BACK TO NATURE

Renowned for breathtaking landscapes, a rich culinary heritage and outdoor adventures aplenty, Austria is the place to shake off the restrictions of the past few years. This summer, get ready to go exploring, surrounded by unspoilt forests, dramatic mount

To get a real sense of any destination, look to the great outdoors. Spending time at one with nature affords space for reflection, regeneration and relaxation – and this is the place to experience it all at first hand. This summer, your authentic Austrian getaway is covered, from forest bathing and spiritual pilgrimages to challenging mountain hikes, spanning all nine states.

MOUNTAIN HIGHS

Once the snow has melted, big-time ski resorts unveil an array of summer adventures. And there’s nothing quite like an invigorating hike in the fresh Alpine air. For a trip on the shorter side, follow the Path of Reflection from Söll to St Anna Kapelle zu Lengau, a 17th-century chapel tucked away in the Kitzbüheler Alps, where wooden boards adorned with paintings and fables feature along the trail. Or head further south to Dachstein-Krippenstein, one of the country’s most impressive massifs, where the glistening Dachstein glacier offers cool respite, and gondolas and hiking trails dotted with viewing platforms reveal spectacular panoramas. Pack a picnic of Viennese rolls and bergkäse – mountain cheese – or stop by one of the numerous mountain huts for a traditional home-cooked meal. If you have more time on your hands, pilgrimage routes encourage travellers to disconnect and reset on a mindful multi-day journey. One of the most famous is the Way of St James, which snakes across Europe. In Austria, it spans a huge area from the Salzburg Lake District through to the mountainous terrain of Tyrol. Thrill-seekers who dream of scaling the country’s ragged mountainsides should look no further than the Sky Ladder, a 40m fixed-rope climbing route that bridges a gorge on Upper Austria’s Donnerkogel. It’s an adventurer’s bucket-list essential.

WATERFRONT WONDERS

Take a deep breath and dive on in – wild swimming is said to improve circulation, help lower blood pressure and boost the mood. Channel the carefree days of childhood and take your pick from hundreds of emerald lakes. Top picks are the forest-fringed Lake Constance in Vorarlberg, the third-largest lake in central Europe, or Carinthia’s idyllic Lake Wörthersee, whose water temperature hits 28C during the summer, making it perfect for family excursions. If it’s stand-up paddle boarding you’re after, Neusiedler See, Burgenland, is a hotspot, where you can challenge your mental focus with yoga on the water. In Upper Austria, a living museum that lies below the surface of Lake Attersee holds Unesco World Heritage status, revealing prehistoric lake dwellings, complete with underwater information boards. It’s a magical place that’s great for wreck diving – wooden outhouses and sunken cars await discovery. And if its scenic riverside adventures you’re dreaming of, make sure to stop for freshly-caught carp or sturgeon paired with a glass of white wine or peach schnapps from the Wachau Valley to replenish your strength after white-water rafting, canyoning or cycling along the Danube.

INTO THE WOODS

Just the earthy scent of pine needles can alleviate tension, so you’ll be glad to know a blanket of trees covers almost half of Austria. A moment of calm in nature is known to reduce stress and may even benefit the immune system. How about a wander in mystic Waldviertel – the ‘Forest Quarter’ – in Lower Austria, foraging for herbs among countless shades of green punctuated with granite boulders and fields of flowers? Or seek refuge in the Styrian Mountains, where larch and Swiss pines create a serene retreat 2,000m above sea level. In Hohe Tauern National Park, Salzburgerland, blueberry shrubs and Alpine roses give way to Europe’s highest waterfall, the 380m Krimml – with a fine mist to cleanse the airways, it’s a natural spa in every sense. And those seeking total immersion in the elements can spend the night in treehouse cabins such Waldviertel’s Baumhaus Lodge. Whatever you opt for, summer in Austria will leave you recharged, with memories to keep you inspired for years to come. To find out more and start planning your trip, head over to austria.info or search #realaustria on social media.