Salzkammergut – Activity amidst a landscape of light, water and history

When lakes shimmer turquoise-green, as if someone had transformed light into colour; when limestone cliffs rise steeply above alpine valleys and centuries-old paths lead into shady forests, then you have arrived – in the Salzkammergut. This region, which stretches across Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria, is far more than a classic picture-postcard idyll. It is a cultural and natural landscape with character, shaped by water, salt, limestone and living tradition. And for active sports enthusiasts who don’t just want to look at nature, but want to walk through it, swim through it or cross it, it is an almost perfect playground.

What makes the Salzkammergut so special is the diversity of its bodies of water – in colour, shape and atmosphere. There is the Attersee, large, clear and open, almost maritime in character. The Fuschlsee, small and turquoise, as if taken from a glacier painting. The Hallstättersee, deep and mysterious, framed by steeply sloping cliffs. And in between: tranquil bathing coves, river courses, moorland lakes and crystal-clear tributaries. This aquatic world not only shapes the landscape, it also influences the way people move about here – swimming, paddling, walking along the shore or running through the surrounding countryside. Whether you’re gliding across the mirror-smooth Mondsee on a SUP early in the morning or taking a dip in the Offensee after a long tour, you’ll experience water as part of a holistic training environment.

Many people only realise that the Salzkammergut is also one of the most important mountain biking regions in the Alps once they’re there. Every year, Bad Goisern hosts the Salzkammergut Trophy – Austria’s biggest MTB race, with distances of up to 210 kilometres and over 7,000 metres of elevation gain. But even away from the race route, the area offers an extensive network of trails: flowing alpine loops, challenging climbs into the Höllengebirge, and technical sections along the Ewige Wand. Particularly impressive is the Dachstein Circuit – an alpine classic that challenges ambitious cyclists with three daily stages and spectacular views. And for those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the signposted BergeSeen eTrail offers a well-planned alternative for e-MTBs – with over 600 kilometres of riding pleasure, divided into ten stages.

The diversity of the terrain makes the Salzkammergut an exciting destination not just for cyclists. Trail runners, walkers, mountaineers and climbing enthusiasts will also find their ideal terrain here. The Schafberg, with its historic rack-and-pinion railway, is just as popular as the Drachenwand, which rises above Lake Mondsee with its striking silhouette. In the early hours of the morning, climbers are often out and about there, whilst hikers head for the summits of the Höllengebirge or warm up along the Langbath lakes. The routes vary from gentle to challenging, from forest tracks to ridges – always with the water in view, always with space to catch your breath.

It is no coincidence that the Salzkammergut also has cultural substance. In Hallstatt, which gave its name to the European Hallstatt culture, history stretches back to the early Iron Age. The salt, which has been mined here for over 3,000 years, has shaped not only landscapes but also societies. Anyone walking through the narrow streets of Hallstatt or along the paths around the salt mine today can sense this long history. And in Bad Ischl too, the former summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph, the past lives on – not as nostalgia, but as part of a vibrant identity. The region knows how to tell its story without resorting to folklore. Living craft traditions, authentic customs, regional festivals – here, tradition is not a performance, but part of everyday life.

This deep-rooted connection is also evident on the plate. The abundance of fish in the lakes is reflected in the region’s cuisine: char, trout, zander – often prepared fresh from the catch, sometimes in a traditional style, but increasingly with a creative twist. Restaurants such as the Bootshaus on Lake Traunsee combine high-quality produce with innovative simplicity. But you can also find honest, well-prepared dishes at alpine huts or in traditional inns such as the Hütteneckalm near Bad Goisern or the Koppenrast near Hallstatt – without any fuss, but with character. Anyone looking for regional cuisine that knows its origins will leave here full and satisfied.

What ultimately makes the Salzkammergut so special is its ability to maintain a balance – between relaxation and exertion, between culture and nature, between a broad outlook and a deep sense of belonging. It is a region where you can climb to great heights without losing touch with the ground beneath your feet. Where, after a tough stretch, you take away not only sore muscles but also a sense of clarity. And where exercise is always more than just getting from A to B: it becomes an encounter – with the landscape, with history, and sometimes even with yourself.