Long-Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-stage route

Long-distance hiking on the trail of the Blue Gentian

Long-Distance Hiking
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Salzburger Almenweg Verified partner 
  • Rossbrand - Radstadt
    Rossbrand - Radstadt
    Photo: Anita Bott, H. Raffalt
Hiking on the alpine pastures trail.
moderate
Distance 360.7 km
126:40 h
20,158 m
20,158 m
2,237 m
524 m
On the Salzburg Almenweg, everyday life stays behind in the valley. One of the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in the Alps is the Salzburger Almenweg: on 350 kilometers and in 25 stages, it leads to 120 alpine pastures in Salzburg's Pongau region. The trail follows the trail of the "Blue Gentian" from alpine pasture to the next. The Salzburger Almenweg connects well-known vacation regions: It leads from the Tennengebirge, to the Hochkönig region, over the Salzburger Sonnenterrasse, through the Gastein Valley, into the Grossarltal, right through the Salzburger Sportwelt and to Obertauern.

Author’s recommendation

The stages are varied and at different difficulty levels and are, to 90 percent, at over 1,000 metres above sea level. Many of them are suitable for families with children as well as for beginners. Others are reserved for experienced mountain enthusiasts. In any case, the Salzburger Almenweg is a trail for all those who prefer the mountains.
Profile picture of Hanna Rieser
Author
Hanna Rieser 
Update: May 02, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,237 m
Lowest point
524 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 13.09%Dirt road 26.43%Forested/wild trail 16.74%Path 41.96%Road 1.23%Unknown 0.53%
Asphalt
47.2 km
Dirt road
95.4 km
Forested/wild trail
60.4 km
Path
151.4 km
Road
4.5 km
Unknown
1.9 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Landgasthof Reitsamerhof***
Berghotel Arthurhaus
"Vier Hütten"
Schartenhütte
Brandstatthütte
Birgkarhaus
Erichhaus
Hotel Seeblick
Kögerl Alm
Heinreichalm
Präau Hochalm
Biberalm
Fundner Heimalm
Rockfeldalm
Baldaufhütte
Präerhütte
Feldinghütte
Tofererhütte
Bockhartsee Hütte
Viehauser Alm
Viehauseralm
Schareckalm
Untere Astenalm
Obere Astenalm
Himmelwandhütte
Harbachalm, 1.612 m
Tappenkarsee-Hütte
Tappenkarseehütte, 1.820 m
Tappenkarseealm, 1.768 m
Filzmoosalm, 1.710 m
Loosbühelalm
Weißalm
Ellmaualm
Großwildalm, 1.778 m
Breitenebenalm, 1.420 m
Karseggalm, 1.603 m
Unterwandalm, 1.600 m
Maurachalm, 1.620 m
Wagrainis Grafenberg
Weissenhofalm
Berggasthof Latschenhof
Jandlalm
Berggasthof Sattelbauer
Tauernkarleitenalm
Gnadenalmstüberl (1272 m)
Hintergnadenalm
Südwiener Hütte
the hut at the lake
Vögeialm
Bürgerbergalm
Moosalm
Landgasthof Reithof
Bachlalm
Oberhofalm
Unterhofalm
Hofpürglhütte
Sulzkaralm
Buttermilchalm
Karalm
Frommer Hochalm
Dr.-Heinrich-Hackel-Hütte
Werfener Hütte

Safety information

 To make sure your day in the mountains is an unforgettable experience, here you can find some tips to keep you safe in the mountains.

Tips and hints

 For further information about the Salzburger Almenweg click here.

Start

Pfarrwerfen (524 m)
Coordinates:
DD
47.472931, 13.194803
DMS
47°28'22.6"N 13°11'41.3"E
UTM
33T 363976 5259300
w3w 
///juiced.piping.armpit

Destination

Pfarrwerfen

Turn-by-turn directions

From every 25 places in the region Pongau in Salzburg hikers can enter the 350-kilometer-long hiking trail and everywhere they can also descend again to the valley. 120 alpine huts are along the way where one stops and stays overnight. Hikers can, but do not have to, return to the valley as well. Those who want a longer break from everyday life can simply stay at the top: In the world of alpine pastures with its people, animals and stories.

 

With the whole family on the "traces of the blue gentian"

The Salzburg Almenweg is well marked: The blue blossom of the gentian points the way across the mountains. A special incentive, especially for children, is the collection of hiker's stamps.

The "Bronze Hiking Pin" is awarded for one stage. The stamp pass and the hiking pins are available in all tourist offices in the towns.

For even more variety for the whole family, there are entertaining themed trails such as the "Alles Alm" trail in Obertauern, "Flori's Erlebnispfad" in Flachau or the two adventure mountains "Geisterberg" in St. Johann-Alpendorf and "Wagraini's Grafenberg" in Wagrain.

Dogs are also very welcome on the Salzburg Almenweg: You can find out directly from the hut owners at which huts you can stay overnight with dogs.

 

Culinary Almenweg Highlights 

A snack never tastes better than after a walk of several hours, and on the Salzburg Alpine Pastures Trail you can, if you want, hike far.

On the alpine pastures, hikers are traditionally spoiled with homemade delicacies. Cow’s milk is processed into butter, cheese and curd. These products, in turn, form the basis for cheese snacks and Ploughman’s lunches, doughnuts, cakes and many other alpine delicacies. From summer 2022, there will be designated “Alpine Trail Delicacies” in numerous huts along the Salzburg Alpine Pastures Trail. These dishes are the respective figurehead of each alpine hut and guarantee culinary diversity during long-distance hikes.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

By using the various train connections you’ll avoid traffic restrictions and reach the Salzburger Almenweg in a relaxed way. For travel planning use the ÖBB (Austrian federal trainways) timetable information.

By road

Arrival by car
  • From the north (Munich/Salzburg) to Werfen (entry point route 1): via A8 & A10
  • From the east (Liezen) to Radstadt (route 21): via B320
  • From the south (Villach) to Flachau (route 17): via A10
  • From the west (Zell am See) to Goldegg (route 4): via B311
  • From the northwest (St. Johann in Tirol) to Dienten am Hochkönig (route 3): via B164

 

Arrival by plane

Take advantage of the convenient flight connections from many European cities to Salzburg. More than 25 airlines take you from Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dublin, Amsterdam, London, Istanbul and many other European cities directly to the W.A. Mozart Airport to Salzburg. Arrived at the airport, you can easily cover the distance to the entry points of the Salzburger Almenweg by taxi, public transport or rental car.

 

 

Parking

You will find information on parking facilities in the individual stage descriptions or the staff of the local tourist associations will be happy to provide you with more detailed information.

Coordinates

DD
47.472931, 13.194803
DMS
47°28'22.6"N 13°11'41.3"E
UTM
33T 363976 5259300
w3w 
///juiced.piping.armpit
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

 For further information about the Salzburger Almenweg click here.

Equipment

Hier finden Sie alles rund um den passenden Wanderschuh, die perfekte Ausrüstung und die richtige Geh-Technik.


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Photos from others


Difficulty
moderate
Distance
360.7 km
Duration
126:40 h
Ascent
20,158 m
Descent
20,158 m
Highest point
2,237 m
Lowest point
524 m
Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Geological highlights Fauna Insider tip 'Healthy climate' Summit route Circular route Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Cultural/historical interest Flora Cableway ascent/descent

Statistics

  • Content
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Features
Maps and trails
  • 25 Stages
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 1
Distance 11 km
Duration 4:45 h
Ascent 1,159 m
Descent 8 m

From the Salzach Valley to the Hochkönig sun kingdom

1
from Hochkönig,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2
Distance 15.8 km
Duration 5:10 h
Ascent 213 m
Descent 821 m

Enjoyable panoramic hike on the south side of the Hochkönig

4
from Hochkönig,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
Distance 18.6 km
Duration 7:30 h
Ascent 1,148 m
Descent 1,377 m

Summit experience high above the Salzburg Sun Terrace

from Hochkönig,   Salzburger Almenweg
Long-Distance Hiking · Salzburger Sonnenterrasse
Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 04: Böndlsee – Lend - Dorfgastein
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 4
Distance 17.1 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 890 m
Descent 894 m

With a short detour across Pinzgau into the Gastein Valley  

from Tourismusverband Goldegg am See,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 5
Distance 15 km
Duration 5:40 h
Ascent 1,210 m
Descent 327 m

Through a basin landscape and rustic mountain wilderness 

from Hanna Rieser,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 6
Distance 8.2 km
Duration 3:40 h
Ascent 728 m
Descent 411 m

Wildly romantic alpine hike with playful highlight 

from Anita Bott,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 7
Distance 9.3 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 88 m
Descent 962 m

Over summer slopes to the medieval mining area  

from Hanna Rieser,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 8
Distance 11 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 1,118 m
Descent 700 m

On the trail of gold in the Hohe Tauern National Park 

from Hanna Rieser,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 9
Distance 9 km
Duration 2:40 h
Ascent 6 m
Descent 505 m

On an old mule track to fashionable Bad Gastein  

from Hanna Rieser,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 10
Distance 16.7 km
Duration 6:45 h
Ascent 1,097 m
Descent 1,200 m

Over the highest grass mountain in Europe into the "Valley of the Alpine Pastures"

1
from Tourismusverband Großarltal,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 11
Distance 11.2 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 1,264 m
Descent 425 m

An ice-cold lake, rare flowers and a scary legend

1
from Tourismusverband Großarltal,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 12
Distance 8.6 km
Duration 3:40 h
Ascent 595 m
Descent 646 m

On the flanks of the mighty Draugstein through the Ellmautal

1
from Tourismusverband Großarltal,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 13
Distance 19.9 km
Duration 6:50 h
Ascent 641 m
Descent 626 m

Panoramic alpine hike with a Glockner view

1
from Tourismusverband Großarltal,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 14
Distance 12.6 km
Duration 4:45 h
Ascent 535 m
Descent 1,306 m

Across two peaks into the magically beautiful Kleinarl Valley

from Tourismusverband St. Johann,   Salzburger Almenweg
Long-Distance Hiking · Salzburger Sportwelt
Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 15: Kleinarl – Kogelalm/Wagrain
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 15
Distance 13.1 km
Duration 6:00 h
Ascent 1,237 m
Descent 394 m

From idyllic alpine pastures to the heart of the impressive Salzburger Sportwelt

from Agnes Moser,   Salzburger Almenweg
Long-Distance Hiking · Salzburger Sportwelt
Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 16: Kogelalm/Wagrain – Flachau
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 16
Distance 8.8 km
Duration 3:15 h
Ascent 139 m
Descent 1,084 m

On the trail of Olympic champion Hermann Maier

from Flachau Tourismus,   Salzburger Almenweg
Long-Distance Hiking · Salzburger Sportwelt
Salzburg Alpine Trail Stage 17: Flachau - Zauchensee
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 17
Distance 15.7 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 1,217 m
Descent 771 m

Across one of the most beautiful alpine pastures in the region from World Cup Town to World Cup Town

from Flachau Tourismus,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 18
Distance 12.4 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 919 m
Descent 468 m

Uphill, downhill and uphill again in the Niedere Tauern Mountains 

from Tourismusverband Altenmarkt-Zauchensee,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 19
Distance 17.9 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 695 m
Descent 1,110 m

Karst hike on the trail of silver mining 

from Tourismusverband Obertauern,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 20
Distance 21.9 km
Duration 7:00 h
Ascent 399 m
Descent 926 m

To the Enns Valley and the "Old Town in the Mountains"

from Radstadt Tourismus,   Salzburger Almenweg
Long-Distance Hiking · Salzburger Sportwelt
Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 21: Radstadt - Filzmoos
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 21
Distance 12.1 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 910 m
Descent 717 m

Crossing the most beautiful panoramic mountain in the Eastern Alps 

from Radstadt Tourismus,   Salzburger Almenweg
Long-Distance Hiking · Salzburger Sportwelt
Salzburger Almenweg - Stage 22: Filzmoos – Hofalmen – Neuberg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 22
Distance 20.2 km
Duration 7:40 h
Ascent 1,032 m
Descent 1,079 m

Filzmoos Alpine Pasture Circuit

from Filzmoos Tourismus,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 23
Distance 12.5 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 770 m
Descent 809 m

If you have a wish, you should speak it into the wind today

from Filzmoos Tourismus,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 24
Distance 16 km
Duration 5:30 h
Ascent 857 m
Descent 916 m

High altitude hike on the flanks of the Tennengebirge

from Max Ampferer,   Salzburger Almenweg
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 25
Distance 17.4 km
Duration 6:40 h
Ascent 757 m
Descent 1,125 m

 A fantastically beautiful descent into the Salzach Valley

from Jessica Gruber,   Salzburger Almenweg
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
Descent  m
Highest point  m
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