Safe in the mountains · Hiking, swimming, cycling
Safe in the mountains: a mountain holiday that starts well planned and relaxed
Set off from the hut in the morning, sit by the lake at midday, eat together on the terrace in the evening. 29 huts, alpine huts and holiday apartments in Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Carinthia and the Mostviertel are starting points for hikes, bike tours and swimming days – each personally checked, with road access, trails and weather conditions we know. Being safe in the mountains means for us: plan well, set your own pace and enjoy the mountain.
Personally checkedMountains and lakes
easy to plan
easy to plan
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One day, many trailsHiking, lake and cooking – without changing placesFrom every hut you set off on foot, by bike or by cable car – and return to the same table in the evening.
2
Your paceSummit, forest path or rest dayThe tour follows fitness, weather and mood – the slowest person sets the pace for the day, and that is a good thing.
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We know the trailsRoad access, weather and walk-in checkedEvery accommodation page tells you how to get there, which trails start at the door and what to watch for in each season.
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Closer than you thinkFar from everyday life, without a long-haul flightA few hours by car or one train ride, and the mountain holiday begins – plannable, manageable, together.
Three starting points we especially recommend for a mountain holiday
Every day we show you three different places from our selection – from the train station in the village to the alpine hut with a walk-in. Each card tells you which trails start there. All huts for hiking and mountain holidays are further down in the gallery and in the hut finder.
Mühlenhütte am Privatteich im Mostviertel
Niederösterreich, Pielach
from 100,00 € / Night
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Abenteurer-Hütte am Geißenberg im Mostviertel
Niederösterreich, Pielach
from 50,00 € / Night
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Six starting points
How differently a safe mountain holiday can begin
The right accommodation makes many things easier: a short drive in, marked trails from the door, a cable car or bus nearby. Six examples from our selection, from the train station in the village to the alpine hut at 1,700 metres.
Train station in the village · trails from the doorSonnseitn Karwendel, Fritzens
The train station is in the village, the marked hiking trails start at the front door, the Karwendel stands opposite. Short loops on the sunny slope, longer tours by train to Innsbruck or Hall – a starting point where planning is easy and a rest day on the terrace counts just as much.
See Sonnseitn Karwendel
Cable cars included · WalserbusSix lodges in the Kleinwalsertal
With the guest card, cable cars and the Walserbus are included – so you choose the tour by fitness and weather: get off at the top and walk the high trail, or stay in the valley and follow the stream. Marked trails of every difficulty, playground at the house, the whole valley car-free.
See the lodges in the Kleinwalsertal
Cycle path, stream and farmRiedhof, Breitenbach am Inn
The relaxed start for families: the Inn cycle path almost flat, swimming lakes in the Tyrolean lowlands, animals at the organic farm and easy hikes in the Kitzbühel Alps. Three apartments at the farm, train station in the village – a mountain holiday where children may set the pace.
See Troadkammer am Riedhof
Drive right to the door · for twelveGrafenhäusl, Karwendel Nature Park
You drive right to the door, the hiking trails begin on the meadow: up to the alpine pasture, down through the forest to Terfens or by bus to Schwaz. For groups of up to twelve, where different plans may form in the morning – in the evening everyone sits at the same table again.
See Grafenhäusl
Alpine hut at 1,700 m · gentle Nock MountainsPietschacher Almhütte, Carinthia
The Nock Mountains are round and good-natured: alpine trails without exposed sections, summits for families, bus 500 metres from the hut. In winter the piste starts behind the house. An alpine hut for eight, where you experience altitude without the tour becoming a high-alpine climb.
See Pietschacher Almhütte
Swimming in your own pondMühlenhütte, Mostviertel
Swimming is part of a mountain summer: the pond lies in front of the hut, the Pielachtal brings cycle paths and gentle hills, the Mariazellerbahn stops in the village. For everyone who likes mountains without an ambition for altitude – and for children who want one more swim in the evening.
See MühlenhütteAdd to that alpine huts with a walk-in such as the Zarze Almhütte in East Tyrol or the Abenteurer-Hütte in the Mostviertel – for mountaineers and hikers who see the ascent as part of the holiday. All huts are listed below in the gallery.
Hiking, swimming, cycling
Three ways into the mountains – and each may be easy
The path does not have to lead to the summit
A loop to the alpine pasture, a forest path with children or a long mountain tour: you choose the hike that suits fitness, weather and mood today. Marked trails, a realistic schedule and breaks turn the tour into a good day – and turning back is always a good decision.
Hike safelyWater with the mountains right there
A small tour in the morning, the mountain lake or the pond in front of the hut in the afternoon. Mountain lakes are cold and clear – go in slowly, stay near the shore and keep an eye on the children, and the swimming day is as relaxed as it looks.
Swim safelyThe right route counts more than the strongest bike
Leisurely along the valley cycle path, to the farm shop or by e-bike towards the alpine pasture: the route may suit you. Helmet on, check the brakes, give hikers the right of way on shared trails – and ride the descent so that it is fun.
Cycle safelySafe on the way
More safety in the mountains: four things that make every tour easier
Weather forecast and daily plan
The weather forecast belongs to tour planning like the shoes: start early, allow for afternoon thunderstorms, adapt the length of the hike to the group. A good plan always has a plan B – the shorter loop, the lake, the rest day.
Weather and planningEquipment and self-assessment
Suitable hiking boots, layered clothing, sunscreen, provisions, enough water, a small first-aid kit and a charged phone – a day tour rarely needs more. More important than any equipment is a realistic self-assessment: choose difficulty and length according to the weakest person.
Ten questions before setting offEmergency call: help is one call away
In Austria you reach mountain rescue on 140, the ambulance on 144, the European emergency number on 112 – which works even with weak reception. Have your location, the injury and the number of people ready. And tell your host briefly where you are going: that is the simplest safety measure.
Emergency numbers and what to doChoose the right accommodation
Drive to the door or walk in on foot, valley or alpine pasture, cable car nearby or hiking trails from the house: the type and location decide how easily the day begins. Every accommodation page tells you what suits the season – in winter, ask us about snow and snow chains before you travel.
Good to know before bookingFor whom
The mountain holiday should suit you – not the other way round
Family
Short distances, stream and lake
Children need less programme than adults think: animals at the farm in Gnadenwald or at the Riedhof, the pond in front of the Mühlenhütte, cable car and playground in the Kleinwalsertal. Short goals, breaks and a plan B matter more than metres of altitude.
See family huts →As a couple or alone
Your own rhythm, clear decisions
A small hut, a trail and a long evening – Tiroler Hütte, Waldhüttl or Sonnseitn. Those travelling alone choose tour and accommodation to match their own ability and tell the host where they are going.
For solo travellers →Friends
Different plans, one table
Grafenhäusl, Breitberg Alm or Alpenrehblick: the day may hold different tours – summit for some, alpine pasture and lake for others. In the evening everyone meets again for cooking.
See huts for friends →What matters when?
In summer
Start early, allow for afternoon thunderstorms, sturdy shoes and enough water – and choose the tour to suit the group. Swimming lakes and alpine pastures round off the day.
Discover summer →In winter
Short days, snow chains and the road to the hut: ask us about conditions before you travel. Winter hiking trails and sledding runs are marked and easy to plan.
Discover winter →All huts for hiking and mountain holidays
Not decided yet? Here are all huts, alpine huts and holiday apartments from which you reach the mountains on foot, by bike or by cable car – with number of persons, rooms and the way to the door. Whether your week is free, you see directly at the accommodation.
Good to know
Mountain safety: how to stay safe in the mountains around your hut
Plan your route and check the forecast
Route planning is the first of the essential safety tips: know your route, the elevation gain and the return time, and check the forecast on the morning of the tour – mountain weather can change within an hour, even in summer. Avoid exposed ridges when strong winds or a thunderstorm are announced, and turn back if conditions change. Knowing your limits makes for safe decisions.
Food and water, map and compass
A well-stocked first aid kit, enough food and water, a waterproof jacket, breathable layers and a mobile phone with spare batteries belong in the rucksack. For navigation take a map and compass or a hiking app with an offline map – the GPS on the phone is the backup, the map in your head is the plan. Stay hydrated, keep an eye on sun and heat and on children walking in the mountains.
In case of an emergency
Mountain rescue in Austria is reached on 140, the European emergency number is 112 – it works even with weak reception. Tell someone where you are going: the host at the hut is happy to be that someone. Many accidents occur on the descent, so staying alert until the front door is part of mountain safety. For high mountain terrain and mountaineering, hiring a guide or a mountain skills course is the safe start.
Safety starts at the hut
Safety first also means choosing the right hut: road access or a walk-in, the valley or the mountain pasture, hiking trails from the door or a cable car nearby. What suits the season is stated for every accommodation – in winter we tell you about snow, chains and current conditions before you arrive. That way your mountain adventures stay a safe and enjoyable experience.
Frequently asked
Safe in the mountains – briefly answered
How do I plan a mountain hike safely?
Choose route and length according to the weakest person, check the weather forecast in the morning, start early and plan breaks. Marked trails, sturdy hiking boots, provisions and a charged phone are part of it – and the readiness to turn back when weather or fitness say so.
What equipment do I need for a day tour?
Suitable hiking boots, layered clothing, rain and cold protection, sunscreen, enough water, provisions, a small first-aid kit and your phone. For alpine huts with a walk-in, a headlamp as well. Everything else is in the Safe in the Mountains guide.
What to do in a thunderstorm or a change of weather?
When thunderstorms are forecast, start early and be back down by midday. If a storm builds: leave summits, ridges and open ground, keep away from single trees and shorten the tour. The summit stays – the next holiday day comes.
Which emergency numbers apply in Austria?
Mountain rescue 140, ambulance 144, European emergency number 112 – 112 also works with weak reception. When calling, give your location, the type of injury and the number of people, and stay reachable.
Is a mountain holiday suitable for families with children?
Yes, if accommodation and tours suit the children's age: short goals, a stream or lake as a reward, breaks and a plan B. Holiday apartments at the farm, the lodges in the Kleinwalsertal with cable cars included or the Mühlenhütte with its pond are good starting points.
Do I have to be particularly sporty for a mountain holiday?
Every mountain holiday may be as easy as you like: walking paths, easy cycle routes, swimming lakes and accommodation where nature begins right outside the door. The mountains give freedom, planning makes them enjoyable: you choose whether today is summit, alpine pasture or rest day.
Which starting point suits you?
Tell us who you are travelling with, what you like to do and how sporty it may get. We know road access, trails and weather conditions at every hut and tell you which one is free for your week – directly and personally.
Discover more
Mountain holidays by region
Huts in TyrolHuts in SalzburgHuts in CarinthiaHuts in VorarlbergHuts in East TyrolHuts in the Mostviertel
Matching accommodation types
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