Mountain hikes in Salzburg

In the north of the province of Salzburg lies the Flachgau, a region with many interesting, but not too long and difficult mountain tours. The tours can be found in the Salzburg part of the Salzkammergut mountains and parts of the Berchtesgaden Alps. Although the mountains here are mostly below the 2000 metre mark, the range of challenging mountain tours is nevertheless large and varied.

One of the great classics here in northern Salzburger Land is the Schafberg, which is a challenging tour when climbed from the north, especially in the Himmelspforte area. Right next to the city of Salzburg is the Untersbergstock with numerous mountain tours such as the Salzburger Hochthron, one of the local mountains of the city of Mozart.

Tennengau is home to the Tennengebirge and the Berchtesgaden Alps, two mountain ranges that have an incredible amount to offer mountaineers. One of the great classics is without doubt the Hohe Göll on the border with Bavaria. This tour over exposed terrain and easy via ferratas requires a good level of fitness and surefootedness. The tour can be started either from the north or from the Carl-von-Stahl-Haus in the south.

The beautiful rock towers of the Gosaukamm rise up in the east of the Tennengau. The mountain range, which is also known as the "Salzburg Dolomites", attracts hikers with its steep paths and exposed peaks. The tour to the Donnerkogel is one of the great mountain tour classics in the Salzburg Alps.

Pinzgau is a paradise for mountain tours, especially in the north. In the Loferer and Leoganger Steinberge mountains as well as in the Steinernes Meer, there are plenty of challenging mountain tours to panoramic peaks. For fit mountaineers, an ascent of the Birnhorn, the highest peak in the Leogang Steinberge, is a must. Right next to it, the rock faces of the Steinernes Meer tower into the sky and the Hochkönig is not far away either. The north of the Pinzgau is therefore a huge treasure trove full of alpine tours of all levels of difficulty. The tour to the highest peak of the Loferer Steinberge, the Grosses Ochsenhorn, also promises to be a challenge.

To the south of the Pinzgau region are the Hohe Tauern mountains, home to the highest peaks in Salzburg. If you want to climb the really high mountains, you are already in the realm of a high-altitude tour. A little further upstream from the main Alpine ridge, however, there are still numerous destinations that are considered classic mountain tours.

The Pongau region offers an extremely varied touring area. To the north are the Tennengebirge, the Dachstein massif and the Hochkönig. The mountain tours that start in Werfenweng and lead to exciting peaks such as the Werfener Hochthron or the Eiskogel are very popular. The Tauern valleys in the south of the Pongau, such as the Grossarl Valley and the Gastein Valley, offer tours for every taste and difficulty level.

For mountain tour fans, the mountains of the Radstädter Tauern, the western part of the Niedere Tauern, are among the most sought-after destinations. Zauchensee and Obertauern are great starting points for mountain tours.

Lungau lies on the south side of the Radstädter Tauern and therefore in an area with many challenging peaks. Starting from Zederhaus, many of these destinations can be reached on difficult mountain tours. The best-known destinations include the Mosermandl and the Faulkogel. The Muhrtal valley is an insider tip, with marvellous mountain tours away from the crowds.

Further south, the gentle peaks of the Nockberge mountains rise up, where the difficulty decreases significantly. Here you can undertake beautiful and not too difficult mountain tours into neighbouring Carinthia.

The most popular mountain tour in the province of Salzburg is the one to the Schober. This mountain tour is located on the northern edge of the Alps and is therefore easily accessible for many mountain fans and, with an altitude difference of only around 400 metres, quite short. Nevertheless, the steep climbs should not be underestimated. The mountain tour on the Schober is highly recommended for beginners as well as a quick evening tour and is therefore very popular.