Excursions

Grossglockner High Alpine Road - 48 km
Famed for a fabulously scenic route that meanders through the Hohe Tauern National Park, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is probably the most well known stretch of road in Austria. Winding from Bruck in Salzburg to Heiligenblut in Carinthia, the highest point on the pass is the Hochtor at 2505 metres. The road is a dream for motorcyclists as well as cyclists who love a serious sporting challenge. What is more, you will find exhibitions, information boards and nature trails all along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The road is open from May to October, and is closed at night.

Carinthian Lake Tour - 270 km
If you were to describe Carinthia it would be as a region exemplified by superb lakes and awe-inspiring mountains. The Carinthian Lake Tour starts in Klagenfurt, following the northern bank of the legendary Wörthersee to Pörtschach, a famous tourist resort. From here you travel north to Moosburg and the Moosburg ponts, past Feldkirchen and on to the magnificent Ossiacher See. Continue northwards, taking in the crystal-clear waters of the Afritzersee and the Brennsee, before reaching the Millstättersee. Onwards towards Villach and then the shimmering waters of the Faaker See, before returning to the Wörthersee and the celebrated towns of Velden and Maria Wörth. Finally it's back to Klagenfurt, passing through Viktring on the way.

Along the Danube - 445 km
The journey along the Danube starts in Passau, a charming town on the border between Austria and Germany. The first attraction along the way is the 'Donauschlinge' (an oxbow) near Schlögen. From here it's past Wilhering Monastery to Linz where the road leaves the Danube for a short diversion to St. Florian, through the ancient Roman town of Enns and on towards Steyr, a small town with a historic city centre. The route takes you to the start of the Wachau, a particularly beautiful section replete with vineyards, apricot trees and quaint little villages, and resplendent with monasteries and ruins towering high above the Danube. From the Wachau you travel to Vienna, before following the Danube eastwards towards Hainburg, a small town on the edge of the Donau-Auen National Park. It's here that the river leaves Austrian territory once again and your Danube tour ends.

The Styrian Volcano Area - 100 km
A trip through this extremely appealing landscape is recommended to all connoisseurs of wine and fans of typical regional specialities. The area extends between Schwarzau in the west and Kapfenstein in the east. It is noted for its idyllic rural eating establishments with excellent cuisine, as well as wine taverns and wine growers producing exquisite local wines. Together with specialised manufacturers and museums the area has formed a collective to protect and promote the uniqueness of this section of Styria.

Around and About the Wilder Kaiser - 90 km
Your journey around the majestic Wilder Kaiser begins in Kufstein, renowned for its enchanting historic centre. From here you set out for Ebbs, towards the idyllic Walchsee. The route continues to St. Johann in Tirol, passing through Kirchdorf on the way. From here it is not far to Kitzbühel, the holiday destination known for its vibrant town centre. Nestled at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser are the delightful villages of Going, Ellmau and Scheffau from which you can reach Hintersteiner See, a charming lake at an altitude of 882 metres. Passing through the villages of Söll and Kirchbichl you reach Mariastein with its church, famous as a place of pilgrimage, before bringing you back to Kufstein once again.

Hohe Tauern Tour - 270 km
Your excursion starts in St. Johann im Pongau and from here the route takes you through the breathtaking scenery of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Not far away from here is the Liechtensteinklamm, a spectacular gorge formed by the thunderous current of the waterfalls as they cut deep into the towering rock. The next stop is the Gasteiner Tal and the superbly located cure and health centres of Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein. In Böckstein load your car onto the train and take the Tauernschleuse (tunnel) to Mallnitz in Carinthia. In Obervellach the magnificent Falkenstein Castle awaits you before the route takes you on to Kolbnitz in the Mölltal. Just outside of Spittal an der Drau and Porcia Castle take a minute to explore Teurnia, a Roman archaeological site. From the medieval town of Gmünd the next stop is St. Michael im Lungau which can be reached by the Katschbergpass, before returning to St. Johann via the Radstädter Tauernpass.

Around the Wölzer Tauern - 200 km
From the shopping town of Liezen the road takes you to the Putterersee in Aigen, the warmest alpine moor lake amongst bathing lakes in Styria. From the picturesque town of Irdning the road continues to Donnersbach. The Erzherzog-Johann-Strasse with its perfect panoramic views takes you from the Ennstal and over the Sölkpass to Oberzeiring on the other side. Continuing northwards your route leads to Hohentauern, with a highly recommended detour of the crystal-clear waters of the Scheibelseen at 1700 metres above sea level. From here the road takes you back to Liezen, passing through Rottenmann on the way.

Across the 'Puszta', the Lowland Plains of Burgenland - 220 km
From Vienna the road takes you via Schwechat and Bruck an der Leitha to Lake Neusiedl. Next stop is Mönchhof, with a trip to the fabulous Baroque Halbturn Castle, then Seewinkel with its countless lakes and ponds, passing through Frauenkirchen and St. Andrä am Zicksee on the way. The route now begins to wind its way back to the surfers' paradise of Podersdorf, and on towards the wine producing town of Rust with its outstanding architecture. Onwards to St. Margarethen, before we reach Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, then journey back to Vienna through Loretto with its beautiful pilgrimage church and Laxenburg Palace.

Experience Vorarlberg's Highest Peaks - 140 km
Starting in Bludenz this round trip takes you through the Montafon. By way of Schruns-Tschagguns, St. Gallenkirch, Gortipohl and Gaschurn you travel past Partenen on the Silvretta High Alpine Road, one of the most beautiful panorama highways in the Alps.The trip continues to Galtür and Ischgl and over the imposing Trisanna Bridge to the upscale resorts of St. Anton and St. Christoph am Arlberg. This is followed by the 1793 metre high Arlberg mountain pass, leading you back to Bludenz by way of Bergdorfer Stuben and Klösterle through the Kloster Valley.