Scenic Photo Locations for Wonderful Photographs of Nature

Lake Riedener See and its calcareous fen is a natural gem; its waters reflect the dark forest, lakeside reeds, sunken tree trunks and bizarre moorlands. Grab your camera and capture that special moment when a wild duck paddles by, or an „Eurasian Bluet“ – a rare dragonfly species - flies in front of the lens!

Special photographic features: the calcareous fen with its unusual flora (orchids, cotton grass, sundew,…) and fauna (Eurasian Bluet, Alpine Salamander, Alpine Newt…)

Best time to take pictures: spring to autumn

Those of you who go on a photo-stalking mission in the Kaunertal Valley will discover many fascinating species of flora and fauna, ranging from alpine ibex, to rare butterflies, stone pine trees to wolf’s lichen. You can even see the Kaunertal Glacier Road from the photo point on the way to Gallruttalm. The trail meanders upwards through several climate and vegetation zones, from the village of Feichten down in the valley, over 1,500 metres in altitude to the edge of the Weißseeferner Glacier.

Special photographic features: the scenic diversity of the Nature Park encompasses all altitude levels of the Alps; the pretty villages in the valley, steep alpine pastures, mountain ridges (Kaunergrat, Glockturmkamm, Weißkamm) with their partially glaciated peaks

Best time to take pictures: morning and afternoon

How fortunate that your camera has a panoramic function: the scenic Hohe Mut Mountain Ridge in the rearmost Ötztal Valley opens up to reveal 21 three thousand metre high peaks, including some very well-known rock and ice giants. The impressive glacier foothills of Rotmoos and Gaisbergtal offer ideal photo opportunities.

Special photographic features: fabulous view of the surrounding three thousand metre high peaks, glaciated mountains on the southern borders and glacier-formed grass-covered ridges, where sheep graze peacefully

Best time to take pictures: early morning and afternoon

Lake Piburger See flirts enchantingly with the camera in the Ötztal Valley. Its rocky and shallow bays with interesting shoreline vegetation of forest, peat mosses and bog rosemary are pleasing to both the soul and the eye. In summer it is adorned with blooming water lilies, to the delight of many a photographer.

Special photographic features: the idyllic lake with its special flora and fauna, views of the surrounding mountains (Acherkogel, Tschirgant) and the old boathouse

Best time to take pictures: in the morning sunshine

The trail from Vent in Ötztal to the Ramolalm alpine farm takes you on a photographic journey over time and transience: focus on the dilapidated, yet picturesque mountain huts of abandoned alpine farms and the eternal glacier ice, including panorama views of the icy ridge of the Similaun and the Wildspitze and Weisskugel Mountains.

Special photographic features: old and abandoned alpine farms, panoramic views of the Niedertal Valley (Ötzi’s Trail) towards Similaun, the Wildspitze and Weisskugel, down to Vent and Hohlen Stein and the stone pine forests of the Nature Park.

Best time to take pictures: afternoon

This photo trip commences with a ride on the Hungerburg and Nordkettenbahn cable car to the Hafelekar above Innsbruck, from where Tirol’s capital city and the surrounding mountains present themselves from a fantastic perspective. Frau Hitt, a distinctive peak of the Nordkette Mountains and Innsbruck’s rocky landmark, strikes a patient pose.

Special photographic features: unique position of this summit between the wilderness of the Karwendel Mountains to the north, in direct contrast with the urbanized Inn Valley and provincial capital of Innsbruck to the south

Best time to take pictures: always

A challenge for both climbers and photographers: the Laliderer Walls in Karwendel, with up to 900 metre high, vertical rock faces. Photographed from the right vantage point, these walls are guaranteed to be the perfect photo theme, where your zoom will probably pick up a few daring climbers.

Special photographic features: interesting weather fronts, reflected in the rocky walls

Best time to take pictures: summer and autumn

The Berlin Hut is nestled in front of the glacial remains of the Horn- and Waxeggkees in the Zillertal Alps Nature Park at 2,042 metres above sea level, providing an impressive photo opportunity.  A few metres higher, the white glacier can be seen on the smooth surface of Schwarzsee Peak. The resulting, spectacular photos prove that these seemingly dream-like scenes are, in fact, reality.

Special photographic features: Lake Schwarzsee and the listed Berliner Hut, built in the 1870s, against the backdrop of the Zillertal Main Ridge

Best time to take pictures: morning and evening

„Old mountain huts“ are a popular subject matter for photography, and rarely will you find more beautiful examples than at Bodenalm in Zillergrund. Shining glacial slopes, refreshingly green alpine grasses and interesting cloud formations accentuate their beauty. Sometimes a cow may even join the scene. Cars will never appear though, because no roads lead to this alpine farm.

Special photographic features: nostalgic alpine huts, the waters of Bodenbach Stream in front of the mountain backdrop and surround alpine meadows

Best time to take pictures: morning and evening, facing south

Amazes even the eye of the camera: As you walk up to Petersköpfl, the trail is flanked by a row of cairns in all shapes and sizes, seemingly guarding the trail.   You can take your time in setting the aperture, as these “sentinels” are quite motionless. Just the odd pebble or two may dislodge from its holdings.

Special photographic features: the huge numbers of cairns and views of the surrounding peaks of the Zillertal Alps

Best time to take pictures: early morning, or in the evening; especially at sunrise and sunset

Pause to reflect, just for a moment, before pressing the shutter: so these are the famous Jagdhausalmen (Hunting House Farms) in the Upper Defereggental Valley! These 19 stone houses, nestled between rocks and grasslands, are some of Austria’s oldest alpine farm buildings. Despite their age, they present a refreshing and enlivening photo opportunity.

Special photographic features: alpine farms made from local stone, the detailed beauty of the ancient buildings and the landscape

Best time to take pictures: at around 10 hrs in spring and summer, from 8 to 10 hrs in autumn

The incredibly beautiful Ködnitztal Valley in Hohe Tauern National Park proudly presents its most famous photo model: the Grossglockner. An unrivalled calendar motif and photographed a million times over, it is so multi-facetted that it constantly exhibits itself from a new and surprising side.

Special photographic features: the Grossglockner summit, with its interesting rock formations

Best time to take pictures: all day in spring and summer, from 9 to 13 hrs in autumn