There are many places I’d love to walk and having skied in Austria I can see the appeal of a hiking holiday in this gorgeous country. Here my guest blogger reports on how to get the most out of a walking holiday in Austria.

Austria with its pretty villages, impressive mountains and lush alpine meadows has something for every person’s taste. Walking holidays suit children, older people, thrill-seekers and even culinary enthusiasts.

To get the most out of a walking holiday in Austria, I’d recommended hiring a guide. An expert walking guide will offer insider tips and advice on the best trails, and cater to walker’s personal abilities.

Indeed, hiking and hillwalking can be a dangerous pursuit for novices without the right knowhow and experience.  For moderate to difficult trails, guides can safely lead the way and know where to look for environmental hazards such as falling rocks.  And a guide will take walkers to the panoramic and empty places that nobody else knows about.

A guide can also be invaluable for families, couples or people who are not as confident at hiking through the mountains. They take the worry out of organising a day trip and allow parents or groups of friends to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Where to go in Austria for great walking holidays

The state of Tyrol includes many villages nestled in among magnificent mountains.  The capital of Innsbruck is a skier’s paradise in winter and a hiker’s paradise in summer, with gorgeous views in every direction.  A typical day tour could include many things.

One idea for families is to take a cable car up the Patscherkofel mountain and then admire the views across the Inn Valley and the Kawendel mountain range.

For more adventurous hill walkers, there is a mountain climb up Patscherkofel.

A 7km Zirbenweg mountain trail, which is suited to people of all abilities as there is very little altitude change, is another popular choice. The views to Innsbruck 2000m below are jaw-dropping. Along the Zirbenweg trail is some of the most spectacular and oldest alpine woods in all of Europe – perfect for stopping along the way with a picnic.  Another potential rest-stop is the quaint Alpine Inn, Boscheban, which is a quiet place to get a cold beer as a reward for the hard work.

Tell us where you have visited in Austria.