Sunrise Austria hiking elopement near the Grossglockner, early July

blog categories

Sunrise Austria hiking elopement near the Grossglockner, early July

Austria Elopements

Home » Blog » Sunrise Austria hiking elopement near the Grossglockner, early July

A couple stand small in the center of the frame with dramatic Austrian mountains in the background while hiking. They are framed by pink flowers in the foreground, celebrating their elopement.

Early July is one of my favorite times of year for an Austria hiking elopement for many reasons. The main one is that the valleys are finally thawed out and it’s officially wildflower heaven!!

It’s really important to keep in mind when you’re planning a mountain elopement that summer arrives late in these areas. I get lots of inquiries for May and early June, and the truth is, those weeks of the year are still on the hopeful side. If you want a truly summery mountain elopement with emerald meadows and vibrant fields of plump flowers, late June and early July are the best.

Just check out this stunner of an adventure elopement from 2023!

S&E’s early July Austria hiking elopement and mountain hut stay

To make it a true Austria hiking elopement, I really recommend staying in a mountain hut overnight!

That’s exactly what S&E did and there is nothing more authentic to alps culture than that. Staying in these huts goes back ages. They originated as shelters for mountaineers and explorers, and have grown into a comfortable network of cozy wooden refuges complete with Austrian beer and hearty food. If you’re looking for something truly low key and immersive, you seriously can’t pass up the opportunity!

ALSO SEE: How to elope in a mountain hut, unique Alps elopement ideas

Sunrise waterfall hike and vows under the Austrian Alps

One of the awesome benefits of staying at a mountain hut for your elopement is the proximity it brings you to nature. You’re deep in the valleys or perched on a summit, making access to views immediate. You’re able to wake up and stumble into the scenery long before the day hikers get anywhere near the location.

We woke up that morning an hour before sunrise and hiked up a nearby waterfall trail. As the sun began to break over the horizon, we got the first alpine glow on the summits behind us. S&E changed into their wedding outfits and said their vows there on the mountain, framed by far off melting glaciers, green meadows and tufts of wildflowers.

They said their vows in complete privacy with the sun inching closer to the ridge across the valley. Just as it broke over the distant field of glaciers, they embraced. It was another perfect July day, warm with cloudless blue skies. With the place to ourselves and the air warming up under the rising sun, we hung around and took some portraits in the morning glow.

A couple hiking in a white dress and black suit stand on a mountain in August with a bright sun flaring above the peaks on their elopement day

Since the day was looking so incredible already, we decided we had to make it to the lake up the valley. We wound our way back down the mountain and up deeper into the valley. A short hike later, we were standing on massive boulders, hopping our way around a small lagoon and lake surrounded by green peaks, a dozen waterfalls and bright blue water. The wildflowers were bright pink, yellow and white all around us.

A couple stand small in the center of the frame with dramatic Austrian mountains and a blue lake in the background while hiking. They are framed by pink flowers in the foreground, celebrating their elopement.

Midday swim, lunch on the trail and a cold beer

Since we were able to get out on the trails so early, we had this otherwise busy area entirely to ourselves for over an hour. The first hikers started arriving long after we had settled on a grassy corner with our lunches. Like I said — staying in a mountain hut has SO many advantages!

Even though the water was ice cold, the air was warm and the sun was strong. It was worth the quick dip and the freezing water sharpens the senses, making the experience even more memorable.

We sat and dried off, relaxing with some local beers, chatting about travel, as the first hikers waved by.

ALSO READ: 5 best place to elope in Austria

Dreaming of an Austria hiking elopement like this? Let’s do it!

I’m Mariah, an adventure elopement photographer based in Innsbruck, Austria. I moved from the United States to Germany/Austria in 2018 to chase my love of mountains, photography and a German guy who stole my heart.

I quickly learned I wasn’t the only one dreaming of a better way to get married…so I combined all those things! I’m now a full time adventure elopement photographer. I help other travel and outdoor obsessed couples embrace a “just us” wedding day surrounded by nature.

Join me?

SEE AUSTRIA ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES