You do not necessarily need hiking boots to enjoy stunning views in Austria. Some stunning viewing platforms are easily reachable by cable car.
Austria boasts a number easy accessible viewing platforms, where you simply board a cable car. To truly appreciate the Alps, you have to get up on the mountains.
1. Dachstein Skywalk
From Ramsau, in Styria, you can pick up the cable car to the Dachstein massif. You can enjoy the stunning view from 2 spectacular viewing platforms, that take you over the edge. With only an inch of glass, between you and the abyss, these are some of the most breathtaking viewing platforms in Austria. At 2,700 meters (8858 ft.) above sea level, the views of the surrounding valleys and mountains are magnificent. If these viewing platforms are not exciting enough, you can also hitch a ride on the roof of the cable car gondola. You can enjoy the view on your way up or down the 900 meters, between the mountain and the valley.
For more info see: Dachstein Gletscherbahn
2. Kitzsteinhorn
The Kitzsteinhorn is a 3,203 m high mountain in the state of Salzburg, more or less in the middle of Austria. The trip to the top takes about 30-40 minutes and three separate cable cars. The rewards are several eateries and bars, a wide range of pistes, and non-less than spectacular views from the +3,000 m viewing platforms. There are several platforms and restaurants etc. on the mountain.
For more info see: Gletscherbahnen Kaprun
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3. Nordkette by Innsbruck
Innsbruck has made it easy for visitors to enjoy the view of the city and its surroundings. Right outside the old city center, you can pick up the Hungerburgbahn (a hybrid funicular railway), that takes you to the Nordkette Cable Car. The gondolas take you either up to Seegrube, at an altitude of 1,905 m / 6,250 ft, or the Hafelekar at 2,256 m / 7,401 ft, with mesmerizing views. Both at Seegrube and Hafelekar you can find restaurants. Going all the way to the top takes about 20 minutes.
4. Zugspitze
Austria and Germany (the country’s highest mountain) share the Zugspitze mountain. From the Austrian side, you can reach the viewing platforms at 2,962 meters with the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car. The gondola cabin with a capacity of 100 people and rides an impressive 1,725 vertical meters from valley to peak, in just 10 minutes. At this altitude, you can expect an incredible view. On clear days, Zugspitze Peak will leave you breathless as you take in amazing 360-degree views as far as the Grossglockner (the highest mountain in Austria with 3,798 m / 12,461 ft), Piz Bernina (Switzerland) or the Television Tower in Munich, Germany.
5. Karren
In Vorarlberg, in the far west of Austria, the Dornbirner Seilbahn takes you to the Karren at 976 meters (3,202 ft) above sea level. The view from the platform, which almost seems to hang in the air, is indescribable. The view includes the eastern part of Lake Constance, Austria, Switzerland at the horizon, and across the lake, Germany. The restaurant next to the cable car station on Karren is open all day as well as evening. Hence, you can enjoy a snack after a hike, a hearty lunch, or a nice evening dinner on the mountain. The image on top of this page shows the view from the platform at Karren.
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