The magnificent Austrian landscape can boast towering mountains, picturesque gorges and large glassy lakes. Discover the natural beauty and explore on foot some of Zell am See's spectacular places. Here is our list of our six top favourite walking areas.
Hohe Tauern National Park
The Großglockner is the highest mountain in Austria and is situated within the National Park Hohe Tauern. This National Park is the biggest one in the Alps and contains important alpine ecosystems on a large scale. The protected area contains 130 km2 of glacier, more than 550 lakes and 279 mountain rivers. It is perfect for walks to explore the untouched natural landscapes and stunning wildlife.
Kaprun
Just south of Zell am See is the town of Kaprun and a walk starting here will take you past the hydroelectric power plant, next to the entrance of the Sigmund Thun Klamm – which is a huge, stunning gorge. This was formed by the glacial movements of the the last Ice Age and the Kaprun Ache now flows through it, cascading over a section of the 32 metre drop. There is a small fee to travel along the beautiful gorge, and after that you'll emerge to the picturesque Klamsee reservoir, which is framed by magnificent evergreens and huge mountains. Make your way to the valley station of the Kitzstein lift, before returning back the way you've come.
Zeller See
The Zeller See is a fresh water lake. It is great for watersports offering boating, swimming and diving in the summer and then, during the winter, the water completely freezes allowing a fantastically large ice rink for winter sports. Starting from the town of Zell am See, on the lake's western shore, you can walk a rough circumference of the water's edge, which takes you out of town south, so the lake is on your left. You'll follow the lake path until you reach the south side, when it will lead you along the edge of the protected wildlife reserve. Rejoin the road to the east of the lake and continue north, up through the town of Thumserbach, until you round the top of the lake at its northern shore and begin the homeward stretch back to Zell am See.
Saalbach to Zell am See
Why not try a classic route linking the two famous tourist spots of Zell am See and Saalback-Hinterglemm. Take the lift up to Ostgipfel and then start on the path of the Pinzgauer Spaziergang Walk, first south, then west to the summit of Schmittenhöhebahn, where there is another lift. Though be sure to check the times of descent. And once you've walked one way, you can always get the bus back!
Rauris Valley
There are over 150km of marked hiking paths in the Rauis Valley, which lies in the east of the Zell am See district. Walking here will present magnificent scenery. The Flower Trail from Schrieflingbauern to Wastlalm is one of the most beautiful sections of path in the valley. There'll be a lot of information boards around and you should aim to follow the trail to Wastlalm before continuing through a trench down into the valley.
Seisenbergklamm
This natural phenomenon created in the last Ice Age is a huge gorge towards the north of the Zell am See district. It is an incredible sight with dark cavernous natural chambers inside and towering, beautiful rock faces on the outside. The gorge was opened to the public in the 1920s and boardwalks have been constructed throughout its rocky formations, both inside and out, making it an interesting trail walk for anyone.
Find out how you can stay in our fantastic property in this beautiful area and discover these walks for yourself. Follow the link below.
