The connection with nature and the enjoyment of outdoor activities have increased significantly over the past twelve months. One hobby that can be perfectly combined with this is the Hiking. Especially hiking routes in alpine regions, where you are almost alone and can turn inward while you have a dreamlike mountain scenery in front of you; enjoy more and more popularity. Hiking also lowers stress levels and increases the production of happy hormones such as serotonin. And the immune system and metabolism also benefit from a trip to the Alps.

Here you will find five of the most beautiful alpine hikes in Austria and Germany.

Ahornspitze, Zillertal Alps, Tyrol, Austria

Altitude: 2973 m
Length: approx. 10.4 km
Duration: approx. 6 hours

The Ahornspitze in the Tyrolean Zillertal is suitable for both beginners and advanced hikers, despite the lofty altitude of almost 3000 metres. While professionals can master the alpine hiking trail in half a day, it is recommended for hobby hikers to cover part of the trail with the Ahorn cable car or to split the tour over two days. A popular overnight accommodation is the Karl-Von-Edel-Hütte. But back to the beginning: the tour starts in Mayrhofen, where the Ahornbahn is already waiting to take the adventurous hikers up to the mountain station Filzenboden (1960m). From there you follow the signs in the direction of the Edel-Hütte, hike past the gorgeous Edelsee lake and also cross the Zillertal Alps Nature Park. Then you have already reached the Edel-Hütte (2238m). There you can recharge your batteries and continue hiking the following day along the Peter-Habeler-Steig to the Pobergschneide (2680m) and to the summit. Then it's time to enjoy the view: Enjoy the view and inhale nature. Because the Ahornspitze offers a brilliant panoramic view of the Zillertal Alps.

Walser Hammerspitze, Kleinwalsertal, Vorarlberg, Austria

Altitude: 2170 m
Length: approx. 5.4 km
Duration: approx. 4 hours

This alpine hiking route begins in Riezlern, where you can take the Kanzelwandbahn cable car to the mountain station at 1950 m above sea level. If you wish, you can also make the short ascent of about 2.5 hours without the gondola. Once at the top, one then hikes in the direction of the Kanzelwand summit and encounters imposing rock formations. During the ascent to the Walser Hammerspitze, the Allgäu main ridge does not leave your field of vision. The quite stony and rocky path leads along the ridge path and combines for a short time the path to the Hammerspitze with the Kuhgehrensattel. Once at the summit, you have a brilliant view of the Hochgehrenspitze.

Scheffauer, Wilder Kaiser, Tyrol Austria

Altitude: 2111 m
Length: approx. 11.2 km
Duration: approx. 7 hours

The Kaisergebirge in Tyrol has a few 2000m peaks up its sleeve. Such as the Scheffauer, with an altitude of 2111 m, which is also part of the crown of the Wilder Kaiser. The route starts in Kufstein at the Kaiserlift. There you will be chauffeured up to the Brentenjoch (1256m) in about 30 minutes. Then you are already in the middle of the Kaisergebirge. The descent from the mountain station is in the direction of the Geißbachgraben. At the lowest point you also cross the Geißbach, from where the path continues to the Steinberghütte. The Stoinberghütte (1293m) is also on the way and is the perfect place to recharge your batteries or spend the night. The route continues along the Widauersteig. From here on, a little climbing skill is required: because the Scheffauer north face must be passed with a via ferrata set. However, the ascent is worth it. The summit offers an unforgettable view of the Inn Valley and the Eastern Alps on the horizon.

Hoher Gröll, Berchtesgarden, Bavaria, Germany

Altitude: 2522 m
Length: approx. 8.1 km
Duration: approx. 7 hours

Bavaria also has countless fantastic hiking routes. Such as the tour via the Purtschellerhaus up to the Hohe Gröll. The starting point is the Ahornkaser inn. From there, a gravel path leads downhill to a long wooden staircase, the destination of which is the Purtschellerhaus. Tip: there is said to be an excellent Kaiserschmarrn. After passing some easy climbs, you reach the ridge, which offers two possibilities for the ascent to the summit. Either via the "Kamin" (for advanced climbers) or via the Schustersteig. If you have decided on one of the two paths, you simply hike along the ridge, enjoy the view and look forward to the summit.

Entschenkopf, Gaisalpe, Allgäu, Germany

Altitude : 2043 m
Length: approx. 12.1 km
Duration: approx. 7 hours

If you want to climb the Entschenkopf, it is best to start in Reichenbach in the Allgäu. First, the trail leads along an access road until you see the Gaisalpbach stream. Then you hike along the stream uphill. But be careful: as the so-called Gaisalptobelweg is very close to the water and the water flows more and more strongly, it can often become slippery. Over a bridge one then reaches the other side of the stream. The path is reminiscent of a refreshing hike through a gorge. Halfway along the trail, the Gasthof Gaisalpe awaits hikers, from where the trail continues directly towards the Entschenkopf. But before you reach the summit, you hike past the gorgeous alpine Gaisalpsee and enjoy the picture-book panorama.