For an even more enjoyable experience

Safety in the mountains

Mountains offer a lot of room for relaxation and the conscious enjoyment of perhaps still unknown facets of nature. They invite you to rediscover the beauty of the great outdoors in a mindful way. However, it is important to remember that safety comes first on every hiking, mountain bike or ski tour.

Alone or in a group, with children or with your dog: The following recommendations and rules of conduct were developed to make your tours through the mountains of Styria as safe as possible and thus enjoyable and relaxing.

Safely out and about – thanks to the recommendations of the Alpine Club

Rules of conduct for hikers

Health and a realistic self-assessment of the time and pace required for a certain tour are essential.
Hiking also requires thorough planning – besides the route, keeping in mind the weather conditions is an important part of this as well.
Rain, cold and sun protection, a first-aid kit, and a mobile phone: Only with complete equipment, nature sports become a carefree pleasure.
Appropriate footwear helps hikers stay safe every step of the way. It not only relieves the strain on your feet but also improves surefootedness.
Speaking of surefootedness: It's the reason why you should neither be too fast nor overly tired when hiking in the mountains.
If you stay on the signposted trails and avoid taking shortcuts, you minimise the risk of possible falls in unsecured terrain or of getting lost or hit by falling rocks.
It's important to take regular breaks – not only to recharge your batteries and savour a meal but also for enjoying the scenery and socialising.
On family tours, taking responsibility for your children is a top priority – whether that's during playful discovery together or as support on passages where there is a risk of falling.
Together rather than all by yourself: The ideal way to conquer a mountain is in a small group. This allows you to remain flexible while being able to support each other if necessary.
Last but not least, respect for the environment and the conservation of nature should be your steady companions on every hike.

More detailed explanations of the individual rules of conduct for hikers can be found on the website of the Alpine Club.

More information

Hikers on alpine pastures should pay attention to the following

Correct behaviour near grazing livestock

There is a whole range of rules of conduct for safe encounters of humans and animals on alpine pastures. Hikers are strongly advised to ...

generally keep quiet when encountering grazing livestock so as not to frighten or disturb them.
leave the grazing animals alone, i.e. not make contact nor feed the animals.
respect fences and gates, close them quickly and carefully and cross the pasture at a swift pace.
stay on the signposted trails.
pass herds of cattle off to the side of them or – if they block the trail – bypass them on a larger scale. With both options, a safe distance of about 30 to 50 meters from the animals is recommended.
observe the animals without making direct eye contact and, in case the animals become agitated, slowly return to the trail never turning your back on them. Please, do not run away!
carry a stick when crossing pastures. By making threatening gestures with it and calling out loudly, you can prompt aggressive animals to turn back.
be particularly cautious in the presence of cattle families, i.e. cows with calves and maybe even a bull.
never go too close to calves, let alone stroke or feed the young animals.

Rules of conduct for hikers with dogs

Anyone hiking with four-legged friends should be particularly careful on alpine pastures. Dogs attract the attention of grazing livestock, as they're perceived as a potential threat. Important: If dogs are let off their leash in time, they can avoid attacks by slower animals in the event of a conflict.

More valuable tips:

If you bring dogs to mountain pastures, you do so at your own risk.
It is advisable to familiarise yourself with the route and possible alternatives in advance.
Dogs should always be kept on a short leash and walk close to the centre of the hiking group.
It must be possible to let go of the leash at any time to allow the dog to run away.
Ideally, your four-legged friends should not go too close to the herd and remain calm in the presence of other animals.

More information on the correct behaviour near grazing livestock can be found in the folder and on the website of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism.

Important information on the European emergency number 112

112 is a number that can be used to make an emergency call from mobile phones throughout the EU (and in many other countries). It's free of charge and works with any network operator, including if you're abroad. A properly made emergency call is crucial in case of an accident – it should provide answers to the most important questions:

Where did the accident happen (site and weather conditions)?
What happened?
How many people were injured?
What kind of injuries did they sustain?
Who is reporting the accident?

Anyone who is in distress and has no reception should turn their mobile phone off and on again. Instead of the PIN code, you can now enter the Euro emergency number 112. The number then dials into an available network, and an emergency call is made to the nearest police station.

Hiking hotels

For an all-round pleasant hiking holiday in Styria, we recommend staying at one of the region’s many specialised hiking hotels. They offer great services tailored to the needs of hikers, including tour tips, guided group hikes, hiking taxis and more. What’s more, regional delicacies and great wellness offers including saunas, steam baths and massages make it easy to relax after a long hike.

To the hiking hotels

Offers, accommodation options and tours

hiking holidayS in Styria

Anticipation is the greatest joy. Especially if you have decided on a hiking vacation in the Green Heart of Austria. But should you go to the alpine north or rather to the lovely south? If you are still looking for a suitable offer for your hiking vacation, you may find what you are looking for in the following packages.