- Join a multi day hiking adventure in Austria
- Stay in cozy alpine mountain cabins
- Explore the largest & oldest forest of the alps
10 DAY GUIDED HIKING TRIP IN AUSTRIA’S EASTERN LIMESTONE ALPS
Seize the opportunity and join Austrian native and Maine resident mountain guide Georg on a multi-day hiking adventure on paths less travelled through the wildest corners of Austria’s Eastern Alps. The trip starts in Nasswald, one of the smallest and most remotely located villages of Austria and will take you right through the heart of the largest forest of the Alps, which also happens to be the least densly populated area in Central Europe. However, as social anthropologist, long term resident and student of the region, Georg will reveal interesting insights into the natural and cultural heritage of the area, as well as its rich history.
About your Guide, Georg Bergthaler
Hiking the Austrian Alps since early childhood and living for many years in the most remotely located mountain village of Eastern Austria, Georg has grown very fond of his native mountains. He has guided many tours in regional ranges, as well as other parts of Austria and beyond, including North-South crossings of the Alps from Germany through Tyrolean Austria into Italy.
Georg is a certified Tyrolean mountain guide, whitewater rafting and canoeing guide, wilderness guide, survival and bushcraft trainer and skiing instructor, as well as a NOLS wilderness first responder.
In 2020 he and his wife Mackenzie founded “Wild Nasswald”, a center for outdoor activities including whitewater rafting, axe throwing, bushcraft and survival workshops and, of course, guided mountain hikes in Nasswald, Austria.
Since 2023 Georg and Mackenzie also live in East Blue Hill, Maine. For part of the summer they return to Austria and operate the wilderness center, now including multi-day guided tours for guests from the US.
CERTIFIED BY
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND PICK UP
On Day 1 we’ll pick you up with our private shuttle at Vienna International Airport and take you directly to the mountains, where you’ll check into the one and only local inn and restaurant of our village.
- Transatlantic flight to Vienna International Airport
- Shuttle bus ride to Nasswald, 1,5 hours
- Check in at "Wirtshaus zum Raxkönig", Nasswald's countryside inn or a private alpine Glamping tent
- Dine at the traditional Austrian restaurant
DAY 2: CLEAR WATER, FRESH AIR
We’re going to take it easy on your second day in the mountains, easing into the experience and checking your equipment. We’ll offer optional activities for you that you can join as you wish.
- Join a history tour through Nasswald
- Hike through hell's canyon on trail by the river
- Embark on a canoe ride through hell's canyon
- Stay at "Wirtshaus zum Raxkönig", Nasswald's countryside inn or a private alpine glamping tent
DAY 3: EUROPE'S LARGEST HIGH PLATEAU
With renewed energies we’ll hike up the old “Emperor’s route” up the Rax mountain plateau, the largest of its kind in Europe. Lunch will be had on the ledge of the plateau at Habsburghaus, named after Austria’s former royal family, following the main ascent of the day. The rest of the hike will be traversing the plateau to Karl-Ludwig-Haus.
- Hike up the Rax Plateau, Europe's largest plateau mountain
- Lunch at a remote alpine club hut on the way
- Overnight stay at Karl-Ludwig-Haus, an alpine club hut
Tour Profile:
DAY 4: TRAVERSE OVER RIDGES
Right after breakfast, we’ll hike “Heukuppe”, the highest point on Rax, only to descend to a ridge connecting to the next plateau mountain west of us, the Schneealpe. Before we arrive at our hut we’ll also hike the highest point of this plateau mountain, the “Windberg”.
- Traverse to Schneealpe mountain plateau over a ridge
- Lunch at the easternmost alpine dairy ranch
- Overnight stay at "Schneealpenhaus", an alpine club hut
Tour Profile:
DAY 5: EXPLORING A RARE HIGH MOOR
The objective of today’s hike will be to descend to Falkensteiner Alm, where we’ll have a late lunch. On our way we’ll cross through one of the few remaining high moors of the Eastern Alps and exceptionally picturesque side valley, named after the western Austrian province of Tyrol due to it’s alpine beauty.
- hike through a rare alpine high moor
- Lunch at Falkensteiner Alm, an alpine restaurant
- Pick up and shuttle bus ride to "Seewiesen"
- Overnight stay at a hotel in "Seewiesen" mountain village
Tour Profile:
DAY 6: THE TALLEST PEAK
From “Seewiesen”, we’ll ascend up the Hochschwab, 2277 meters, the highest peak of our trip. On our way up we’ll take a lunch break at Voisthalrhütte, an alpine club hut on the way. After the peak, we’ll descend to our hut for the night, located right below the peak.
- Ascent of Hochschwab (2277 meters), tallest peak of the trip
- Lunch at a remote alpine club hut on the way
- Overnight stay at "Schiestlhaus", just 150 meters below the peak
Tour Profile:
DAY 7: THE WILDEST VALLEY
Waking up high on the mountain once more we descend into one of Austria’s wildest and least populated valleys, the Salzatal. At the bottom of the valley we’ll end at a mountain reservoir lake. You can either exit right there and take a swim or continue to follow a beautiful gorge upstream to a point, where we’ll be picked up and brought to our lodge for the night.
- Ascent of Hochschwab (2277 meters), tallest peak of the trip
- Lunch on the mountain on the way
- Overnight stay at "Wildalpen", a remote mountain village
Tour Profile:
DAY 8: WHITE WATER, NARROW GORGES
Instead of hiking we’ll take a rafting trip, whilst enjoying the primal beauty of this exceptionally pristine alpine valley. For participants that prefer to walk, we’ll offer a gorge walk, through historic “Mendlingtal”, the last valley in Austria, where logs were transported on the river.
- Join a hike through the narrow gorges alongside a rushing creek in Medlingtal
- Embark on a Rafting trip down Austria's most scenic river.
- Dine at "Lunz am See" at a lakeside restaurant
- Stay at a hotel at "Lunz am See", a beautiful alpine village by a lake
DAY 9: AUSTRIA'S GRAND CANYON
Starting in the small alpine village of Lackenhof, we’ll ascned up to a pass below “Ötscher” mountain, a majestic lone rocky peak in the Austrian Prealps. On the other side we descend into what locals call “Austria’s Grand Canyon”. We’ll end our trip in the famed pilgrimage site of “Mariazell”.
- Short shuttle ride to trailhead in Lackenhof
- Hike over a pass and descend down Austria's Grand Canyon, the "Ötschergräben"
- Optional lunch at "Ötscherhias", a remote hut on the way
- Overnight stay in Mariazell, the famous pilgrimage town
Tour Profile:
DAY 10: A MAGICAL TRAIN RIDE
After a walking tour through Mariazell, including a visit to the dome, we’ll take a panoramic train ride back to Vienna. This very historical route, winds its way slowly down the mountain, crossing over deep canyons and through many tunnels on its way.
- Enjoy a continental breakfast in Mariazell
- Explore the dome and shop for gifts in Mariazell, the famous Austrian pilgrimage site
- Scenic Train ride through the mountains to Vienna
- Stay at a hotel of your choice in Vienna, Austria's capital city
Tour Profile:
TRIP DATES & COST:
Choose from existing dates or request a new date for a private guided trip. Once 6 people sign up for a date, the trip will take place.
Trip cost: 3900€ per person, including food, accommodation, guide fees and transport. Excluding beverages, flights to Vienna International Airport.
Book your Spot now.
If we’ve triggered your interest call or email us.
Why us ...
As a small family enterprise we value and cherish the personal contact and relationships with our guests.
- We have many years of Professional Experience as an Adventure Outfitting Business.
- We have undergone Certified Guide Trainings and provide local Expertise.
- We have specialized in providing unique, customized outdoor experiences under professional leadership.
What You Get ...
An outdoor experience tailored to your individual interests, needs and skill levels as a single adventurer, family, group or company.
- Personalized Activities: All activities are as unique as its participants. We take special care of each and everyone's needs.
- SHUTTLE SERVICE from/to Vienna bound train station with trains from Vienna and back every 30-60 minutes.
- Premium Equipment: First class equipment for activities and instructions on how to use it, as indicated.
Graben 60, 2661 Nasswald, AUSTRIA | Phone: +43 680 11 666 58 | Email: info@wildnasswald.at
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