Austria
Kayaking trip in the Alps
Salza
This year’s May kayaking trip to Austria began with… a search for water. In some regions, the river levels were too high and dangerous to paddle, while in others – quite the opposite – there was hardly any water at all. So we had to find a compromise between safety and the fun of paddling.
We started with the Salza River, which flows through the picturesque region of Styria, near the town of Wildalpen. This place is a classic destination for Austrian kayaking – perfect for warming up after the winter. Crystal-clear water, limestone gorge walls, and a steady flow make it a river that rarely disappoints.
We treated the first day as a relaxed “warm-up paddle” and an opportunity to plan which rivers we could run next.
Kleinsölk
The next day, we headed towards Kleinsölk – a quiet valley located in the Schladming-Dachstein region, in the northwestern part of Styria, within the boundaries of the Sölktäler Nature Park, not far from places like Schladming and the Dachstein massif.
It’s a lesser-known kayaking area that offers two interesting mountain streams: Kleine Sölk and Große Sölk.
Kleine Sölk is a narrow, fast-flowing creek (difficulty: WW II–III+) that runs through a tight, rocky channel.
Große Sölk, on the other hand, is a slightly larger river with a similarly exciting character – a gorge section with a fast current and challenges typical of alpine rivers.
Unfortunately, the water levels here were also very low. Still, we managed to paddle a section of the lower Kleine Sölk, which brought us plenty of satisfaction despite the technical difficulties caused by the lack of water.
During the shuttle and transfer to Große Sölk – which turned out to be completely unrunnable under these conditions – we squeezed in a quick but beautifully atmospheric lunch under a bridge, in a gentle spring rain, surrounded by views of alpine peaks.
Lammer
Our search for water eventually led us to the Lammer River, known for its picturesque and narrow canyon section. It’s a dynamic and technical river, with the highlight being the Lammeröfen – a short but incredibly impressive gorge where the current squeezes through tight limestone walls.
The canyon is a sequence of continuous rapids rated WW IV, with hardly any space to catch a break. The river frequently narrows, steep drops appear along with powerful holes, and then the flow flattens and calms down, only to close in again after the cataract in another section of the gorge.
For me, this was one of the most exciting runs I’ve ever had – the mix of technical challenges, the unique atmosphere of the enclosed canyon, and the satisfaction of completing the section made Lammer a river I’ll remember for a long time.
Hallstatt
We wrapped up the trip on a calmer note by visiting the remarkable Hallstatt – one of the most famous and picturesque towns in Austria. Nestled on the shore of Lake Hallstätt See and surrounded by steep Alpine slopes, it looks like something straight out of a postcard. Narrow streets, wooden houses clinging to the rocks, and the lake view create a truly unique atmosphere.
After a short walk through the town, we cooked a quick meal in the parking lot overlooking Hallstatt, and then, with the feeling of a well-spent time and a successful trip, we set off on the way back home.
