Experience Pongau - where every summit, every descent and every bend will make your heart beat faster

Imagine waking up, taking a deep breath of fresh mountain air and looking out over a landscape that literally calls out for adventure. Welcome to Pongau! The region in Salzburger Land is a true Eldorado for anyone who loves exercise and nature. Whether you are an experienced mountaineer, a passionate mountain biker, love the many possibilities of winter or are a relaxation-seeking wellness fan - here you will find the perfect experience for your active lifestyle.

The Pongau mountains offer everything a hiker's heart desires: from easy, family-friendly trails through lush green alpine meadows to challenging via ferratas that take you to the highest peaks. We particularly recommend a hike to the famous Liechtenstein Gorge - one of the deepest and longest gorges in the Alps, which impresses with its thundering waterfalls and mystical gorges. For the adventurous, the via ferratas on the Hochkönig offer pure thrills, with magnificent views and challenges for every level.

Adrenalin junkies watch out! Pongau has also established itself as a hotspot for mountain bikers. With routes such as the Stoneman Taurista, a challenging trail with 123 kilometres and over 4,500 metres of elevation gain, experienced bikers will get their money's worth. The Stoneman can be completed in stages over several days or in one day - depending on your mood and fitness level. But don't worry, there are also numerous routes for beginners and connoisseurs - such as the picturesque Tauern Cycle Path along the Salzach, which leads from Zell am See to Salzburg. The mixture of fast-paced downhill sections and leisurely tours for nature lovers makes the region a paradise for every cycling fan.

Anyone who thinks that Pongau is only sporty in summer is very much mistaken! In winter, the region is transformed into a fairytale land of snow and ice. The ski areas of Ski Amadé, which also include the Pongau towns of St. Johann and Wagrain, offer endless kilometres of pistes, modern lifts and rustic mountain huts for a well-earned break. But it's not just skiers and snowboarders who get their money's worth: Pongau is also a paradise for cross-country skiers. Kilometres of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails run through the snow-covered landscape and offer fantastic conditions for beginners and experienced cross-country skiers alike. The high-altitude trail on the Gnadenalm plateau or the Tauern trail in Grossarltal are just some of the highlights for cross-country skiing enthusiasts.

For even more adventure in unspoilt nature, the ski tours in Pongau are a real must. From the Hochkönig to the Radstädter Tauern, challenging ascents and descents in unspoilt deep snow await. Here you can feel the silence of the mountains particularly intensely, interrupted only by the rhythmic crunching of climbing skins in the snow. Whether you prefer to explore the breathtaking winter landscape in a guided group or on your own - ski tourers will find countless routes for every level in Pongau.

After an action-packed day in the mountains, there's nothing better than discovering the local cuisine of Pongau. The region is known for its savoury delicacies and traditional dishes, which are often prepared with regional ingredients and according to old recipes. The Pongau Almjause with savoury mountain cheese, bacon and fresh farmhouse bread is a classic that should not be missed at any hut. Another highlight is the freshly caught trout from the clear mountain streams, which is lovingly prepared in many inns.

For those with a sweet tooth, Pongau offers one sweet temptation after another, such as the famous Salzburger Nockerl or Kaiserschmarrn, served with fresh fruit or cranberry compote. The doughnuts, filled with apricot jam or curd cheese, are also a real treat and a true speciality in many family businesses.

The variety of organic farms and sustainable producers in the region is particularly impressive. At farmers' markets and inns, you can sample local products of the highest quality and take them home with you. From Pongau farmhouse bread and homemade jams to home-distilled schnapps - the culinary treasures of Pongau reflect the region's closeness to nature and tradition. Here the eye eats with you and the flavour remains unforgettable!

Pongau is a real insider tip at any time of year. While summer beckons with hiking and cycling tours, winter offers a playground for skiers and winter hikers. In spring and autumn, you can enjoy the region without the crowds and experience a play of colours in nature that is second to none. A real insider tip: visit Pongau in golden autumn, when the larches glow yellow and the clear air allows you to see far into the valley.

Pongau is a paradise for all those who love exercise and want to live out their fitness in nature. Whether hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing or ski touring - the region offers limitless opportunities to let off steam and master new challenges. The combination of spectacular mountain scenery, varied trails and authentic, healthy cuisine ensures that your body is energised and your spirit of adventure awakened. So, lace up your boots, get on your bike or wax your skis - Pongau is waiting to be discovered!

One of the deepest and longest gorges in the Alps, the Liechtenstein Gorge, offers an impressive natural experience. With its steep rock faces, thundering waterfall and narrow paths, some of which cross bridges, the gorge is an absolute must for nature lovers.

The mighty Hohenwerfen Castle towers high above the Salzach Valley and offers not only an impressive view, but also a journey back in time to the Middle Ages. Visitors can take part in exciting guided tours and marvel at the daily bird of prey demonstrations organised by the historic falconry.

The Grossarl Valley is also known as the "Valley of Alpine pastures" and offers hikers a real natural paradise. Around 40 managed mountain huts invite you to take a break and enjoy regional specialities. The various hiking trails are ideal for families, connoisseurs and ambitious mountaineers.

The Gastein Healing Gallery in Bad Gastein is a world-renowned health centre. Visitors can experience the healing effects of the radon gallery here, which is particularly beneficial for rheumatic complaints and respiratory diseases. A visit to the Heilstollen can be perfectly combined with a visit to the Alpentherme Gastein.

The Eisriesenwelt is the largest ice cave in the world and a spectacular natural wonder. Visitors are immersed in a subterranean world of ice and rock that stretches over 42 kilometres. The guided tour through the cave shows impressive ice formations and underground icebergs - a unique experience.

The Pongau impresses with its rich mountain landscape, which attracts adventurers with its numerous peaks, panoramic trails and challenging via ferratas. This region is a real paradise for outdoor enthusiasts looking for sporting challenges and spectacular nature experiences. Whether it's a leisurely hike, a challenging mountain tour or an exciting via ferrata - Pongau has something for every mountain lover.

Alpine diversity: hiking and summit experiences

A particular highlight of the region is the Hochgründeck (2,068 m), one of the highest forested mountains in Europe. The hike to the summit is popular with locals and visitors alike and offers a picturesque route through dense forests and flowering alpine meadows. Once you reach the top, a magnificent panoramic view of the Dachstein massif, the Hochkönig and the Hohe Tauern awaits you. This tour is ideal for families and leisure hikers, and the Heinrich-Kiener-Haus invites you to take a well-earned break with regional delicacies.

The Radstädter Tauern in Pongau also offers numerous opportunities for mountain tours. The Rossbrand (1,768 m) near Radstadt is considered one of the most beautiful panoramic mountains in the Alps. The ascent is moderate and rewards hikers with a panoramic view of over 150 Alpine peaks, including the Dachstein, the Bischofsmütze and the Niedere Tauern.
Via ferratas and alpine challenges

Pongau is a real hotspot for climbing enthusiasts, especially because of its challenging and fascinating via ferratas. The Königsjodler via ferrata on the Hochkönig, which is accessible from the Pongau side, is considered one of the most spectacular via ferratas in the Alps. This route is both challenging and long and leads over a series of peaks, ridges and steep rock faces. It challenges climbers both technically and in terms of fitness. The final ascent ends at the summit of the Hochkönig and offers a breathtaking view of the entire Alpine massif. For experienced via ferrata climbers, the Königsjodler is an absolute must and a highlight of every mountain season.

Another rewarding via ferrata in Pongau is the "Gamsblick via ferrata" near the Dachstein. This medium to difficult via ferrata not only offers exciting climbing passages, but also spectacular views of the surrounding mountain landscapes.
Pleasant panoramic trails and tranquil Alpine pastures

Not every mountain lover is looking for an extreme challenge - for those who prefer to explore the mountains at a more leisurely pace, Pongau offers a variety of panoramic trails and gentle alpine hikes. The Großarl Alpine pasture region is a real insider tip. Here, in the so-called "valley of alpine pastures", over 40 farmed alpine pastures invite you to enjoy a relaxing hike with culinary breaks. The Gamskarkogel (2,467 m) is a popular summit for pleasure hikers and offers a wonderful panoramic view over the Grossarl Valley and the Hohe Tauern.

Winter summit experiences and ski tours

Pongau also shows its best side in winter. The Schoberberg and the Hochkeil are two of the most popular destinations for ski tours in the region. The tour on the Schoberberg is ideal for beginners and leads through a snowy winter landscape up to a fantastic panoramic view. For advanced skiers, the Hochkeil offers more challenging tours that are rewarded with a spectacular descent through untouched powder snow.

The Jägersee lake and the higher Tappenkarsee lake are beautiful natural jewels in the Kleinarl Valley. A hike to the Tappenkarsee offers crystal-clear mountain lakes, rushing streams and breathtaking views. These lakes are ideal for family hikes and also offer opportunities for swimming in summer.