Austria Nature & Wildlife
Tourism Sites
Attersee
🧠. Fact: Austria’s largest inland lake and a hot spot for diving, sailing, and windsurfing. Fact: Famous for turquoise waters and scenic cycling paths along the shoreline
💡 Tip: Stop at the Gustav Klimt Centre nearby to explore the artist’s local inspiration.
Info - Attersee, this is the largest lake in the Salzkammergut and a favorite summer retreat for locals and visitors alike. Crystal-clear waters, charming lakeside villages, and opportunities for swimming, sailing, and diving make it a must-visit during the warmer months. It’s a peaceful escape for nature lovers and anyone looking to unwind by the water.
Dachstein Glacier
🧠. Fact: Offers year-round snow activities — from skiing to glacier hiking and ice palace tours. Fact: Home to the famous Skywalk and suspension bridge at 2,700m elevation.
💡 Tip: Check weather before visiting — fog can block all views
Info - At the heart of the region lies the Dachstein Glacier, one of Austria’s most accessible and beautiful high-alpine environments. Reached via a cable car from Ramsau am Dachstein, the glacier offers year-round snow, dramatic ice caves, and incredible panoramic views. Visitors can walk across the spectacular Dachstein Skywalk and Suspension Bridge, perched at over 2,700 metres, or explore the Ice Palace, a series of intricately carved tunnels within the glacier itself. In summer, hiking trails and via ferrata routes abound, while winter brings skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country trails.
Gosau & Gosausee
🧠. Fact: Gosausee is a crystal-clear alpine lake with epic views of the Dachstein Glacier. It’s also a perfect base for hiking and biking.: The reflection of the Dachstein peaks in the lake is one of Austria’s most photographed scenes.
💡 Tip: Visit early morning for calm water and fewer crowds. Category: Nature & Wildlife
Info - The village of Gosau is a classic alpine settlement, with quaint wooden chalets and flower-filled meadows set against a backdrop of rugged peaks. It’s an ideal base for nature lovers and hikers, with trails leading straight from the village into the surrounding forests and hills. In winter, Gosau turns into a cozy ski destination, part of the Dachstein West ski region, offering gentle slopes and family-friendly runs.
A short drive from the village, Gosausee is one of Austria’s most photogenic mountain lakes. Surrounded by dense forests and towering cliffs, the lake’s still waters perfectly reflect the snow-covered Dachstein Glacier in the distance. A flat, 4.5-kilometre walking trail circles the lake, offering easy access to incredible views and peaceful picnic spots. It’s ideal for families or those seeking a relaxed alpine stroll.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
🧠. Fact: One of the most famous mountain roads in Europe, winding through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park
💡 Tip: Drive early morning for clear views and minimal traffic.
Info - A road trip along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is another Austrian classic. Winding through dramatic mountain scenery, this iconic alpine pass reaches an elevation of over 2,500 meters, offering breathtaking stops at panoramic viewpoints, glacier lakes, and cozy mountain lodges.
Grundlsee & Toplitzsee
🧠. Fact: These peaceful alpine lakes are surrounded by dramatic peaks and steeped in local legend.
💡 Tip: Take a boat ride to explore the hidden beauty of Toplitzsee.
Info - Venture to the tranquil Grundlsee & Toplitzsee, two serene alpine lakes steeped in folklore and mystery. Grundlsee, often called the "Styrian Sea," is known for its glassy, clear surface, while nearby Toplitzsee hides legends of sunken wartime treasures beneath its deep, dark waters. Both are perfect for boat trips, photography, and quiet lakeside picnics.
Innsbruck to Kufstein Train Route
🧠. Fact: This scenic alpine railway links two mountain towns with epic views of the Tyrolean countryside.
💡 Tip: Sit on the left side going toward Kufstein for the best mountain views.
Info - Innsbruck to Kufstein Train Route, a journey that slices through the heart of the Tyrolean Alps. This railway line offers passengers front-row views of snow-dusted peaks, meadows, and charming alpine towns, making it one of Austria’s most photogenic train rides. The trip is especially breathtaking in spring and winter when the landscape transforms dramatically
Lake Constance & Pfänder
🧠. Fact: The lake borders Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, and Pfänder mountain offers stunning views over all three countries
💡 Tip: Hike down the mountain after taking the cable car up.
Info - Over at Lake Constance & Pfänder, you’ll find a unique blend of lakeside leisure and mountain adventure. Shared between Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, Lake Constance (Bodensee) offers boat rides, lakeside villages, and summer festivals. Take the Pfänder cable car from Bregenz up to the mountain’s summit for sweeping views across the lake and into the neighboring countries.
Lake Stillup & Krimml Falls
🧠. Fact: Krimml Falls is Europe’s highest waterfall, and Lake Stillup is a serene glacier-fed reservoir nearby.
💡 Tip: Combine both for a full-day alpine nature escape
Info - For nature lovers, Lake Stillup is a peaceful gem hidden in the Zillertal Alps. The emerald-green waters reflect towering cliffs and forests, while nearby hiking trails make it an ideal spot for outdoor adventurers. Close by, the Krimml Falls, Austria’s highest waterfalls, cascade down 380 meters in three stages, with misty viewing platforms offering exhilarating close-ups of the roaring water.
Pasterze Glacier
🧠. Fact: Austria’s largest glacier, located just below the Grossglockner’s peak.
💡 Tip: Take the Gletscherbahn funicular for easy access
Info - End your alpine escape at Pasterze Glacier, Austria’s largest glacier, nestled beneath the towering Grossglockner peak. Accessible via the High Alpine Road, it offers hiking trails, guided glacier treks, and an up-close experience with one of Europe’s fastest-retreating ice masses.
Schafberg
🧠. Fact: Accessible by Austria’s steepest cogwheel train, with panoramic views over several lakes. Fact: Featured in The Sound of Music film scenes
💡 Tip : Ride the Schafbergbahn early to beat the midday crowds.
Info - Discover some of Austria’s most breathtaking natural and cultural treasures with a journey through the Salzkammergut and beyond. Start with Schafberg, one of the region’s most iconic peaks, famous for its panoramic views over shimmering alpine lakes. Ride the historic cogwheel railway to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping vistas that stretch across Wolfgangsee, Mondsee, and Attersee.
Silvretta High Alpine Road
🧠. Fact: A panoramic alpine road with sharp turns and incredible glacier views.
💡 Tip: Best driven by car or motorcycle — stop at Bielerhöhe for lake views.
Info - Silvretta High Alpine Road offers one of Austria’s finest driving experiences. This serpentine road climbs to over 2,000 meters, winding through dramatic mountain scenery, glacial valleys, and past snow-draped peaks. The drive connects Vorarlberg with Tyrol and is a favorite with cyclists, motorcyclists, and photographers, with scenic stops at points like Silvretta Reservoir and Bielerhöhe Pass.
Traunkirchen
🧠. Fact: : A picturesque village on the shores of Lake Traunsee, known for its medieval charm and St. Andrew's Church
💡 Tip: Take a boat ride to explore the stunning surrounding mountains and nearby towns.
Info - Starting lakeside, Traunkirchen is a charming village perched on the shores of Lake Traunsee. Surrounded by towering mountains and serene waters, it’s a beloved escape for those seeking peace, hiking trails, and traditional alpine charm. The village’s standout is the Fischerkanzel, an ornately carved fisherman’s pulpit inside the local church, alongside lakeside cafés and scenic boat rides.
Untersberg Mountain Cable Car
🧠. Fact: Offers sweeping views of Salzburg and the Alps from 1,776 meters up.
💡 Tip: Bring layers — temperatures drop significantly at the top.
Info - For nature lovers and adventure seekers, the Untersberg Mountain Cable Car is a must. In minutes, it whisks you from Salzburg’s outskirts to a panoramic summit over 1,800 meters above sea level. The mountaintop reveals breathtaking views of the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Salzach Valley, and even as far as Bavaria. It’s a favorite for hiking, paragliding, and simply soaking up the alpine scenery.
Vorarlberg & Lünersee
🧠. Fact: Lünersee is a stunning turquoise lake nestled in the Rätikon Alps — ideal for hiking.
💡 Tip: Ride the Lünerseebahn cable car to reach the lake quickly
Info - Vorarlberg & Lünersee, a dreamy corner of Austria where jagged mountain peaks frame the turquoise waters of Lünersee, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps. Hike around its crystal-clear shoreline or ride the Lünersee cable car for panoramic views over the alpine basin. It’s especially popular in summer when wildflowers bloom across the meadows.
Wachau Valley
🧠. Fact: A UNESCO-listed wine region known for terraced vineyards and historic villages along the Danube.
💡 Tip: Take a river cruise to see castles and vineyards from the water
Info - Wachau Valley, a stunning stretch along the Danube River, famous for its terraced vineyards, medieval castles, and picturesque villages like Dürnstein and Melk. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area and one of Europe’s loveliest river valleys. Visitors can explore historic monasteries, sample local wines, and cruise the Danube amid rolling hills and ancient ruins.
Wolfgangsee
🧠. Fact: One of Austria’s most beloved lakes, surrounded by charming villages like St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang. Fact: Perfect for kayaking, boat tours, and lakeside dining.
💡 Tip: Take the vintage paddle steamer for scenic lake views.
Info - Wolfgangsee is one of the prettiest lakes in the Salzkammergut, known for its crystal-clear water and idyllic lakeside villages like St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang. A popular summer destination, the lake is perfect for swimming, boating, and lakeside cycling. The historic Schafberg Railway, a cogwheel train, climbs from the lake’s edge to the summit of Schafberg Mountain, offering breathtaking views over the lake and surrounding peaks. Traditional lakeside inns and charming cafes make Wolfgangsee an ideal spot for a relaxed, scenic getaway amid Austria’s alpine landscapes.