Location
Gastein
Surrounded by mountains on all four sides, the Gastein valley is like a hidden treasure in the Hohe Tauern mountains. Centuries ago, people were drawn here by unbelievable gold deposits and an inexhaustible supply of hot thermal water. Later, poets, musicians, emperors and kings followed in their footsteps, and celebrities of their eras, from Schubert to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, went on summer retreats to Gastein. The old freight hauler and trading routes are still there today. They run through the valley and go as far as the glaciated regions of the National Park. You will also be running on historic routes through the Gastein valley. You can admire the waterfalls and alpine meadows, enjoy the routes through the three villages of the valley and through Sportgastein, and marvel at the views awaiting you from the summits, such as the Gamskarkogel, Graukogel or the Stubnerkogel. The Stubnerkogel has even more to offer: a 140 metres suspension bridge, the attractive viewing platform “Glocknerblick” and the highest and biggest street art project in the Alps. Those who have a head of heights will enjoy crossing the 1 metre wide bridge with spectacular views on either side, although there is a slight chance you may get a little week in the knees as only a wire mesh handrail separates you from the 28-meter abyss. On the viewing platform called “Glocknerblick”, you may also enjoy the depths below your feet through the grate openings in the floor, but this viewpoint essentially treats you to magical and expensive views of Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner (3.798m). Quite unusual is the work of art you can marvel at 2.251 metres above sea level. Victor Ash, one of Europe’s most successful street art figures, has painted many native animals of the Alps on the walls of the transmitter station on the Stubnerkogel, thus creating one of the highest and biggest street art murals in the Alps. The Graukogel in Gastein is home to Swiss stone pines, some of which are as much as 300 years old. Other than just seeing, smelling and tasting the pines, you can also clearly feel them with your heart, because pine actually calms and reduces your heart rate. The locals call it “Pine Magic”. A special path built a number of years ago that begins right next to the Graukogelhütte is an experience for the whole family. The youngsters will feel right at home on the pine swing, of course, while a solid pine table is the place to stop if you want to enjoy a longer break. During your walk, you will be treated constantly to marvellous views of Gastein Valley. Summer holidays in SalzburgerLand mean one thing above all else: variety. Variety of the highest quality. Whatever you’re looking for, in terms of leisure activities, sightseeing or accommodation, all your wishes will be fulfilled! You can enjoy delightful stays at family, wellness or organic hotels, at modern chalets, at the local farmhouse or at the romantic alpine cabin. The “Via Culinaria” is waiting for you with 260 gourmet eateries, and the SalzburgerLand Card entitles you to visit around 190 tourist attractions free of charge and to use public transport, cable cars, etc. Whether you want to hike, run trails, go mountaineering, climb, go cycling (whether seriously or for fun), surf, play golf or just be a spectator, sport and exercise play a starring role in SalzburgerLand summer holidays. SalzburgerLand offers ideal conditions: hiking and cycling routes with excellent signposting, lakes and rivers with water good enough to drink, modern maps, regions and hosts with their own specialities, and top-class events, all of which meet the very highest standards.SalzburgerLand
Immerse yourself in summer delights
S is for summer, sport and SalzburgerLand
Directions from eastern Austria
It is recommended to take the West Autobahn A1 motorway as far as the Salzburg junction. Once there, take the Tauern Autobahn A10 motorway in the direction of Villach. At Bischofshofen (Pongau junction), leave the motorway and take the B311 Federal Highway in the direction of Gasteinertal (Gastein valley). Leave this road in Lend and drive as far as Gastein. Take the B167 Federal Highway through the valley.
Directions via Munich
If travelling from the north (via Munich), take the southbound A8 motorway. After crossing the border, continue on the Tauern Autobahn A10 motorway up to the Pongau junction (Bischofshofen). From there, take the B311 Federal Highway as far as Lend. Then take the B167 Federal Highway into the Gastein valley.
Directions via Innsbruck
If you are travelling from the west (via Innsbruck), take the Inntal Autobahn A12 in the direction of Wörgl. Leave the motorway at the Wörgl Ost (East) exit and take the B178 Federal Highway in the direction of St. Johann in Tirol. From there, take the B164 Federal Highway in the direction of Fieberbrunn as far as Saalfelden, where you need to take the B311 Federal Highway. At Lend, turn off into the Gastein valley.
Airport transfer to Gastein
There are four international airports in the vicinity: Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna. You can arrange to be collected by one of Gastein’s taxi companies from any of these airports. Taxi Rudigier (http://www.gasteintaxi.com/ / +43 (0) 6432-6622) and Taxi Haunsperger (http://www.haunsperger.com/ / +43 (0) 6433-7722) provide several transfers per day to and from the airports. Please state your flight number when booking your airport transfer.
Transfer times to Gastein:
Salzburg | Approx. 1,5 hours |
Munich | Approx. 2,5 hours |
Innsbruck | Approx. 2,5 hours |
Vienna | Approx. 4,5 hours |
The trains of the Austrian, Swiss and German rail services take you to all three villages in the Gastein valley, for a low fare and in an environmentally friendly, stress-free way. Austria’s ÖBB Railjet takes passengers to the Gastein valley eight times a day. The German rail service, Deutsche Bahn, offers a direct connection to the Gastein valley four times a day.
Deutsche Bahn (German railways) service to the Gastein valley – fast and inexpensive.
Travelling to Gastein by train is really easy. There are four direct connections per day from Munich, with one of the trains starting in Münster and another one starting in Frankfurt. Via the ICE hub in Munich, you can also travel quickly and easily to the Gastein valley from Hamburg or Berlin, for example. And if you want to travel by night, there are night trains to Munich. Thanks to rail card discounts and economy prices, you can also travel to the Gastein valley for a really low price, with fares starting at €39.90. From Munich, tickets are available starting at just €19.90. Families can really save money, too: your children and grandchildren can travel with you free of charge if they are under 15! You can book rail tickets up to 180 days in advance. For all the information you need about travelling by train, you can visit bahn.de/oesterreich.
New:
You can travel by ICE from Berlin to Munich in just under four hours. So anyone from Berlin or Erfurt, among many other places, will have an even quicker journey to the Gastein valley! With no stress, tailbacks, refuelling stops or vignettes (highway toll stickers).
Transport in Gasteinertal:
Once you have arrived in the Gastein valley by train, you can travel conveniently by bus, taxi or hotel shuttle to your accommodation. During your stay, you can use the regular bus services, which cover the entire valley from Klammstein to Sportgastein. If you have a Gastein Card, it will really save you money as you can travel for just €1.20.
Link:
Österreichische Bundesbahnen (Austrian railways) service to the Gastein valley
The train from Salzburg to Gastein operates every two hours and its duration is as short as one and a half hour.
In addition to the long-distance trains offered by Deutsche Bahn and a long distance train (Railjet) run by Austrian railways, (from Vienna to Gastein via Salzburg) you can choose a local transport train from Salzburg main station to Bad Gastein. The departure time is Monday to Friday at 9.15 pm in Salzburg and 06.25 am in Bad Gastein.
Other local transport options (between Schwarzach St. Veit and Böckstein) are operated by bus only. Please contact the transport system in Salzburg if you are looking for further information regarding the bus schedule: https://salzburg-verkehr.at/