Ennstal AlpsAbout Ennstal Alps
The Ennstal Alps are a mountain group in central Austria forming part of the Northern Limestone Alps, running along the Enns Valley. They include rugged ridges, limestone massifs and alpine pastures typical of the Eastern Alps.
The range offers hiking, climbing and winter sports where accessible; trails and mountain huts serve multi-day routes and local outdoor recreation. Peaks rise into the alpine zone and present limestone escarpments and cirques.
Alpine communities in and around the Enns Valley have used the mountains for alpine grazing, forestry and mining for centuries, with mountain tourism developing from the 19th century onward.
Located in central Austria along the Enns Valley; nearby towns include Liezen and Schladming and the range straddles provincial boundaries within the Austrian interior.
- Peaks over 2,000 m: Contains peaks that exceed 2,000 meters and is popular for hiking and alpine activities in summer and local skiing in winter areas.
Nearby Attractions to Ennstal Alps
Best Time to Visit Ennstal Alps
Summer and early autumn are prime for hiking and climbing; winter is for alpine sports in managed resorts.
Weather & Climate near Ennstal Alps
Ennstal Alps's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1208 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -7° - 0° | -8° | 64 mm | overcast | 94% | 2.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | -7° - 1° | -7° | 62 mm | overcast | 92% | 2.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.1h |
| March | Poor | -4° - 4° | -3° | 90 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.0 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -1° - 8° | 1° | 83 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Poor | 4° - 14° | 7° | 106 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.9h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 17° | 12° | 147 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.7h |
| July | Acceptable | 9° - 19° | 14° | 165 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 1.5 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 2.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 4° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 2.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -3° - 4° | -3° | 81 mm | overcast | 91% | 2.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | -6° - 1° | -7° | 81 mm | overcast | 92% | 2.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
How to Get to Ennstal Alps
The Ennstal Alps are accessible by road and rail from Salzburg and Graz; the Enns River valley is served by regional train lines (ÖBB) with stops at nearby towns such as Schladming and Gröbming depending on which subrange is the destination. Driving from Salzburg typically takes 1-2 hours to reach trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Ennstal Alps
- If hiking, take maps and an altimeter-many trails cross ridgelines where cell coverage is unreliable.
- Avoid the high alpine passes in early spring when snowmelt can make routes dangerous.
- Try local mountain inns (Gasthäuser) in the valleys for hearty fare and regional knowledge of trail conditions.