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The Alps: Living Space and Recreational Space
The only moderately glaciated Verwall group, the Zillertal Alps and the Hohe Tauern have always held a special allure for hikers and mountaineers. The 120-kilometer long main ridge of this impressive alpine region forms the geographic center of the East Alps. With 3798m the Grossglockner is Austria’s highest mountain. At its foot is the Pasterze, the largest glacier in the East Alps. The Ötztal Alps with the Wildspitze (3774m) and the Similaun (3607m) are the East Alps’ largest mountain range. The Niedere Tauern group with the Hochgolling (2862 m) is located east of the Hohe Tauern and is popular with hikers.
Rock & Water
The Alps are divided into valleys by rivers which have been important settlement areas and trade routes for thousands of years. The River Inn, which rises in the Swiss Engadine and flows 510 kilometers northeast across western Austria, passes through Innsbruck on its way. Tirol’s capital is considered one of the Alps’s most beautiful cities (Golden Roof, Imperial Palace and Ambras Palace). Just as important is the 220 kilometer long Salzach, the main river of the Austrian state of Salzburg.
These two river valleys connect South Germany with Switzerland and – via Brenner Pass – with Italy. Huge storage power stations like Kölnbreinspeicher (Carinthia) and the many alpine reservoirs show how important water power is in the production of energy. The many lakes that are hidden away amid the Alps and alpine foothills add to the charm of regions such as the Salzkammergut with its lovely lakes, Wolfgangsee, Attersee, Mondsee, Hallstätter See and Traunsee among them.
Unique Mountains
Hiking and climbing are obviously the best way to explore the Austrian mountains. There are abundant beautiful trails through forests with oaks, copper beech, firs, pines, or larches. Typical alpine flowers include the gentian, the alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), saxifrage and the rare edelweiss. Typical animals to be found here are the chamois (wild goat), the ibex, the marmot, the Alpine chough and the ptarmigan.
Hundreds of mountain pastures not only provide food for the animals but also rest and relaxation for walkers. Some of the mountain huts are open to hikers and offer a bed as well as food. A traditional spectacle not to be missed is the annual cattle drive at the end of summer. The cow herds, which are brought down from the high pastures, wear elaborate headdresses for the occasion, and the clanging of the cow bells accompanies brass bands which welcome the parties in the valley. Many of the ancient pagan customs have managed to survive and thrive in the Alps, such as the fate and oracle traditions around Christmas or the Devil’s Runs in November. A rather “youthful” folk festival is the Narcissi Fest in Bad Aussee (spring).
Active in the Mountains
The mountains have always held a great fascination for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. They provide the perfect backdrop for rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, canyoning, paragliding, rafting, canoeing and kayaking. Austria’s national sport, skiing, has spawned some 260 ski lift companies and 7200 kilometers of slopes. The best skiing is found in Vorarlberg (Lech/Zürs), Tirol (Kitzbühel, St. Anton am Arlberg) and Salzburg (Flachau, Zell am See). "Skiwelt amadé" in Salzburg is an association of over 25 resorts and boasts an incredible 860 kilometers of ski runs serviced by 270 lifts. .
Rock & Water
The Alps are divided into valleys by rivers which have been important settlement areas and trade routes for thousands of years. The River Inn, which rises in the Swiss Engadine and flows 510 kilometers northeast across western Austria, passes through Innsbruck on its way. Tirol’s capital is considered one of the Alps’s most beautiful cities (Golden Roof, Imperial Palace and Ambras Palace). Just as important is the 220 kilometer long Salzach, the main river of the Austrian state of Salzburg.
These two river valleys connect South Germany with Switzerland and – via Brenner Pass – with Italy. Huge storage power stations like Kölnbreinspeicher (Carinthia) and the many alpine reservoirs show how important water power is in the production of energy. The many lakes that are hidden away amid the Alps and alpine foothills add to the charm of regions such as the Salzkammergut with its lovely lakes, Wolfgangsee, Attersee, Mondsee, Hallstätter See and Traunsee among them.
Unique Mountains
Hiking and climbing are obviously the best way to explore the Austrian mountains. There are abundant beautiful trails through forests with oaks, copper beech, firs, pines, or larches. Typical alpine flowers include the gentian, the alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), saxifrage and the rare edelweiss. Typical animals to be found here are the chamois (wild goat), the ibex, the marmot, the Alpine chough and the ptarmigan.
Hundreds of mountain pastures not only provide food for the animals but also rest and relaxation for walkers. Some of the mountain huts are open to hikers and offer a bed as well as food. A traditional spectacle not to be missed is the annual cattle drive at the end of summer. The cow herds, which are brought down from the high pastures, wear elaborate headdresses for the occasion, and the clanging of the cow bells accompanies brass bands which welcome the parties in the valley. Many of the ancient pagan customs have managed to survive and thrive in the Alps, such as the fate and oracle traditions around Christmas or the Devil’s Runs in November. A rather “youthful” folk festival is the Narcissi Fest in Bad Aussee (spring).
Active in the Mountains
The mountains have always held a great fascination for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. They provide the perfect backdrop for rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, canyoning, paragliding, rafting, canoeing and kayaking. Austria’s national sport, skiing, has spawned some 260 ski lift companies and 7200 kilometers of slopes. The best skiing is found in Vorarlberg (Lech/Zürs), Tirol (Kitzbühel, St. Anton am Arlberg) and Salzburg (Flachau, Zell am See). "Skiwelt amadé" in Salzburg is an association of over 25 resorts and boasts an incredible 860 kilometers of ski runs serviced by 270 lifts. .
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