Day Trips from Salzburg

Werfen Ice Cave is the world’s largest ice cave, and among Salzburg’s most popular destinations.

The cave was unknown until the late 19th century when it was first explored by Anton von Posselt-Czorich. Although he wrote about his findings, the cave was forgotten again until after World War I.

In the 1920’s a lodge was built in the region making in-depth exploration possible.

The cave is accessed by cable car and tours are made easier by railings, stairways and planks. Visitors should still expect to climb an altitude of approximately 500 feet once inside the cave. Ice inside the alpine limestone cave is formed as water seeps through cracks and freezes into unique shapes.

Werfen Ice Cave, Eishöhlenstraße 30, A-5450 Werfen, Austria, Phone: +43-0-64-68-52-48

The Lichtenstein gorge (Lichtensteinklamm) is among the longest and deepest gorges in the Austrian Alps. Located in the province of Salzburg, the gorge has been open to visitors since 1875 with several wooden footpaths and bridges aiding accessibility.

Boardwalks take visitors between the 1,000-foot high cliff walls alongside the water which has slowly carved this ravine over 10 million years. Enjoy breathtaking waterfalls, lush moss-covered stones, and rainbows created by the mix of sunlight and mist.

After a rock fall in the summer of 2017, the gorge boardwalks were reconstructed to provide for a sustainable and safe experience. It reopens in the fall of 2019.

Lichtensteinklamm, St. Johann im Pongau, Austria

The medieval Hohenwerfen Castle is located in Salzburg’s Pongau region. At the peak of a hill overlooking the Salzach valley is the castle, built between 1075 and 1078 for the Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg as a strategic military base. Over the years it has been used as a residence, hunting retreat, prison and military training camp. The castle is currently open to the public as a museum, and offers an extensive collection of weapons among other historical displays. Visitors can enjoy an on-site tavern, and tour the adjacent museum of falconry at the attached regional falconry center. The historic center offers daily flight shows with falcons, eagles, vultures and other local birds of prey.

Hohenwerfen Castle, Burgstraße 2, 5450 Werfen, Austria, Phone: +43-64-68-76-03

A visit to the Hallein Salt Mine is a journey into a thousands year old history of geology, mining, and culture. The natural resource of salt altered the history of Austria significantly, as it was mined and traded like gold, particularly in the Salzburg region, which is named in honor of this “white gold.” Travel underground aboard a mining train, explore miles of subterranean tunnels, and learn of the history of salt and the miners from your professional guide. The Hallein Salt Mine was the first in Salzburg to open to the public and offers an unparalleled underground adventure.

Hallein Salt Mine, Ramsaustraße 3, 5422 Bad Dürrnberg, Austria, Phone: +43-0-6-13-22-00-85-11

Located in the Bavarian Alps on the German side of the Austrian border, Berchtesgaden is a rural town with a history dating back 500 years to salt mining in the region.

Strolling through Old Town one can see the Rococo city center, 12th century monastery, royal palace and aristocratic homes. Enjoy local Bavarian music and dance at any of the outdoor cafes. Stroll through the market in the town square, and visit the local salt mines, which began operating in the 16th century.

Berchtesgaden Old Town, 83471 Berchtesgaden, Germany

Austria’s Dachstein Ice Caves have been thoroughly modernized with a light show, rope bridge and giant animated cave bears, yet offer one of the most accessible looks at the thousands year old natural cave structure, formed as water seeped through limestone cracks and froze. Tours begin above ground with a twenty minute walk to the cave’s entrance, and continue underground with a 50 minute guided journey. Keep in mind that cave temperatures stay steady below freezing at approximately 29 degrees. Warm up after the tour by browsing the exhibits at the adjacent museum, where you’ll learn about the area’s geological history and the impact of climate change.

Dachstein Ice Caves , Winkl 34, 4831 Obertraun am Hallstättersee, Austria, Phone: +43-5-01-40

Gosau Lake is a small alpine lake at the foot of the Dachstein, the second tallest mountain the Northern Limestone Alps. From the lake’s shores are spectacular views of the Dachstein glacier, rising high above the valley. The mountain lake is the perfect place to cool down after a summer or autumn hike, and itself a popular destination for sight seeing, mountain and valley views. In addition to swimming, visitors can rent a boat to explore the glacial Gosau Lake, dive in its crystal clear waters, or adventure through the fixed rope rock climb at the water’s edge. The World Heritage Region is easily accessed from the nearby town of Hallstatt.

Vorderer Gosausee, 4825, Austria