Pongau region
Holidays in the Pongau
Bischofshofen between Hochkönig and Tennengebirge: the largest ice cave in the world, a castle with birds of prey, a wild gorge – and Alms where summer lives.
Briefly explained
What can you do in the Pongau?
The Pongau around Bischofshofen lies in the middle of SalzburgerLand: on one side the mighty Hochkönig, on the other the Tennengebirge with the largest ice cave in the world – in between the Salzach, old towns and Alms for the summer.
You can walk through the Liechtensteinklamm, watch the birds of prey at Burg Hohenwerfen, freeze and marvel in the Eisriesenwelt or thaw out in the Therme Amadé. Each destination below has a link to the official provider and a route planner – also practical if you are already there.
Nature & hiking
Outside there is enough for many days
Four routes we like to walk ourselves – with an honest note on who they suit.
Liechtensteinklamm
One of the deepest gorges in the Alps: walkways, thundering water and the spectacular helix staircase. Exciting for children if they are sure-footed on steps.
Hochgründeck – the local mountain
From Bischofshofen across meadows and forests up one of the region’s most beautiful viewpoint mountains – at the top the view stretches from the Hochkönig to the Tauern.
Alms at the Hochkönig
Around Mühlbach, Dienten and Maria Alm, one Alm follows another – with Jause, herb gardens and the mighty Hochkönig always in view.
Hiking trails from the front door
From the Salzach loop to mountaineering and climbing walls – around Bischofshofen many trails begin right in town.
Family & culture
Some destinations deserve a holiday day of their own
The detailed information stays with the official sources – we tell you honestly what is worthwhile for whom.
Eisriesenwelt Werfen
The largest ice cave in the world, high above the Salzach valley: frozen palaces and 1,400 steps. Dress warmly – inside it stays ice-cold even in high summer.
Burg Hohenwerfen
The fortified castle above the Salzach valley – with guided tours, a falconry museum and the birds-of-prey flight show, where eagles glide right over your heads.
The ski jumps of Bischofshofen
This is where the Four Hills Tournament is decided every year. A walk to the ski jump area is simply part of Bischofshofen.
Day trip to the city of Salzburg
Old town, fortress and Mozart – the cultural city is just under an hour away and can be reached directly by train from Bischofshofen.
Summits
If today calls for a summit
Hochgründeck – views for everyone
The grassy mountain above Bischofshofen is doable even for practised families – at the top await the Heinrich-Kiener-Haus and a panorama from the Hochkönig to the Hohe Tauern.
Hochkönig and the big goals
If you are looking for real altitude metres, you will find them on the Hochkönig – all the way up to the Matrashaus at 2,941 metres. Start early, take the weather forecast seriously and, when in doubt, go with a guide.
Bike
Off by bike – and back with a good feeling
On the Tauern cycle path along the Salzach
Flat along the river towards Werfen or St. Johann – with castle views, places to stop in and railway stations for a comfortable way back.
MTB and e-bike on the Hochkönig
Alm paths and panoramic loops between Mühlbach and Dienten – uphill with views, stopping in at the Alm, and with the e-bike also for leisurely riders.
By e-bike to the Alms
From the valley up towards the Hochgründeck and to the surrounding Alms – pedal up, stop in, roll back down.
Water
An afternoon by the water is almost always possible
Gainfeldwasserfall
Bischofshofen’s cool living room: a short walk from town to the waterfall – ideal for hot afternoons and little legs.
Therme Amadé
Slides, sports pools and a sauna world in Altenmarkt – the rescue for rainy days and the reward afternoon after the ski week.
Winter
When winter begins right outside the hut
Ski amadé – one ski pass, five regions
Bischofshofen lies in the middle of Ski amadé: Hochkönig, Alpendorf, Flachau and more – hundreds of kilometres of slopes with one ski pass.
Four Hills Tournament and winter hiking
At the beginning of January the ski jumping world looks to Bischofshofen – all around await cleared winter paths and quiet places to catch your breath.
Tobogganing and cross-country skiing
Natural toboggan runs and cross-country trails on the Hochkönig and in the neighbouring valleys – winter at your own pace, even without skis.
Food & regional shopping
Shopping regionally in the Pongau
Alm cheese, Speck, bread and home-distilled schnapps are available in the Pongau directly from the farmers and on the Alms. We show you what you can get where – and from which accommodation the way there works especially well.
Alm snack (Jause) at the Hochkönig
Many Alms around the Hochkönig sell cheese, butter and Speck right over the hut counter – take the Jause for home with you straight away.
Shopping in Bischofshofen
Bakers, butchers and shops with regional products lie close together in Bischofshofen – practical for self-caterers in the hut.
The food village of Werfen
Little Werfen below the castle has cooked itself a big name – from the inn to the top-level cuisine of the Obauer family.
Our tip: We sort by your accommodation.
From our mountain hut Artlieb above Bischofshofen you reach the shops in town in just a few minutes, and the Alms on the Hochgründeck lie directly above you. For every accommodation we show you the nearest addresses.
Please always check current opening hours with the business
Stopping in: our inn tips
If nobody feels like cooking today – four houses where we ourselves like to sit.
Wirtshaus BürglhöhOn the sun terrace above Bischofshofen – regional cuisine with views of the Tennengebirge and Hochkönig.To the website ↗
Gasthof TirolerwirtThe classic in the middle of Bischofshofen – traditional home-style cooking where locals and guests meet.To the website ↗
Obauer, WerfenOne of Austria’s best-known kitchens – for that special evening on holiday.To the website ↗
Gasthof HetzenbichlAbove St. Johann im Pongau – home cooking and regional specialities after visiting the gorge.To the website ↗
Farming in the Pongau
The Alms above the valley are still stocked with cattle to this day. And the Almabtrieb (cattle drive down) is work before it is a festival.
- Alpine pasture farming7,971 managed Alms – who does what up there and why.
- Why the Almabtrieb is a festivalThe adornment is not decoration but a message you can read.
In between
Today we simply stay at the hut.
That, too, is a good day in the Pongau: stove on, book open, Jause on the table. If you are still looking for a place like this – here are our accommodations in the area.
Staying in the region
Here you can stay in the Pongau
The region is the inspiration – the accommodation turns it into your holiday. We know every one of these houses personally, like our mountain hut Artlieb above Bischofshofen.
Getting here
How to get to the Pongau
By trainBischofshofen is a real railway hub: Railjets and regional trains stop right in town. Whether the last stretch to your specific hut makes sense without a car is stated honestly right at the accommodation.
On site with bus and guest cardRegional buses connect Bischofshofen with Werfen, St. Johann and the Hochkönig villages – depending on the region with benefits via your host’s guest card.
By carA10 Tauern motorway, Pongau exit – from Salzburg you are there in just under an hour, from Munich in about 2.5 hours.
All information on Bischofshofen ↗
For dreaming on
Two more regions for a next holiday
Together for the region
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