Hiking Holidays in Austria
in Grossarltal - in Salzburger Land
Experience a dream hiking holiday in Austria's Grossarltal, the Valley of Mountain Huts, featuring the most stunning hiking routes in the Alps, top-notch hiking hotels, and outstanding hiking experts in Grossarl and Hüttschlag.
Planning your next hiking holiday in Austria? In that case, we are most definitely the right place for you! The name "Valley of Mountain Huts" couldn’t be a more apt description for Grossarltal, including its two National Park communities of Hüttschlag and Grossarl. Nowhere else in Salzburg province will you find a valley more deserving of this accolade. Around 40 staffed mountain huts cater to hikers’ rest and refreshment needs along approximately 400 kilometers of marked hiking trails.
Hiking in the valley of the mountain huts
variety for every level of difficulty
This wide variety of mountain huts and hiking trails offers something for every preference and level of experience. Whether you prefer a relaxed family hike with children or are planning a tour to magnificent mountain lakes and summits, you will find suitable routes for every level of difficulty – and perhaps discover one or two hidden lakes along the way.
Leisure hikers, mountain hikers, and experienced mountaineers are warmly welcomed in Grossarltal in the Salzburg region. The breathtaking and diverse alpine pasture area, together with the impressive mountain landscape, is sure to inspire you. The unique scenery, with its fresh mountain air, lush meadows, and idyllic forests, makes every stay a truly special nature experience.
Whether with the whole family, with friends, or on holiday with your dog, Grossarltal is the ideal destination for active days in the mountains.
Hiking Holidays in Grossarltal at a Glance
- Some 40 hill farms and mountain huts
- Around 400 km of marked hiking trails extending into Hohe Tauern National Park - on our "Hiking in Grossarltal" page, you can view all hiking tours online with complete information including duration, difficulty level, elevation gain, etc.
- Weekly guided tours and hikes with state-certified hiking and tour guides - also in Hohe Tauern National Park
- Themed hikes such as herb walks, fairytale hikes for children, and yoga hikes
- Hiking tip: Sunrise Hike in Grossarltal
- BERG-GESUND association with its attractive selection of hiking and mountaineering tours
- Peaks and summits - for all hikers and mountaineers who want to aim even higher, Grossarltal offers numerous high-elevation tours, ranging from the easy “grass mountains” to challenging alpine expeditions
- Mountain lake hikes - hiking to mountain lakes is a very special nature experience and should definitely be planned in as one of your hiking tours
- Multi-day hikes with overnight stays at mountain huts
- Long-distance hiking on the 350 km long Salzburger Almenweg - four of the total 31 stages pass through Grossarltal in Salzburg province
- Hiking with GPS - in addition to hiking destinations and difficulty levels, the yellow hiking signs and location boards also provide GPS data. You can also download the data to your navigation device from our online tour portal.
- Pilgrimage on the Chapel Trail from the parish church in Grossarl to Hüttschlag
- Enjoy Salzburg Alpine Summer here in the Valley of Mountain Huts. Salzburger Land, with its 1,800 active alpine grazing areas, also offers refreshments at around 550 huts, more than anywhere else in Austria. About 40 of these huts are located right here in Grossarltal – that said, Grossarltal can confidently call itself the "cradle" of Salzburg Alpine Summer.
- Many mountain huts in Grossarltal have been awarded the "Alpine Summer Certificate" by Salzburger Land
- Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality - Grossarl and Hüttschlag are excellent hiking villages and provide further evidence of their hiking competency with this seal of quality
- Mountaineering Village Hüttschlag - furthermore, the National Park Community of Hüttschlag is one of the "Austrian Mountaineering Villages"
- Hüttschlag is located in the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park - the largest national park in the Austrian Alps
- Hiking taxi - convenient transportation for all hikers from mid-May to the end of October
- Hiking Professionals - in keeping with the vast array of hiking opportunities and mountain huts, numerous accommodations have specialized in providing hiking-related services
- Sleeping amid alpine pastures - you can also stay overnight at some mountain huts
- Last but not least: Please behave appropriately while hiking - your safety and the wellbeing of our environment are important to us
Alpine summer & mountain huts
enjoyment on your hiking holiday
The Salzburg Alpine Summer is an essential part of a hiking holiday in Austria. Around 40 serviced mountain huts in Grossarltal invite you to stop by and enjoy a well-deserved break.
Typical specialties served at the huts:
- Cheese sandwich
- Bacon sandwich
- Traditional “Brettljause” (a hearty snack platter)
- Homemade farmhouse bread
- Alpine products made directly at the hut
A truly special nature experience is spending the night at a mountain hut – simple, authentic accommodation right in the heart of the mountains.
Salzburger Almenweg
The Salzburger Almenweg – this long-distance hiking trail through the Salzburger Pongau region covers 350 km, passing 120 mountain huts and crossing all 25 Pongau municipalities along the way. It mainly runs at moderate elevations between 1,500 and 2,000 meters. Four of the 25 daily stages in total lead through Grossarltal.
Discover more about the Salzburg Almenweg trail through Grossarltal.
... an absolute must during your hiking holiday in Austria!
Typical meals at mountain huts in Grossarl and Hüttschlag are bread with cheese, bread with bacon, and of course, the immensely popular “Almjause”, consisting of a little bit of everything: bacon, sausage, butter, sliced cheese, the valley's typical sour cheese, and of course, homemade farmhouse bread. Mostly made from products produced directly at the hut itself, or at the respective farms in the valley. Some huts also serve hot dishes.
Guided Hikes & Offers
Regular guided hikes are offered in cooperation with the BERG-GESUND association – ranging from leisurely alpine walks to challenging mountain tours.
Programme highlights:
- Alpine hut hikes
- High alpine tours
- Yoga hikes
- Via ferrata tours
- Mindfulness and slow-paced hikes
This makes your hiking holiday in Austria not only active, but also a truly enriching experience.
Family hiking holidays in Austria
hiking holiday with children in Grossarltal
If you want to share your enthusiasm for hiking with the whole family, we definitely have the right offer for you. Numerous family hikes and themed hikes attract all children to the beautiful nature in Grossarltal. On fairytale hikes, listen to the stories and be led into the realm of mountains, trees, animals, plants, and the inhabitants of nature.
As an additional incentive, the kids can earn fun hiking badges. Hiking with small children is also possible in Grossarltal – where we are happy to offer numerous stroller-friendly hiking paths.
A particular highlight is known as “Family Trekking”. This is a weekly package consisting of 5 nights in the valley in your chosen category and a 3-day hike with family-friendly stages, including 2 nights at mountain huts. And the great thing is: the precise time of your tour can be chosen based on hut availability, plus your valley accommodations don’t need to be vacated on those days you are away.
We will be happy to give you all kinds of great tips for hiking with children. In this way, your family hiking holiday in Salzburger Land, Austria, will definitely be an experience to remember!
Hiking holiday checklist
- Sturdy footwear including soles with good tread
- Backpack
- Hiking poles
- Sun protection
- Enough drinks and provisions
- Small first-aid kit (gauze bandage, adhesive tape, plasters, scissors or knife)
- Orientation aids like a hiking map
- Warm clothing
- Windproof outerwear
- Head covering
- Cap / headband
- Hiking socks
- Breathable underwear
- Comfortable leisure clothing, swimming gear
- Mobile phone (even though it won't get a signal everywhere)
- Camera with battery or charger
- Hygiene items
- Travel first-aid kit
- IDs, cash, credit cards, toll sticker
- Booking confirmation, insurance
- Sunglasses
Opening hours of the mountain huts in Grossarltal
Depending on weather and snow conditions, the first mountain huts in Grossarltal open as early as mid-May. Most huts start the season in early to mid-June and are generally open until September, with some remaining open until October.
Highlights of the hiking season in Grossarltal
- Mid-June to mid-July: alpine rose blossom
- Summer: lush green alpine meadows and the true alpine summer atmosphere
- Autumn: Impressive panoramic views
Each season has its own special charm.
Hiking FAQs
useful information about hiking in Grossarltal
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about hiking trails, mountain huts, opening hours, guided tours, stroller-friendly paths, and tour planning. Thanks to clear signposting along all marked hiking trails and detailed information on difficulty levels in the tour descriptions, safe orientation throughout the region is guaranteed.
