Ready to explore the epic grandeur of Austria’s oldest national park? Welcome to Hohe Tauern National Park, where adventure and breathtaking scenery await at every turn.
Spanning across three provinces and home to Austria’s highest peaks, this park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Whether you’re aiming to conquer the peaks, marvel at cascading waterfalls, or simply soak in the panoramic vistas, Hohe Tauern has something to excite every type of traveler.
Gear up and join us as we uncover the best activities that will make your visit unforgettable—from thrilling hikes to serene moments by alpine lakes. Let’s dive into the natural wonders of Hohe Tauern National Park!
📖 READ MORE – The Perfect Salzburg 1 Week Travel Guide
📖 READ MORE – The 10 Very Best Hikes In Salzburg In Austria – Including Map & Tips
A short introduction to Hohe Tauern National Park
Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Hohe Tauern National Park stands as a monument to alpine grandeur, stretching across Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol.
Covering over 1,800 square kilometers, it is not only Austria’s largest national park but also one of the largest in Europe. Home to Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, and over 300 mountains rising above 3,000 meters, the park offers breathtaking landscapes filled with craggy peaks, expansive glaciers, and lush valleys.
Visitors can explore a ton of waterfalls, including the famous Krimml Waterfalls, one of the highest in Europe. The park’s diverse ecosystems support an array of wildlife, from golden eagles to marmots and ibexes, thriving amid the alpine meadows and coniferous forests.
Hohe Tauern is a year-round destination, providing endless opportunities for hiking, climbing, skiing, and snowboarding, as well as a chance to partake in guided tours that explore the rich geological and cultural heritage of this unique alpine region.
🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.
Hohe Tauern Top Attractions Map
🗺️ How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Hohe Tauern Nationalpark Sommer Card
In order to be able to enjoy the holiday region Hohe Tauern National Park with its diverse offer, the National Park SommerCard is available from 1 May to 31 October.
All guests staying at participating partner establishments receive the National Park SommerCard from their hosts. If you want to use the card before check-in, please contact your booked accommodation for the digital sending of the card!
60 attractions such as sights, museums and natural spectacles, leisure and sports facilities as well as cable cars can be visited and used with this card. In addition, the card offers maximum mobility.
It entitles you to use local public transport and includes a day ticket for the “Großglockner High Alpine Road” as well as a day ticket for the “Gerlos Alpine Road”.
Top things to do in Hohe Tauern National Park
1. Visit the world famous Krimml waterfalls
Visiting the Krimml Waterfalls, located in the Hohe Tauern National Park, offers a stunning natural spectacle as Europe’s highest waterfalls, with waters cascading down from a height of 380 meters.
A popular activity is the Waterfall Trail, a well-maintained path that allows you to experience the falls from various viewpoints.
Distance – 8.2km out & back trail
Elevation – 461m
Duration – 3.5 hours
Starting Point – Park your car at either P2/P3. From there it’s a short walk towards the start of the trail.
End Point – P2/P3 car park
Parking Fee – €5 per vehicle (cash only)
Level – Easy to Moderate. The only thing that makes this trail a bit moderate is the elevation gain. Therefore ‘s zero technical difficulties and the entire trail is even suitable for strollers.
Entrance Fee – €8
Best time to visit – The trail is open all day long from Mid-April to the end of October
Nearby, visitors can also find eateries and souvenir shops, making it easy to spend a full day enjoying the area’s natural beauty and amenities.
There is also a museum near the Krimml Waterfalls called the WasserWelten Krimml (Water Worlds Krimml). This museum is dedicated to exploring the theme of water in various interactive and educational exhibits. It offers insights into the significance of water in nature and human life, including the special properties of water, local aquatic wildlife, and the history of the waterfalls themselves.
The museum also features an outdoor aquatic playground, making it a fun and informative visit for families and visitors of all ages. It’s an excellent complement to viewing the waterfalls.
Opening Hours – Open daily from 9am to 5pm (closed during the winter)
Entrance Fee – €14.9 (combi ticket for the waterfalls and museum and the car park ticket is also included – only valid for P4 and P5)
💡 TIP – The fee for the Krimml Waterfalls is included in the Hohe Tauern Sommercard.
📖 READ MORE – Visiting Krimml Waterfalls – A Complete Guide to Austria’s Tallest Waterfalls
2. Hike to the Zittauer Hütte through the Leitenkammerklamm
Distance – 13.5km
Elevation – 910m
Duration – 6hours
Starting Point – Alpengasthof Finkau Parking Lot
End Point – Alpengasthof Finkau Parking Lot
Route – Alpengasthof Finkau – Leitenkammerklamm – Zittauer Hut – Unterer Gerlossee – Leitenkammerklamm – Alpengasthof Finkau
Parking Fee – €5
Level – Moderate. Be aware that if you have a fear of heights that there is a ridge line on this trail which is exposed on both sides, followed by a steel ladder across the steepest part of the mountain.
Best time to visit – June through October, depending on the weather circumstances.
The hike up to the Zittauer Hütte is by far one of the best hikes in Salzburg!
The first part leads you along the beautiful Leitenkammerklamm tucked away in a forest. Part of the hiking trail is also a mountain bike trail so be aware of cyclist going up and down the mountain as well.
Next up was a beautiful meadown leading us to the foot of the mountain range. We honestly felt like we had stepped on an Austrian movie set: snow capped mountains in the back, green pastures, pine trees and cows grazing next to the road. All to the sound of clinging cow bells and the enthousiast squeals of a 1 year old seeing his first Austrian cow.
In the back you can already see the Zittauer Hut perched on top of the mountain. A steep and rocky climb up later took us to said mountain hut which is picture perfectly located at a gorgeous turquoise mountain lake called Unterer Gerlossee.
On our way down we decided to skip the forest path next to the gorge and opted for the mountain bike trail. A faster option and a little less tiring on the knees!
📖 READ MORE – Leitenkammerklamm to Zittauer Hut Hike
💡 TIP – If you’re driving from Mittersill you’ll pass by the Gerlos Alpenstraße, a 12km toll road with a fee of €9 per vehicle. The fee for the Gerlos Alpenstraße is included in the Hohe Tauern Sommercard.
3. Visit the Schrabach Waterfall
The Schrabach waterfall is a hidden gem in the heart of Salzburg that you’ll find on the way to Enzingerboden.
Park your car at Vorhofalm (there’s a small parking lot across the road) and walk down. You’ll find a sign for the waterfall at the curve of the road. From here it’s a short time 10 minute walk to reach the waterfall.
4. Take the cable car up to Grünsee and WeißSee
Grünsee, known for its clear green waters, is accessible via a 3.5km hike that showcases the diverse flora of the region. It’s a perfect spot for a leisurely walk or a relaxing picnic by the water’s edge. A short journey from Grünsee, Weißsee takes you higher into the mountains, sitting above 2,000 meters. This lake is renowned for its stunningly clear, ice-cold waters and dramatic surrounding peaks. Weißsee is also a popular starting point for several higher-altitude hikes and features a cable car that offers panoramic views of the Hohe Tauern National Park.
However the best way to reach both lakes is to take the cable car up in Enzingerboden. When you arrive in Uttendorf, take the exit at the roundabout towards Weißsee Gletscherwelt / Enzingerboden. Follow the toll-free Stubachtal panoramic road (17km) to the Enzingerboden valley station. The cable car starts from here.
Ticket Price – €34 per person (ascend and descend included)
Opening hours – From 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm
You can find more detailed information about the Weißsee Gletscherwelt here.
💡 TIP – The ticket for the Weißsee Gletscherwelt cable car is included in the Nationalpark Sommercard.
5. Take the scenic route to the beautiful Hintersee
Distance – 8km
Elevation – 350m
Duration – 2.5 hours
Starting Point – From Mittersill, drive in the direction of Felbertauern until you see a junction “Hintersee” on the right after a good 8 kilometers. Continue for another 300 meters until you reach a small parking lot on the left. The hike through the Schösswendklamm gorge starts from here.
End Point – This is an out & back hiking trail
Level – Easy
Best time to visit – June through October, depending on the weather circumstances.
While you can also reach the beautiful Hintersee by car, I highly recommend taking the scenic route up!
This outward and return route begins at the Schösswendklamm and always leads along a river until you arrive at Hintersee. You pass a tungsten mine and some scree fields, all the while gazing up at the most insane mountain ranges.
The Hintersee is located in the Hohe Tauern National Park and is a natural monument. At the lake itself there is still a nature trail where you can read a lot about the region and nature. If you are hungry, you can stop off at the Meilinger Alm which is open from May until October.
You can opt to hike the same way back down or simply follow the main road back down, which is what we did and a little bit faster.
6. Drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
This famous road winds its way through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, culminating at the foot of Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner. As you ascend through the 48 kilometers of this meticulously engineered road, you’re treated to dramatic vistas of towering mountains, vast glaciers, and lush valleys.
📖 READ MORE – How To Visit The Grossglockner High Alpine Road In Austria – Tips & Epic Viewpoints
The drive includes numerous pull-offs and viewing platforms, allowing for frequent stops to soak in the scenery and capture stunning photographs. The road also features several visitor centers and exhibits, which provide insights into the area’s natural history and the construction of this monumental alpine road.
A toll is required to access this route, which varies seasonally and provides for the maintenance of the road and the services along the way.
Toll Fee – €43 per vehicle
Opening Times – Early-mid May until Early November, weather depending. Check opening times.
💡 TIP – The entrance fee to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is included in the NationalPark Sommercard.
7. Hike the Glacier Pasterze Trail
Distance – 7.8km circular trail
Elevation – 444m
Duration – 4 hours
Starting Point – Glocknerhaus Kärnten
End Point – Glocknerhaus Kärnten. We had to cut our hike short due to a sudden downpour. I was able to catch a ride with a lovely couple from the top of Franz-Josefs-Höhe back down, grabbed our car and drove back up to pick up Christof and César.
Route – Glocknerhaus Kärnten – Margaritzenstausee – Sandersee – Franz-Josefs-Höhe – Glocknerhaus Kärnten
Level – Moderate. Towards the end of the trail there’s a pretty steep part going up to Franz-Josefs-Höhe. But if you’re not feeling it anymore or it also starts raining heavily like with us you can take the funicular up. It doesn’t come cheap though and will cost you €16.5 per person. The Glacier Cableway operates from the end of June to the start of September.
Best time to visit – June through October, depending on the weather circumstances.
Your hike starts with a beautiful descend towards the Margaritzenstausee, a turquoise lake with a view over Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner (3798 m).
You can hike in either direction but I highly recommend starting from Glocknerhaus Kärnten and go clockwise from there. This way the best views will all unfold in front of you!
After walking around the Margartitzen reservoir you’ll hike up and be greeted by an incredibel view over the Sandersee and the Glacier Pasterze in the back.
You can continue hiking alongside the lake and river to get as close as possible to Glacier Pasterze.
💡 TIP – The last part of the trail is a lot busier cause this is where the Glacier Cableway can take you straight to the bottom.
📖 READ MORE – Hiking to Margaritzenstausee and Pasterze Glacier from the Glocknerhaus
8. Visit the spectacular Sigmund Thun Klamm
Distance – 3.1km
Elevation – 100m
Duration – 1 hour
Starting Point – The entrance to the Sigmund Thun Gorge
End Point – While you can still walk through the entire gorge, there is a part of the trail which is closed off due to flooding damage. So you can’t add the circulair trail around the Klammsee Reservoir. Instead you simply exit the gorge and then follow the exit route back to the parking lots.
Level – Easy
Best time to visit – The Sigmund Thun Klamm gorge closes down in winter.
Entrance fee – €7.5
Opening hours – From 9am until 5.30pm
The Sigmund Thun Klamm is one of the most stunning gorges in Austria! Carved by the force of the Kapruner Ache river over millennia, this 32-meter-deep gorge is accessible via a sturdy wooden boardwalk that allows you to safely explore its length.
As you walk along the path, the roar of rushing water and the stunning play of light through the narrow openings create an almost mystical atmosphere. The gorge is especially enchanting in the early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight filters through the mist, illuminating the moss-covered rocks and crystal-clear pools.
📖 READ MORE – Visiting Sigmund Thun Klamm – A Complete Guide to Kaprun’s Most Scenic Gorge
When to visit Hohe Tauern National Park
I recommend visiting Hohe Tauern National Park from end of June to mid – late September. If possible try to avoid August, which is by far the busiest month on the trails.
We visited during the first week of September and were greeted by amazing weather. Clear skies every day, temperatures up to 28°C and only 1 single rain storm.
Another big plus is that the trails were nearly empty, which in my opinion is always a more pleasant experience.
Hohe Tauern National Park Hotels
The best base for discovering Hohe Tauern National Park is around the area of Mittersill. This way you’ll find yourself in the middle of all of the best attractions and you’ll be able to limit your daily driving time.
Budget I Hotel Flatscher in the small town of Stuhlfelden is a cosy 3 star hotel located right next to the main road. The rooms are clean, without a minibar or cooler and most of them come with a spacious balcony. Breakfast is included and dinner can be on request. We stayed here due to its ideal location for our Salzburg itinerary.
Midrange I Gut Sonnberghof is a 4 star hotel located in Mittersill, 25 km from Casino Kitzbühel, Gut Sonnberghof provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge. Featuring a restaurant, the property also has a terrace, a sauna and a hammam.
Luxury I Hotel Schloss Mittersill is a superior 4 star hotel in Mittersill and a medieval castle with a unique, historic ambience. It offers views of the town of Mittersill and the Hohe Tauern Mountains. It is just a 5-minute drive from the Panoramabahn Cable Car and the Kitzbühel Alps Ski Area. All rooms at Schloss Mittersill are individually furnished and offer mountain views.
If you have any questions about how to visit Salzburg or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
More information on the Salzburg region in Austria
The Perfect Salzburg 1 Week Travel Guide
How To Visit The Grossglockner High Alpine Road In Austria – Tips & Epic Viewpoints
Visiting Sigmund Thun Klamm – A Complete Guide to Kaprun’s Most Scenic Gorge
Visiting Krimml Waterfalls – A Complete Guide to Austria’s Tallest Waterfalls
The 10 Very Best Hikes In Salzburg In Austria – Including Map & Tips
Visiting Liechtensteinklamm – A Complete Guide to Austria’s Most Impressive Gorge
Hiking from Hofpürgl Hut to Sulzenalm – A Scenic Alpine Trail in Filzmoos, Austria
Hiking to Tappenkarsee – A Stunning Alpine Lake Trail in Salzburg, Austria
Hiking to Hochkeil – A Scenic Summit Trail in Salzburg’s Mountains
Leitenkammerklamm to Zittauer Hut Hike
Arthurhaus to Erichhütte Hike In Hochkönig
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Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
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