Hiking at Gastein valley

Your perfect hiking vacation in the Gastein Valley

Bad Hofgastein is located in the heart of the Gastein Valley in the Salzburg region—nestled between the gentle grassy slopes of the Lower Tauern and the rugged three-thousand-meter peaks of the Hohe Tauern National Park. It is precisely this location that makes the valley one of Austria’s most diverse hiking regions: along approximately 600 kilometers of marked trails, lovely valley walks meet high-alpine terrain, and gentle alpine meadows meet glaciated peaks.

The AlpenParks Residence Bad Hofgastein is located directly on the pedestrian zone and thus just a few steps away from the entrance to this extensive trail network. Whether it’s a relaxing alpine walk with the kids, a culinary hut tour, or a panoramic hike followed by a visit to the thermal baths—your apartment is the ideal starting point for a hiking vacation that perfectly suits your pace.

Leisurely Hiking in the Valley

The AlpenParks Residence Bad Hofgastein clearly focuses on leisurely and family-friendly hiking. For those who aren’t interested in summiting peaks but simply want to enjoy nature at a leisurely pace, the valley floor and the lower slopes offer ideal conditions.

Valley hiking trails along the Gasteiner Ache connect Bad Hofgastein with Dorfgastein to the north and Bad Gastein to the south. The trails are mostly flat, stroller-friendly, and can be easily combined with the hiking bus—making simple routes into a relaxed half-day tour without a return trip.
The promenade trails around Bad Hofgastein lead through orchard meadows, past traditional farmhouses and small chapels. Here, you’ll find that typical Salzburg countryside feeling that many guests seek: not spectacular, but deeply relaxing.
Alpine pasture hikes with mountain railway support are the second pillar of leisurely hiking. With the Schlossalmbahn—a modern 10-person gondola that reaches the summit area in just a few minutes—you can skip the climb and start your hike directly at around 2,000 meters. From there, gentle high-altitude trails lead to several alpine pastures, such as the Maurachalm, the Brandner Hochalm, or via the Leidalm to the Kleine Scharte. If you prefer, you can take the gondola back down to the valley—a perfect half-day excursion that works well even for less experienced hikers or grandparents.

Request a vacation in the Gastein Valley

Why the Gastein Valley holds a special place among Austria's hiking regions

The Gastein Valley stretches about 40 kilometers from north to south and is one of the most expansive valleys in the Hohe Tauern. Three towns—Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein, and Bad Gastein—are scattered across the landscape like pearls on a string. This geographical layout offers an extraordinary range of hiking opportunities in close proximity to one another.

Key facts that distinguish the Gastein Valley as a hiking region:

Over 600 kilometers of marked hiking trails of all difficulty levels
Around 60 mountain huts open from May through late fall
Four adventure mountains with modern cable car infrastructure: Schlossalm, Stubnerkogel, Graukogel, and Fulseck
Direct connection to the Hohe Tauern National Park—the largest nature reserve in the Alps
The Gamskarkogel (2,467 m) is considered the highest grass-covered mountain in Europe
A highlight of the Salzburg Alpine Trail, which passes by over 120 alpine huts along its approximately 350 kilometers
Its own long-distance hiking trail, the “Gastein Trail,” with seven stages covering approximately 87 kilometers and more than 4,500 meters of elevation gain

This clearly sets the valley apart from smaller hiking areas: the combination of a dense network of trails, living alpine tradition, excellent mountain railway access, and connection to the national park is rare in this form.

Family Hiking

Bad Hofgastein is one of the most family-friendly hiking destinations in the Salzburg region—and that’s not just a marketing slogan, but a fact rooted in the area’s infrastructure.

Adventure trails on the Schlossalm and Stubnerkogel: Right at the mountain stations, themed and adventure trails await, combining hiking and play. On the Schlossalm, there is a motor skills trail with twenty stations, including a rope bridge, a slackline course, a large bouncy cushion, and viewing platforms.

The suspension bridge on the Stubnerkogel: At an altitude of 2,300 meters, a 140-meter-long suspension bridge spans 28 meters over the abyss and is accessible year-round—an adventure for brave families and one of the most famous highlights in the Gastein Valley.

GASTI the Mascot: With its own puzzle and stamp book, the mascot guides children playfully through the region.

Stroller-friendly trails: Both in the valley floor around the Residence and on the adventure mountains, there are trails that are easily navigable with an all-terrain stroller.

Alpine Cuisine – The Second Home of Hiking in Gastein

Hiking in the Gastein Valley isn’t complete without a stop at an alpine hut. Around 60 mountain huts are scattered between 1,200 and over 2,000 meters above sea level, many of which have been run by the same families for generations. What’s served here is authentic Salzburg alpine cuisine—not the tourist version, but the real thing.

Culinary classics you’ll encounter at the alpine huts:

Kasnocken – Salzburg cheese dumplings with mountain cheese, roasted onions, and chives, often the region’s signature dish
Brettljause – a wooden platter with house-made bacon, sausages, mountain cheese, pickled vegetables, and fresh farmhouse bread
Kaiserschmarrn – at the Gamskarkogelhütte, there’s even a dedicated Kaiserschmarrn workshop for guests
Homemade juices and alpine cheese – often processed right on the alpine pasture and sold on-site

A practical tip from the region: Many alpine pastures prefer cash payments; card payments aren’t accepted everywhere. Carrying a small amount of cash in your backpack saves you from any hassle.

If you want to take your alpine experience to the next level, you can also spend the night at some huts—such as the Heinreichalm, the Biberalm, or the Gamskarkogelhütte. A sunrise over the Hohe Tauern, with cowbells ringing in the background and a warm cup of coffee in your hand: moments like these stay with you forever.

Hiking and Wellness – the Perfect Gastein Combination

What sets the Gastein Valley apart from many other hiking regions is the seamless blend of mountain experiences and thermal spa culture. Even Empress Sisi used her stays in Gastein to enjoy the combination of mountain air and thermal waters—and the concept still works today.

The Alpentherme Gastein is just a short walk from the AlpenParks Residence. As a guest of the hotel, you enjoy free admission—a real bonus, especially after a long day of hiking. What awaits you there:

Relax World with indoor and outdoor thermal pools and panoramic views of the Gastein mountains
Sauna World with Finnish saunas, Swiss stone pine saunas, colored light saunas, and steam grottos
Ladies World as a retreat specifically for women
Sports World for active guests with equipment and fitness classes

The ideal routine during a hiking vacation in Gastein often looks like this in practice: Take the Schlossalmbahn up the mountain early in the morning, enjoy a three- to four-hour alpine hike with a stop for lunch, return to the valley in the afternoon—and spend the evening at the thermal spa.

Four adventure mountains, four distinct personalities

The Gastein Valley operates on the concept of four adventure mountains, each with its own unique focus. For you as a guest in Bad Hofgastein, this means short distances and plenty of variety.

Schlossalm – the family-friendly mountain and mountain of indulgence directly above Bad Hofgastein. Accessible via the modern Schlossalmbahn cable car from the edge of town. Highlights: adventure trails, gentle high-altitude hikes, alpine pastures, and Schlossalmsee.
Stubnerkogel – the scenic mountain with the famous suspension bridge, the rock trail, and a 360-degree panorama stretching all the way to the Großglockner. Accessible via the Stubnerkogelbahn from Bad Gastein.
Graukogel – the quiet, nature-oriented mountain with an ancient Swiss stone pine forest and classic hiking trails without any flashy attractions. Popular with everyone seeking authentic, unhurried alpine hiking.
Fulseck – the hiking and mountain biking mountain above Dorfgastein, featuring Spiegelsee, a panoramic swing, and a sensory trail.

With the Gastein Card, which you receive during your stay, you’ll enjoy discounts on mountain railway tickets, hiking buses, and many other offers in the valley.

FAQ – Hiking in Bad Hofgastein

The Gastein Valley offers more than 600 kilometers of marked hiking trails of all difficulty levels—from valley trails suitable for strollers to high-alpine hikes in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Yes. The Residence is centrally located on Bad Hofgastein’s pedestrian zone. Hiking trails leading down into the valley start right outside the door, and the Schlossalmbahn cable car—which provides access to the high-altitude hiking area—is just a few minutes away.

From easy valley hikes to challenging summit tours—the region offers over 350 km of hiking trails for every skill level.

Yes, many hiking trails start right in Bad Hofgastein—perfect for an easy start to your day of hiking.

We especially recommend the adventure trails at Schlossalm (a motor skills trail with twenty stations, a slackline park, and a bouncy cushion) and at Stubnerkogel (a suspension bridge, a rock trail, and a fun center). In the valley, the flat paths along the Gasteiner Ache and the themed trail featuring the mascot GASTI are ideal.

Hikes in the valley are possible from April through November. Mid-altitude areas (Schlossalm, Stubnerkogel) are accessible from mid-May. High-altitude hikes, such as the Gamskarkogel (2,467 m), are generally free of snow from late June through mid-September.

Four mountain railways provide access to the valley’s scenic peaks: the Schlossalmbahn (Bad Hofgastein), the Stubnerkogelbahn and Graukogelbahn (Bad Gastein), and the gondola lifts at Fulseck (Dorfgastein). Guests receive discounts with the Gastein Card.

Yes, the 140-meter-long suspension bridge at an elevation of 2,300 meters is open to the public year-round during the Stubnerkogelbahn’s operating hours—even in winter.