Austria's Mind-Blowing Natural Attractions

@afar
 on 2022.02.03
6 Places
@afar

Hochschwab

Mountain peak · Bruck-Mürzzuschlag

"Hochschwab Mountain Range Styria's Salza River Valley is a sparsely populated region filled with mountain streams, dense forests, and the crystal-clear waters of the Salza River itself. The Hochschwab massif, with its 7,470 ft high summit of the same name, towers magnificently over what is arguably the most beautiful part of the region."

Photo courtesy of Ă–sterreich Werbung / Fotograf: Homberger

"Styrian Wine Route Southern Styria is covered with vineyards, producing an assortment of excellent wines, most of which never make it out of the country. Fear not, the Styrian WeinstraĂźe offers plenty of opportunity to sample wines from the region, such as Schilcher or Eiswein, as well as enjoy a good meal. It's not just about food and wine though. Stop at the former abbey-turned-palace at Stainz and the castle ruins at Deutschlandsberg."

Photo courtesy of Flickr / photodesk.at

Eisreisenwelt Trailhead

Temporarily Closed

"Chill in the Ice Caves at Werfen The largest ice caves in the world lie just 30 miles south of Salzburg in the Eisriesenwelt at Werfen. Only a portion of the more than 20 miles of caves are open to the public on a 75-minute guided tour, but what's available to visit is impressive. Magnificent ice formations, frozen waterfalls, and a smooth, rinklike ice palace can be found in this underground world. Visitors will also see Hymir's Castle , an enormous ice sculpture named for the ice giant of the Edda (the oldest Germanic-mythology saga), and witness layers of time, much like rings on a tree, encased in the glacier (which is actually not a glacier but a massive chunk of accumulated ice)."

Photo courtesy of Ă–sterreich Werbung / Eisriesenwelt

Achen Lake

Lake · Schwaz

"Known as “The Heart of the Alps ,” Austria ’s Tirol region beckons visitors with an abundance of shimmering Alpine lakes. Lake Achensee is the largest, drawing swimmers, couples in paddle boats, and even scuba divers thanks to its clear waters. Submerge yourself in the emerald water, or take a sail alongside snow-capped mountains."

Schwarzenberg

Schwarzenberg

"Traditional architecture and customs in Bregenzerwald The Bregenz Forest holds tight to its regional identity, maintaining its traditional wooden architecture and costumes. While German speakers may have trouble understanding their dialect, they'll have no trouble appreciating this beautiful forest region."

Photo courtesy of Ă–sterreich Werbung, Fotograf: Popp Hackner

Nussberg

Mountain peak · Nussdorf

"An evening of wine at Heuriger Wieninger Austrian wines are made all the better by a visit to the many vineyards and wine taverns (Heuriger) on the outskirts of Vienna. Wieninger vineyard is located north of the city on the Nussberg. A light meal and wine outdoors among the vineyards is a great way to cap off an evening in Vienna. Trams run from the city center to Nussdorf. To explore more heuriger, the little Vienna Heurigen Express train runs from Nussdorf to Kahlenberg and Grinzing."

Photo courtesy of Peter Rigaud / WienTourismus