Canoe trips in Austria
Wild waters, alpine landscapes - Austria is a paradise for canoeists with countless possibilities. If you want to experience this unique landscape particularly intensively, a canoe is the perfect choice, as a trip on the water opens up perspectives that you would otherwise not get. We present the most beautiful tours by canoe, the most beautiful rivers and regions in Austria in more detail here.
The 10 most beautiful canoe trips in Austria
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Open the Route PlannerThe canoe - the ideal companion on Austria's rivers
The history of the canoe stretches far back into human history. It has been used by indigenous peoples on almost every continent for a variety of purposes and has taken many forms. In Europe, the modern form of the canoe became really popular in the 20th century when British traders brought the first canoes from North America to Europe.
Shortly afterwards, the canoe and so-called river walking experienced a real boom. In England in particular, canoeing on rivers became a widespread pleasure and it increasingly spread to other European countries as a leisure activity.
The great canoeing classics on Austria's rivers
The choice of canoe tours in Austria is almost inexhaustible and offers variety for a whole canoeist's life. The great classics include the Salzach, the Lech, the Drau and, of course, the Danube.
The Salzach is a 225 km long river that rises in Pinzgau, then flows through the province of Salzburg and along the Upper Austrian-Bavarian border before flowing into the Inn shortly before Braunau. Numerous sections of the Salzach are ideal for river hikes
The Lech is one of the last little-used rivers in the Alpine republic and is therefore extremely popular with nature lovers, canoeists and other water sports enthusiasts. The level of skill required here is already quite high, but the landscape is unique.
In the south of Austria, the Drau is considered one of the most beautiful stretches for river hikes. Due to the numerous barrages and power stations, the Drau is a good-natured river on most sections, which is why it is also very popular with families.
Canoe tours on Austria's lakes
You can also go on wonderful canoe tours on Austria's lakes. On the whole, there are no legal restrictions: With a few exceptions, sailing and rowing boats are permitted on bodies of water in Austria.
One canoe tour on a lake that is mentioned time and again is the one on Lake Traunsee. This is largely due to the impressive scenery on offer here. You can paddle along the eastern shore past the steep cliffs of Traunstein and Erlakogel. There are also numerous bathing beaches around the lake with places to stop for refreshments, which add a culinary touch to a leisurely canoe tour.
Another popular canoeing area is Lake Constance. Located between Austria, Germany and Switzerland, the lake offers plenty of opportunities for extended tours for enduring canoeists. Lake Neusiedl, which lies on the border with Hungary, is also a great spot for extended canoe trips.
Things to know about canoeing in Austria
- Which canoe tour is suitable for beginners in Austria?
When canoeing, as with all other activities, you should first familiarize yourself with the sports equipment. This is best done on lakes where there are no rapids and you can familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the canoe step by step.
There are numerous river tours in Austria that are suitable for beginners.
- Which canoe tour is the longest in Austria?
The longest canoe tour in Austria on a single river is the one on the Danube from Passau to Hainburg. However, there are ten power stations to overcome on this stretch.
The longest uninterrupted stretch can be found on the Drau, where more than 80 beautiful kilometers await you from the source to the first power station.
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