Walk Austria!

The Austrian Tourist Office has just brought out a new walking guide, 'Walk Austria'. This contains editorial information on the region, and has been produced in co-operation with "Country Walking" maagazine. From cover to cover, it's packed full of inspiring images of mountain landscapes and Alpine meadows, to set you scheming your next walking holiday in the Austrian Alps. Not only that, but it's practical enough to ensure that planning your holiday is no longer a daunting prospect.

The guide reminds you that the long distance footpaths and 3000m + peaks of the Tyrol and other regions are a mere 2 hours flight away - hardly a journey to the ends of the earth. With that in mind, a walking holiday in Austria suddenly seems so much more possible. And once you've accepted that, it only takes a short leap of the imagination before you're planning your destination, your routes, your hotels ... and packing your bags ready for the flight!

The guide can help you out with information about every aspect of your trip. It describes each of the walking areas you might like to visit, reminding you that the Austrian Alps have not only the hiker's paradise of the Tyrol to offer, but much more. Below is a summary of some of the best walking regions in the country:

Tyrol: While it's true that Austrian walking isn't confined to the Tyrol, this is never a bad place to start. It's the most famous Austrian Alpine region, home to big name resorts such as 'Kitzbuhel', which is a walking mecca as well as a downhiller's paradise. There are thousands of walking options in the area, including visits to the Hintertux glacier, the 'Big Three' vista platforms in Sölden, with stunning views over 3000m peaks, the new 'Eagle Way', and the Leutasch Gorge. You can walk this in its entirety, crossing daredevil platforms and bridges along the way. For more information on the Tyrol and its 16 leading resorts visit www.tyrol.com/leading-resorts or call 00 43 512 72720.

Tyrol

Vorarlberg's Via Alpina: Vorarlberg is Austria's westernmost region, near Lake Constance, and not its least spectacular. It's full of highland enclaves, dramatic peaks, high passes, and deep, secret valleys. Crossing these are a wealth of waymarked hiking routes, including the Via Alpina, which beats a 5000km + route across the Alps, including a four day section in this region, forming 'a walker's highway in the clouds'. You can also visit the UNESCO biosphere park at Grosses Walsertal. What's more, the region is highly accessible, with good transport connections from Bodensee-Airport, Friedrichshafen, less than two hours' flight from London Stansted. For more information, visit www.vorarlberg.cc, contact Vorarlberg tourism by emailing info@vtour.at or calling 00 43 557 4425250. Individual packages are available from May 25 to October 2, including 'hiking without luggage'.

Vorarlberg

Europa Sportregion Zell am See-Kaprun: This region is famous for its winter sports, but also hosts over 100 walking routes, rising up to 2,600m in altitude. It also features special climbing zones, themed walks, Nordic Walking paths, and a strong infrastructure of huts, lifts, and expert walking guides. You can even pay a visit in the Winter, without taking to your skis, as snow-shoe walking is popular. Some of the more famous walks include the Alexander Enzinger Path, which climbs to the Alpincenter station of the glacier mountain railway, and the Hundstein path, which stretches along a mountain ridge to Hundstein peak. You can even stay overnight on top of the mountain! For more information, visit www.europasportregion.info, call Europa Sportregion Zell am See-Kaprun on 00 43 654 27700 or email welcome@europasportregion.info.

Europa Sportregion Zell am See-Kaprun

Carinthia: Billed as Austria's 'Alpine Riviera', this sunny southern region of Austria contains over 1200 freshwater lakes which warm to an amazing 28 degrees celsius in the summer. When you've finished swimming, there's still time to don your hiking boots though. Carinthia's walking possibilities range from steep and glaciated routes in the north west to gentle, rolling, densely wooded routes in the east, and then again to craggy, dramatic paths in the south. And when you're ready to refuel after a long day's hike, the local food and drink is unequalled anywhere in Austria. You can visit local farms to sample the juices, ciders and liquers of the region, or take the Bread and Cider tour at St Egyden. All things considered, it's amazing that this region is so rarely visited by us Brits! For more information call 00 43 463 3000, email carinthia@kaerten.at, or visit www.carinthia.at.

Carinthia

Europa Wanderhotels: The network of 67 European Walking Hotels is staffed by enthusiasts who spend every hour of the day living and working in the mountains. Each one is a family-run establishment and offers guided packages for walkers, adventure tours for families, and hikes up to mountain tops or blooming Alpine meadows. These vary in difficulty, from demanding mountaineering tours to leisurely pastureland walks, so there's something for everyone. Maps, equipment, and everything else you might need is readily available, and at the end of the day there are relaxation facilities at the hotels to help refresh your aching muscles. To find out more call 00 43 4710 2780, email europa@wanderhotels.com, or visit www.wanderhotels.com.

Are you contemplating a walking tour in Austria yet? If you need further persuasion - or you're already set to start planning your trip - contact the Austria Tourist Office for your 'Walk Austria' guide by calling 0845 101 1818, e-mailing holiday@austria.info. Also, make sure you check their website, www.austria.info.