Lienz (Osttirol) - Adventure Capital of Austria
The word is well and truly out!
Lienz, a small, medieval town in Osttirol, is the new adventure capital of Austria.
From hiking to rafting and climbing to canyoning, this tiny town punches far above its weight when it comes to adrenaline and adventure in Austria.
Seldom has there been a destination that provides so many bucket-list activities in such a small space.
I spent 4 magical days in Lienz and so, in this article, I am going to introduce you to the best things to do in Lienz.
It is an absolutely must-visit destination in Austria!
This article recommends where to stay in Lienz and, crucially, explains why the enchanting region of Osttirol, a sustainable, adventure-fuelled destination at the foot of the Dolomites, should be firmly on your radar.
So, let’s dive into: Lienz (Osttirol) - Adventure Capital of Austria
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission, if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
Disclosure: I was fortunate to be invited to Lienz by the Official Tourism Board of Osttirol, in conjunction with the Adventure Travel Trade Association for AdventureELEVATE 2024. While I was hosted by Osttirol, all of the opinions and thoughts shared in this article are genuine and my own. We only recommend activities and places to visit on Ticket 4 Two Please that we, ourselves, would pay to visit… and Osttirol is definitely one of those!
Lienz at a Glance
Where is Lienz?
Lying at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites, at the intersection of the Isel and Drau rivers, Lienz is the cultural and economic heartbeat of Osttirol (East Tirol) in Austria.
Close to the Italian border, Lienz is around 175km (2.5 hours) South-East of Innsbruck and 180km (2.5-3.0 hours) South of Salzburg.
How to get to Lienz?
The big appeal of Lienz is that it is an unexplored, secluded gem in the Osttirol region. While this obviously has its benefits, it does mean that you have to plan in advance to be able to get there.
The most convenient international airport nearby is Munich Airport in Germany. Here are a couple of options for getting to Lienz from Munich:
Train - 5 and a half hours journey, with 2 or 3 changes along the way.
Shared/Private Transfer - our group shared a transfer from Munich airport to Lienz booked with Four Seasons Travel.
Car - the journey from Munich Airport to Osttirol is absolutely stunning. It is possible to rent a car at Munich Airport and drive 250km to Lienz, taking around 3.5 hours.
Good to know: Lienz is slightly closer to the airports in Salzburg and Innsbruck and while international connections aren’t quite as ubiquitous as Munich, these may prove to be better options for your travel plans to Osttirol.
Where to stay in Lienz?
Lienz is a relatively small town, but thankfully there are a number of great accommodation options. In the wider Tirol region, a staggering 92% of the hotels are family-owned, and Lienz is no different.
One great example of a sustainable, family-run hotel in Lienz is Hotel Moarhoff. This 4* hotel is where we stayed during our time in Lienz, and it acted as the perfect base for exploring the wider Osttirol region.
The rooms feature balconies overlooking the mountains, providing a beautiful view to wake up to every morning.
Moarhoff is also home to a spa and wellness centre, with 4 separate saunas and a heated outdoor pool. The restaurant next to the lobby is where we ate every night, with them serving a hearty 4-course Austrian meal daily.
Perhaps the biggest selling point of Hotel Moarhof for us though, was the warm welcome and service we received throughout our stay. All of the staff members were super friendly and smiley and always wanted to help us whenever they could.
So, if you’re looking for a place to stay in Lienz, Hotel Moarhof is the best option!
White Water Rafting
One of the most thrilling things to do in Lienz is to try white water rafting. The rafting season runs from mid-May until September (providing water levels are deemed safe) and represents the height of adventure and adrenaline in Osttirol.
The best white water rafting in Lienz can be found through Adventurepark Osttirol. They offer two rafting tours - the adventure tour and the sport tour.
The adventure tour begins at the centre, takes a cruisy route down into Lienz and is the best option for families and those newer to rafting.
The sport tour on the other hand is the tour that we experienced in Lienz. It begins 10km upstream from the centre and is a better option for those that want to experience a real thrill in Lienz!
Via Ferrata
Arguably the most exhilarating activity you can experience in Lienz is a Via Ferrata.
A Via Ferrata is a unique combination of hiking, climbing and scrambling that involves wearing a harness and clipping yourself onto a metal rail with carabiners as you wind your way up the mountain.
The best via ferrata in Lienz, and my personal favourite, can be found at Galitzenklamm - roughly 5 minute South of the town of Lienz.
Galitzenklamm is home to 7 different via ferrata routes, amounting to 2.7km of climbable terrain in total.
The Family Ferrata Route (250m length) is ideal for beginner climbers and will take roughly 45 minutes to complete.
The longest route is Adrenaline Ferrata at 750m, but for a real challenge, head straight for Dopamine Ferrata - the trickiest route in the entire region.
Good to know: the Via Ferratas are completely self-guided but all safety equipment is provided with your entrance fee. The centre opens from early May to Late October.
Kuenz Distillery Tour
The Kuenz Distillery has been in the Keunz family for over 400 years and is currently owned by the 12th generation of this family.
The 11 hectare facility contains some 36000 trees - the majority are apple trees, but they also grow plums, pears and cherries on site.
At Kuenz Distillery, they produce a vast amount of alcohol, from single malt whiskey and whiskey caramel cream, to spearmint gin and the famous East Tyrolese Pregler.
A tour around the distillery is one of the most fascinating things to do in the Lienz region and, of course, no distillery tour is complete without taste-testing the produce.
When we visited, we were treated to 6 different drinks, with varying degrees of alcohol levels. My personal favourite was the Whiskey Caramel cream - it tasted very similar to a Bailey’s from back home.
Fun fact: all alcohol is tasted by mouth, up to 300 times in a week, to ensure it is ready to be bottled and served to the public. This tasting is only allowed to be done by Kuenz family members.
Walk the Isel Trail
In Osttirol, there is a lovely 73km hiking trail that follows the Isel trail all the way from the source in the mountains, down to the sunny Dolomites town of Lienz.
The Isel begins in the stunning Hohe Tauern National Park and flows directly from the glacier - making it the last free-flowing glacial river in Austria.
The Isel trail allows for walks and hikes of all difficulties. If you want a multi-day hike, begin in Hohe Tauern National Park and follow the banks of the river for all 73km.
We unfortunately didn’t have the time for a multi-day expedition, so we hiked for a couple of km from Adventurepark Osttirol to just outside Lienz.
Cycling
The region of Osttirol is home to more than 600km of official bike routes, with Lienz lying directly on many of the more impressive routes. Cycling at the foot of the Dolomites offers incredible panoramic views throughout and is the most sustainable way of seeing the spectacular landscapes for yourself.
The Drau Cycle Path is a 50km route that begins in Sillian and passes through the heart of Lienz. It is an easy, long-distance cycling path with only 120m elevation gain in total.
Alternatively, the 28km Iseltal Valley Cycle Path begins in Lienz and takes roughly 2.5 hours to cycle the entire length.
Alpine Coaster
One of the more thrilling adventures in Osttirol is the Osttirodler Alpine Coaster, a 5 minute drive from the centre of Lienz.
While during the winter months, the slopes are taken over by skiers and snowboarders, during the summer the slopes outside of Lienz provide the perfect setting for a magnificent alpine coaster experience.
The chairlift up the mountain runs daily from 10am - 5pm and when you reach the summit, there are plenty of things to enjoy. From petting zoos and climbing centres, to adventure golf and hiking, the options at Osttirodler are endless.
The undoubted highlight, however, the 2.7km alpine coaster that snakes down the mountain at high-speed. You can control your speed using the handbrakes at either side of the coaster car, but for the best experience I’d recommend releasing the brakes all the way and experiencing the coaster at high-speed!
Kayaking
The Isel River is a natural playground for adventurous water activities and one of the most popular is kayaking.
Whether it’s hair-raising white water kayaking you’re searching for, or just a peaceful, romantic paddle on the water, the Isel can provide exactly what you’re after.
Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and dynamic rapids, the Isel River provides an ideal setting for both beginner and experienced kayakers.
Canyoning
Canyoning in Osttirol offers an exhilarating adventure through some of the region's most stunning natural landscapes.
Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Osttirol boasts a variety of canyoning routes suitable for all skill levels. Enthusiasts can navigate through narrow gorges, rappel down waterfalls, and slide into crystal-clear pools, all while surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery.
With experienced guides ensuring safety, you can experience the raw beauty and rugged terrain of Osttirol's pristine canyons. It's an unforgettable way to explore Austria's untouched wilderness.
Visit the Old Town
While the entire town of Lienz is a lovely place to visit, perhaps the highlight is the old town area. The old town walls, themselves over 500 years old, hold many secrets inside.
While the majority of the old town has been destroyed several times over history by fires and World War 1, it has still retained its charismatic charm.
Visit the Market
Every Saturday morning there is a small market held in the Old Town area in Lienz.
The stores are from local artisans and farmers and it’s a great place to buy local cheese, cured meats and other tasty treats.
There is even a little bar area - sipping on a hugo spritz or a cappuccino as you walk around the market really adds to the experience!
Hiking in the Area
Osttirol is a haven for hiking, whether you’re looking for short day hikes or multi-day expeditions.
Perhaps the most beautiful area to hike is Hohe Tauern National Park. The park provides unparalleled views of the GrossGlockner, the highest mountain in Austria.
Aside from the hiking, the national park is also brimming with wildlife - listen out for the high-pitched calls from burrowing Marmots, or look up towards the craggy mountain tops to catch a glimpse of roaming Ibex or Chamois’.
Skiing in Winter
The district of Lienz is home to 16 different ski resorts, providing 141km of skiable slopes, accessible via 54 ski lifts.
Grossglockner Ski Resort is perhaps the most famous in the area, with 40km of skiiable terrain favouring intermediate -expert riders. The resort is 30 mins North of Lienz, with regular shuttle buses provided throughout the Winter.
For a skiing experience closer to Lienz, I recommend visiting Lienzer-Bergbahnen - during summer it is home to the Alpine Coaster that I highlighted earlier in the article, but in the Winter, skiers from around the region descend on its beginner-friendly 21km of slopes. The resort itself is split into ski areas, but most head towards Zettersfeld.
There we have it, folks, a conclusive round-up of Lienz (Osttirol) - the adventure capital of Austria. The district of Lienz is home to canyoning, rafting, hiking, cycling, climbing, skiing and much more.
If you are searching for a sustainable, untouched and unspoiled destination for your next adventure getaway in the Alps, then Lienz is certainly what you’ve been looking for!
I was invited to visit Lienz by the Official Tourism Board of Osttirol, in conjunction with the Adventure Travel Trade Association for AdventureELEVATE 2024. It was an absolute pleasure, and I want to express my thanks and gratefulness for such an incredible opportunity.
