Untouched torrents, spectacular panoramas from mountain summits, and crystal clear lakes with plenty of rustic mountain huts in between – have you already packed your rucksack? The mountains around Schladming in Austria are one of my favourite hiking areas; the varied and unspoilt nature here is hard to find. Many people only know Schladming as a winter sports resort, but the hiking trails in the Schladminger Tauern are some of the most beautiful in Austria.

The Schladminger Tauern High Altitude Trail leads you through this wonderful hiking paradise in seven stages. The trail runs almost 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the Hochwurzen ski area near Schladming to

From the Hochwurzen near Schladming, the multi-day hike runs for a total of almost 80 kilometres to St. Nikolai im Sölktal. On the way, you pass through the fascinating Klafferkessel nature reserve with its 30 mountain lakes. For the longer stages, you need to be sure-footed, have a good level of fitness, and experience in alpine terrain as some sections are steep and exposed.

On the first day, you hike from the Hochwurzen to the shimmering Giglach lakes and spend the night in the Ignaz-Mattis-Hütte mountain inn. The second stage, which is the shortest, takes you over the Rotmandlspitze peak to the Keinprechthütte mountain inn. The next day, you continue your journey hiking along fragrant pine-covered trails to the idyllic Gollingwinkel peak and onto the Gollinghütte mountain inn. On the fourth day, a mosaic of lakes, tarns and rocks awaits you in the Klafferkessel National Park. Then, on day five, you enter high-alpine heights: narrow, steep paths lead you through the rocky landscape around the Trattenscharte peak. After spending the night at the Breitlahnhütte mountain inn, you hike past the Schwarzensee lake to the Hinterkarscharte peak, enjoying spectacular views, before reaching your day's destination at the Rudolf-Schober-Hütte mountain inn. The last stage ends with two magnificent mountain lakes and the roaring Dürrmoos waterfall.

You can reach the starting point of the Schladminger Tauern High Trail on the Hochwurzen by cable car from the municipality of Rohrmoos. Alternatively, you can travel by train to Schladming station and catch the 971 bus to the Hochwurzen valley station. To return to Schladming from St. Nikolai im Sölktal you can also catch the bus: the bus line 945 takes you to Stein an der Enns where you can change to the bus 900.

On average, you will cover about 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) of altitude difference (uphill and downhill) every day and will be rewarded with empty hiking trails and incredible views. You can satisfy your food cravings in traditional mountain huts and cool your sweaty feet in the countless mountain lakes en route. The Schladminger Tauern High Altitude Trail is an incredible hiking route.