Discovering the Stunning and Beautiful Hochkönig Region of Austria

I’m not 100% sure how I found the Hochkönig region of Austria.

But I’m sure glad I did.

I’m quite sure I just started googling away and found articles on the area with pictures.

Then I decided that, “Yes! That’s what I want to see!”

All I can say is that this region of Austria is one I know I’ll return to.

It is beautiful.

Stunningly so.

Let’s start by finding out exactly where the Hochkönig region of Austria is.

Where is the Hochkönig region of Austria?

Austria is broken down into states.

And the Hochkönig region is in the state of Salzburg — Salzburger Land.

This region is named for the mountain range in which Hochkönig mountain is the star.

So it’s a mountainous area with narrow valleys.

Let’s dive into what I discovered about the Hochkönig Region of Austria.

It’s a ski area in winter

There are lots of lifts and lots of trails for those of you who like to ski or snowboard.

The Hochkönig region of Austria is definitely a winter playground with 34 lifts and 120km of ski slopes.

You’ll also find 40km of cross country skiing trails as well as places to snowshoe and a few toboggan runs.

There are loads of trails for hiking and cycling in summer and autumn

For those of us who prefer warmer weather activities such as walking, hiking and cycling (road or mountain) there are loads of trails throughout the Hochkönig region.

In fact there are at least 340km of trails for hiking.

One of the things I noticed is dedicated trails for mountain biking so you don’t have hikers and bikers vying for the same trails.

This avoids potential accidents which I think is great.

Some of the ski lifts and cable cars run in the summer and early autumn months as well.

So you can take a lift up so you don’t have to do the hiking up if you’re not up for it.

There are also mountain huts where you can get some tasty local food to refuel.

I didn’t tackle any difficult trails as the weather was iffy and I was fighting a cold.

But there are trails that are more challenging, taking you up to some of the mountain summits.

However, there are lots of very easy trails that are suitable for all fitness levels and ages.

The people are warm and friendly

I think one of the things that surprised me about the Hochkönig region of Austria is how warm and friendly the people are.

I suppose when it comes to welcoming locals, I always think of the Irish and the Scots.

But I really liked the people of the region.

Here’s a fun story about the people.

I was walking up a road that was also a trail (walk and cycle) and as I walked up this trail I noticed there was a hut.

So I decided to hike to the hut thinking it might have some awesome views and be a place I could sit and maybe at least have a drink (adult or otherwise).

Well, I did walk to that hut.

But I didn’t really pay attention to the signs — probably because I don’t know German — regarding the hut.

So when I got there I saw it was also a working farm.

There was an older gentleman attending to the cows.

I made my way around back where the views were and where the tables and benches were.

It was there that I saw a man in cycling gear (and his bicycle) and an older woman (the farmer’s wife) sitting there talking.

I took some photos and the cyclist asked where I was from.

I answered and he said he only knew a little English.

Now, it should have struck me as odd that there was no one else at this hut on a beautiful day.

But it was June and the middle of the week.

I asked about getting a beer and the woman got up and got me one.

While she was inside the cyclist informed me that the hut is actually closed on Tuesdays.

Yes.

It was Tuesday.

So the signs I saw actually indicated that the hut was closed.

But they gave me a beer and let me sit with them.

We chatted just a wee bit since their English was minimal and my German is non-existent.

However, they were so kind.

And I found that all the folks I encountered in this area were equally as nice.

From the servers at the restaurants to the guy and gal at the automotive place who made sure the pressure in the tires of my rental car was okay.

Super nice, helpful, friendly and kind people.

It’s under the radar with non-Europeans

The Hochkönig region of Austria is definitely a known destination with Austrians and Germans.

And I would say many other Europeans.

However, it’s less known with North Americans.

So if you are seeking out an outdoor adventure holiday spot that is a bit off the main tourist trail, you may want to consider this area.

You can easily include a more visited place — Salzburg — with your time here.

And you could even include Vienna or Munich as well.

For me, I always love finding destinations that are not inundated with American tourists.

It’s not that I don’t like my fellow Americans.

It’s more that I feel as though I’m getting off the main tourist trail — at least the main “American” tourist trail.

So that’s my take on the Hochkönig region of Austria

This area of Austria is one I’ll come back to.

Because of the so-so weather in the first week and yours truly catching a wee cold, I didn’t explore as much as I had hoped.

And there is a lot in the area to explore so I want to return and dig in deeper.

It’s a destination I would recommend for anyone wanting to see some of the gorgeous peaks of Austria.

And to experience good food, friendly people and charming mountain towns.

Put the Hochkönig region of Austria on your list!

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