Hiking and outdoor tourism in Central Europe

Outdoor activities and hiking destinations continue to be highlighted across the Allgäu region of Germany and the Salzburg region of Austria.

In Germany’s Allgäu, options range from family-friendly excursions, such as the Hinanger Waterfalls near Sonthofen, to demanding treks like the Eybachtobelweg or the ascent to the Schneck peak via the Reitergrat ridge.

In the Harz mountains, tourism includes subterranean exploration of over 170 caves, such as the Baumannshöhle and the Barbarossahöhle, as well as historic narrow-gauge railways. The Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (HSB) operates approximately 140 kilometers of track, including the Brockenbahn to the Brocken summit. Long-distance hiking is also available via the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, which spans roughly 94 to 150 kilometers. However, safety remains a concern; the Harz Mountain Rescue service reported 54 deployments in the first half of 2026, an increase from the previous year, citing unpredictable weather, steep terrain, and physical exhaustion. The Brocken summit specifically experiences extreme weather, with fog or clouds present approximately 300 days a year and an average temperature of 2.9 degrees Celsius.

In the Salzburg region of Austria, autumn conditions are noted for walking routes such as the Mönchsberg, which overlooks the old town and Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Gaisberg. The region is also expanding its cycling tourism, particularly in the Lake District near Eugendorf, which features over 600 kilometers of marked paths for mountain biking, gravel biking, and e-bikes. Recent additions include a 60-kilometer path leading to the Salzburg Open-Air Museum.