My Favorite Places

Verena Junger

What do I like most about the Hohe Tauern National Park Holiday Region? Not only does it boast some of the top excursion destinations in Salzburger Land, it also gives you room to breathe, to escape and take things at a slower pace. For example, as you nibble on a platter of hearty snacks at a mountain hut. As you salute the sun on a remote mountaintop. Or as you refresh your feet in a babbling stream. For me, it is a successful combination of nature and (tourism) infrastructure. Since 2018 – and with the opening of Tauern Suites Mitterwirt - I have been a part of the Alps Residence team. Nothing pleases me more than when our guests are as excited about my home region as I am. I wish you lots of fun exploring the National Park!

Grossglockner High-Alpine Road

This 48 km-long scenic road is one of Austria’s most popular excursion destinations. And rightly so: From the toll station in Ferleiten, this high-mountain road – opened in 1935 – meanders its way through 36 switchbacks, flanked by imposing mountains, all the way to the pilgrimage town of Heiligenblut in Carinthia as well as up to the Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe: where Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner (elev. 3798 m), the Johannisberg and Pasterze glacier appear almost close enough to touch. You should definitely schedule an entire day for this excursion: Along the Grossglockner High-Alpine Road, there are countless opportunities to take snapshots and stretch your legs. 11 info points also provide you with fascinating insights into construction of this scenic road as well as the flora and fauna of Hohe Tauern National Park. And keep your eyes peeled - there’s always a chance you’ll see a marmot crossing the road in front of you or an ibex perched on the mountainside basking in the sunshine!

Kolm Saigurn

Kolm Saigurn in Raurisertal is one of the most beautiful valley heads in Hohe Tauern National Park. In summer, it attracts hikers and mountaineers. The most popular destinations are – also suitable for families – Rauris Virgin Forest, the Durchgangalmen as well as the Waterfall Path. And for avid alpinists, the Hocharn (3254 m) as well as the Hoher Sonnblick (3106 m), which is also the site of Europe’s highest permanently staffed weather station. Most mountain tours begin at the Lenzanger car park, reachable by means of a 5 km-long toll road (National Park Sommercard partner, with a bus running to the valley head). Incidentally, not far from the toll station you can also put your treasure-hunting skills to the test: at the Bodenhaus gold-panning site, with a little bit of luck you might even pluck slivers of gold from the stream! At the Rauris valley head itself, mountain huts, the Ammererhof and the Naturfreundehaus (tip: children’s playground and Kneipp spa) give you the opportunity to enjoy a refreshment break and take in the magical scenery: In Kolm Saigurn, you will encounter one 3000 m peak and glacier after another, while cows and horses graze on lush alpine meadows and waterfalls rumble in the background.

Valley of Vultures

In Raurisertal, rare bearded vultures have been circling overhead in Krumltal since 1986. With a little bit of luck, they can be observed along with golden eagles, griffon vultures, marmots and ibex. To improve your chances, we suggest joining a National Park Excursion led by a National Park Ranger (July until September, free with the National Park Sommercard) Krumltal is a side valley of Raurisertal, an easy hike along a marked theme path (forestry road) to the Bräualm taking roughly 1 ½ hours. Insider tip: Pay a visit to the Lechnerhäusl, a small alpine inn at the entrance to the valley not far from the car park (their desserts are heavenly!). If you would like to learn more about birds of prey in Hohe Tauern National Park, I recommend the “Kings of the Air” National Park Exhibition in Rauris (in the small community known as Wörth), or attend the Bird of Prey Show at the Rauriser Hochalm, where Peter will be happy to share his vast knowledge about these creatures with you.

Krimml Waterfalls

Krimml Waterfalls are an imposing excursion destination for the whole family (also a partner of the National Park Sommercard): Via the 4 km-long Waterfall Path with lookout points along the way, you will come right up to the thunderous torrents of Austria’s biggest waterfalls – and don’t be surprised if you get a little bit wet! Dropping a total of 380 vertical meters, Krimml Waterfalls are an amazing natural spectacle and actually the fifth-highest falls in the world. The lowest falls can be reached in approximately 5 minutes from the ticket hut at the entrance (also handicapped-accessible), after which the Waterfall Path gets steeper and leads through cool forest. My tip: Use the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn train to travel from Zell am See or Piesendorf to Krimml – you can ride it for free with the included National Park Sommercard.

National Park Worlds

A fascinating 1800 m² exhibition for big and small in Mittersill, introducing you (also playfully) to Hohe Tauern National Park, its inhabitants and unique features. One highlight of this exhibition is a 360° panoramic world. In Hohe Tauern National Park, the biggest national park in Austria, you will find numerous self-guided themed paths (including Rauris Virgin Forest, “Kings of the Air” in Rauris, the Emerald Path in Hollersbach and the Glacier Paths in Uttendorf) as well as exhibitions (incl. the National Park Gallery at Gipfelwelt 3000 on the Kitzsteinhorn). From July until mid-September, you also have the possibility of participating in one of the popular National Park Excursions, with trained National Park Rangers introducing you to some true natural jewels. These guided – and highly recommended! – tours are (just like the National Park Museum) free with the National Park Sommercard. Mittersill can also be reached on the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn – free with the National Park Sommercard. Incidentally, the “Kiosk + Lounge” at the train station serves what is probably the best coffee in this small shopping town along with cake made fresh every day.

Weisssee Glacier World

By gondola (National Park Sommercard partner), it takes roughly 20 minutes to ride from the valley station at the Enzingerboden up to Berghotel Rudolfshütte at 2315 m. When you get there, the first thing to do is enjoy the view. Before you lies the turquoise Weisssee, surrounded by mighty 3000 m peaks. One very popular mountain tour leads to the Kalser Törl (2525 m) and from there to the Medelzkopf (2760 m), past countless cairns that are also excellent photo motifs. For a truly memorable experience we suggest the fixed-cable climbs in the Weisssee area: the Kronprinz Rudolf via ferrata is ideal for beginners, while the “Kristallklettersteig” will definitely pose a challenge, even for experienced climbers. In winter, the Rudolfshütte is a popular starting point for rewarding ski tours to the top of the Stubacher Sonnblick, the Granatspitze or the Hocheiser. And don’t forget: The small-though-delightful ski area in Uttendorf in Salzburger Land is also ideal for families.

High-Mountain Reservoirs

There are several reasons why the Kaprun High-Mountain Reservoirs in Kaprun are so impressive: the location of the turquoise reservoirs surrounded by 3000 m summits, the fascinating history of how they were constructed as well as the astonishing technological achievement which they represent (guided tours of the dam are possible). Even the journey up to the reservoirs is an amazing experience in its own right: At the Kesselfall in Kaprun, you will board a bus that will take you (including some really dark tunnels) to Europe’s biggest open funicular. Then, you will continue by bus, past the first reservoir and the popular Fürthermoaralm, until you reach the fascinating Moserboden reservoir at 2040 m, reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord. If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity for a short hike, we suggest the Herb Path leading from the Moserboden reservoir in roughly 45 minutes down to the Fürthermoaralm, where you will be greeted by delicious blueberry dumplings dusted with cinnamon sugar. This popular excursion destination in Salzburger Land is open from May until October.