Hiking Holidays in Austria
in Grossarltal - in Salzburger Land
Experience a dream hiking holiday in Austria's Grossarltal, the Valley of Mountain Huts, featuring the most stunning hiking routes in the Alps, top-notch hiking hotels, and outstanding hiking experts in Grossarl and Hüttschlag.
Planning your next hiking holiday in Austria? In that case, we are most definitely the right place for you! The name "Valley of Mountain Huts" couldn’t be a more apt description for Grossarltal, including its two National Park communities of Hüttschlag and Grossarl. Nowhere else in Salzburg province will you find a valley more deserving of this accolade. Around 40 staffed mountain huts cater to hikers’ rest and refreshment needs along approximately 400 kilometers of marked hiking trails.
This astonishing variety of mountain huts and hiking routes gives you a wide range of hiking options, with something certain to appeal to your own personal preferences. Whether you're looking for a leisurely family hike with the kids or planning a more challenging trek to stunning mountain lakes and peaks, Grossarltal in Salzburger Land welcomes “Sunday” hikers, mountaineers, and avid alpinists alike. The breathtaking, diverse expanses of alpine pastures and magnificent mountain landscapes are sure to captivate you!
Enjoy the alpine summer in the "Valley of the mountain huts" and be enchanted by the uniqueness of nature at the entrance to the Hohe Tauern National Park. No other valley in the province of Salzburg has such a high density of managed huts as the Grossarl Valley with the two communities of Grossarl and Hüttschlag. While it is still quiet down in the valley, the alpine dairymen on the 40 mountain huts already have their hands full.
- 7 nights in the booked accommodation (June 29th to August 24th, 2024)
- 1 alpine snack
- 1 roundtrip ride on the Grossarler gondolas
- 1 guided hike
- 1 admission to the Valley Museum in Hüttschlag
- 1 surprise gift
Prices 2024
| Category | Accommodation type | Price |
|---|---|---|
Category 1A | Accommodation type Hotels**** (incl. half-board) | Price from € 694,00 |
Category 1B | Accommodation type Inn | Hotel ***(incl. half-board) | Price from € 638,00 |
Category 2 | Accommodation type Guest house / B&B or farm(bed/breakfast) | Price from € 330,00 |
Category 3 | Accommodation type Apartment (without board) | Price from € 260,00 |
Hiking Holidays in Grossarltal at a Glance
- Some 40 hill farms and mountain huts
- Around 400 km of marked hiking trails extending into Hohe Tauern National Park - on our "Hiking in Grossarltal" page, you can view all hiking tours online with complete information including duration, difficulty level, elevation gain, etc.
- Weekly guided tours and hikes with state-certified hiking and tour guides - also in Hohe Tauern National Park
- Themed hikes such as herb walks, fairytale hikes for children, and yoga hikes
- Hiking tip: Sunrise Hike in Grossarltal
- BERG-GESUND association with its attractive selection of hiking and mountaineering tours
- Peaks and summits - for all hikers and mountaineers who want to aim even higher, Grossarltal offers numerous high-elevation tours, ranging from the easy “grass mountains” to challenging alpine expeditions
- Mountain lake hikes - hiking to mountain lakes is a very special nature experience and should definitely be planned in as one of your hiking tours
- Multi-day hikes with overnight stays at mountain huts
- Long-distance hiking on the 350 km long Salzburger Almenweg - four of the total 31 stages pass through Grossarltal in Salzburg province
- Hiking with GPS - in addition to hiking destinations and difficulty levels, the yellow hiking signs and location boards also provide GPS data. You can also download the data to your navigation device from our online tour portal.
- Pilgrimage on the Chapel Trail from the parish church in Grossarl to Hüttschlag
- Enjoy Salzburg Alpine Summer here in the Valley of Mountain Huts. Salzburger Land, with its 1,800 active alpine grazing areas, also offers refreshments at around 550 huts, more than anywhere else in Austria. About 40 of these huts are located right here in Grossarltal – that said, Grossarltal can confidently call itself the "cradle" of Salzburg Alpine Summer.
- Many mountain huts in Grossarltal have been awarded the "Alpine Summer Certificate" by Salzburger Land
- Austrian Hiking Seal of Quality - Grossarl and Hüttschlag are excellent hiking villages and provide further evidence of their hiking competency with this seal of quality
- Mountaineering Village Hüttschlag - furthermore, the National Park Community of Hüttschlag is one of the "Austrian Mountaineering Villages"
- Hüttschlag is located in the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park - the largest national park in the Austrian Alps
- Hiking taxi - convenient transportation for all hikers from mid-May to the end of October
- Hiking Professionals - in keeping with the vast array of hiking opportunities and mountain huts, numerous accommodations have specialized in providing hiking-related services
- Sleeping amid alpine pastures - you can also stay overnight at some mountain huts
- Last but not least: Please behave appropriately while hiking - your safety and the wellbeing of our environment are important to us
Salzburger Almenweg
The Salzburger Almenweg – this long-distance hiking trail through the Salzburger Pongau region covers 350 km, passing 120 mountain huts and crossing all 25 Pongau municipalities along the way. It mainly runs at moderate elevations between 1,500 and 2,000 meters. Four of the 25 daily stages in total lead through Grossarltal.
Coming from Bad Gastein, the trail leads over the Toferscharte (from where an ascent of the Gamskarkogel is worthwhile) and the Harbachalm down to the mountaineering village of Hüttschlag. From Hüttschlag, hike via Karteis to the Tappenkarsee in Kleinarl, and back to the two Draugsteinalmen. From there, the trail continues on the east side of Grossarltal via the Filzmoosalm, the Loosbühelalm, the Weissalm, and the Ellmaualm – initially very relaxed from hut to hut at in Ellmautal, then via the Grosswildalm, Breitenebenalm, Karseggalm, Unterwandalm, and Maurachalm, all the way over the Sonntagskogel as far as St. Johann im Pongau or Wagrain.
... an absolute must during your hiking holiday in Austria!
Typical meals at mountain huts in Grossarl and Hüttschlag are bread with cheese, bread with bacon, and of course, the immensely popular “Almjause”, consisting of a little bit of everything: bacon, sausage, butter, sliced cheese, the valley's typical sour cheese, and of course, homemade farmhouse bread. Mostly made from products produced directly at the hut itself, or at the respective farms in the valley. Some huts also serve hot dishes.
Family hiking holidays in Austria
in Grossarltal – SalzburgerLand
If you want to share your enthusiasm for hiking with the whole family, we definitely have the right offer for you. Numerous family hikes and themed hikes attract all children to the beautiful nature in Grossarltal. On fairytale hikes, listen to the stories and be led into the realm of mountains, trees, animals, plants, and the inhabitants of nature.
As an additional incentive, the kids can earn fun hiking badges. Hiking with small children is also possible in Grossarltal – where we are happy to offer numerous stroller-friendly hiking paths.
A particular highlight is known as “Family Trekking”. This is a weekly package consisting of 5 nights in the valley in your chosen category and a 3-day hike with family-friendly stages, including 2 nights at mountain huts. And the great thing is: the precise time of your tour can be chosen based on hut availability, plus your valley accommodations don’t need to be vacated on those days you are away.
We will be happy to give you all kinds of great tips for hiking with children. In this way, your family hiking holiday in Salzburger Land, Austria, will definitely be an experience to remember!
Hiking holiday checklist
- Sturdy footwear including soles with good tread
- Backpack
- Hiking poles
- Sun protection
- Enough drinks and provisions
- Small first-aid kit (gauze bandage, adhesive tape, plasters, scissors or knife)
- Orientation aids like a hiking map
- Warm clothing
- Windproof outerwear
- Head covering
- Cap / headband
- Hiking socks
- Breathable underwear
- Comfortable leisure clothing, swimming gear
- Mobile phone (even though it won't get a signal everywhere)
- Camera with battery or charger
- Hygiene items
- Travel first-aid kit
- IDs, cash, credit cards, toll sticker
- Booking confirmation, insurance
- Sunglasses
FAQs about hiking
frequently asked questions
All answers to frequently asked questions about hiking can be found here at a glance.
I'm not so good on my feet; can I take a taxi up to a hut instead?
Yes, there are a number of mountain huts that are also accessible by hiking taxi.
Can I also drive up to mountain huts in my own car?
You can drive to the following huts with your own car:
- Aualm
- Loosbühelalm
- Breitenebenalm
Can I also spend the night at a mountain hut?
You can stay overnight at a number of mountain huts in the area (indicated by a bed symbol). Please note that these are predominantly multi-bed rooms or dormitories. They are basic accommodations and cannot be compared to accommodations in the valley. Breakfast is included when you stay overnight.
Are the beds at mountain huts made up with sheets etc.?
Not every hut has made-up beds. It's best to ask when booking. We always recommend bringing a sleeping bag suitable for huts.
What is there to eat at mountain huts?
Your hut hosts produce most of the food themselves. You will be served a so-called "Brettljause" consisting of homemade delicacies like bread, butter, cheese in various variations, bacon, and sausage. Hot food is only available at specific huts. And be sure to try their home-distilled schnapps.
When do the huts open?
Most mountain huts open from early to mid-June and close from mid to late September. However, some are open from May to the end of October. Opening times are very dependent on current weather conditions and the weather outlook.
Here you can find all huts with their opening times.
Do the huts have weekly rest days?
Normally, the huts are open daily.
Can I also ride a lift up the mountain?
Yes, in summer the Panoramabahn and Kieserlbahn gondolas are in operation. Find more information about mountain lifts in Grossarltal right here.
Are there stroller-friendly paths?
Yes, you can also reach some mountain huts even when you are pushing a stroller. Please note that the stroller should be suitable for gravel paths and a certain level of fitness is required.
Are guided hikes offered?
Of course, guided hikes are offered. BERG-GESUND offers a wide range of tours from leisurely hut hikes to challenging alpine tours. Their program also include deceleration hikes, yoga hikes, via ferrata tours, rock climbing, and mountain fitness hikes.
More information about the individual hikes and registration can be found in our events calendar.
When is hiking season in Grossarltal?
Hm, hard to say. Between mid-June and mid-July the rhododendrons are in full bloom. Then you can truly experience the reawakening of nature, which is a particularly beautiful sight to see. In summer everything is in its full glory, in lush green, and many animals are on the alpine pastures. On the other hand, the visibility in autumn seems almost endless. Nature changes color. That said, hiking is an attractive option all summer long, and beyond.
What do the mountains in Grossarltal look like?
Most of Grossarltal features what we refer to as “grass mountains”, meaning they are quite easy to reach if you are in decent physical condition. A few limestone ridges like the Draugstein, the Schuhflicker, and the Höllwand shape the skyline of Grossarl as well. In the National Park Community of Hüttschlag, you will discover a few higher, more challenging destinations such as the Weinschnabel and the Keeskogel, the only glacier in the valley.
Learn more about the mountains in Grossarltal here.
How can I plan my hiking tours in advance?
On our tour portal, you will find numerous detailed hiking suggestions. From simple hut hikes to challenging high-alpine tours, everything is included.
Do you have GPS data for the tours?
Yes, you can download the data for your navigation device directly from our online touring portal.
Is there signage on the hiking trails?
Of course, the hiking trails in Grossarltal are clearly signposted. At the starting points, there is usually a large overview map. Then, at each trail junction you will find yellow signs. These include the next destinations with walking time, path number, refreshment stops, lift options, parking areas, and difficulty. Blue means easy, red means medium, and black means difficult. On the hiking trails, red-white-red markings are displayed at visible intervals. Simply follow these markings, and you’ll have no problem keeping your bearings on the trails.
Which hiking map do you recommend?
We recommend the hiking map published by Athesia Buch GmbH - geomarketing (scale 1:35,000).
What should we bear in mind when hiking with children?
Choosing the right route is crucial. It's best to select a "special" hiking destination. Also, the walking time should not be too long. Hiking trails tend to be more exciting than forest roads. Make sure the children have the right equipment, and start early to avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. Bring plenty of drinks and some snacks for along the way. Take enough breaks and pause to observe the “little” things along the way. As a small reward, the kids can collect a stamp at every hut and on every summit, which they can then redeem for hiking badges.
Learn more about hiking with children here.
