Coolcation, the Austrian way
Summer retreat in the mountains – escape the heat above 800 metres
When the valley shimmers, your holiday can climb higher. All 22 huts, alpine huts and lodges on this page sit above 800 metres – up there the nights are cool, the air is clear and the morning is yours. Personally visited, honestly described, no air conditioning needed.
Personally checkedCool heights
since forever
since forever
1
Altitude helpsAll above 800 mFrom 960 metres in Bischofshofen up to 1,880 metres in the Hohe Tauern National Park.
2
Cool nightsSleep well with the window openUp on the mountain it cools down in the evening – and the air is fresh in the morning.
3
Water and forestStream, pond and shade nearbyTree shade in the afternoon, water to cool off – listed with every hut.
4
Ehrlich beschriebenWe describe the locationAltitude, orientation and shade are stated clearly for every accommodation.
Three cool places we especially recommend today
Every day we show you three different huts from our selection – from the alpine hut at 1,880 metres to the lodge with cable cars included. All 22 cool huts are listed further down and, of course, in the hut finder.
Mühlenhütte am Privatteich im Mostviertel
Niederösterreich, Pielach
from 100,00 € / Night
Show details
Abenteurer-Hütte am Geißenberg im Mostviertel
Niederösterreich, Pielach
from 50,00 € / Night
Show details
The summer retreat magazine
What makes a good summer retreat
The summer retreat – Sommerfrische – is Austria's old answer to hot days: a hundred years ago, city dwellers already headed to the countryside and the mountains in summer, where the air is lighter, the nights stay cool and rest comes naturally. Today it is often called a coolcation – and it means the same thing: cooling off, peace and a lake or stream nearby. Each card leads to the matching chapter in the guide.
What does coolcation mean?
A summer holiday where you deliberately choose the more pleasant places and times of day: altitude instead of valley, morning instead of midday, shade instead of sun. The summer retreat as Austria has lived it since forever.
Explain the termAltitude helps – the location does the rest
Shade, the position of the bedrooms and a forest or stream nearby turn altitude into a really good summer. That is exactly what we list with our huts.
Check the locationOut early, slow at midday
The best tour starts in the morning. Midday belongs to the terrace, the stream or the shade – and the evening to the trails again.
Read the daily rhythmHiking in high summer
North faces, forest trails, water along the way and shorter loops – that way hiking stays a pleasure even on hot days.
Open the tour checkWith children or a dog
Mountain air does everyone good. Shade, water and short distances make the day relaxed for children and dogs – and for you too.
Family and dog checkBy bus and cable car
In the Kleinwalsertal, bus and cable cars are included with our lodges – the car stays parked and you ride up into the cool heights.
Plan your journeyA cool day
This is what a day in the summer retreat looks like
Breakfast in cool air
First coffee on the bench, then a walk. The morning belongs to the trails while the air is still fresh.
Discover ideasStream, forest or siesta
At midday the shady spot by the stream or under the trees is the best destination – and the hut itself is the coolest place far and wide.
See natural treasuresSit outside for a long time
While the valley is still warm, the mountain is already pleasant again. That is exactly what the terrace is for – until the stars come out.
Discover summertimeWhere does it really get cooler?
All 22 huts for the summer retreat
Not decided yet? Here are all huts, alpine huts and lodges above 800 metres – with number of guests, rooms and what makes summer pleasant there.
Good to know
Coolcation in Austria: a cool summer in the alpine regions
Why a coolcation is a travel trend
The travel trend of the last summers has a simple reason: heat waves in southern Europe and the summer heat in the cities. A coolcation destination in the Austrian Alps offers pleasant temperatures, fresh mountain air and cool nights instead – a summer holiday that many find better than a beach holiday. Our huts sit high-altitude above 800 metres, where summer temperatures stay pleasantly cool even in a hot summer.
Water, glacier and crystal-clear lakes
A mountain lake for a swim, a waterfall on the hiking trails, a crystal-clear lake in the Salzburg region or a glacier as an excursion from the Stubai valley – water is part of every cool summer in Austria. Around our huts you find a stream or pond, and the mountain lakes of Tyrol and Carinthia are a short drive away.
Activity and relaxation at your own pace
Hiking trails from the door in the morning, a cycle along the valley or a sauna and spa evening in the chalet: a coolcation in Austria combines outdoor adventures with relaxation. You keep a cool head, recharge your batteries in unspoilt nature and unwind on the terrace with breathtaking mountain scenery – without smog, traffic and the hustle and bustle of the city.
The perfect place for your summer escape
Among the coolcation destinations in Europe, Austria is one of the easiest to reach: by train to the valley, by bus or cable car up to the hut. We know every place personally and tell you honestly how cool it really is up there – the altitude, the shade and the water nearby are stated with every accommodation. That way your cool holiday starts in the right hut.
Frequently asked
Escaping the heat – answered briefly
How much cooler is it at 1,000 metres?
As a rule of thumb, the temperature drops by about 0.6 degrees per 100 metres of altitude. At 1,000 metres that is around six degrees less than in the valley – and at night the mountain cools down much more. Orientation, shade and the construction of the hut do the rest.
Which hut is best in extreme heat?
The highest are the Zarze Almhütte in the Hohe Tauern National Park at 1,880 metres and the Pietschacher Almhütte in the Nockberge. The lodges in the Kleinwalsertal combine altitude with comfort, bus and cable cars. The Breitberg Alm at 1,100 metres suits families and groups well. Tell us how you travel – we will name the right one for you.
Is a summer retreat only for hikers?
A summer retreat works at any pace: reading on the bench, sitting by the stream, riding up with the cable car or simply being outside early and late. If you want to hike, the trails start right outside the door.
Can I escape the heat with children?
Yes, very well. Children need shade, water and short distances – exactly what farms with a stream, holiday apartments at the forest edge and alpine huts with a meadow outside the door offer. Up on the mountain everyone sleeps better.
Can my dog come along?
At many of our cool huts, yes – dogs benefit from the altitude just as much as you do. Which houses expressly welcome dogs and what applies there is stated with every accommodation and on our page Holidays with a dog.
Is the holiday then guaranteed heat-free?
Even on the mountain a summer day can get warm – just noticeably more pleasant than in the valley, with cool nights and fresh air in the morning. We describe the location of every hut honestly so you know what to expect.
Perhaps a second holiday theme suits you too
A summer retreat combines well – with time for two, with children, with a dog or with the whole group of friends.
Time for two
Holidays for couples
Quiet places, cool nights and special hut moments.
Huts for couples →Out and about together
Family holidays
Huts and holiday homes that suit the age of your children – with shade and water.
Discover family holidays →With your four-legged friend
Holidays with a dog
Huts where your dog is expressly welcome – and where the altitude does him good.
Huts with a dog →Away together
Hut holidays with friends
Houses for 6 to 12 people – with room for everyone at the same table.
Discover group huts →You want out of the heat – and into the right hut?
Tell us your travel dates, number of guests and how much comfort you need. We know every hut personally and look not only at the altitude but at shade, water and location.
Discover more
Cool huts by region
Cool huts in TyrolCool huts in SalzburgCool huts in CarinthiaCool huts in VorarlbergCool huts in East TyrolCool huts in Lower Austria
Matching accommodation types
Rent an alpine hut & mountain cabinHoliday house in the mountainsHoliday apartment in AustriaFarm stayRent a chalet