Up, down, all around, walking in the
Austrian Alps is a peak experience

Admit it. You've seen The Sound of Music. More than once.

And even if you're not a fan, the most hardcore hiker can't help but admit to having a touch of Maria about them. Singing, dancing, loving those mountains. When it comes to the Austrian Alps, everyone's hills are alive.

You’re spoilt for choice in this spectacular land. For instance, in the province of Tirol alone, an area of just 12,000 square kilometres, there are more than 670 threethousand metre high mountains and countless lower peaks, making it an Alpine Disneyland for walkers and hikers.

There's a mountain for every kind of person. And for a start, you can make it as easy on yourself as you like. Skip the uphill battle and hop aboard a gondola. Not only will you avoid jarring your knees but you'll be treated to a bird's eye perspective of the stunning Alps that surround.

The best part of walking in the mountains is the clean clear air, the breathtaking views - and the healthy appetite you'll develop. In nearly every village you'll find well-marked trails to follow and, whether it's a leisurely hour or two, or an ambitious full-day's outing, you're never far from a friendly hut to rest and refuel. Summer hiking over snowy glaciers is a great way to stay cool and marvel at ice formations like crevasses, cornices and bergschrunds. Kaprun's glacier, the Kitzsteinhorn, and its 3030m peak is easily accessed by gondola. Whereas to the west, Tirol's largest glaciers are the Hintertux glacier, where you can explore the eerie 10km long Spannagelhöhle, and the Stubai glacier, just a short way from Innsbruck.

Wherever you are there is a veritable fantasy map of tens of thousands of kilometers of superbly maintained and well-marked footpaths and trails for all abilities.