Nature Trips in the Salzburg Region
Austria is a wonderful destination for nature and landscape enthusiasts: it features caves, cliffs, towering mountains, gorges, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and valleys. An enormous variety in a small, picturesque country—traveling through it feels like stepping inside a postcard.
The Salzburg region (Salzburgerland) is one of the smallest provinces in Austria, yet also one of the most scenic, diverse, and visited areas in the country. The region offers a rich combination of attractions and styles: you can explore historical cities, well-kept towns, idyllic villages, and national parks, ascend to mountain peaks, relax by lakes, rivers, and forests, and delve into caves and mines. It is a true paradise for hikers, nature lovers, and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
The compact size of the region, combined with its vast array of travel and holiday options, makes the Salzburg region the ideal base for star trips (hub-and-spoke itineraries) in Austria. You can stay in one centrally located town or village in the Salzburg region for 7–10 days without changing accommodations, taking day trips to the area's top attractions, with maximum drive times rarely exceeding one to two hours to the farthest site. You can also easily spend a day or two exploring right where you stay without needing to drive at all!
Recommended Accommodations in the Salzburg Region
It is highly recommended to stay in the region's sports and resort area, particularly in the towns of Flachau and Wagrain, or one of the neighboring towns.
Highly recommended apartments in Flachau:
♦ Holiday Apartments Rainerhof
Located in Flachau. Holiday apartments accommodating up to 9 guests. Fully equipped kitchen. Free bicycles for guests. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Aparthotel Appartements Salzburgerhof
Located in Flachau. Holiday apartments suitable for up to 8 guests. Kitchen with dining area. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Aparthotel Aparthotel Pichler
3-star aparthotel featuring units with kitchenettes. Located 3 km from the center of Flachau. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Holiday Apartments Almdorf Almlust
A holiday apartment resort packed with attractions in Flachau. Apartments include kitchens. Features a natural outdoor pool, spa with an indoor pool, and free Wi-Fi and parking.
Recommended apartments in the Wagrain area:
♦ Farm Holiday Apartments Blankgut Familie Berner
Holiday apartments with kitchens set on a farmhouse. Located 3 km from the center of Wagrain. Offers units accommodating up to 12 guests. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Pension Mozart
Located in Wagrain in a quiet location right next to the Mozart cable car. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Pension Panorama in Wagrain. Centrally located in the town of Wagrain.
♦ Hotel Naturhotel Edelweiss Wagrain
4-star hotel in Wagrain on a half-board basis. Features a spa area with an indoor pool, children's facilities, and free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Farm Holiday Apartments Eisbauer
Holiday apartments with kitchens on a farm. Located about 13 km west of Wagrain. Accommodates 4 to 6 guests. Features a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, and free parking.
Accommodations near Salzburg:
♦ Sheraton Fuschlsee-Salzburg Hotel Jagdhof
4-star hotel located 20 minutes east of Salzburg, overlooking the lake, featuring a private golf course, extensive spa, and indoor pool.
♦ Schloss Fuschl - Resort & Spa
5-star lakeside luxury resort located 20 minutes east of Salzburg.
♦ Pension Bergfried Excellent guesthouse south of Salzburg, located in the picturesque town of Grödig, approximately eight km south of Salzburg.
3-star rated hotel in the southern outskirts of the city (about a 15-minute drive south of the Old Town) in a peaceful setting with lovely views. A bus stop is conveniently located next to the hotel. The hotel offers rooms in various sizes, including family rooms suitable for up to 4 guests. Amenities include an on-site restaurant, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and a high-quality breakfast.
Recommended Accommodations in Salzburg City Center:
For those who prefer staying directly inside the city, here are top recommended options:
♦ Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg
A luxury 5-star hotel housed in a historic 15th-century building in the heart of the Old Town on famous Getreidegasse. Rooms (with air conditioning!) feature classic Austrian decor with many antique and unique furnishings. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, and private parking (for an additional charge).
A 4-star hotel surrounded by lovely private gardens, about a 15-minute walk from the historic city center. Offers impressive views of the surrounding mountains, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. Select rooms have balconies. Excellent breakfast served daily.
An elegant, small boutique 4-star hotel in a convenient central location, offering rooms and suites in various layouts, including spacious family rooms accommodating up to 4 guests. Features a spa and bar, free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge), and an exceptional breakfast.
Nature Trips in the Salzburg Region:
The Grossglockner
This is the highest mountain in Austria (3,797 meters). Its pyramid-shaped peak is considered one of the highest summits in the Alps. It is part of the Glockner Group (Glockner Gruppe), which belongs to the Hohe Tauern range. The road crossing the range is named the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Großglockner Hochalpenstraße) and is regarded as one of the most scenic alpine driving routes in Europe. Opened in 1935, it follows the historic trade route that linked northern and southern Europe back in the Middle Ages. Since its opening, approximately 50 million visitors have traveled this impressive panoramic toll road. Stretching 41 km, it begins at the village of Fusch at 805 meters above sea level in the north and ends at Heiligenblut in the south at 1,300 meters above sea level. The highest point along the road is Edelweißspitze at 2,572 meters (located 27 km from the northern toll station). Stopping here to soak in the sheer elevation and panorama is an absolute must! On a clear day, you can spot over 30 summits surpassing 3,000 meters. Both sides of the winding route offer breathtaking views and snow-capped peaks even in summer.
During the 1,500-meter ascent, you can observe the vegetation shift from cornfields and meadows up to perpetual ice fields. The road is officially ranked as one of the "Salzburg Top 7" premier attractions in the region.
Recommended Stops Along the Road:
A fun children's playground themed around "Water": Piffkar is situated 19.3 km from the northern toll gate at an elevation of 1,620 meters. Right beside it is a pleasant trail (about a relaxing half-hour walk) featuring informative signs and explanations about birdsong. The site also includes a great restaurant, a gift shop, and an exhibition titled "Tauern Pass Routes Over the Alps" recounting the highway's fascinating history.
The Hochmais viewpoint is located 21.6 km from the entrance at 1,850 meters. It offers a spectacular vantage point overlooking the Ferleiten Valley and the surrounding glaciers, complete with informational signage detailing the glacier dynamics and high-altitude alpine flora.
The Alpine Nature Show Museum is located 26.3 km from the entrance at 2,260 meters. It showcases regional wildlife, plants, and high-alpine ecology, complete with a cinema auditorium running audio-visual presentations.
It is recommended to drive the Grossglockner only in favorable weather on clear days with good visibility.
Driving on the road requires a toll fee per vehicle (regardless of passenger count). The toll pass includes free access to all exhibitions, exhibits, and attractions situated along the route.
A memorial honoring the road construction workers who perished during construction, Fuscher Törl, stands 27.4 km from the gate at 2,428 meters. Adjacent to it is an observation terrace looking directly out at the Grossglockner, widely considered one of the most iconic photography spots in the Alps.
Fuscher Lacke, located 29.3 km from the entrance at 2,262 meters, features a small museum illustrating the roadway's construction history alongside a circular walking loop around a small tarn. Children will particularly enjoy the neighboring playground where they can pretend to be "road builders."
Hochtor: The border pass between the Salzburg and Carinthia regions, located 33.4 km from the entrance at 2,503 meters. Here you will find a half-hour walking path across the alpine summit ridge lined with signs detailing the surrounding peaks and geology. The trail ends near a 311-meter-long tunnel. This is one of the best spots to play in the snow (a favorite activity for children). It often features a natural snow slide that typically lasts through late August.
Schöneck: At an elevation of 1,953 meters, this is the most bloom-filled section along the route. It offers a botanical walking trail explaining the diverse plant life: within an area of just 100 square meters, you can identify up to 140 different plant species! Children will enjoy the "From Egg to Butterfly" playground showcasing the stages of butterfly development.
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe Visitors Centre: The crowning jewel of any Grossglockner trip! The visitor center is located right beside Austria's largest glacier: the Pasterze Glacier. Here you can often observe wild marmots up close and spot alpine ibex. Facing the glacier is a 4-story visitor center featuring multifaceted exhibits, as well as an indoor glass viewing deck where you can observe the glacier without freezing (free telescopes are available for visitor use). You can take a funicular railway down towards the glacier base or descend via a steep hiking path. When conditions allow, guided walking tours are held on the glacier surface itself.
Salzburg
Salzburg, Austria's fourth-largest city, is an extraordinarily picturesque city characterized by narrow alleys, sweeping squares, colorful facades, castles, palaces, historic churches, manicured gardens, and ornate fountains. It is nestled between two elevated mountain ridges, with the Salzach River flowing through its center.
Detailed information on Salzburg can be found in the article: Visiting Salzburg City
Recommended Viator Guided Tours from Salzburg:
♦ Guided Walking Tour of Old Town Salzburg and Mirabell Gardens - Salzburg Old Town Walking Tour, Mozart, Mirabell Gardens
Duration: 2 hours.
♦ Salt Mine Tour - Skip-The-Line Salt-Mines and Bavarian Mountains Tour from Salzburg
An unforgettable family experience with alpine panoramas, subterranean caverns, and miner slides. Includes skip-the-line entrance. Duration: about 4 hours.
♦ Hellbrunn Palace Tour (with the trick fountains) and Scenic River Cruise through the Old Town
River Cruise to Hellbrunn, Palace & world-famous trick fountains
♦ Private "Sound of Music" Tour (approx. 4 hours)-
Original Sound of Music Private Custom Tour in Salzburg
♦ Combined historical and "Sound of Music" tour (approx. 4 hours):
The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg
♦ Mozart Concert with Dinner - Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Appropriate evening smart-casual attire is required (no jeans, athletic footwear, or shorts).
♦ Scenic Excursion to the "Eagle's Nest" - Skip-the-Line: Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg
Hitler's infamous mountaintop retreat perched high on an alpine crest. The excursion departs from the bus station at Mirabellplatz in Salzburg and lasts roughly 4.5 hours. Includes priority skip-the-line entrance (a passport is required as the route crosses into Germany).
Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Kaprun
A true wonderland for snow enthusiasts year-round! This permanent glacier sits at an elevation of 3,203 meters and serves as an active ski area even throughout the summer season. Even visitors who do not ski and simply wish to enjoy the snow will find plenty of thrilling activities here.
Ascending to the perpetually snow-capped peak is done via three consecutive cable cars:
The first cable car brings you to 1,973 meters at the Langwied station. The second takes you on a steeper ascent to the Alpincenter station at 2,452 meters, and the third, the steepest of all, takes you to the Gipfelstation at 3,029 meters. Along the way, enjoy panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks and nearby alpine reservoirs. The glacier spans an area of 1.3 square kilometers, with ice reaching depths of up to 60 meters at its thickest point! Each year, the glacier shifts between 3 and 8 meters down the valley, moving the ski lift infrastructure along with it.
In spring and early summer, or following a winter of heavy snowfall, you will encounter plenty of snow starting right from the second station. In late summer, or following a drier winter, snow may only be found once you reach the mountain summit—where abundant snow and ice are always guaranteed. Even if fresh natural snow is sparse, snow cannons permanently stationed on-site supplement nature so kids can play in the crisp white snow, have snowball fights, and slide down snow slopes.
The Site Offers Many Additional Attractions:
At the top station, an observation deck provides sweeping vistas of the glacier and the peak of the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain. Nearby lounge chairs allow you to relax on warmer days while admiring the view. The summit also features the National Park Gallery, a 362-meter tunnel dug straight through the mountain and glacier. Daily complimentary guided panoramic tours are offered across the summit.
A funicular railway descends to the ski area slightly lower down at 2,900 meters. This is also where you'll find the main highlight for kids and teenagers: the ICE ARENA ice park. Here, children can slide on plastic sleds, snow scooters, and other fun sliding gear on an inclined snow surface. A magic carpet conveyor belt brings riders back up to the top. Those not sliding can relax in outdoor lounge deck chairs and enjoy the alpine scene. Nearby, you can step inside an igloo featuring ice benches and ice chairs draped with furs, giving an authentic Arctic feeling.
Over 30 million euros have been invested here in state-of-the-art lifts and visitor amenities.
Be sure to bring warm clothing, including hats and gloves! Plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours here (including cable car ride times).
The resort features several dining venues. The two largest restaurants are located at the second and third cable car stations. The second station also houses a comprehensive visitor information center.
The Alpine Reservoirs and Power Station in Kaprun
A fascinating excursion to high-alpine mountain reservoirs filled with crystal-clear turquoise waters and a hydroelectric power plant harnessing water flow. A perfect blend of stunning nature and engaging educational technology exhibits. The tour begins with a bus journey from the Kesselfall Alpenhaus visitor center, situated at 1,068 meters above sea level near Kesselfall waterfall. The bus takes you up the mountain along a road that runs largely through tunnels carved into the bedrock up to an elevation of 1,209 meters. There, you board Europe's largest open inclined lift (funicular railway) for a scenic ride up to 1,640 meters. Another shuttle bus carries you on a short panoramic drive across alpine scenery to the foot of the Limberg Dam, continuing up the mountain to 2,100 meters along a scenic road bordering Lake Wasserfallboden until reaching Lake Mooserboden, also created by an impressive man-made dam. The site features an impressive visitor center named "Electricity and Ice World of Adventure," with interactive displays demonstrating how eco-friendly electricity is generated from water power, alongside exhibits detailing high-alpine glaciers. You can also join a guided walking tour across the crest of the Drossen Dam. The 1-hour dam tour departs hourly from the restaurant entrance between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, covering the dam's engineering history, structural safety, and access into the interior inspection tunnels.
More avid hikers can embark on uphill mountain trails starting directly from the visitor center.
The attraction is deservedly recognized as one of the "Salzburg Top 7" prime destinations in the province.
Krimml Waterfalls (Krimmler Wasserfälle)
Considered the highest waterfalls in Europe and without doubt among the continent's most majestic. These thundering falls, with a total drop of 380 meters, cascade down in three distinct tiers: the highest upper tier drops 140 meters from 1,470 meters above sea level; the middle tier drops 100 meters; and the lowest tier plunges 140 meters. The falls are located on the western edge of the Salzburg province near the Tyrolean border.
Visiting the falls is a wonderful hiking experience. Stronger hikers can begin at the bottom and ascend along the well-maintained panoramic trail following the waterfall tiers all the way to the top of the highest fall, then hike back down to the starting point parking area. Those with limited time, those wishing to avoid steep ascents, or families with young toddlers can take a shuttle taxi from the ticket booths directly up to the top tier, walking leisurely downhill along the path back to the base parking lot (located roughly a 20-minute stroll from the bottom tier). Several observation viewpoints bring you close enough to feel the refreshing misty spray. The falls are enveloped by lush green pine forests. Near the trail entrance, you will find shops, souvenir stands, food kiosks, and cafes. At the top of the middle tier, a scenic cafe terrace provides a great spot to take a break and take in the view. We recommend allowing at least 2 to 3 hours for the waterfall hike and surrounding area.
Golling Waterfall (Gollinger Wasserfall)
A lovely waterfall cascading in two stages with a total drop of 75 meters into the valley. Located about 3 km west of the town of Golling near a Gothic church. The walk from the parking lot to the base of the falls takes about 15 minutes.
A short, delightful nature walk in a central location close to numerous family-friendly attractions, right off the main highway between Salzburg, the ice caves, Hohenwerfen Castle, the Carinthia region, and other regional highlights.
Liechtenstein Gorge (Liechtensteinklamm)
A magnificent canyon trail alongside a rushing mountain river and waterfall in the center of the Salzburg region, close to the town of St. Johann im Pongau. The gorge is celebrated as one of the longest, deepest, and most dramatic in the Alps. At certain points along the boardwalk, the sheer canyon walls tower up to 300 meters high and draw so narrow that only a sliver of sky remains visible overhead. The river flows in vibrant shades of emerald and turquoise. As you walk, you are surrounded by the roar of churning rapids, mist, and colorful rainbows.
It is an easy, family-friendly trail featuring sturdy bridges over the river and secure wooden catwalks with handrails anchored directly into the rock face along the canyon floor. Sturdy walking shoes and warm layers are recommended regardless of season. Two restaurants operate near the gorge entrance.
The gorge trail is closed in winter due to dangerous icing conditions, when massive one- to two-meter icicles form along the cliff walls, freezing waterfalls turn into sheets of ice, and frequent rockfalls or snow avalanches crash into the canyon floor.
Lammer Gorge (Lammerklamm)
Another easy walking trail ideally suited for families inside an impressive gorge along an alpine river. The gorge formed roughly 10,000 years ago as retreating Ice Age glaciers melted, carving deep chasms dozens of meters into the limestone bedrock. The gorge features three primary sections: the "Dark Gorge" (Dunkle Klamm), where vertical cliffs draw so close that the rock faces seem to touch; the "Cataract" (Katarakt), the upper gorge enclosed by towering cliff walls rising up to 100 meters high; and the "High Bridge" (Hoher Steg), an elevated bridge spanning high over the churning river where the gorge narrows again.
The walk along the secured wooden platforms takes about an hour to an hour and a half at a relaxed pace.
At the gorge entrance, there is a ticket kiosk and a small souvenir shop. At the other end is the restaurant-cafe "Landgasthaus Café Lammerklause."
Located on the route between Golling and Abtenau.
The Salzburg province boasts several other well-maintained family-friendly gorge walks through deep river canyons. Most charge a modest admission fee, but many offer free entry for Salzburg Card holders. Notable examples include Salzachöfen in Golling, where centuries of churning water carved out a dramatic subterranean cathedral cavern. In the Kaprun area, another scenic boardwalk trail leads through Sigmund-Thun Gorge (Sigmund-Thun-Klamm).
Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves
Regarded as the largest ice cave system in the world, located near Werfen, about 40 km south of the city of Salzburg. The complex spans an underground network of galleries, chambers, and caverns totaling 42 km in length, though only the first kilometer is covered in perpetual ice and accessible to the public.
The caves are a protected national monument, and access is permitted exclusively via guided tours. The attraction ranks among the premier "Salzburg Top 7" highlights. Inside, colossal ice walls and monumental natural ice formations resemble animals and mythic figures. The entrance opening, 20 meters wide, opens into a grand 18-meter-tall hall. Inside you will observe ice in virtually every formation imaginable: monumental columns, stalactites, stalagmites, ice towers, frozen waterfalls, and interior glaciers. The cave is considered a dynamic ice cavern because its ice formations shift and evolve over time: during winter, freezing air enters through openings, freezing the snowmelt that trickles inside during warmer spring months. In summer, cool breezes draft outward from the mountain depths toward the entrance, preventing the ice from melting away.
From the upper parking lot (a lower lot is also available near the highway exit with shuttle service for drivers preferring to avoid steep mountain roads or when the upper lot is full), you follow an easy, wide path gently uphill to the lower cable car station (at 1,080 meters). A three-minute cable car ride carries you up to the mountain station (at 1,575 meters), from which a wide gravel path ascends at a moderate incline (up to a 21% grade) directly to the cave entrance portal.
Before stepping inside the cave, visitors receive handheld carbide lamps, while guides light magnesium ribbon flares to illuminate the ice formations during stops along the route.
The guided tour lasts roughly 75 minutes, but you should allocate about 3 to 4 hours in total for the entire excursion (including cable car transits and uphill walking). In summer, new guided tours set off every six minutes. The walking circuit inside the cave involves climbing a total of 134 vertical meters along wooden stairs and walkways.
Wear sturdy walking boots and warm thermal clothing (including winter gloves and a warm hat) even in midsummer, as interior cave temperatures consistently hover around or below freezing (0°C). It is not recommended for toddlers (under 3–4 years old), travelers with limited mobility, or individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular issues.
For all other travelers, ascending to and exploring the cave is an unforgettable, world-class alpine adventure. The alpine vistas outside the cave entrance and the glittering ice halls within make every bit of effort well worth it.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the cave.
Lamprechtshöhle Cave (Lamprechtsofen)
Ranked among the largest cave systems in Europe, spanning a total surveyed length of 51 km. It is also one of the deepest cave systems in the world open to show-cave visitors. Only a designated section is open to the public, fitted with secure wooden steps and railings. During the tour, visitors ascend roughly 700 meters through the interior of the mountain up to a dramatic viewpoint overlooking the illuminated caverns below.
The interior tour takes approximately 45 minutes.
Admission fee applies. Free for children up to 6 years old. Half-price for children and youth up to 15 years old. Free with the SalzburgerLand Card.
Directly adjacent to the cave entrance is a scenic boardwalk path running along elevated platforms over the rushing torrents of Seisenberg Gorge (Seisenbergklamm).
Detailed guides to top attractions and recommended hotels across the region can be found in the article: Trips and Attractions in the Salzburg Region