Hiking and delicious food? Double the fun! Culinary treks in Austria combine the best of both worlds, allowing you to get some exercise in the fresh air before enjoying a gourmet feast. Imagine admiring the mountains, lakes and flowery meadows on a leisurely stroll, then ending the adventure in a traditional Austrian hut or alpine pasture, sampling local delicacies prepared on site.
Given that hut culture is widespread in Austria, gourmet stops are easy to find along many hiking trails. However, specialty culinary treks continue to pop up across the country, catering to the growing demand for outdoor adventures for all the senses.
Take a look at five standout examples below!
ETZTHAL: BUILD MUSCLE, THEN ENJOY HOMEMADE CHEESE
Gampa Thaya is a farm and a hut at the same time and an institution in the region Sölden. To get there, hikers follow a 6.9 km trail that passes forests and a lake, with stunning views along the way. Once at the hut, it's time to try Tyrolean delicacies such as das Gröstl, Kaiserschmarren, homemade sausages and salads with pieces of beef.
However, their specialty is the so-called "Gampe Kaas", a unique type of cheese , made from the milk of local Grauvié cows. Hut owner Jakob Prantl makes his own cheese in a mobile dairy farm, which is parked right next to the house during the summer months.
KITZBUEL ALPS: GO TO A POPULAR WINE SPOT
No meal is complete without a glass of good wine? The Angerer Alm tour starts in St. Johann in Tyrol and leads to the mountain restaurant of the same name, which is well known in the region for its wine cellar. Annemarie Feudl, who owns the place and is also president of the Austrian Sommelier Association, has stocked it with an impressive 6,000 bottles, including many rare wines. The quality of the wines is paired with Austrian delicacies prepared by her daughter Katharina and son-in-law Gerald.
The moderate walk to (and back) the hut is 9.4 km and takes about 4.5 hours.
VORARLBERG: SELF-INDEPENDED TOURS WITH THREE CULINARY STOPS
The westernmost Austrian province of Vorarlberg is a gourmet paradise, as reflected in its portfolio active rest. The Bregenzerwald region offers four full-day, self-guided adventures, combining leisurely hikes with no less than three different gastronomic adventures each. Each itinerary begins with a regional breakfast before heading to two huts or mountain restaurants for lunch and dessert.
Prices start from €44 and include food vouchers, train and bus tickets, where this is necessary, as well as a tourist brochure.
VIA CULINARIA: TEN GOURDINS AROUND SALZBURGERLAND
The so-called Via Culinaria - it's a network of ten gourmet trails connecting some of the region's best huts and restaurants. Each has its own theme, from the Fish Lover's Cooking Trail (leading through the lake district), to the Herb Lover's Cooking Trail (including walks and workshops on all herbs), to the Sweet Tooth Cooking Trail (main highlights include Salzburger Nockerl, cake pops and Mozart balls) and the "Culinary Trail for Beer and Schnaps Lovers" (no explanation required).
All hikes are self-guided and subject to change depending on time , preferences and level of physical fitness.
CULINARY PAZNAUN: SEVEN HUTS, ONE BIG GOURMANIC FEAST
Culinary Paznaun presents is a series of events rather than a regular walking route, where local gourmet chefs create regional dishes served in seven mountain lodges and alpine pastures throughout the summer on select days (5 July – 1 September). This year's standout dishes include praline cheese fondue (Faulbrunn Alm), buttermilk fried chicken (Heidelberger Hut) and Asian pork knuckle with spaetzle (Larein Alpe).
All huts are within walking distance leisurely hikes, so gastronomic adventures can easily be combined with outdoor exercise.
Source: press.austria.info
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