Summer
The Hochkönig area is a fantastic base for summer holidays with just some of the activities available including:
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Mountain Biking
- Golf
- Tennis
- Archery
- Paragliding
- White Water Rafting
- ... and even summer skiing!
For walking enthusiasts, summer in the Austrian alps must be experienced and the Hochkönig area is one of the finest places in Austria to do this. Here you can choose to try your hand at Nordic walking, take one of the themed trails or simply try one of the 530km worth of trails to be found in the area. These are not just for the hardened walker either, with the meandering valley walks, steep hill climbs and everything in between meaning there is a suitable walk for every age or level of ability, with plenty of opportunities for rest and refreshment at the numerous alpine huts.
The nearby village of Maria Alm provides many delights for the summer tourist, whether it be culture such as the village church which draws pilgrims from across salzburger land, upper Austria and Bavaria and the traditional folk festivals that occur throughout the year, or more physical activities such as the golf and outdoor swimming pool. Temperatures in this area of Austria regularly exceed 30°C in the summer and consequently the outdoor pool of Maria Alm is a big attraction in the summer months with the sparkling water of the pool reflecting the magnificent mountain backdrop that is characteristic of the region.
In addition to the many physical activities you can enjoy, it is worth once in a while just stopping, taking a step back and taking in some of the sights of the area. In addition to the many picturesque villages that are typical of this part of Austria, there are some stunning waterfalls, caves and gorges such as the "Dripping Waters of Hinterthal" and the "Eisreisenwelt". The "Eisreisenwelt" are the largest system of ice caves on the planet and at only half an hour away are an unmissable attraction of the area in the summer months, as access is closed from the end of October onwards.
There are a number of other attractions available in the area throughout both the summer and winter months, however half the fun in planning a summer holiday is finding your own places of interest, but a good place to start is the Hochkönig website.
