Summer holidays as full of variety as possible

A little bit of everything: Our bucket list for your Styrian holiday

In the last article of our ALPS Magazine, we revealed to you some of our favorite hiking tours to mountain lakes in the Schladming-Dachstein Region. But it goes without saying, Styria has even more to offer. For example, the Murau-Murtal, Turracher Höhe and Hohentauern regions as well as the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park. There, you can spend your summer holidays  at any one of our ten ALPS Residences. In a chalet with pool or sauna, in a modern apartment, comfortable holiday home or an exclusive lodge on the Turrach. As for precisely what you shouldn't miss out on in these Austrian holiday regions during your summer stay with ALPS, we invite you to take a closer look at our "Bucket List"!

#1 Action: Mountain biking on the Turracher Höhe: Kornock Flowtrail

It’s no secret that the opportunities for mountain bikers on the Turracher Höhe are a sight for sore eyes. Pump tracks, cool trails and mountain bike paths, bike schools and bike shops guarantee a variety-packed, safe and laid-back biking holiday for the whole family in the Nockberge mountains. The “icing on the cake” came in 2020 in the form of a very special mountain bike trail: the Kornock Flowtrail, dropping from the Kornock mountain station a total distance of 6.5 km and over 350 vertical meters “back to the valley”. This flow trail in Carinthia guarantees a rollercoaster sensation thanks to a slew of moguls, banked curves, bridges and even a small carousel turn. The trail is easy, though beginners should definitely have one of the experienced bike guides brief them on correct trail riding techniques. Our reception at Alpenpark Turracher Höhe and the Turrach Lodges can immediately provide you with complete information for the right contacts. With the Butler Card, which is automatically included in the price of your stay at our chalets or apartments on the Turracher Höhe, you will receive a 20% discount on an all-day bike ticket or a 10% discount on the 4-hour bike ticket for the Kornock summer lifts. So: Enjoy the ride and let it flow!

#2 Nature: Hiking in Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park

The Via Natura long-distance hiking path in Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen covers 10 stages and a grand total of 130 km. 130 km, an imposing number – incredibly exciting, incredibly diverse. Naturally, you can pick and choose from those 10 stages the ones that appeal to you the most. Our personal favorites are the third and fourth stages, during which you are acquainted with “The Essence of Water” and “Harmony in Nature & Architecture”. Both tours start and finish at the Stiftsgarten of 900-year-old Benedictine St. Lambrecht Abbey. That is to say, roughly 1 km from our new Naturpark Chalets Lambrecht. Look forward to wonderful mountain views of Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park and fascinating insights. Meanwhile, come closer to nature with every step you take. Speaking of nature, that brings us to the next item on our bucket list for your ALPS holiday in Styria: Forest Bathing. This new trend from Japan, a country where forest bathing is already certified as a form of preventative healthcare, allows you to sense the healing powers of the forest and rediscover a sense of complete peace. Curious? On the website of Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen Nature Park, you will find more detailed information.

Hiking in Hohentauern to the Frozen Lake

For the nature lovers amongst you, we have yet another tip. Dani, ALPS Social Media Manager, never gets tired of boasting that guests frequently refer to Hohentauern as the “Canada of Austria”. This peaceful spot of barely 400 permanent residents lies at 1274 m above sea level and is perfect for everyone longing for a slower pace and absolute peace and quiet. A popular, easy hiking tour leads to the “Frozen Lake”, located only 4 km from the car park at the Edelrautehütte, first leading through a forest of pine and spruce trees, then across alpine pastures and rubble fields. The toll road to the Edelrautehütte is 50% discounted with the included guest card, which you will receive when you check into Almdorf Hohentauern.

#3 Culture: a visit to “beer town” Murau and its beer museum

You only need 4 ingredients to brew beer: water, hops, malt and yeast. The real secret is having the right technique. Which is something Austrians have had a long time to refine. In fact, the art of beer brewing in this part of the world goes all the way back to the Middle Ages. In the Murau Beer Museum, you will learn all about the history of beer brewing, while the show brewery will acquaint you with every step of the process. But the good news for beer aficionados just keeps on coming: Murauer beer is extraordinarily flavorful. This brewery’s beers – including Märzen, Pils, Weissbier, Stout and Bock – have received multiple awards. Which means, a tasting will definitely be highly rewarding ;-) Murau – famous for its beer and wood – is not even 7 km from our Kreischberg Resorts Ferienpark Kreischberg, Kreischberg Chalets, Kreischberg Pool Villas, Kreischberg Suites and Feriendorf Murau, easy to reach via the Murtal Bike Path or on the Murtal Steam Train. For the finishing touches to your visit, we suggest a stroll through the oldest part of Murau, with its authentic medieval ambience, and alongside the River Mur, concluding with refreshments enjoyed at an outdoor restaurant. Prost!

Still haven’t decided where you and your family will head this summer? A hiking holiday in the Austrian mountains or simply relaxing by the lake? Perhaps it will help you to take a short look at our collection of ALPS Residences. Our selection of holiday accommodations is every bit as diverse as a summer holiday in Austria: chalets, apartments, holiday homes in Styria, Salzburger Land, Tyrol and Carinthia. Always with ample space for you and your family. Never having to push and shove at the buffet table, but with boundless nature and unforgettable experiences awaiting you right outside your own front door. Simply contact us, we look forward to hearing from you!

Photo materials:
Flowtrail © Turracher Höhe Marketing Gmbh, Daniela Ebner; Pumptrack © Turracher Höhe Marketing GmbH, Lex Karelly
Wandern © Naturpark Zirbitzkogel, Tom Lamm; Murau © TVB Murau Kreischberg