We are 2 seniors (82 and 77) and still avid hikers, though are limited to hikes 10 km or less for the most part. We are planning to spend 3+ weeks in Austria mid-Sept-Oct, mainly hiking and chilling. The original plan was to go from Munich to Kitsbuhel for 5 days, then a week in Vienna, and spend the last week in the St. Gilgen area. No rental car. Now, we are thinking of renting a car from Salzburg for the first week (cutting our time in Vienna some) and exploring the Filzmoos-Gosau Valley areas. Both that area and Kitsbuhel seem equally beautiful but we prefer small to large and we may find Kitsbuher just too glitzy. We might spend a few days in Salzburg at the end but we've been to both Vienna and Salzburg (in the 1960s!). What do you think?
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1462 posts
We stayed near Ramsau am Dachstein last year the end of September. We enjoyed it there and went up to the Dachstein-Gletscher and visited Schladming. The weather was cool with rain for us unfortunately then. The TV show Die Bergretter is filmed in and around the area. We only drove through Flizmoos. We had the Sommer card included, so bus and some lifts were free. We like Kitstbuhel, but it is definitely more glitzy. The Salzkammergut is a great area, just be ready for Schnürlregen.
Posted by
2438 posts
Hiker's paradise is the town Seefeld in Tirol high above Innsbruck, i.e. in a small plain having an elevation of 4000 ft, providing 120+ hiking trails of different length and severity, about 70 of which 10 km or less.
https://www.seefeld.com/en/hiking-trails.html
Seefeld can easily be reached by a scenic train ride of 36 minutes from Innsbruck in case you prefer to stay in the city.
Posted by
NYC area
3040 posts
We’ve also stayed by Ramsau am Dachstein. Loved the area. The cable car trip Dachstein is incredible. You could spend an entire afternoon at the top. The Suspension Bridge. Ice Palace. Stairs to Nowhere. Skywalk. Restaurant.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5659 posts
I would note that by mid-September, some of the higher elevation areas already have snow. For example, we were in Ramsau (mentioned above) on Sept. 20 and hiking was icy, snowy, muddy, wet and slippery. You will definitely want the right equipment to be safe. That said, you will also be in the Alps during the Almabtrieb, the local festivals in many villages where the cows literally come home. The cows are decorated with flowers and huge processions follow them to festivals in the valleys. Ramsau has a great one.
I would definitely pick a lower area to ensure safe trails. I think that the Wolfgangsee area would be perfect, which would include the Gosausee area. Kitzbuehl is glitzy for sure. A perfect area that time of year (wine harvest) would be the Tuscany of Austria - rolling hills, vineyards (but you need a car) - which is Sudsteiermark (South Styria). Absolutely stunning hiking, eating with some castles mixed in.
https://www.austria.info/en-us/inspiration/cattle-processions/
https://www.steiermark.com/en/Suedsteiermark/Region/active-amongst-nature/hiking
Posted by
OP
3 posts
You folks are amazing: so many great ideas. The point about the weather is well-taken. We came to Austria in 2017 with the intention of hiking around Lech. Mid-Sept. came with snow and rain. As much as I love trip planning, I'm thinking now of waiting until 1-2 weeks before and deciding on a last minute route. We did that in Norway 2 years ago and it worked out. Of course the weather is always unpredictable but we might have a better ida at that time. Accommodation is always a problem at the last minute but we'll just have to take our chances. Based on your suggestions, I'll have a few itineraries in mind. So thank you (but if anyone has new ideas, please contribute)! I should mention that we did see the Almabetrieb and enjoyed it immensely.