01-23-2008, 08:35 PM
Packed with useful advice, fabulous imagery and inspirational features on the best walks in the Austrian Alps, the brand new Walk Austria 2008 guide is now available free of charge from the Austrian National Tourist Office.
A growing number of British and Irish visitors are discovering Austria’s long, sunny summer and its pristine lakes and mountains as a refreshing, affordable and increasingly fashionable alternative to the beach. The Walk Austria 2008 guide is a comprehensive overview of renowned hiking trails, highlighting the most stunning routes as well as local culture, cuisine as well as useful advice from experts and information on sustainable walking holidays.
Legendary Austrian mountaineers such as Peter Habeler, who led the first team to the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen in 1978 together with Reinhold Messner, and Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, one of only two women in the world to successfully summit 10 of the world’s 14 800m peaks, share their insights and experiences. They also reveal their favourite walks and explain their passion for the mountains.
The guide was written and researched by a panel of British experts including Kev Reynolds (leading walking guidebook writer), Jonathan Manning (editor of Country Walking) and Dan Bailey (adventure travel journalist).
Featured regions:
Carinthia
With over 2000 hours of sunshine a year and lakes stretching out in every which direction, it's easy to see how Carinthia earns the nickname of 'Austria's Alpine Riviera'.
www.carinthia-info.at
Europa Wanderhotels
Planning your first walking holiday in Austria? Choose from one of the 35 family-run Europa Wanderhotels scattered throughout Austria’s beautiful natural landscapes, with some of the most striking sights in the Hohe Tauern National Park. www.wanderhotels.com
Kitzbühel
A skiers playground for sure, but what happens in warmer weather? The answer is easy - if you can’t ski the famous Hahnenkamm, then walk it! This is just one of the many themed route options available to walkers in this well-known resort region.
www.kitzbuehel.com
Ötztal
Skiers may be surprised to find out that when the snow melts, ushering in the colours
of a new season, the valley that is home to the popular ski resort of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl quietly transforms itself into a walkers’ mecca with surprises and wildlife around every bend.
www.obergurgl.com
Saalbach Hinterglemm
Locals will tell you that you’ve come to where Austria’s mountainous landscape is at its finest. A showcase of majestic peaks, towering ridges and the formidable sight of the Grossglockner, the highest glacier in the Austrian Alps, treat walkers as they negotiate the well-marked trails in the area.
www.saalbach.com
Tirol – The Eagle Way
The Eagle Way trail runs some 280km in its entirety through a stretch of northern Tirol, with its central section leading you through the provincial capital of Innsbruck.
The trail is divided into 31 stages, allowing you the flexibility of choosing an ambitious itinerary or a more leisure excursion of just a day or two.
www.tyrol.com/leading-resorts
Vorarlberg / Bregenzerwald
The charm of the region lies in its ties to tradition; it’s the feeling that you’re experiencing ‘the way things used to be,’ right here on your present day holiday. Dairy farms dot the landscape and still remain at the heart of an area that is famous for its ‘Cheese Road’. Some great sampling to be had here!
www.vorarlberg.travel
www.bregenzerwald.at
Zell am See-Kaprun
Here, walkers are able to experience an assorted range of natural topography - sometimes all in one day! From thickly forested landscapes emerge grassy slopes, gradually leading to snowy mountain tops where a new vista of crystal clear lakes and rolling farmland awaits.
www.zellamsee-kaprun.com
Zillertal
There’s something to be said about a good meal after an active day spent in the mountains. Try just one delicious dish, created from locally-produced, organic foods, and you’ll see why the splendid chefs of the Zillertal region are at the forefront of Austria’s modern culinary tradition.
www.zillertal.at
A growing number of British and Irish visitors are discovering Austria’s long, sunny summer and its pristine lakes and mountains as a refreshing, affordable and increasingly fashionable alternative to the beach. The Walk Austria 2008 guide is a comprehensive overview of renowned hiking trails, highlighting the most stunning routes as well as local culture, cuisine as well as useful advice from experts and information on sustainable walking holidays.
Legendary Austrian mountaineers such as Peter Habeler, who led the first team to the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen in 1978 together with Reinhold Messner, and Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, one of only two women in the world to successfully summit 10 of the world’s 14 800m peaks, share their insights and experiences. They also reveal their favourite walks and explain their passion for the mountains.
The guide was written and researched by a panel of British experts including Kev Reynolds (leading walking guidebook writer), Jonathan Manning (editor of Country Walking) and Dan Bailey (adventure travel journalist).
Featured regions:
Carinthia
With over 2000 hours of sunshine a year and lakes stretching out in every which direction, it's easy to see how Carinthia earns the nickname of 'Austria's Alpine Riviera'.
www.carinthia-info.at
Europa Wanderhotels
Planning your first walking holiday in Austria? Choose from one of the 35 family-run Europa Wanderhotels scattered throughout Austria’s beautiful natural landscapes, with some of the most striking sights in the Hohe Tauern National Park. www.wanderhotels.com
Kitzbühel
A skiers playground for sure, but what happens in warmer weather? The answer is easy - if you can’t ski the famous Hahnenkamm, then walk it! This is just one of the many themed route options available to walkers in this well-known resort region.
www.kitzbuehel.com
Ötztal
Skiers may be surprised to find out that when the snow melts, ushering in the colours
of a new season, the valley that is home to the popular ski resort of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl quietly transforms itself into a walkers’ mecca with surprises and wildlife around every bend.
www.obergurgl.com
Saalbach Hinterglemm
Locals will tell you that you’ve come to where Austria’s mountainous landscape is at its finest. A showcase of majestic peaks, towering ridges and the formidable sight of the Grossglockner, the highest glacier in the Austrian Alps, treat walkers as they negotiate the well-marked trails in the area.
www.saalbach.com
Tirol – The Eagle Way
The Eagle Way trail runs some 280km in its entirety through a stretch of northern Tirol, with its central section leading you through the provincial capital of Innsbruck.
The trail is divided into 31 stages, allowing you the flexibility of choosing an ambitious itinerary or a more leisure excursion of just a day or two.
www.tyrol.com/leading-resorts
Vorarlberg / Bregenzerwald
The charm of the region lies in its ties to tradition; it’s the feeling that you’re experiencing ‘the way things used to be,’ right here on your present day holiday. Dairy farms dot the landscape and still remain at the heart of an area that is famous for its ‘Cheese Road’. Some great sampling to be had here!
www.vorarlberg.travel
www.bregenzerwald.at
Zell am See-Kaprun
Here, walkers are able to experience an assorted range of natural topography - sometimes all in one day! From thickly forested landscapes emerge grassy slopes, gradually leading to snowy mountain tops where a new vista of crystal clear lakes and rolling farmland awaits.
www.zellamsee-kaprun.com
Zillertal
There’s something to be said about a good meal after an active day spent in the mountains. Try just one delicious dish, created from locally-produced, organic foods, and you’ll see why the splendid chefs of the Zillertal region are at the forefront of Austria’s modern culinary tradition.
www.zillertal.at