© Gasteinertal Tourismus GmbH
The Gastein Valley with its three towns, Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein, is approximately 40 kilometres in length and can be found in the south of SalzburgerLand. Its glacial-formed expanses, the steep flanks of the Hohe Tauern mountains, lush-green Alpine meadows, and a virtually infinite abundance of water characterise the region and invite for a wide variety of hikes.
You will be warmly welcomed and spoiled with regional delicacies on the numerous Alpine meadows along the hiking trails. Every now and then, you’ll also have the opportunity to watch the Alpine farmers at work, either whilst bread baking or making cheese. It is as if you’ve already been here before – like a second home.
After a strenuous day of hiking, you can revive your spirits in soothing thermal baths. Both the Felsentherme in Bad Gastein and the Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein entice hikers with weary calves to recharge their batteries. The thermal water bubbles in the warm pools and the infusion steams in the sauna while you relax and look out over the mountain peaks that you have just conquered.
Hiking across Gastein’s alpine pastures
Regular water that once trickled into the depths of the Tauern mountains more than 10,000 years ago now rises to the surface in the form of healing springs. Thermal water heated to a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius emerges from 18 sources at the foot of the Graukogel mountain in Bad Gastein. It supplies not only the Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein and the Felsentherme in Bad Gastein but also numerous spa and therapy centres in the region. Because it is naturally enriched with valuable minerals and the noble gas radon, the water has healing properties against illnesses and helps relieve tension.
Water doesn’t appear only in its healing form in Gastein. On hikes to crystal-clear mountain lakes, during discovery tours to imposing waterfalls and in the National Park area of Sportgastein, where tranquil streams meander through the Alpine landscape, you’ll encounter the practically infinite wealth of water time and again in the Gastein Valley.
