The Alps are Europe's major range of mountains, spanning from
the Mediterranean coast of France via Switzerland, Northern
Italy and Austria to Slovenia. A considerable part of Austria
is part of this mountain range, accordingly hiking, skiing,
snowboarding and cross-country skiing rate high among Austria's
favourite pastimes.
Clean air, spectacular sights, lakes and glaciers and well-tended
trails and hikes contribute to the Alps allure and attract numerous
tourists and visitors.
The Alps flora and fauna is unique as well: edelweiss,
Austria's national flower, and gentian ('Enzian') might be rare,
but they have shaped the worlds image of Austria and the Alps.
Chamois, marmots and ibexes are well adapted to the alpine habitat.
Mt Grossglockner is Austria's highest peak featuring
a spectacular glacier ('Pasterze') and a 50 km long panoramic
road, which is easily accessible in summertime and offers
some of the most spectacular views in Austria. National park
'Hohe Tauern' was established to protect the fragile ecosystem
of the most fantastic areas around Mt Grossglockner.
Eisriesenwelten are the largest accessible ice caves
world wide. Its frozen waterfalls and elaborate ice formations
can be admired on guided tours taking you into a fascinating
world for 75 minutes. Its caves and passages adorned with
frozen stalagmites and other ice formations are named after
Norse mythology.
The enormous caves are located in the proximity of Werfen
in easy distance from Salzburg.
