Austria
Must visit dog friendly places in Austria
Experience the incredible landscapes of Austria, a perfect destination for dog-friendly adventures. From alpine valleys and crystal-clear lakes to scenic mountain villages and endless hiking trails, Austria offers so much variety in a relatively small area. I’ve visited Austria multiple times with my dogs already, and it’s a country I absolutely love returning to, it never gets old. Whether you’re heading into the mountains for a hike, wandering along a lake at sunset, or relaxing at a cozy mountain hut, Austria is incredibly welcoming for dogs and ideal for exploring together.
The ultimate guide to Austria | dog friendly hikes & nature spots
Kirchberg
We spent two nights in Kirchberg in Tirol, and it turned out to be one of our favourite stops in Austria. The town has a relaxed, welcoming feel, with beautiful alpine views in every direction and plenty of space to stretch your legs, ideal for travelling with dogs. We took a resting day in Kirchberg as we just came from a road trip in Switzerland, so we took some time to relax and explore the town. The town itself is walkable and has several cozy restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating. A must try is the kaiserschmarrn, so delicious!
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Driving the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was absolutely amazing. The views are breathtaking, with winding roads that lead you past glaciers, waterfalls, and towering peaks. Our dogs had the best time, especially Zade, who got to experience snow for the first time at the higher altitudes. There are plenty of scenic spots to pull over, stretch your legs, and take in the landscape, which makes it an ideal road trip for traveling with dogs. We stopped at a few viewpoints and even grabbed lunch at one of the roadside restaurants. I would definitely recommend taking a full day to drive this road, there are so many stops you can make.
Zirmsee
Towards the end of our drive of the Grossglockner road we stopped at Zirmsee. The lake is tucked away in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by forested hills and wide-open space, which made it a relaxing break from the busier spots. We just stopped for a quick picture stop and to take in the view, which is beautiful. It’s not a huge or touristy place, but that’s exactly what made it so enjoyable. If you're looking for a low-key nature stop that’s easy to reach and dog-friendly, Zirmsee is definitely worth adding to your route.
Gosau
Gosau was a peaceful overnight stop that I had no expectations off until we got there. It was beautiful! The wide open space made it easy to walk the dogs, and the dramatic mountain backdrop gave everything a quiet kind of drama. I especially loved taking photos of the dogs here, also because the small gas station in front of the mountains looked like something out of a vintage film. We didn’t plan much here, just a rest, a good sleep, and some time to take in the view. Sometimes that’s all you really need on a road trip.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is every bit as beautiful as you'd expect, charming houses stacked against the mountainside, a glassy lake, and views that really are postcard-worthy. It’s definitely on the touristy side, so we didn’t hang around too long, but it was still worth the visit. Walking through the narrow streets with the dogs and taking in the scenery made for a lovely stop. If you time it right and avoid the peak crowds, it’s a pretty special place to wander for a bit.
Urisee | Reutte
Urisee in Reutte is such a lovely spot to visit, especially if you’re staying nearby. We walked here straight from our hotel in Reutte, following a beautiful path where you cross the river before heading up a hill toward the lake. You can choose a peaceful forest trail or walk along the road like we did (just keep an eye out for cars). Once you arrive, you can walk around the crystal-clear lake, with stunning views all around. In autumn at sunset, the reflections of the trees on the water are absolutely beautiful, and dogs are welcome to swim here too, which makes it an even better stop on a walk.
Körbersee hike | Lech am Arlberg
The Körbersee hike near Lech is possibly one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done in Austria, the views are simply stunning from start to finish. The hike is about 9 km with around 325 meters of elevation gain, making it very doable while still feeling rewarding. We first passed the cable car station and continued into the mountains, hiking past several cozy huts along the way where you can also refill your water bottle. There are so many picturesque spots on this trail, and the dogs absolutely loved it. In summer, you’ll likely come across farm animals along the route, which adds to the alpine feel. After hiking for a while, you reach Körbersee itself, a perfect spot to take a break, have lunch, and snap some photos of the dogs with the lake and mountains behind them. We walked back toward the parking area via another lake, making it a really beautiful loop, just keep in mind that parking here is paid.
Eben am Achensee
Eben am Achensee was a perfect lunch stop during our road trip and such a beautiful place to stretch our legs. We had lunch first and left the car at the restaurant, then crossed the road and walked straight down to the lake. The views over the water and surrounding mountains are stunning, and there’s a really nice, easy trail running along the shoreline. The dogs loved exploring the area and dipping their paws in the clear water, making it a relaxed and scenic stop that’s absolutely worth adding to your route.
The best dog friendly cafes & restaurants in Austria
Edelweissspitze | Grossglockner
Edelweissspitze was our lunch stop along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a perfect place to take in the views, which are absolutely breathtaking and it's also great for the cozy, dog-friendly vibe. We were able to sit inside with the dogs, which was a nice break from the mountain wind, and the traditional Austrian atmosphere made it feel like a proper alpine experience. The menu had plenty of local dishes to choose from, and the food didn’t disappoint, hearty, comforting, and perfect for the colder weather high up in the mountains. Definitely a great place to stop, warm up, and enjoy the surroundings.
Restaurant-Cafe Bergkristall | Eben am Achensee
Restaurant–Café Bergkristall was a lovely stop we found on our way to Dalaas while driving up from Slovenia, and it couldn’t have been better timed. The terrace has an amazing view over the lake, making it a perfect place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. We had Kaiserschmarrn here and it was absolutely delicious, easily one of the highlights of the stop. There’s plenty of parking, and if the road isn’t too busy you can walk down to the lake from the restaurant (just be mindful when crossing, as cars can drive quite fast). The dogs were super relaxed here, happily lying around and soaking up the views with us.
Our dog-friendly stay in Austria
Hotel in Gosau near Hallstatt with stunning views of the mountains and comfortable rooms
For the full review, please click here