TRAVEL

6 wild ways to take to the water in Austria

From its boulder-smashing Alpine rivers to its startlingly blue mountain lakes, Austria is ripe for adventures both on and under the water. Here are six of the best to try this summer.

Five kayaks on a blue river, with a pebble beach to one side and mountains in the background.

Though it is a land-locked nation, Austria has plenty of aquatic adventures to enjoy, from kayaking on crystal-clear alpine rivers to windsurfing on turquoise lakes.

Photograph by Manuel Arnu, Salzburger Saalachtal

ByKerry Walker

7 min read

For a land so far from the sea, Austria has an incredible number of opportunities for aquatic adventure. You can barely pick up a map without dipping your finger into one of the country’s 25,000 bodies of water, which range from tiny Alpine tarns to large, wind-ruffled lakes. You’ll find plenty of classic activities, from kayaking and open-water swimming to windsurfing and sailing. But be prepared for surprises here, too, from wreck-diving to standup paddleboard yoga in Vienna’s urban heart.

1. Ride the rapids

Tyrol’s dramatic Zillertal Valley throws you in at the deep end. Here, the Ziller River rages in all its glacier-fed glory, past dagger-shaped peaks, pine forests and timber chalets clinging to cow-nibbled pastures. The best way to experience its exhilarating twists and turns is by grabbing a helmet, a life jacket and a paddle and going whitewater rafting with the pros. Or, to ramp up the adventure, try power rafting — a pulse-racing encounter with the rapids on an inflatable canoe.

Where to do it: Aktivzentrum Zillertal in Zell am Ziller gets you out on the river with whitewater rafting, canyoning and standup paddleboarding options.

Lake Achensee often enjoys ideal conditions for windsurfing, sailing and kitesurfing thanks to the thermal wind that blows between the Rofan Mountain on the lake's east and the Karwendel peaks to the east.
Photograph by Achensee Tourismus

2. Catch the wind

The largest lake in the Tyrol region, the Achensee is one of Austria’s most popular spots for sailing, windsurfing, standup paddleboarding and kitesurfing. It’s known by locals as the ‘Tyrolean sea’, thanks to its thermal mountain winds and crystal clear water quality. There are plenty of places to catch the wind here, but the villages of Maurach and neighbouring Pertisau make the best bases. The surrounding high-altitude hiking trails provide additional activty options when winds are low.

Where to do it: Based in Maurach, 3Style Kitesurfing offer wingfoil — a kind of blend of kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing — courses for beginners, as well as more advanced options for experienced visitors.

3. Dive deep

Scuba diving in Austria? You bet. The Salzkammergut region dazzles with mountain lakes and the Attersee is the largest of the lot. Ringed by peaks, and with water proven to be so pure you can drink it, the Attersee offers ideal conditions for wild swimmers and divers. Drop deep into its crystal-clear waters to explore algae-furred wrecks, from a vintage car to a submarine.

Where to do it: Under Pressure in Weyregg am Attersee provides courses, guides and equipment rental.

Scuba divers enter the clear water of a lake surrounded by mountains — Head under the water of Austria's striking mountain lakes and you'll find plenty of wrecks to explore, from vintage cars to submerged submarines.
Photograph by Achensee Tourismus

4. Find your balance

Take your downward-facing dog and yogic sun salutations to a whole new level by balancing on a standup paddleboard on the River Danube in Vienna’s heart. It’s a great way to get out on the water and tune into nature’s gentle rhythms, with unique (at times upside-down) angles of the Austrian capital. Once you’ve got into the flow of it, you’ll see how the motion of water increases the intensity of the asanas (poses).

Where to do it: SUP Yoga run classes for a range of different levels — including a Learn to Flow Vinyasa for beginners — at Vienna City Beach Club, Gänsehäufelbad and the Alte Donau lake.

5. Enjoy the open water

Reaching down towards the Slovenian border, Wörthersee in Carinthia is Austria with a Mediterranean feel. Here pine trees meet palms, summers are long, light and warm, and the glassy azure lake waters are not only said to be drinkable, but can be as warm as the Med, reaching up to 28C. The lake is ringed with popular bathing beaches and is famed for its open-water swimming offerings. In September, Klagenfurt, on the lake’s eastern shore, hosts one of Europe’s biggest open-water swimming competitions — Wörthersee Swim Austria.

Where to do it: Take on the two-day summer swim camp at the Klagenfurt lido between June and August before testing your newfound skills in the open water.

Open water swimmers will enjoy the pristine waters of the Woerthersee, best accessed from the shores of Klagenfurt.
Photograph by Michael Stabentheiner, Österreich Werbung

6. Try river bugging on the Inn

Slicing through some of Austria’s most sensational Alpine scenery, the glacially turquoise River Inn is beautiful to look at, but to really feel its force, try tossing yourself into its rapidly-churning cold waters. An intrepid step up from white-water rafting and tubing, river bugging is the latest craze. Steered by flippers and paddle gloves, these single-person inflatable rafts can turn 360 degrees, allowing you to paddle forwards and backwards as you chase waves and negotiate eddies.

Where to do it: In the heart of the Tyrolean Oberland, h20 Adventure offers three-hour river bugging experiences on the Inn. Gear is provided, but you'll need to bring swimwear and a towel.