8 tips what to do in Styria
Are you planning a vacation in Austria and looking for what to do in Styria? Then you shouldn’t miss my verified tips for today. You already know that Austrian lakes are our love, so you certainly won’t be surprised that they will be part of today’s trips as well. Whether as the main destination or just as a change of pace for the trip.
> COMPARE ACCOMMODATION IN STYRIA HERE <
Styria
Styria, the second largest federal state of Austria, is a region that can appeal to every vacationer. In the north, it is bordered by the Dachstein and Niedere Tauern mountains with opportunities for hiking and skiing, while the south offers a rolling landscape of vineyards and thermal spas. The capital is Graz, a vibrant cultural center inscribed on the UNESCO list, which combines historical monuments with modern architecture.
Styria is also known for its lakes, clear rivers and natural parks, which are among the cleanest in Austria. Anyone who comes here will discover a region where the wild Alpine nature intertwines with the gentler face of wine-growing regions, and where the emphasis on the quality of local products is as important as the hospitality of the inhabitants themselves.
Trips in Styria / What to do in Styria
Let’s take a look at my favorite trips in Styria, specifically focusing on our favorite, northern part. The area of northern Styria around Schladming, Tauplitz and Altaussee is, in my opinion, one of the most attractive parts of the Austrian Alps. Schladming is the sports center of the region, famous for world downhill skiing competitions and an extensive network of slopes.
In summer, the city comes alive thanks to tourists who head here for hikes to the Dachstein glacier and to the surrounding waterfalls or mountain bikes. A little further west lies Tauplitz, a plateau known for its mountain lakes and meadows, which in spring and summer turn into colorful natural carpets full of flowers. In winter, Tauplitz becomes a popular ski resort with a family atmosphere.
> ACCOMMODATION NEAR SCHLADMING <
The romantic character of the region is complemented by Altaussee, a village on the shore of the lake of the same name, surrounded by the steep peaks of the Totes Gebirge. It is a place associated with the Austrian spa tradition and with stories about hidden works of art during the Second World War. The combination of these three locations offers us vacationers a unique combination of sports activities, mountain nature and cultural history in the heart of Styria.
1. Trail around 6 mountain lakes on the Tauplitzalm
The first tip for trips in Styria is one of our favorite places in Austria at all. The circular route around the mountain lakes on the Tauplitzalm is one of the most famous tours in Styria and is rightly considered a classic of the entire area. It leads across an extensive mountain alm and connects several picturesque lakes – Großsee, Märchensee, Krallersee, Steirersee and several smaller ones.
The trail is moderately difficult, sometimes rocky, but well marked and rewards mountain vacationers with panoramas of alpine peaks and blooming meadows. The circuit takes approximately four to six hours (depending on fitness and number of stops) and can be started directly from the upper cable car station from Tauplitz.
Alternatively, like us, you can get here by car on the paid Alpenstrasse. However, if you are heading to Tauplitzalm for the first time, I recommend staying right here and enjoying the beauty of this place to the fullest, even during an extended weekend. The greatest charm of this tour is in the summer, when the mountain meadows turn into a sea of flowers and the clear waters of the lakes invite you to relax. The trip is ideal for every vacationer who wants to experience the true mountain atmosphere with a minimum of civilization.
>> I DESCRIBED AND PHOTOGRAPHED THIS ENTIRE TRIP TIP HERE
>> FIND ACCOMMODATION ON TAUPLITZALM OR DOWN IN TAUPLITZ HERE
2. Circular trail around Grundlsee
The circular trail around Grundlsee is one of the nicest and relatively easy trips in Styria, specifically in Ausseerland. It leads along the banks of the largest Styrian lake, which, thanks to its length of over six kilometers, has earned the nickname “Styrian Sea”. The path is well marked, manageable in three to four hours and also suitable for families with children.
Tourists are accompanied alternately by sections along beaches, across meadows and small villages with typical wooden architecture. Along the way, beautiful views open up to the Totes Gebirge mountains, which are reflected in the calm surface of the lake. The trip can be combined with swimming or a stop at one of the pubs on the shore, which makes it an ideal all-day program for a relaxing day in the heart of the Salzkammergut.
The complete trail around the lake is not suitable for strollers – it leads through a forest part with natural stairs and uneven terrain. However, on the left side of Grundlsee you can take a comfortable path back and forth, along the road.
>> READ THE COMPLETE TRIP TIP AROUND GRUNDLSEE HERE
>> FIND FREE ACCOMMODATION AT GRUNDLSEE UNDER THIS LINK
3. Three-lake boat trip from Grundlsee to Toplitzsee and Kammersee
A boat trip across three lakes near Grundlsee is one of those trips in Styria that you will remember for a long time. It offers a unique view of the Salzkammergut from the water and is a great choice for those vacationers who want to combine quiet relaxation with exploring the Alpine lake landscape.
The route leads by boat from Grundlsee across the picturesque lakes Toplitzsee and Kammersee with a minimum of walking, each of these lakes has its own distinct character. The calm surface of Toplitzsee with the surrounding forests and the mysterious Kammersee surrounded by mountain slopes. The cruise will take you several hours and provides an opportunity to enjoy the scenery effortlessly, with plenty of stops for photography or short stops on the shores of the lakes.
The boat trip reveals the charm of the region from a perspective that hiking does not offer, and at the same time allows you to learn about the history and natural beauty of the lakes, including legends about the mysterious depths of Toplitzsee. This trip is ideal for anyone who wants to spend a day in nature with minimal physical effort and maximum visual experiences.
>> YOU CAN FIND THE ENTIRE TRIP TIP UNDER THIS LINK
>> 3 TIPS FOR VERIFIED ACCOMMODATION AT GRUNDLSEE CAN BE FOUND HERE
4. Circular trail around Altausseer See – Trips in Styria
The circular trail around Altausseer See is one of the most impressive trips in the entire Salzkammergut. The easy route, approximately seven kilometers long, leads directly around the shores of the lake and offers constantly new views of the surrounding mountains, especially the dominant Loser massif. The path is comfortable, also suitable for families with children and in places passes through romantic forest sections, where the boundary between the lake surface and the mountain landscape is blurred.
Thanks to its crystal clear water, Altausseer See is considered one of the most beautiful alpine lakes and offers an exceptionally calm atmosphere, especially in spring and autumn. It is worth setting out on the road in combination with a short stop in the village of Altaussee itself, where you can enjoy regional cuisine or taste traditional sweet pastries in local cafes.
During the season, I recommend arriving early in the morning, or staying here. Parking here is usually a problem in the later hours. Expect paid parking.
>> TRIP AND HOLIDAY TIP IN ALTAUSSEE
>> FIND FREE ACCOMMODATION IN ALTAUSSEE UNDER THIS LINK
5. Hike to the top of Loser / Trips in Styria
The ascent to Loser is one of the iconic tours in the Ausseerland area and offers beautiful panoramic views that will delight even experienced mountain vacationers. The trip starts at the upper station of the Loser Panoramastraße panoramic road (paid), from where you can reach the Augstsee mountain lake in a few minutes’ walk.
The calm surface lies at an altitude of over 1,600 meters and is a popular place to relax and take photos. Some people have Augstsee as the destination of their trip, but we (in good weather) continue from there along the easy blue or more difficult red path to the Loserfenster natural formation – a rock “window” that frames the view into the distance and is one of the most famous symbols of the region.
The ascent to the top of Loser (1,838 m) itself is not technically difficult, but requires a certain level of fitness and sturdy shoes. The reward is unique panoramic views of Altausseer See, Dachstein and the entire Totes Gebirge. The route is moderately difficult, manageable in three to five hours (depending on fitness and number of stops) and is one of those trips in Styria that will be appreciated by anyone who wants to experience the mountain character of Ausseerland without lengthy and demanding alpine tours.
>> THE ENTIRE TRIP TIP CAN BE FOUND DESCRIBED HERE
>> TIPS FOR ACCOMMODATION IN THE AUSSEERLAND AREA HERE
6. Reiteralm: hike to Lake Spiegelsee
The trail to Spiegelsee on Reiteralm has been one of my favorite trips in Styria for years and is sought after for its unique views of the Dachstein. The easiest route starts at the upper cable car station on Reiteralm, from where a comfortable path leads across mountain pastures to the lake.
The route there takes approximately one to two hours of walking and can be managed by families with children (without a stroller). Spiegelsee, lying at an altitude of over 1,800 meters, is a smaller mountain lake that got its name from the reflection of the Dachstein massif in the calm surface. In calm weather, this view is one of the most photographed in all of Styria.
Anyone who feels like a longer tour can continue not only along the ridge to other smaller lakes or to one of the surrounding peaks. A trip to Spiegelsee is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to experience the true alpine atmosphere with minimal effort and maximum panoramic experience.
>> THE ENTIRE TRIP TIP TO SPIEGELSEE CAN BE FOUND DESCRIBED HERE
>> TIPS FOR ACTION ACCOMMODATION IN THE SCHLADMING – DACHSTEIN AREA
7. Steirischer Bodensee: trip across 3 lakes
The trip around three lakes, Steirischer Bodensee, Hüttensee and Obersee, is one of the most picturesque mountain tours in the Schladming – Dachstein area. The route starts at Steirischer Bodensee and a comfortable path leads across meadows and forest sections to Hüttensee, a smaller lake with a calm surface that beautifully reflects the surrounding trees and mountains. There is also a popular cottage offering traditional refreshments, which in itself is the destination of many vacationers.
If you are physically fit, a mountain path leads from there further to Obersee, lying under steep walls and around another waterfall, which looks almost fairytale-like and offers wonderful views of the surrounding mountain landscape.
The route leads there and back along the same path and is moderately difficult, manageable in three to four hours, ideal for vacationers who want to experience an authentic alpine atmosphere. During the trip, there are numerous places to rest, take photos or have a picnic, making it a perfect choice for a quiet day in the mountains.
I recommend going on a trip in good weather. The path leads mostly over stones and it can be very slippery here in the rain!
>> THE ENTIRE TRIP TIP CAN BE FOUND DESCRIBED UNDER THIS LINK
>> FIND ACCOMMODATION NEAR SCHLADMING UNDER THIS LINK
8. Trip to Lake Ödensee / Trips in Styria
The trip to Ödensee is one of the most accessible tours and trips in Styria, in the Schladming area and is ideal for lovers of peaceful alpine nature. The route leads along a comfortable path across mountain meadows and smaller forest sections to the clear Ödensee. You can park quietly near the lake, still free of charge. The lake is surrounded by slopes and pastures, offering beautiful reflections of the surrounding mountain peaks, which visitors often photograph as a souvenir from this trip.
The route is easy and manageable in two to three hours, also suitable for families with children. During the trip, you can relax in quiet places on the shore of the lake or sit in the local inn for something good, which makes this place an ideal program for a relaxing day spent in the heart of Styria.
>> ACTION ACCOMMODATION IN THE SCHLADMING – DACHSTEIN AREA CAN BE FOUND HERE
You might also be interested in:
- Weekend in Limone sul Garda
- 5 tips for the most beautiful mountain lakes in Upper Austria
- 7 Tips for Trips Near Lake Attersee
- Slovenian coast: 15 tips for verified trips
){kind=link}