The Most Epic Austrian Alps Hiking Elopement Locations

They want to experience the mountains in the purest way.

They want to discover the places that are hard to find unless you know how.

They want to know about the local secrets.

They aren’t eloping for one single photo on a famous landmark. They are in it for the rawness of the experience, because it’s how they have spent all of their best times together. And their elopement is going to be the best one yet!

I’ve lived in the Alps since 2011, been an elopement photographer since 2015, and this spring I’ll finish my mountain hiking guide certification. This new certification means that I can finally guide my couples to some of the most incredible locations all over the Alps.

Below I’m going to share with you some of my favourite Austrian Alps elopement locations for single and multi-day elopements across the Tirol region.

If you are interested in eloping in one of these locations then you can book a consultation with me to find out more.

The Location: In Austria, but close to the German border, this is a stunning hike to not just one, but two beautiful alpine lakes.

The Hike: 8.5 miles (out & back), 2000 ft elevation gain.
The hike is moderate taking around 6 hours out and back if done in a single day. It can be split over 2 days and you can stay in a mountain hut by the upper lake.

The Hut: The hut does not have private rooms, only shared dormitory rooms but the reward is sunrise & sunset views.

Time of Year: June – October

The Location: Deep in a glacial valley in Tirol, 1.5 hours from Innsbruck. This glacial tongue is sadly melting fast so there may not be many more years left to see it. This hike takes you right up to the edge of the glacier, close to the ice.

The Hike: 4.5 miles (out & back), 1700 ft elevation gain.
The hike is moderate taking around 6 hours out and back if done in a single day. It can be split over 2 days and you can stay in a mountain hut by the upper lake.

Time of Year: June – October

The Location: A glacial valley close to Innsbruck

The Hike: 5.9 miles (out & back), 2345 ft elevation gain.
The hike is stunning, at the foot of a glacier as the melting water thunders down past you in rivers and waterfalls and marmots whistle in the distance. It is possible to stay at a mountain hut on the nearby glacier and hike to another lake on day one and hike via this lake on the second day on your way back to the valley. The hut option offers the opportunity to use a cable car for part of the ascent, saving almost 1000ft of altitude gain. The distance hiked remains similar.

Time of Year: July – October

The Location: A ski resort to Innsbruck

The Hike: 5.4 miles (out & back), 2380 ft elevation gain.
The hike is short and steep up a wide gravel road that is a ski slope in winter. But your efforts are rewarded with incredible sunset views over the valley. Hiking back down in the dark, head lamps are essential for this hike, as you can hear the cow bells chiming in the dark pastures around you.

Time of Year: June – October

The Location: Austria’s largest nature park, where chamois and ibex play on the mountain sides.

The Hike: 6.7 miles (out & back), 3100 ft elevation gain.
This short but steep hike to the hut promises breathtaking views along the way. Once we arrive, we can leave our bags and explore further. In the mornings & evenings the wildlife is active and comes really close to the hut.

The Hut: The hut does have a small number of private rooms. Book early or choose a weekday.

Time of Year: June – October

The Location: A stones throw from Innsbruck, the hike starts in the high alpine pastures where animals graze in the summer months and climbs towards glaciers where lots of waterfalls & rivers can be seen.

The Hike: 4 miles (out & back), 1335 ft elevation gain
The hike is moderate taking around 2.5 hours each way, leaving time to explore further once you arrive at the hut.

The Hut: The hut has been recently modernised and is one of the few that has a limited number of private rooms & wifi. It also offers luggage transport so you don’t have to carry all your stuff up which is a huge plus!

Time of Year: mid-June – early October

The Location: A stunning glacial valley close to Innsbruck.
This high-altitude hike is for couples who want to be in the high mountains & surrounded by glaciers without the need for technical mountaineering.

The Hike: 2.5 miles (out & back), 1050 ft elevation gain
The hike itself is short, taking around 2 hours each way, as most of the altitude is done with a series of cable cars, but the high altitude and rocky terrain means taking it slow and enjoying the views.

The Hut: The hut does not have private rooms, only shared dormitory rooms but the reward is sunrise & sunset views.

Time of Year: July – September

The Location: A stunning valley close to Innsbruck where you’ll pass waterfalls, discover a mountain lake and a glacier.

The Hike: 6.5 miles (out & back), 2435 ft elevation
Whilst this is a family hike for the locals, it’s not to be taken lightly as while the terrain isn’t challenging, it is steeper in a couple of sections. There is a hut mid-way for a lunch stop, and once arriving at the overnight hut, we can leave our luggage and continue to the glacier or a deep turquoise lake.

The Hut: The hut does has 3 private rooms, but these book fast as it’s on a popular hut-to-hut route.

Time of Year: late June – September