hikes Archives -

pine trees reaching to sky with snowy Alps behind

It’s the size of Pennsylvania, and its population is barely half of London’s. Yet Austria provides trekkers with a larger-than-life experience. The country specializes in day hikes that feature uniquely Central European attractions; think castles, inns, and the continent’s largest waterfall.

And with hundreds of worthy nominees, choosing the country’s best trail is like choosing the world’s most talented athlete. There are many opinions, and none is wrong. Fortunately, we don’t have to make that tough choice. Instead, we created a list of the best 8 hikes in the Austrian Alps :)

Basic Need-to-Know

What to Pack

Obviously how much you pack and the backpack you use will depend on the length of the hike. Use this list as a guideline, and adapt as needed:

Basic first aid kit
Cash (Euros). It’s the preferred manner of payment for smaller purchases, including at beer gardens & wineries :)
Clothes: Layers are best because the weather varies throughout the day and with changes in elevation. A waterproof windbreaker does wonders here. The strong winds treat umbrellas the way hurricanes treat small watercraft; by mangling them.
Detailed map or GPS if going far outside the city. Otherwise, Apple and Google Maps work fine.
Mid-day meals and snacks. Lunchtime is slow, and many restaurants are closed.
Water! Water is clean to drink in Austria, and that includes fresh mountain springs; however we noticed that fountains are not easy to find.

When to Go

Late spring through early fall is when to go hiking in Austria. In fact, summer is the most popular time for hiking due to the moderate temperatures (average August highs in Vienna hover around 78F/25.C).

Make sure to check the weather no matter when you visit. Then you won’t be shocked when a pleasant, sunny morning transforms into a stormy afternoon. And you can always expect wind in the Alps :)

The Best 8 Hikes in the Austrian Alps

We made this list based on word of mouth, research, and personal experience. They are listed by length, starting with the shortest.

Lake Hallstatt to Rudolf’s Tower

Distance: 2.3 miles/3.7km

Total Elevation Change: 1,079 feet/329 meters

Difficulty: Medium

Highlights: This steep, out-and-back trail stands out for its water features (we’re suckers for water features). It starts at the lake and leads you to Rudolf’s Tower (Rudolfsturm).

Tips: The actual tower was built in the 1200’s. And if its history ain’t enough, it is where you can buy drinks and snackies. Make sure the trail is open before going.

Closest Major City: Salzberg

Castle of Hardegg Trail

One of several outstanding options in Thayatal National Park, which borders Podyji National Park in the Czech Republic. Go on this hike for the fortress, oak forest, and stunning views from the plateau!

Distance: 3.8 miles/6.1 km

Total Elevation Change: 826 feet/252 m

Difficulty: Easy-medium

Tip: This is a great option if you’re bringing kids. You can buy snacks and drinks in the park, and there are picnic tables and a playground. Entrance fee is EUR 5.50.

Closest Cities: Vienna or Brno in the Czech Republic

Höttinger Bild – Rauschbrunnen

The river Isar near its spring in the Karwendel-mountains.

Located near Innsbruck, this loop is the Karwendel Nature Reserve’s most popular hike. Standout features include views of the city and mountains in addition to the traditional Tyrolean foods at the Rauschbrunnen inn.

Distance: 4.8 miles/7.7km

Total Elevation Change: 1,240

Difficulty: Medium

Tip: If you have time, consider the even more panoramic Hungerburg to Hafelekarpitze hike. This 8 mile/12.9km-long hike is also more challenging.

Closest City: Innsbruck

Krimml Waterfall Trail

Again, we’re suckers for water. And with Krimml, Austria is home to Europe’s largest waterfall (380 meters/1,247 feet). Paths take you to the lower, middle and upper falls. Top-notch Alpine views are another of this trail’s draws.

Distance: 5.1 miles/8.2km

Difficulty: Medium

Tips: This trail is closed when conditions are bad. So check its status here before going. You have to pay a fee to enter Hohe Tauern National Park for this hike.

Closest City: Salzberg

Eisenstadt Loop

This hike is a classic loop through vineyards near Vienna. It’s part of Austria’s oldest national park, Neusiedler See-Seewinkel.

Distance: 5.8 miles/9.3km

Difficulty: Medium

Tip: Try to make time for other areas in Neusiedler See-Seewinkel, too! The park is home to saltpans, meadows, and the famous lake from which it gets its name.

Closest City: Vienna

Vienna City Hiking Trail 1

one of the best 8 hikes in austrian alps; vienna city hiking trail. Wooden sign with vegetation

Distance: 6.8 miles/10.9km

Total Elevation Change: 1,164 ft/355 meters

Difficulty: Medium

Highlights: You won’t believe you’re still in the city! Through verdant, wooded sections adjacent to sweet-smelling fields and a burbling brook, this loop goes uphill before leveling out and eventually descending. Vineyards are open in warmer months.

Tips: Take the tram to the Nussdorf Beethovengang stop. This neighborhood is walkable and beautiful; check out Beethoven’s house if you have time! The German name of this hike is Stadtwanderweg 1.

Closest City: Vienna

Neusiedler See Panoramic Hike

Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedl) is a World Heritage site and offers hiking, biking, watersports and, being in Central Europe, a nearby castle or two.

Distance: 20.8 miles/33.4km

Change in Elevation: 1,164 ft/355 meters

Difficulty: Medium-hard

Tip: Interested in an even longer hike? Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park has several fantastic options up to 75 miles long!

Closest Cities: Vienna and Bratislava

Lynx Trail (Luchs Trail)

This 11-day experience wanders through three conservation areas and finishes with an appropriate Alpine lake plunge. Plus you’ll spot one of the secretive mammals for which the trail was named… if you’re lucky.

Distance: 130 miles/210 km

Change in Elevation: 4,922 ft/1,500 meters

Difficulty: Hard (badass)

Tips: For up-to-date information follow the trail’s official website. The site also has information on accommodation and refreshments for your journey.

Closest Cities: Graz, Vienna, Innsbruck

Conclusion

No two “Best 8 Hikes in the Austrian Alps” lists are the same. That’s because Austria offers so many beautiful, fun hikes that are worthy of making someone’s list. But each of these eight is guaranteed to be a trip highlight. You’ll quickly understand why hikers leave the country searching for the right superlatives to best describe their experience.

And the most important thing to remember is this: In Austria you’re never far from an awesome trail!

hikes in Machu Picchu. Entrance to Huanya Picchu

Warm sun hits the gleam of sweat on your face, and you trudge over stones that were laid centuries ago while ignoring an adjacent cliffside. You pump your legs up stairs that promise riveting views of the Andean landscape, the same seductive sights that enraptured the Incas and draw thousands of annual visitors to Peru’s most popular (and expensive) attraction.

The dry air has a light sweetness to it. Giant orchids and zipping hummingbirds highlight the low vegetation around you. From over a thousand feet below, a rushing river provides a continuous background to the sounds of your companions’ breathing and the occasional conversation.

This isn’t just a dreamy picture of exploration; it is made reality when you hike Machu Picchu. But before you go, you must prepare. What are your hiking options? How should you get ready, both physically and mentally?

Read on as we answer these questions. And then read our article on Machu Picchu for all the facts you’ll need to visit the actual site (not just the hikes).

The Normal Machu Picchu Ticket

The Ministry of Culture offers 5 different loops (circuits) for visitors to Machu Picchu. These divide up travelers, resulting in a lower daily impact on the site. Your ticket will only include one circuit. This is considered a “normal” ticket for Machu Picchu.

The circuits are relatively new and vary in length. It’s best to get the latest information on each one from the Ministry of Culture’s website (where you can also buy tickets).

But while the circuits take 1.5-3 hours to complete, they are more of a stroll than a hike. If you want to really hike at Machu Picchu there are three options: Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain.

Note: There is also an option to see the Incan bridge, but this is a short walk and not what most would consider a hike (especially compared to the other three).

Add-on Hikes in Machu Picchu

When you buy tickets for Machu Picchu, you will have the option to buy a ticket that includes one of these hikes. You can only buy one ticket per day, and the circuit at Machu Picchu will be determined by the hike you choose.

For example, you will take a circuit through the lower part of Machu Picchu if you hike Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, and you’ll walk the upper part of the site if hiking Machu Picchu Mountain.

Your ticket for the hike will also be timed. That means you’ll have a designated hour to show up at the hike’s entrance, where you will then sign in.

Rock and thatched roof stone buildings — This rock is next to the entrance for Huchuy and Huayna Picchu. The Incas shaped the boulder in the same form as the mountain directly behind it, which was a common practice of theirs.

Huchuy Picchu

This is the most recently-opened, and shortest, of the three. At only 1 km (0.62 miles) long, the Huchuy Picchu hike is a vertiginous push to the top of the mountain that lies between Machu Picchu and the taller Huayna Picchu.

Huchuy Picchu isn’t long, but hiking it involves navigating a narrow, towering mountainside trail. Most arrive to the top within 15-20 minutes, and the descent takes 10-15 minutes.

a couple standing in front of stone archaeological site and green mountains — See the green hump all the way to the left, directly behind the stone buildings? That’s Huchuy Picchu! To the right is the larger Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu

Huanya Picchu is the most popular of the three hikes in Machu Picchu. That’s because it takes less time to complete than Machu Picchu Mountain and the trail arrives to the top of a mountain taller than Huchuy Picchu.

The ascent and descent take about 2 hours total. Much like at Huchuy Picchu, this 4km (2.5 mile) adventure will pump your adrenaline and put you face-to-face with any fear of heights lurking in your subconscious.

narrow, steep stone steps — One section of Huayna Picchu

Machu Picchu Mountain

The Machu Picchu Mountain hike starts at the opposite side of Machu Picchu than the other two. The 3-4 hour hike involves countless stairs- still on the side of the mountain, but not quite as narrow as those at Huayna or Huchuy Picchu.

All the effort is worth it, as you’ll arrive to the tallest summit at 3,082 meters (10,112 feet) above sea level.

And that will give you an excellent photo opportunity of the Machu Picchu complex, Huchuy Picchu and Huayna Picchu- if the clouds permit, that is :)

This is a moderately difficult hike that I only recommend if you have the time. Remember you’ll want time to tour Machu Picchu itself as well.

How to Hike Machu Picchu for Cheap

There technically is an option to hike Machu Picchu for free, although it is more of a hike to, not within, the actual site. The 8km (5 mile) path is easy to find because it is adjacent to the bus route for Machu Picchu.

Most people complete the hike in 1-2 hours. It’s totally uphill; you start at Aguas Calientes (an altitude of 389 meters or 1,276 feet), and end up at Machu Picchu (1,279 meters or 4,196 feet)!

A less strenuous option is to take the path down to Aguas Calientes after visiting Machu Picchu. Either way, just make sure to pack plenty of water.

Oh, and remember to get a bus ticket for the route that you won’t be hiking (to Machu Picchu or back to Aguas Calientes)!

Can You Hike Machu Picchu Without a Guide?

Yes, you can hike any of these without a guide. Guides are great for providing cultural context to the experience (and as another pair of hands for taking photos), but hiring one is not a requirement. Of course, you will be provided a guide if you purchase a tour package.

The first steps of the Huayna Picchu hike

Training for Hiking Machu Picchu

Anyone in good shape will do fine on these hikes. But remember, each hike is in addition to the 1.5-3 hours you’ll need to tour Machu Picchu.

The most difficult aspects are mental and the altitude. For the first, I recommend doing several 4-hour long hikes wearing a backpack (ideally with steep inclines) in the weeks leading up to traveling. If you can practice in a spot with steep drop-offs, even better.

The altitude aspect will take care of itself if you spend time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before going to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude than those areas. You should take at least 48 hours to acclimate to the altitude before hiking in Machu Picchu.

people using all fours to go up stone stairway

How Many Hikes are There to Machu Picchu?

For hiking to (not within) Machu Picchu, there are are several options. These vary from the 2-day Inca Trail (which we did in August 2022!) to 4-8 day options.

Conclusion

Including a hike greatly adds to the adventure of visiting Machu Picchu. This is whether you pick Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the hike from Aguas Calientes. And as long as you are in reasonably good shape, you’ll do fine.

Get in some practice hikes before landing in Peru so you’ll be mentally ready.

And make sure you have enough time to catch your train back to Cusco!

Thinking of doing one of these hikes? Then read our post on visiting Machu Picchu– this provides all the basic need-to-know information (including what to pack)!

Please leave a comment if you’ve done one of these hikes. Thanks for reading :)