This rentrée we propose a getaway to two regions of Salzburg —Wagrain-Kleinarl and Saalfelden Leogang—, two destinations in the Austrian Alps that have earned worldwide recognition with the Green Destinations Certification. They integrate sustainability in accommodation, catering and by producers.
Austria resonates in our imagination for its green scenery and alpine terrain, baroque architecture and an imperial history among palaces and majestic buildings. And so it is, but there is much more. We suggest you explore two of its regions —Saalfelden Leogang and Wagrain-Kleinarl— which offer ideal landscapes and activities for a weekend getaway this autumn. Located just an hour from Salzburg, these two Austrian areas offer walks with alpacas to discover how they live and why their wool is so valuable, activities such as cycling or guided hiking tours to learn about the local flora and fauna. You can also stay in hotels committed to reducing their environmental impact, sample the local cuisine and immerse yourself in the culture of the area.
Saalfelden Leogang: nature, music and traditions
This region of Austria is characterised by a wealth of landscapes and activities: the Steinernes Meer plateau and the Leoganger Steinberge mountains contrast with the region’s rich mining history and its four majestic castles.
A luxury hotel surrounded by mountains
In the Saalfelden Leogang region of western Austria, the base camp will be the Hotel Krallerhof, a 5* hotel characterised by an extensive collection of works by Austrian and international artists, a 5,500 m2 natural lake and a wide range of wellness facilities, which we will discuss below.
The hotel’s infinity pool. Editorial credit: Hotel Krallerhof.
Located in the town of Leogang, this holistic resort is geared towards regeneration: it offers yoga retreats and even longevity and biohacking retreats. The latter will take place from 20 to 24 October and includes breathing exercises, sound healing, meditation, yoga, nutritional workshops and practical sessions focusing on mental health, among other activities.
These two programmes are just a taste of all the wellness experiences the hotel has to offer. One of the most unique is its 5,500 m2 natural lake, where it is possible to take a dip while contemplating the imposing landscape between mountains. It is a space that enriches the biodiversity of the area and where a third of the water surface is covered by a belt of vegetation.
The hotel offers yoga retreats and biohacking. Editorial credit: Hotel Krallerhof.
Built into the lake is a fifty-meter-long infinity pool where you can swim in Olympic dimensions all year round. There is also a cold plunge pool, saunas and an ice cave at minus ten degrees.
Regional food in an Alpine restaurant
One of the greatest charms of this region of Austria is its restaurants in the mountains. We highlight Huwi’s Alm, located in the Priesteregg Hotel, where they serve typical dishes from the area such as herb-fried ribs or roasted Galloway beef tenderloin.
Views of Huwi’s Alm restaurant. Editorial credit: Guenter Standl.
The gastronomic project has its own organic cattle farm, which comes from Galloway (southwest Scotland). They also make jam and produce milk and butter, which are sourced from farmers in the Pinzgau area.
Visit to the Leogang mine
In Leogang, we find one of the oldest mines in the state of Salzburg; a journey through 3,000 years of mining history at an altitude of 50 meters.
Visits to the mine are a sensory experience. Editorial credit: Schaubergwerk Leogang.
A guided tour will take you through the extensive tunnel systems and reveal the difficult work of the miners. You will also learn about the different methods of extracting silver, mercury, cobalt, copper, lead and nickel.
Sunset under an Alpine hut and guided hike through Pinzgau
After lunch or a long hike in the mountains, it is ideal to stop at the Steinadler Alpine hut in the middle of the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang ski area. There you can enjoy music, snacks and drinks in an eclectic atmosphere that spreads good humor.
Views from the Steinadler mountain hut. Editorial credit: Austria Tourism.
In the same area, framed by the Pinzgau region, the guided hiking route organized by Pia Hohenwarter, director of the KLAR! project, stands out. Created together with the Saalfelden Leogang tourist region, it is the first climate change hiking trail, reflecting on the environmental effects of climate change in general and also in the area. The walk takes about 3 hours and is available in Austrian and English.
KLAR! is an initiative founded in 2022 as a result of the collective effort of the 28 communities that make up the Pinzgau. Its main purpose is to address the risks related to climate change and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the area, making it more sustainable. They do this by supporting local communities by implementing all kinds of environmental measures.
Wagrain-Kleinarl: Austria’s first Green Destinations destination
Beyond its impressive mountains, this region located in central Austria is characterized by the warmth of its people and by offering endless hiking, cycling and skiing activities. But above all, it stands out for its strong commitment to sustainability. Since mid-2022, it has been the first and only Austrian destination to have received the Green Destinations certification accredited by the World Sustainable Tourism Council. In addition, that same year Wagrain was considered the Best Tourist Village by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
A walk with alpacas
We begin our route in this region with a walk accompanied by Austrian alpacas to discover how they live, what they eat and why their wool is so valuable. Alpaka-Alm is a quiet and isolated farm at about 1,300m above sea level. There, Bernhard Maurer runs this project to which he puts all his love.
Bernhard Maurer making products from alpaca wool. Editorial credit: Alpaka-Alm.
When he inherited the farm from his parents, Maurer decided to replace the dairy cows with alpacas, a very common animal in that area. Mainly because they are light and very mountainous animals, accustomed to the cold winters of the region and the steep pastures of the farm.
Today, this space offers walks with alpacas for the whole family, the possibility of visiting a 100-year-old machine that processes wool and the sale of products made with alpaca wool, such as quilts, upholstery or all kinds of accessories. They also offer introductory courses on alpaca breeding. It is also possible to stay in an apartment on their organic farm. A great experience that allows us to get to know these animals and the environment in which they live better.
Visiting the Edelweissalm Farm Museum
Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters, this museum offers a rural experience for the whole family. Here you can learn about how farmers lived in the Salzburg mountains decades ago. You can also visit the mill, which is largely preserved in its original state, and enjoy the on-site garden – where organic vegetables, herbs and berries grow – as well as the chickens and ponies.
A rich gastronomy with cheese factories and restaurants in nature
At the certified organic farm Bio-Bauernhof Hirschleiten, they make their own cheeses and delicatessen such as salami or Bündner meat. Everything comes from organic animals, and in addition to buying the products, you can visit the cheese factory.
Lumberjack restaurant garden, surrounded by mountains. Editorial credit: Lumberjack.
Nearby is Lumberjack, the first mountain restaurant certified as organic and awarded the Good Travel seal. This is a mountain hut whose value lies in nature and the garden from which they supply their dishes.
Until 27 October, every Saturday and Sunday they offer their generous menu of dishes, including all kinds of meats, soups, salads, pastas and pizzas at their shared tables. All products come from the area: either from local organic farmers or from small organic farms. The bread and pastries are also made by organic baker Florian Steinbauer. And that is the philosophy of the restaurant, which is to give priority to the organic quality of the Wagrain-Kleinarl Valley.
In short, Austria and specifically these two regions —Saalfelden Leogang and Wagrain-Kleinarl— are a clear example that it is not necessary to cross the planet to find landscapes that challenge with their beauty while inviting us to more sustainable and responsible ways of travelling.
