Hiking concierge Karin Steiner from the Naturhotel Outside knows East Tyrol like the back of her hand and offers valuable tips for a hiking weekend in Austria’s largest and oldest national park, the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Mini-break in the Hohe Tauern National Park

The Hohe Tauern National Park is home to the spectacular Großglockner (3,798 m), Großvenediger (3,657 m) and Kitzsteinhorn (3,203 m). You are surrounded by these three thousand meter peaks, glaciers, valleys, mountain lakes and waterfalls. Golden eagles fly overhead and you can see chamois and marmots. The latter had become rare before active protection and reintroduction. Up to the tree line you will find larches, spruces and Swiss stone pines. Some alpine wildflowers (e.g. Rudolph’s saxifrage) are only found here in the national park.

Hiking is an experience in any season.

A hiking vacation is possible all year round. In winter (December through March), the national park offers a special winter program with guided snowshoe hikes with rangers in the pristine winter landscape.

In spring and summer you can hike among alpine roses and wild roses. There are young animals (marmots, for example, mate after hibernation and give birth to their young in June; the approximately 40 breeding pairs of golden eagles in the National Park lay their eggs in March/April). The wild rivers have risen and there are mountain lakes to marvel at. In autumn, the light is beautiful and the larches (the only conifers) are glowing yellow.

“We offer our guests free guided hikes and ranger tours in the Hohe Tauern National Park several times a week – summer and winter! You will leave with a rucksack full of insider knowledge about our beautiful mountains. Backpacks and hiking poles can be rented free of charge at the hotel.” – Naturhotel Outside

Insider tips from hiking concierge Karin Steiner: “Don’t forget your flask!”

The Naturhotel Outside in Matrei is an official hiking hotel and offers you the services of hiking concierge Karin Steiner. She will advise you personally and find the right hiking tours for you, tailored to your abilities and wishes, with hiking guides from the hotel or mountain guides from the National Park.

She can also organize equipment and shuttles for you. Plus, she has a few special tips, like where to find the most delicious blueberry omelet! Read on for a short interview to find out what else she told us.

Short interview with Karin

Green Pearls: Hi Karin, thanks for your time. Have you already climbed all the peaks in the Hohe Tauern National Park?

Karin Steiner (smiles): The only thing missing is the Großglockner – that’s my goal for 2025!

GP: What do you think are the highlights for hiking?

Karin: I especially like high altitude trails like the Muhs Panorama Trail in Virgen – the flora and fauna here is especially beautiful in the spring and fall! Our local mountain, the Große Zunig (2,776m) is also absolutely beautiful. My recommendation: hike via the Arnitz Alm to the Zunig Alm. Here you have a view of Matrei and you can stop at the Zunigsee. Enjoy a blueberry omelet at the Zunigalm!

GP: Sounds great! Do I have to meet any requirements to hike?

Karin: Not really. I plan tours with our guests based on their fitness level, experience, and the current weather.

GP: Do I need to bring any special equipment?

Karin:Every packing list should include sturdy shoes, outdoor clothing (suitable for the weather) and walking sticks if needed. My special tips are: cash, a hip flask for the summit schnapps and, I personally always carry nut chocolate with me 🙂 Then of course a lot of water (for me preferably with lemon), glucose, a headband, sunglasses, sunscreen.

Recommended hikes around Matrei

GP: How many hiking trails await you at the doorstep of Naturhotel Outside?

Karin: There are about 40 to 50 marked hiking trails starting directly from Matrei in East Tyrol. They range in difficulty from easy valley hikes and alpine pastures to challenging mountain tours. The exact number may vary slightly from season to season, but Matrei definitely offers a wide range of well-marked tours for hikers of all levels of experience.

GP: And which ones do you recommend in particular?

Karin: For beginners, I recommend an easy hike to the Wodenalm, where you should definitely try the Graukas! The Matrei Valley Trail is a family-friendly hike. The 15-kilometer route can be completed in about 4 hours and 30 minutes (starting at Rauterplatz in the center of Matrei). Of course, you can also divide the route into several stages. 15 information boards with pictures tell exciting stories from the past, such as the fact that Matrei was buried more than 30 times by what was once the most dangerous torrent in Austria.

A highlight for all fitness levels is now available directly from the hotel: The Prosseeggklamm trail has been reopened after 20 years. It will finally be accessible again in the summer of 2024. The Prosseeggklamm Trail leads past tranquil river meadows, down into the 120-meter-deep gorge and to the mighty Steiner Waterfall.

GP: Thank you, Karin!

Hiking weekend at the nature hotel Outside – This is how it could look like

Together with Karin we worked out what a sustainable hiking weekend at the Nature Hotel Outside could look like:

Friday (arrival day)

Within Europe you can reach the Naturhotel Outside by train. The hotel offers a free shuttle service from the train station in Lienz (from the train station in Kitzbühel for a fee). Here you will find modern facilities in harmony with nature and bright, spacious rooms.

If you arrive early enough (rooms are available from 15:00), you can do a short hike, such as a stage of the described valley trail or the trail to the Wodenalm. Afterwards (or without hiking) you can go to the spa area.

The new Nature Spa will open in December 2024. It will include a heated outdoor pool, spacious relaxation rooms with local natural materials, and the first Deferegg healing brine bath. The 600,000-year-old healing water from East Tyrol is considered one of the most effective in the world.

In the evening, enjoy a six-course dinner at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant. The INSIDE Restaurant has been awarded three Falstaff Forks and focuses on down-home yet modern cuisine using regional produce.

Saturday (Hiking day with 3-lake trail)

After a hearty breakfast with local products, you can start a longer hike. Karin recommends the 3 lakes hike (Grünsee, Schwarzsee and Grausee). The hike starts at the Matreier Tauernhaus or the Felbertauern south portal and can be done with a hiking guide. For refreshment enjoy a brought snack at the lake.

Afterwards, relax in the spa and perhaps enjoy a massage before dinner.

Sunday (departure day)

On Sunday, check-out is at 11 a.m., but you can leave your bags at reception and either finish the weekend at the spa or go on another hike. Karin recommends a short hike to the Gottschaunalm in Virgen. It is famous for its doughnuts, which you can enjoy as a snack on your way home.

The hotel also provides a free shuttle to the Lienz train station for your return trip.

So when are you planning your hiking weekend?

Save this article for your next weekend trip!