altitude helpsAll accommodations lie above 800 m altitude – up to 1,880 m
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Out earlier in the morningHike before the day gets warm
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Water & forestStream, shade and mountain meadows nearby
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Honestly describedWe describe the location – no weather promise
Selected by us
Four places where summer gets air again
From an unspoilt alpine hut to a comfortable lodge. Not everyone wants to give up shower and dishwasher for fresh mountain air.
1,700 m · comfortably reachableCarinthia · Hochrindl
Pietschacher Almhütte
By car right to the hut, hiking trails outside the door and your own sauna in the evening. High up, but without a luggage march.
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1,100 m · comfort & busVorarlberg · Kleinwalsertal
Walser Lodge im Kleinwalsertal
Holiday apartments with panorama sauna, WalserBus and mountain lifts outside the door. Cool mountain air with good food and short distances.
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1,100 m · for families & friendsTyrol · Zillertal
Breitberg Alm
Free-standing on the Fügenberg, mountain meadows outside the door and room for up to ten. Good when the whole family or circle of friends wants to get up out of the hot valley.
View accommodationAll matching houses
In the hut finder, “Escaping the heat” is already selected
There you can additionally search by travel time, region, people, dog, sauna or family holidays. Up instead of in: no air-conditioning adverts, but accommodations where altitude, nature and the daily rhythm make summer more pleasant.
The coolcation magazine
What really makes a good coolcation
What does coolcation mean?
Not a new name for winter holidays. But a summer holiday where you deliberately seek out more pleasant places and times of day.
Explain the termAltitude helps – the location does the rest
Shade, bedroom position and forest or stream nearby turn the altitude into a really good summer.
Check the locationOut early, slow at midday
The beautiful tour starts in the morning. Midday may take place on the terrace, by the stream or in the shade.
Read about the daily rhythmHiking in high summer
North faces, forest trails, water and shorter rounds are often wiser than the long shadeless southern ascent.
Open the tour checkWith children or a dog
Mountain air does everyone good – shade, water and short distances make the day more relaxed for all.
Family and dog checkBy bus and mountain lift
Especially in the Kleinwalsertal the car can stay parked. That too makes the summer holiday easier.
Plan the arrivalSummer, but different
You don’t have to run from the sun all day
Breakfast with cool air
First coffee, then a round. The morning belongs to the trails before the sun really gets to work.
Discover ideasStream, forest or siesta
No summit needs forcing at midday. A shady spot is sometimes the better holiday destination.
View natural treasuresSitting outside for a long time
When the air still stands in the valley, it often turns pleasant again on the mountain. That is exactly what the terrace is for.
Discover summer timeFrequently asked
Escaping the heat – answered briefly and honestly
Is it automatically cool at 1,100 metres?
No. Sun, orientation, construction and weather all play a part. The altitude helps noticeably – but it is not a built-in air conditioner.
Which accommodation is best in great heat?
That depends on you. Zarze and Pietschacher lie considerably higher. The Walser Lodge offers comfort, bus and mountain lifts in return. Breitberg suits larger families and groups well.
Is a coolcation only for hikers?
No. You can read, sit by the stream, ride up with the mountain lift or simply be outside earlier and later. A holiday is allowed to work without a summit.
Can I escape the heat with children?
Yes, if accommodation, trails and daily plan suit their age. Shade, water and short distances matter more than the highest possible summit.
Can my dog come along?
With several recommendations, yes. Still check dog rules, water along the way and shady routes for each accommodation individually.
Is the holiday then guaranteed heat-free?
No. “Escaping the heat” describes the idea and the location, not a weather guarantee. Even on the alpine pasture a summer day can get warm – just noticeably more pleasant than in the valley.
Even more holiday ideas
Maybe a second holiday theme suits you too
Time for two
Holidays for couples
Quiet places, time together and special hut moments.
Discover huts for couples Out and about togetherFamily holidays
Huts and holiday homes that suit the age of your children.
Discover family holidays With your four-legged friendHolidays with a dog
Huts and holiday homes where your dog is expressly welcome.
Discover holidays with a dog Away togetherHut holidays with friends
Houses for friends and small groups – with room for everyone at the same table.
Discover group hutsYou want out of the heat, but not into the wrong hut?
Tell us your travel time, number of people and how much comfort you need. We don’t just look at the metres of altitude.