Long-Distance Hikes on the Salzburger Almenweg
The Salzburger Almenweg is a long-distance hike leading through the district Pongau of Salzburg. Extending a total of 350 km, this hiking path is divided into 31 daily stages varying in length, and takes you past over 120 mountain huts. Hikers love the unique concentration of huts in this region, something you encounter practically nowhere else. And no single hut is like another – which means, a good memory is also a must, since each hut has its own name. That said, everywhere you go, you will be greeted by friendly hosts who serve up homemade specialties of the hill country, including fresh milk, cheeses, butter, yogurt, bread, bacon, along with home-distilled schnapps!
You will be accompanied along the length of the Salzburger Almenweg by the picture of a gentian, which you see on trail markings, benches or outside huts. That way, you will never lose track of this delightful long-distance trail.
Stages of the Salzburger Almenweg through Grossarltal
4 of the 25 total stages of the Salzburger Almenweg lead through Grossarltal, making Grossarl as well as Hüttschlag ideal starting and finishing points for this long-distance trail.
Coming from Bad Gastein, the Salzburger Almenweg leads to Tofernscharte gap. Hikers with the appropriate motivation and stamina should absolutely hike to the top of the Gamskarkogel – at 2,467 m, the highest grass-covered mountain in Europe. Tip: If you want to have the special experience of enjoying a sunrise or sunset on the summit, you should probably spend the night on the mountain, with the Bad Gasteiner Hütte (Gamskarkogelhütte) located right there. Continuing our hike past the Harbachalm, the Salzburger Almenweg takes us to the National Park Village of Hüttschlag, via the Hallmoosalm up to the Karteisalm, then to the Karteistörl.
After a short detour to the Tappenkarsee in Kleinarl, the Salzburger Almenweg leads up to the Draugsteintörl and back to Grossarltal. Then it continues to the Draugsteinalmen, Filzmoossattel, Filzmoosalm, Loosbühelalm, Weissalm, Ellmaualm, Grosswildalm, Breitenebenalm, Karseggalm, Unterwandalm, Rothofalm (Muggenfeldalm), Maurachalm and on to St. Johann-Alpendorf as well as Wagrain.
Alternatively, instead of staying at the same elevation as the huts we have mentioned, you may prefer to take your hike over the nearby ridgelines and summits – as you walk, you will get to enjoy marvelous views of the Tappenkarsee, surrounding mountains and so much more. And of course, from any of the huts along the way, you always have the option of dropping back down to the valley.
After the Salzburger Almenweg leaves Grossarltal, it continues to Wagrain and Kleinarl, then via Obertauern, Filzmoos and Werfenweng to the Hochkönig, via the Salzburger Sonnenterrasse region, and finally through the valley Gastein before returning to Grossarltal yet again.
“Salzburger Almenweg” Hiking Guide
A free hiking guidebook provides detailed hiking maps (scale 1:50 000) along with full descriptions of the 31 stages of the Salzburger Almenweg. Information includes:
- Starting point
- Type of surface
- Hiking time
- Length of stage
- Difficulty
- Route description
- Refreshment opportunities
- Elevation profile
- Sightseeing tips
We would be glad to send you a personal copy of the Salzburger Almenweg hiking guide.
“Hut Secrets” from Grossarltal
Uncover some of Grossarltal’s most precious “hut secrets”, and in the process compile your very own cookbook, featuring hearty, spicy, sweet and “inspired” recipes from huts throughout Grossarltal.
At each mountain hut located along the Salzburger Almenweg in either Grossarl or Hüttschlag (stages 14 to 17), interested hikers can pick up “secret” recipes from their hosts (only in German available).
These recipes include exotic-sounding dishes such as “Muas”, “Kasnock´n mit Knetkäse” and “Schwarzbeernock´n”, along with hearty favorites such as farmhouse roast and country-style doughnuts. And naturally, your collection would not be complete without a few tips for conjuring up your own homemade fruit schnapps.
With every hike you take on the Salzburger Almenweg, your recipe collection will gradually grow into a small cookbook. These recipe cards are collected in a handy, leather-bound wooden folder.
Before you know it, the flavors of an Alpine Summer in Grossarltal will soon be tantalizing you in your own kitchen back home.
And after each meal you sample, be sure to record your favorite memories on the back of each card – turning a simple cookbook into a personal travel diary!
You can buy the wooden folder for collecting your recipes in at the tourist office in Grossarltal; price € 8.00.