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Obertauern is a mountain paradise for the whole family. High peaks and tranquil valleys, cool mountain lakes and rustic Alpine pastures - these are the backdrops for summer nature experiences in SalzburgerLand. Active travellers will find what they are looking for here. Individual sports enthusiasts as well as families. Known as a hiking paradise, this region of Austria also offers ideal conditions for trail runners and mountain bikers.
Where is Obertauern?
Obertauern lies in the heart of central Austria's SalzburgerLand, between an altitude of 1,740m and 2,526m. Getting there is usually via Salzburg Airport, just 90km away, with a transfer time of 75 mins. Eurowings operate flights from many UK airports.
Is Obertauern good for a summer holiday?
Take more than 280km of hiking trails. Mix with 20 alpine pastures and top with a host of impressive summits. Stir in a cable car or two to make the ascents easier, and blend with some unforgettable bike descents. Serve with easy-to-access golf courses, superb fishing, enjoyable horse-riding, and comfy carriage rides in pristine natural environments. That's your recipe for a spectacular summer holiday in Obertauern, one of the best resorts in Austria's SalzburgerLand.
The surrounding mountains inspire young and old alike – guests and locals just as much as connoisseurs and daredevils. Obertauern truly has something for everybody, so read on to explore a destination that offers some of the best adventure holidays in Austria.
Seven summer activities to try in Obertauern
From walking to taking in the sights, here are some ideas for a fabulous Obertauern summer holiday.
Walking holidays in Obertauern
With more than 50 walking routes, Obertauern has enough terrain to satisfy even the most demanding hiker. Over 280km of hiking trails lead to peaks with fantastic views, rustic alpine pastures, tranquil mountain lakes and natural spectacles such as the Johannes waterfall. Whether you prefer a leisurely hike with the family across various Alpine pastures, or if you want to hike around spectacular summits in Obertauern, you can choose a new destination every day and head out on perfectly signposted hiking trails.
Offering some of the best walking routes in Austria, highlights include the 24km Super 7 Classictour which crosses Obertauern's highest mountain stations covering almost 2,000m in altitude, and the Hakarsee-Runde, a hugely scenic 16km circular hike along the mountain ridge between Untertauern and Zauchensee. For a family-friendly waklk, try the Gottschallalm-Runde, a 6km circular walk across extensive alpine pastures, past fragrant mountain pine fields. The many mountain huts are popular hiking destinations, where hikers can fortify themselves with hearty snacks and other regional delicacies.
Cable car hiking in Obertauern
A twist on the hiking experience, cable-car hiking is a concept that speaks for itself. However, the term doesn’t convey the adventure and experience of a cable car hike. The feeling is unique. You first start at the valley station for the Grünwaldkopfbahn, and a few moments later you step out into a wonderful, high-altitude panorama. Two cable cars - Grünwaldkopfbahn and Hochalmbahn - operate daily in good weather. Baby carriages, dogs and mountain bikes are transported free of charge. You can also get unlimited free ascents and descents with the SalzburgerLand Card.
Obertauern Wildlife and Leisure Park
A firm family favourite, the wildlife and leisure park in Untertauern is a perfect day out. The park extends over 11 hectares and is home to 40 wild animals, which live in open enclosures. Impressive encounters with stags, deer, geese, ponies, and mouflons are part and parcel of your visit.
The leisure park, which is connected directly to the wildlife park, is yet another place you and your family can visit for free in summer. Children can enjoy a fish pond, a stilt house, a large playground with a Tarzan ropeway and toy digger, as well as a petting zoo. A variety of different animals live there, such as hares, chickens, ducks, beavers, goats, and llamas. And you can round off your visit with a relaxing dip at the bathing lake.
Family adventure in Obertauern
Show your courage and skills at this child-friendly and supervised high rope course and enjoy the magnificent panoramic views. The facility is located directly along the hiking trail between Felseralm and Johanneswasserfall, with a walking time from the Grünwaldkopfbahn at about 30 minutes and about 50 minutes from the Gnadenalm.
For a unique alpine experience, take the kids to explore Bobby's Park. Bobby, Obertauern's mascot, leads the little ones through different stations around the Grünwald and Krummschnabel lakes, which offer a variety of fun tasks to be completed, from an exciting raft ride, to a stilts course.
Mountain biking in Obertauern
With nine specially marked trails, Obertauern is ideal for keen mountain bikers to get a full experience, topped off with a unique panoramic view of mountains. Top days out include the Johanneswasserfall Trail and Felseralm Trail - a 17.5km route taking in one of the most scenic waterfalls in the Alps, and the 24km Alles Alm Tour - 8 alpine pastures, 1 waterfall, 1 mountain lake and 1,000m of ascent and descent in the middle of the picturesque Radstädter Tauern.
Don't fancy taking your own bike? Not a problem, bike shops Sport Gefall and Skiworld Obertauern have bikes to rent.
Stoneman Taurista
A truly exciting challenge, the Stoneman Taurista is the ultimate mountain bike adventure: 147km and a massive total elevation gain of 4,700m along idyllic alpine valleys, glistening mountain lakes and great views from mountain peaks. The exclusive Austrian edition of Stoneman features an amazing 360° panoramic view across 150 alpine peaks, including Dachstein, Bischofsmütze, and the big finale with Hohe Tauern and Großglockner await you during your ascent.
The Stoneman season runs from 6 June to 29 September 2024 - an your reward for completing the course is a handcrafted Stoneman trophy. If you complete the tour in one day, one half of the stone is hand-painted golden. For two days it is painted silver, for three days bronze. If you are riding an e-mtb, you receive a natural-coloured stone at the finish.
Top events in Obertauern
Fancy a trail running challenge? Try the Obertauern Trail Run Summit (12-14 July) and #REACHYOURPEAK. With the 4 trail running competitions on Saturday, July 13, 2024, Short Trail 1 Summit (8.6km / 809 Hm Up and Down), Half Marathon Trail 1 Summit (26km / 1,691 Hm Up and Down / 20K), Marathon Trail 2 Summits (53.3km / 3,013Hm Up and Down / 50K) and Trail Ultra 5 Summits (75.7km / 4,646Hm Up and Down / 100K), there is something every kind of trail runner. There is also a new Sprint Trail on a 1.8 km course for something a little different.
For something completely different try Full Moon Swimming in Obertauern - a true highlight of Salzburg's event calendar. On 20 July 2024, experience the magical power of the full moon and the 'cleansing' effect of the fresh waters of Grünwaldsee. An illuminated full moon will be placed in the middle of the natural mountain lake to serve as a waypoint for the courageous swimmers. Those who brave the initial cold will swim around the 'moon' before warming up again in a heated hot tub.
Ready to head to Obertauern? Head to obertauern.com to find out more about this outstanding Austrian destination.
