Top Tips for kayaking in Austria during the Summer
Flowers hang from the balconies of houses and hofs - tradition farm houses - making Summer a special and colourful time in the Austrian Alps.
High alpine meadows blooming with flowers and cows with bells fanlight around their necks is just another highlight of the Austrian Alps. Traditional food such as mountain cheeses, cured ham (speck), sausages (Wurst), pretzels can all be washed down by a typical alpine beer. In-fact there are over 40 different types of beer and some 4000 different brands!
The weather is stable and the sun shines a lot, in the height of Summer the glaciers are melting and the River Inn is at its very best. The big volume rapids at different grades are the perfect to learn, improve and enjoy rivers that you would normally get in the Himalayas!
Summer is a great time to be in this part of Austria and July is Steve’s favourite time of the year. Pretty much all the rivers and creeks are running around Base Arlberg. The sun is out, the temperature is usually in the upper reaches of the 20’s, the snowcapped and glacier peaks are a brilliant white and the odd thunderstorm at night keeps the skies clear the following day!
There are not many tourists around, the locals are super friendly and are really happy to see whitewater kayakers visiting. When walking down the side of the rivers, the locals will stop and watch your line and technique with enthusiasm as it is a sport that is so alien to the local mountain population! Do not forget to give your admirers a big cheesy smile and a friendly wave.
So here are our top tips to kayaking in Austria during the Summer
Short Sleeve Paddle Jacket
On those lovely hot summers days a short sleeve jacket is a great way to keep you cool on the river while still working on your tan!! We use the Peak UK combi short sleeve jacket where you can add neoprene arms if they weather changes or you would like a little protection be it from the sun or the rocks while you are on the river.
Plenty of suncream
Though our rivers will cool you down, do not forget that the sun is extremely strong in the mountains, add the altitude into this equation and you will realise how quickly you can get sunburnt. We see kayakers coming to kayak in Austria in the Summer and by day 2 they are starting to look like a cooked lobster!
Know your levels
Understanding the river levels during the Summer here in Austria is extremely important. On a river such as the Oetz you can have an extreme change in levels throughout the day. With the sun shining all day, the glaciers start to melt and by the evening that melt water is feeding the river. Generally, around 11am is the lowest level in Summer and by 6pm the rivers are starting to pump with the main surge around about midnight. Keeping an eye on the river levels over the past week will give you a good idea of the flows throughout the day. Also the dams in this part of Austria do not have to warn you of releases so if you are about to kayak a section of river on the Inn and it is at your upper level, be careful as a dam release while you are putting in or even on the river could have drastic consequences.
Stay hydrated
This is so important! The water temperature will cool you down and you may think you have been taking plenty of fluids so keep an eye on your intake. In around Base Arlberg, you will find water fountains (we call them brunnen) in every village where you can re-fill your water bottles for free with pure mountain water!
Festivals
There are some great festivals to go see and even be a part of. Herz Jesu Sonntag happens around the summer solstice where local villagers head up into the mountains to light fires at night. You will see signs of crosses and other religious symbols on the high mountain pastures and even fire torches on mountain peaks or across the top of the ridges. The village festivals provide plenty of fun, entertainment, food and beer with live umpah music from the village orchestras. The locals will be wearing their traditional costumes, the men in lederhosen and the women in their dirndl dresses.
Keep off the grass!
Strange but true. We are talking about the pastures for the animals, not the stuff that is sold in vending machines next to the petrol station! The grass is precious here in the mountains and up in the higher reaches of the valleys the farmers will only get a maximum of 2 cuts and this must feed their livestock throughout the cold, harsh winters. You will often see signs about not walking on the grass, so when you are heading to and from the river, portaging rapids please respect the environment and walk by the side of the field along the edges and not straight through the middle of the pasture!
Do not know much about Austria?
Then follow this link to find out where we are based and how to get here.
Check out these videos see what the rivers and Summer is like here with us around Base Arlberg..
Classic Austria Class 3-4
Learn to Kayak | Kayaking the Classic Rivers of Austria in the Summer.
High Water Summer Kayaking
Kayaking the Rosanna after a Summer rain storm
High Water Imst Gorge of the River Inn
If you have any tips that would be helpful for kayakers coming to Austria in the Summer then drop us a line, we may even add it to this piece!