From summer 2022, the "Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail" will be the top-class long-distance hiking experience in the Hohe Tauern National Park holiday region. In 17 daily stages, hikers cover 275 kilometers and 14.000 meters in altitude from the starting point at the foot of the Krimml Waterfalls to the Valley of the Alms in Hüttschlag in the Grossarl Valley. 

Thus, the "Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail", which opened in 2021 with 10 stages, could be expanded by a further 7 stages. Overnight stays are alternately in the valley or on the mountains. The trail leads across the Hohe Tauern National Park region and opens up breathtaking views of Austria's highest mountains. The use of mountain railways or practical shuttle services at the stage destinations as well as a bookable luggage transfer offer the highest level of comfort. On the way are natural spectacles, interesting exhibitions, well-maintained national park locations and attractive excursion destinations.

The largest waterfalls in Europe, ancient glaciers and legendary trade routes. Bearded vultures, marmots and chamois, the history of gold mining and a unique emerald deposit. The mightiest mountains in Austria, gorges, real primeval forests and an internationally recognized wilderness area: Nature plays all the pieces in the Hohe Tauern National Park and one superlative follows the next. But there are also things created by human hands on the "Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail" and makes it not only excitingly beautiful, but also excitingly exciting and informative: picturesque places, alpine huts that have been managed for generations, world-famous summer resorts, places of pilgrimage and stone witnesses of history as well as spectacular ones Excursions are included.

A hiking experience that leaves a lasting impression

In the largest nature reserve in Central Europe, there is a fantastic piece of earth to be discovered that is unparalleled in its diversity and pristine nature and in which the eventful history is omnipresent. Discovering this region on foot, on your own and with a small ecological footprint, is a nature and hiking experience of a special kind. The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail makes exactly that possible. Well signposted, it leads from the westernmost tip of the state of Salzburg on the northern side of the Salzach Valley to Zell am See and from there eastwards via the Rauris Valley and Gastein Valley to the Grossarl Valley. 

The entire route of 275 kilometers is designed for 17 stages. Long-distance hikers walk between four and eight hours a day – without rope insurance and in a scenic location between 1.500 and 2.400 meters above sea level. If the main routes cannot be walked in the off-season due to the weather - for example due to snow at high altitudes - alternative routes are available to hikers.

Stage 1 - The largest waterfalls in Europe and the birthplace of a freedom fighter

The "Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail" starts in Krimml with a gentle initial hike - but with one of the greatest natural spectacles in SalzburgerLand. The Krimml Waterfalls with a drop of 380 meters are the largest of their kind in Europe. The trail leads over the "Alten Tauernweg" and the well-known waterfall path in the direction of the Gerlos Pass. The interactive exhibition "Water Worlds" at the foot of the waterfalls is worth seeing. The listed Hinterlehengut is also on the way: the birthplace of the freedom fighter Anton Wallner in Oberkrimml dates back in part to the 16th century. The stage destination is the 1.641 meter high and family-run Alpengasthof Filzstein in Hochkrimml.

Stage 2 – On the trail of the element water in the Wildgerlostal 

At over 19 kilometers, the second day's stage is one of the longer of the entire trail: Hikers can look forward to two real highlights along the way: the Leitenkammer Gorge and the Durlassboden reservoir. The Leitenkammerklamm was formed by the Wildgerlosbach, a roaring glacial stream: It is easily accessible with viewing platforms and information boards and is the habitat of rare birds such as dippers and gray wagtails. The impressive Leitenkammersteig is one of the most challenging sections of the trail, but can be bypassed using an alternative route. There are several places to stop along the way, such as the rustic Trisslalm in the Wildgerlostal. Another highlight of the day is the picturesque, turquoise Durlassboden reservoir, which was completed in 1966. The state border between Salzburg and Tyrol runs right through the lake and the highest surfing school in Austria is also located here. From here we continue to the daily destination of Königsleiten in the municipality of Wald im Pinzgau to the source of the Salzach.

Stage 3 - Alpine crossing of the impressive Kröndlhorn

On the third day, almost 20 kilometers have to be covered again and today the path leads up to 2.444 meters above sea level. The highest point of the hike is the rocky double summit of the Kröndlhorn, which stands out from the otherwise so gentle grassy mountains of the Kitzbühel Alps. At its highest point there is a small memorial chapel instead of a summit cross and hikers can enjoy a magnificent view of over 70 three-thousanders. The stage destination is the Alpengasthof Rechtegg at 1.278 meters above the national park town of Neukirchen am Großvenediger.

Stage 4 - Enjoy a wonderful view of the Großvenediger from the summit of the Frühmesser

With an increase in altitude of 1.176 meters, this stage is one of the most demanding of the trail: It leads from the Alpengasthofrechtegg over the summit of the Frühmesser (2.233 m), which offers an incredible view of the Großvenediger with its sweeping glacier fields. Today, hikers reach the "Wildkogel Arena" high above the national park towns of Neukirchen and Bramberg. The stage destination is the mountain station of the Wildkogelbahn. The overnight stay takes place either in dizzy heights or it is easy to take the cable cars down into the valley.

Stage 5 - Magnificent views of the glacier world of the Hohe Tauern

The start today is at the mountain station of the Wildkogelbahn at over 2.100 meters above sea level: magnificent views of the three-thousanders of the Hohe Tauern accompany hikers from the first to the last minute. There is only a good 500 meters of altitude difference in the ascent and about the same amount in the descent. The 16-kilometer trail leads along the rugged southern flanks of the Großer Rettenstein: the 2.366-meter-high summit is the most prominent in the Kitzbühel Alps. Over the Stangenjoch it goes to the stage destination, the Resterhöhe with a magnificent view of the valley to Hollersbach.

Stage 6 - From Pass Thurn to the most modern national park center in the Alps in Mittersill

After the night on the mountain, the descent to Mittersill takes place today. Among other things, the path leads past the mountain station of the Resterkogel Panoramabahn, where there is an exciting and free National Park exhibition in a modern extension: From here you can see the majority of the summit world and the high mountain landscape of the National Park, which has been preserved in its original state.

On the way from Pass Thurn down into the valley, hikers pass the "Wasenmoos natural monument": This idyllic high moor is the habitat of rare plant and animal species. All three carnivorous plants native to Austria can be found here: sundew, butterwort and bladderwort. When you arrive in Mittersill, you should definitely visit the spectacular national park worlds: The interactive and award-winning exhibition in the national park center is a 1.800 m² alpine adventure world that extends over three levels. Together with the 360° panorama cinema, it offers unique insights into the habitats of the Hohe Tauern National Park and is an exciting combination of knowledge transfer and experience.

Stage 7 - On lonely paths around the Gaisstein, one of the highest grassy mountains in Europe

After a day in Mittersill, it's back up the mountain on lonely paths. Almost 1.300 meters in altitude are covered to the stage destination Bürglhütte (1.699 m) high above the national park town of Stuhlfelden: The hut is idyllically situated at the foot of the Gaisstein (2.366 m), one of the highest grassy mountains in Europe.

Stage 8 - Unique high-altitude hike on the "Pinzgau Walk"

The eighth stage of the day leads from the Bürglhütte along the famous "Pinzgau Walk" in an easterly direction: around ten kilometers are covered - always just under 2.000 meters above sea level. The "Pinzgau Walk" owes its name to the course on a kind of high terrace with unique views of the peaks of the Hohe Tauern. From the stage destination, the Uttendorfer Hochsonnbergalm, the shuttle takes you down to the valley for the night.

Stage 9 - New perspectives and a fantastic panoramic view of the Großglockner

On the ninth day, the trail leads along the "Pinzgau Walk" to the Pinzgauer Hütte. It goes over alpine meadows to the Klammscharte (1.993 m) and on to the Rohrertörl (1.918 m). Here you have a fantastic view of the 3.798 meter high Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, and the Kitzsteinhorn with its glacier ski area. Up to the Pinzgauer Hütte (1.700 m) with one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the national park towns of Niedernsill and Piesendorf, you cover almost 15 kilometers without any significant ascents and descents at a beautiful altitude.

Stage 10 - In the footsteps of Empress Sisi from the Schmittenhöhe to the shore of Lake Zell

Even Empress Sisi hiked to the Schmittenhöhe to enjoy the sunrise from there: a plan that should be followed. The 10th stage takes you from the Pinzgauer Hütte to the summit of the Schmittenhöhe, where the Elisabeth Chapel, named after the empress, is located. The trail leads over the high-altitude promenade and the "Mystical Forest of Legends" theme trail into the valley and to the Elisabeth Park on the lake shore, where the stage destination is reached.

Stage 11 - Along the Thumersbacher Höhenpromenade through the paradise gem for nature lovers to Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße

The eleventh day on the "Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail" is all about relaxation and recharging your batteries for the rest of the route. The stage from Zell am See to Bruck is not even twelve kilometers long: it leads largely along Lake Zell and over the "Thumersbacher Höhenpromenade" with the entertaining "guestbook" themed trail. The stage is ideal for sleeping in, resting, spending half a day at the lake or in Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße.

Stage 12 - Crunchy and with the best views, it goes over the Hundsstein to Taxenbach

The Hundstein is widely known: on the one hand for the traditional Hundstein-ranggeln, which is held annually at the end of July, and on the other hand for its fantastic views in all directions. This stage is one of the longest of the long-distance trail at over 19 kilometers and 1.437 meters of ascent. But the effort over the highest peak of the Salzburg Schieferalpen is well rewarded and can be mitigated with an overnight stay on the Moosalm or on the Statzerhaus and with a short taxi ride at the end of the stage.

Stage 13 - Through the spectacular Kitzlochklamm and to an ancient pilgrimage site

With a walking time of just three hours, this stage is relaxing and short with two high points and rewards the efforts of the previous day. On the route from Taxenbach to Embach, the path leads through the Kitzloch Gorge (subject to a fee) with its thundering waterfalls and impressive views down below. At the upper end of the gorge is the Maria Elend chapel, one of the oldest places of pilgrimage in Pinzgau, dating back to the 16th century. Be sure to wash your eyes at the chapel at Augenbründl: This little ritual of the pilgrims is supposed to give you good eyesight and a clear view of the world.

Stage 14 – Back into the mountains with double the luck at the summit

From Embach to the national park town of Rauris, the path now leads back into high alpine regions: with the Katzenkopf (2.061 m) and the Grubereck (2.167 m), there are two peaks to master on the approximately 15-kilometer stage. From these there is a magnificent view of the Goldberg group with Hocharn (3.254 m), Schareck (3.123 m) and Hohem Sonnblick (3.106 m), where Europe's highest weather observatory, which is manned around the year, is located.

Stage 15 - On the trail of gold and over idyllic alpine pastures to the Rauris valley head

As idyllic as this stage may be, it is also long: It is therefore advisable to cover the first part by post bus. The hike leads past alpine huts that invite you to stop and ends in Kolm Saigurn at the foot of the Goldberg group. Gold mining in the Rauris Valley reached its peak in the 16th century, and you can still try panning for gold in the Hüttwinklache in Bodenmais today. Not far from there, we recommend a short hike through the "Rauriser Jungle" with its pointed spruces and huge anthills. The view towards the sky is also worthwhile: Bearded vultures were settled in the Rauriser Krumltal in the 1980s and griffon vultures also spend the summer here.

Stage 16 - From Kolm Saigurn at the foot of the Goldberg Group to the former "Monte Carlo of the Alps"

It's worth getting up early today, because the path from Kolm Saigurn leads via the Bockhartscharte (2.226 m), Miesbichlscharte (2.238 m) and Zitterauer Scharte (2.182 m) to the Gasteinertal, is a day-long hike and a high-altitude hike par excellence. Beautiful alpine pastures and the two Bockhart lakes are on the way. From the Stubnerkogel with its spectacular suspension bridge, there is a magnificent view of Bad Gastein, which, with its eventful history as a world-famous health resort and the impressive Art Nouveau buildings, has been given the nickname "Monte Carlo of the Alps". The waterfall in the middle of town is probably one of the most photographed in the whole country. From the Stubnerkogel you can walk or take the cable car down into the valley. There, a soothing visit to the Felsentherme in Bad Gastein or the Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein, where there is even an outdoor thermal bathing lake, is worthwhile.

Stage 17 - On the imperial footsteps from the Gasteinertal to the "Valley of the Alms"

The thermal water made Gastein famous and brought emperors, kings and great celebrities to the valley. The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Promenade leads from the town center to the last stage over the Poserhöhe and the Tofernscharte (2.091 m). If you are still in good physical condition and have enough time, you should consider climbing the Gamskarkogel from the Tofernscharte, the highest grass mountain in Europe at 2.467 meters. Then there is a last descent into the "Valley of Alms", the quiet and idyllic Großarltal, where you can once again calmly review the grandiose beauty of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail in the tranquil Bergsteigerdorf® Hüttschlag.