Tirol is home to some of the most beautiful views in Austria and when it comes to the Alps, the vantage point is everything. The greatest part about exploring Tirol is that not every trail requires expert skill and years of experience. Many of the trails that wind their way through 24,000 kilometers of mountain wilderness lead to spots where the view is just as good as a summit, if not, arguably, better. That's not to say there aren't hikes that will have the hiker working up a good sweat but when it comes to a leisurely stroll, these trails offer breathtaking vistas without the exceedingly strenuous work.
Alpine Barefoot Walking Trail
By far the easiest trail, and one that's entirely family-friendly, is the Alpine Barefoot Walking Trail. This trail remains true to its name and encourages hikers to walk the route barefoot, hence the gentle wooden trail runner that follows the length of this one-kilometer scenic route. It's also a loop trail which makes following the blazes easy and it only takes about 30 minutes to complete in total.
It begins at the Hahnenkamm-Bahn cable car and ends at Höfener Alm, featuring views of the surrounding mountains from a mid-level valley. Along the trail, hikers can find 18 'foot-fit' stations which vary from water therapy to soft gravel foot massage. At the end of the trail, hikers are able to wash their feet via a specific cleansing station.
Neunerköpfle Adventure Trail
This hike is only one kilometer longer than the Alpine Barefoot Walking Trail but is still rated as an easy hike. Not far from the Neunerköpfle cable car, this trail makes its way around the Tannheimer Tal Valley, offering stunning views of the mountains across the valley and at summits above.
The path has been referred to as another family-friendly hike, with gorgeous lookouts through the trail and a surprise waiting at the summit - a 'summit book' that sits three kilometers above sea level. Despite its height, the trail never becomes too challenging for hikers.
Mutterer Alm
Mutterer Alm is a hike that's great for those seeking delicious eats as well as gorgeous views. It's known as having plenty of culinary options for hikers once they've reached their destination and the hike itself is only a little over three kilometers. It takes roughly an hour and 20 minutes to walk the entire trail and it ends at the Mutterer Alm restaurant.
This hike is also a loop trail, making it easy to follow the blazes and the views are spectacular along the way. The trail is a blast for families and encompasses stunning, glass-like lakes, various bridges that connect the trail to its surroundings, and, of course, a divine menu at the restaurant found at the end of this trail. There are picnic tables and benches along the way that provide ample seating and room for breaks so that hikers can take in the beauty of their surroundings. This is also considered to be a 'themed' trail, which means many of the trail's attractions feature adventure park-style elements.
Panorama Trail
For some of the best views of all the easy trails, the Panorama Trail was named adequately for its visual offerings. The Wilder Kaiser Mountains take front and center on this trail, along with views of the Brixental Valley and even the Leogang Rocky and Lofer Mountains. If the weather permits it to be so, hikers will gain an extra visual distance, long enough to observe the Hohe Tavern Mountains as well as the Zillateral Alps.
Along the trail, pastures and Alpine flora are also seen, making for an almost magical experience while hiking. Lakeside views allow for peaceful and serene vistas by which to take in the surrounding mountains, but there are also play areas along the trail for those hiking with families and young children.
Meadow Hike
This hike is a little bit longer - 8.8 kilometers - but the scenic lake views are well worth it. The trail follows along the western side of Lake Achensee and the great thing about it is that part of the hike can be done via boat. In fact, the final stop of the trail can only be reached by boat, and hikers can take the same way back.
Looking to cool down after hiking? Don't worry! This lake also offers pristine alpine lakes that hikers can take a dip in, all without having to leave the trail. Enjoy the scenic views from the bottom along the lakeside, while taking in the sunshine glimmering off its crystal-clear shores.