DESTINATIONS EUROPE |AUSTRIA


exper experts LOCAL


“Austria is full of surprises for clients – you think somewhere is


inaccessible, but you walk over a ridge and there’s a whole village just hiding behind it that you can explore. The country is ideal for people who want to push their boundaries over a few days, with plenty of trails for different abilities.” Dr Suzie Dick, walking guide, Ramble Worldwide


“Gastein Valley is where a lot of Austrians from Vienna and the east of the


country come in the summer to relax, which is a really good sign for [international] visitors. Eastern Austria is very flat, so these are the first mountains they’d come across when travelling across the country.” Helmut Schulz, marketing executive, Gastein Tourism


INSIDER INSIGHT


“These weekend adventures are ideal for clients with an interest in the outdoors. They’re


challenging, so they’re for people who have dabbled in a bit of walking on holiday and want to test themselves, but not commit to a whole week. You don’t need to be a total fitness enthusiast – a basic level of fitness is fine. Most of our customers are 50-plus. When agents call our sales hotline, they can go through a checklist to assess their client’s suitability.” Wayne Perks, managing director, Ramble Worldwide


32 30 APRIL 2026 ABOVE: The group begin their almost successful attempt to reach the summit of Türchlwand PICTURES: Rhodri Andrews


ridge, where the precipitous slopes either side ensured each footstep felt more like a careful calculation. Giant, staple-like footholds and steel cables bolted into boulders helped us navigate some of the peak’s steeper sections, and while Hirschkarspitze felt a little more technical, it was more instantly gratifying as we reached the summit’s towering wooden cross within half an hour. The lush Gastein Valley took centre stage again – only this time from the other side. I stood bewitched, the aching in my legs melting away. The moment felt like a perfect reward for the effort it had required, the essence of these weekend adventures laid gloriously bare. That evening, we savoured a hearty meal at


Schmaranzbräu, a rustic farmhouse restaurant serving Austrian classics such as schnitzel and fat sausages cooked over an open flame. As we feasted, it reminded me of another perk to this trip: calories don’t count when you’re doing this much hiking.


WEATHER WARNINGS The even better news is that wholesome, soul-stirring food isn’t hard to come by in Austria. I found this out on the Sunday, when torrential rain and thunderstorms forced us off the mountain. “Once there’s thunder and lightning, you have to get off the mountain because it’s too dangerous to carry on,” explained Dick. Luckily for me, though, the warmth of Cafe Gamskar was close by and within minutes I’d stripped off my sopping outer layers and was devouring warm apple strudel served with lashings of whipped cream. Even in the pouring rain, Austria delivered.


33The moment felt like a perfect reward for the effort, the essence of these weekend adventures laid gloriously bare


Our final evening was spent tracing the Gasteiner


Ache river, which weaves into the neighbouring town of Bad Gastein; here, cliff-clinging 19th-century villas and a dramatic 341m-high waterfall look like something from a fairytale. We made a beeline for 600-year-old chalet restaurant Bellevue Alm, nestled high up in the Hohe Tauern mountains. As I tucked into a platter of beef, pork and spaetzle (a type of pasta), my muscles felt weary but my stomach and heart were full. I probably shouldn’t have opted for the kaiserschmarrn (a fluffy pancake served with raisins and a fruit compote) for dessert – but after the epic weekend I’d had, I’d certainly earnt it.


TW BOOK IT


Ramble Worldwide’s three-night Hiking in Austria: Bad Hofgastein Weekend Adventure starts from £699 per person, based on two sharing for departures on July 24, August 14 and September 18. It includes breakfast, accommodation, local transport and guided activities with a tour leader. Flights not included. rambleworldwide.co.uk


travelweekly.co.uk


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