The best hiking routes in Salzburg

Salzburg offers distinct walking landscapes that range from high-altitude alpine terrain to gentler forested valleys. If you seek rugged, high-elevation paths, the massive Nationalpark Hohe Tauern dominates the southern horizon with its steep granite slopes, glaciers, and rocky, gravel-strewn trails. In contrast, the limestone cliffs of Nationalpark Berchtesgaden along the German border present deep-cut gorges and sheer rock walls where paths are often narrow, stepped, and cut directly into the stone.

For those who prefer quieter, less precipitous terrain, the eastern side of the region offers a softer landscape. The ESG Niedere Tauern features rolling, grass-covered ridges and earthy forest tracks that are less technically demanding than the high peaks to the west. Nearby, the Naturpark Sölktäler provides walks through managed alpine pastures and larch forests, where the underfoot conditions alternate between soft pine needles and damp meadow grass.

These differences stem from the underlying geology of the region. The grey limestone in the north drains quickly, leaving dry, stony paths, while the crystalline rock of the southern ranges holds water, feeding numerous streams and boggy patches along the trail. In October, the larch forests in the lower valleys turn a bright yellow, contrasting sharply with the grey rock above.