Salzburger Almenweg
Hiking in the High Pastures of Salzburg
We do love to go a-wandering - and in summer, hiking is as much a part of the Gastein Valley as skiingis in winter. The Tauern mountains offer a wide selection of hikes and high-peaks tours, with the perfect route in store for you no matter whether you are a beginner or a professional alpinist.
As soon as the snowmelt allows us to safely navigate all of the hiking trails, the first hikers come to Gastein. Awaiting them here is a unique mixture of natural and cultural landscapes: For centuries, the farmers in Gastein have also husbanded countless hill farmsduring the summer months. Over the course of time, the grazing cows and other cattle led to the development of very unique plant life in the region, giving the landscapes the character we know today. The hill-farming tradition is an important part of life in Gastein to this day.
Gastein is actually home to 40 hill farms and alpine huts at elevations ranging between 1200 and 1830 metres above sea level. There you will find the authentic culture of the hill country: hospitable people, hearty traditional cooking, unaffected sincerity. The Salzburger Almenweg is a network of theme hikes which will lead you out to some of the most beautiful hill farms in Gastein. You can even spend the night up at some of these huts, ideal for lengthier hikes or for romantic stays with those Alpine sunsets before your eyes.
If you would like to see how traditional Salzburg hill cheese is made, you will have an opportunity to do just that: dairy maids will be happy to let you peek over their shoulders as they go about making cheese or butter. At the Schlossalm, for example, where you can watch Traudi churn out the butter. And there are also opportunities to try your own hand as well: At the Amoseralm in Dorfgastein, for example, you can bake delicious farmhouse bread in a charcoal oven.
Whenever you stop in at an alpine hut along the Salzburger Almenweg in Gastein, you will be able to savour some of our region’s rich array of culinary specialities: Salzburg delicacies such as cheese, butter, bacon or bread are generally produced right there on the self-same farm. Traditional, organic and environmentally friendly. Enjoyment with a clear conscience! We especially recommend traditional dishes such as Kasnocken noodles, Fleischkrapfen pasties and the legendary Schott soup.
