Guide to Hohe Tauern: Austria’s Sprawling Alpine National Park

Tucked away in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Hohe Tauern National Park is a sweeping expanse of alpine wilderness. Spanning the federal states of Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol, it is Austria’s largest national park and among the most expansive in the Alps. It’s also one of the most majestic and ecologically rich protected areas in Europe.

The park offers a rare chance to immerse themselves in a raw, untamed landscape where towering peaks, waterfalls, glaciers, and lush meadows coexist in harmony. At the core of the park rises the Grossglockner, Austria’s tallest mountain at 3,798 meters.

Its snow-covered summit dominates the skyline and draws hikers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts from across the globe. Here’s our comprehensive guide to Hohe Tauern National Park;

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Overview of Hohe Tauern National Park

Located in the central region of Austria, where the country begins to narrow toward Switzerland, Hohe Tauern National Park spans an impressive 716.6 square miles. It’s the largest national park in Austria and the most extensive protected natural reserve in the Alps.

Also referred to as High Tauern National Park, it occupies the alpine region just north of the Italian border and directly south of Germany’s Berchtesgaden National Park. The park’s landscape is a breathtaking mix of glacier fields, glacially carved valleys, steep mountain ranges, alluvial fans, and dense forests.

Visitors can take in much of this scenery through the network of panoramic roads that wind their way through the park. Hohe Tauern is organized into four ecological zones: the montane zone, the sub-alpine and alpine zones, and the nival zone, where snow cover is nearly constant.

Wildlife in Hohe Tauern National Park

Hohe Tauern National Park boasts an extraordinary array of wildlife. Among its most iconic residents are the park’s celebrated “Big Five”: the alpine ibex, chamois, marmot, golden eagle, and bearded vulture. These animals are emblematic of the region’s rugged landscape and thriving ecosystems.

Alpine ibex, with their impressive curved horns, are often seen expertly navigating steep, craggy slopes. The agile chamois can be spotted during their dramatic mating season displays. Marmots, sociable and vocal, are a common sight in alpine meadows and scree fields, whistling to alert each other of danger.

In the skies above, the golden eagle soars high, commanding with its powerful wingspan. The elusive bearded vulture patrols the mountain air in search of bones, which it famously drops from heights to crack open. The park also supports a wide range of other mammals such as red deer, red foxes, and European hares.

Equally rich is the variety of amphibians and reptiles that thrive in the park’s moist habitats and forested areas, including numerous species of frogs and salamanders. Altogether, more than half of Austria’s native amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are found within the park’s boundaries.

Best Time to Visit Hohe Tauern National Park

The ideal time to visit Hohe Tauern National Park largely depends on the activities you want to enjoy. But generally, the months from May to October are perfect for hiking and exploring the stunning alpine landscapes. In spring, especially May and June, the park bursts into life with vibrant wildflowers and lush greenery, while the waterfalls swell dramatically from the melting snow.

Summer, with its warm temperatures and extended daylight hours, offers excellent conditions for trekking higher altitude trails. As autumn (September and October) arrives, the park is transformed by crisp, clear air and a spectacular display of fall colors.

For those drawn to winter sports, the park from November through April becomes a snowy playground where skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing take center stage. However, the best skiing conditions are usually between December and March. Wildlife enthusiasts will find spring and summer particularly rewarding, as the warmer months offer a chance to spot animals and birds in their natural habitats.

Getting to Hohe Tauern National Park

Reaching Hohe Tauern National Park from Vienna offers several travel options, each with its own advantages depending on your travel preferences. The most popular and often fastest choice is to take the train from Vienna to a nearby hub like Salzburg. Once there, switch to a local train or bus heading toward towns such as Zell am See or Mittersill, which lie within or close to the park.

Train travel offers a comfortable and scenic journey with multiple route combinations available, and online tools like Rome2Rio can help you plan the best connection. For those on a tighter budget, traveling by bus is possible and usually the least expensive option. However, it tends to be slower, with the trip taking around eight and a half hours. If flexibility and direct access are priorities, driving is a great choice.

The roughly 457-kilometer drive from Vienna uses well-maintained highways, but be aware that you will need to purchase an Austrian motorway vignette to use the toll roads. Another option to consider is flying into nearby airports such as Innsbruck or Munich, then continuing by train or bus to the park. This approach may save time overall, but it requires more transfers and some extra planning.

Other Activities in Hohe Tauern National Park

Hohe Tauern National Park offers a wide range of activities that immerse visitors in its dramatic alpine environment. The park’s mountainous terrain, dotted with rushing rivers, spectacular waterfalls, and dense forests, invites outdoor enthusiasts to explore a pristine wilderness like no other.

Towering peaks of the Central Eastern Alps dominate the horizon, with several mountains exceeding 10,000 feet in elevation. Among them, Grossglockner stands as the highest peak in Austria, soaring to 12,461 feet. It’s the tallest summit in the Alps east of the Brenner Pass. This mountain, along with its slightly lower neighbor Kleinglockner, is a prized challenge for climbers aiming to conquer the highest summits in each country.

The nearby Brenner Pass offers one of the most scenic drives in the region. It traces the border between Italy and Austria at a relatively low elevation of 4,495 feet, which provides breathtaking views of the valleys and mountains below. Another must-experience route is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, famed for its panoramic vistas and the tunnel that climbs over 8,200 feet.

But it’s the network of trails throughout the park that truly allows visitors to connect with the landscape on a deeper level. The park has several hiking trails winding through diverse terrain that showcases the full grandeur of this remarkable wilderness.

Park Fees in Hohe Tauern National Park

Hohe Tauern National Park has no entrance fees. However, certain attractions located within the park, such as the Nationalparkzentrum in Mittersill, charge admission. For example, adults typically pay around €15.00 to enter, while children up to 14 years old are charged a fee of €7.50. Kids under the age of five enter for free.

FAQs

Is Hohe Tauern National Park worth visiting?

Absolutely, Hohe Tauern National Park is well worth a visit. The park provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy hiking through scenic trails or simply finding a quiet spot to soak in the natural beauty, Hohe Tauern has something for you.

How long to spend in Hohe Tauern National Park?

To truly appreciate the vast beauty and diversity of Hohe Tauern National Park, planning a visit of at least three to four days is advisable. This allows enough time to explore some of the key hiking trails and enjoy the stunning alpine scenery.

Conclusion

Whether you come to scale icy summits or simply breathe in the crisp mountain air, Hohe Tauern is a powerful reminder of the beauty and resilience of the natural world. It is not only a destination but a living, breathing testament to the Alps at their wildest and most wonderful.