National park · Austria
Hohe Tauern National ParkNationalpark Hohe Tauern
Enter Hohe Tauern National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (≈ €12) and hike the Grossglockner trail before 10 am, or spend a full day on the Krimml Waterfalls loop in summer; avoid peak July‑August crowds by starting early.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,856 km² (717 sq mi)717 sq mi (1,856 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Austria ↗Austria is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Austria ↗Motorways and expressways need a vignette (digital or sticker); driving on them without one brings on-the-spot fines.
- Austria ↗Winter tyres or chains are required in winter conditions; hire cars from outside Austria may not have them fitted.
- Salzburg ↗Motorways need an Austrian vignette; some Alpine roads and tunnels charge extra tolls.
- Salzburg ↗Many towns issue a guest card with local buses or cable-car discounts; ask at check-in.
At a glance
- Country
- Austria
- Area
- 1,856 km² (717 sq mi)717 sq mi (1,856 km²)
- Approximately 1,856 km² spanning the Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia provinces (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Salzburg
Hohe Tauern National Park protects Austria's highest alpine terrain, iconic peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and rich wildlife, offering challenging hikes and scenic viewpoints.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Part of the Alpine region UNESCO listing.
Size and age
1,856 km² (717 sq mi)717 sq mi (1,856 km²) · national park since 1981
Approximately 1,856 km² spanning the Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia provinces (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Salzburg.
Why go
- Explore Austria's highest peaks, including Großglockner and Großvenediger.
- See major waterfalls such as Krimml (380 m) and Umbal.
- Walk glacier trails like the Innergschlöss Glacier Trail.
- Observe Alpine wildlife: ibex, chamois, golden eagle, bearded vulture.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; good for snow hiking.
- FebWinter conditions, fewer visitors.
- MarEarly melt, trails opening.
- AprSnow retreat, wildflowers.
- MayFull trail access, mild weather.
- JunLong days, popular but manageable.
- JulHeat, thunderstorms, crowds.
- AugPeak summer crowds, occasional storms.
- SepClear, cooler, fewer tourists.
- OctAutumn colours, good hiking.
- NovEarly snow, limited services.
- DecWinter scenery, very quiet.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bearded vulture (reintroduced)Mar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Golden eagle, ibex, chamois, marmotAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Salzburg
Train to Bischofshofen, then bus or car to the park entrance (e.g., Großglockner Hochalpenstraße).
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Innsbruck
Rail to Lienz, then bus to the park’s western gate.
2 h
Open the page →
From Vienna
Rail to Salzburg then continue as above, or drive via A10 (Tauern Autobahn).
4–5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Core zone | High alpine area with glaciers, Großglockner, Großvenediger. | Restricted; only marked trails, guide required for some routes. |
| Outer zone | Alpine meadows, traditional farms, visitor facilities. | Open to public; parking at trailheads. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are central points of major attractions; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry ticket (per adult) | EUR 12 (≈ US$14) | person | Covers access to main trails; check for seasonal discounts. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash in outer zone; prohibited in core zone.check
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping forbidden.
- Fire
- Open fires only in approved areas; otherwise prohibited.
- Guides
- Required for core‑zone glacier routes and summit attempts.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permit.
Where to stay
Near the park
Fusch
Hotels, guesthouses, and parking for trailheads.
Near the park
Heiligenblut
Mountain inns and access to Großglockner road.
Safety
Sudden weather change high
Glacier crevasses high
Altitude medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre at Großglockner road has wheelchair‑accessible restrooms.
- Most high‑alpine trails are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in certified eco‑lodges.
- Use marked trails to protect fragile alpine flora.
- Support local farms in outer villages.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Hohe Tauern National Park?
A standard adult entry ticket is €12 (check for seasonal rates or discounts).
What are the best hikes in Hohe Tauern National Park?
Top hikes include the Großglockner summit trail, Krimml Waterfalls loop, and the Innergschlöss Glacier Trail.
When is the best time to visit Hohe Tauern National Park?
Late May to early October offers clear weather and full trail access; September is especially quiet.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
Yes, a guide is mandatory for core‑zone glacier routes and the Großglockner summit.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are permitted on leash in the outer zone but are prohibited in the core alpine zone.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Hohe Tauern National Park
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