Shadow and light, green mosses, strong tree trunks. The rustling of the leaves from last year with every step. The dull sound of the forest floor, which gives way and gently cushions every step. The fresh scent of tree resin, which is particularly abundant in spruce trees – after all, the name spruce comes from the Indo-European “pik”, which means pitch or resin.

The babbling of a small brook that gets louder the closer you get to the water. The roar of the waterfall, which suddenly pours over you like a gush after a bend in the path. The spray that gently tingles on the skin. The bath in all the sounds, smells and sensory perceptions – that, and more, is forest bathing.

Green wellness for nature lovers

More and more people are looking for peace and regeneration. They find what they are looking for in Gastein, the health region in Salzburgerland. Here, they have dedicated themselves to relaxation and holistic health promotion. Medically accompanied spa treatments in the world’s only healing gallery or wellness in the two Gastein thermal baths. Yoga on places of power such as the Glocknerblick on the Graukogel – a viewing platform with a view as far as the Großglockner – and at the Gastein waterfall, the landmark of Bad Gastein. Or escape everyday life by forest bathing, in harmony with nature.

Using the elemental power of the forest

The oldest tree in the world is said to be 9,000 years old, or rather, its root system. Old Tjikko is the name of the spruce tree that stands in the Fulufjället National Park in Sweden . In Central Europe, the trees can live up to 600 years. In the process, the trees renew themselves again and again. New branches, leaves and roots ensure the survival of the tree. And it is exactly this energy that you soak up during the forest bath. It is a kind of outward meditation that you engage in while walking through the forest. Perception exercises help to block out unimportant thoughts and to surrender completely to the rhythm of light and shadow, to perceive nature and simply to breathe deeply. The forest is like a living counterpart. You can feel how he lives and take a deep breath yourself.

Every power place has its wellness exercise

In Gastein, the whole thing is “Alpine Spa Forest Bathing” – vital forest bathing in resonance with nature. A free brochure leads through two forest bathing areas. Each place has its own exercise, each place its own name and meaning. In the Wiese der Mitte, a herb forest meadow in the Angertal forest area, people are looking for their own centre. You can feel the power of the roots, hear the sounds of the forest – chirping, rustling, bubbling. The horizon becomes larger, the freedom becomes palpable, the head becomes clear and liberated. Or the go-let line – a series of tree stumps: At each tree stump, briefly tense the body, hold and let go. Exhale – breathe in and go to the next tree stump. Lightness spreads.

Particularly impressive at the Wasserfallweg forest area: the Wild Water Square directly at the waterfall. Here, the water dynamics are transferred to your own breath: Breathe in deeply and exhale in three strokes by quickly contracting the abdominal wall.

Forest as a therapy for mental cough

But the green color alone and the stay in the forest have a relaxing effect. Studies have shown that even without physical exertion, inflammatory parameters in the body decrease, blood pressure and resting heart rate are lowered, and lung capacity is expanded. In combination with the mountains, the effect on people is even more haunting. Different altitudes are habitats for different forests – from spruce forests to snow heath pine forests to larches and stone pines, each piece of forest has its own energy. And even inhaling the tree and aroma substances in the forest has positive effects, as studies by the Nippon Medical School/Tokyo or Stanford University show. Cleared bronchial tubes, a balanced immune system, memory strength, relaxation, reduction of negative feelings and balance – what more could you want from a relaxing holiday in the mountains?

Studies show that more than three-quarters of Germans feel stressed and 40% alone suffer from back pain. The good news: There is a way out for the afflicted – holidays and cures in the Gastein Health Region.

You can promise a lot, but Gastein keeps its word. The health region has an ace up its sleeve: thermal water from 18 springs, which is enriched with valuable minerals and – very importantly – also the noble gas radon. But wait! Radon is slightly radioactive, isn’t it? That’s right. However, in small quantities, such as in the Gastein Healing Gallery and under medical supervision, it can work scientifically confirmed miracles. And that’s not an exaggeration. For ankylosing spondylitis patients who have no prospect of cure, radon therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery is currently the world’s most effective cure for pain, which is also recognized by health insurance companies in Germany and Austria. The best thing about it: After a three-week cure, the pain relief lasts an average of nine months – this has also been scientifically proven.

Wellness Plus: Radon therapy for a health kick

What is the point of Gastein health care if you are not sick? Quite simply: Holidays are there to recover, relax and leave everyday life behind. But Gastein goes one step further. Individual medical health treatments take regeneration to a higher level. Wellness, massages and cosmetic treatments in the two Gastein thermal baths are just the beginning. Radon therapy, healing gallery entrances and baths in the thermal water also activate the body’s self-healing powers. In short, this therapy stimulates the cells in the body to repair themselves.

The mild alpha radiation activates a special messenger substance that reduces inflammation and promotes the natural healing process. The result: the immune system stabilizes and inflammation is reduced. This also benefits the back, which is plagued by a lot of sitting. In the spa centre or in selected spa and health accommodations, you can undergo individually tailored treatments under medical supervision. It doesn’t have to be the large-scale cure – you can also simply try two or three treatments on vacation and feel better afterwards. This is more than wellness – this is health care in the Gastein thermal region.

Rise to a healthy lifestyle

However, some have also been striving for a healthier lifestyle for a long time. In the chaos of everyday life and work stress, this is not so easy and again and again the inner weaker self wins over the good intentions. This is where Gastein can be the initial spark for a healthier life. It’s just much easier to motivate yourself to exercise when mountains rise up over 2,000 meters high outside the door. They are almost crying out to be climbed. This is also the case with the Mauskarspitze at 2,373 metres above sea level. After the ascent with the Schlossalmbahn, it first goes moderately across meadows into a cirque – i.e. a hollow on the mountain slope. Then follows the steep ascent over a rocky landscape, which is partly secured with ropes. At the top, the reward for the effort: a wide view of the Tüchlwand, the Hirschkarspitze, in the distance even as far as the Dachstein south face and the Hochkönig. Once you have mastered such a tour and proudly stand at the summit cross, it is easy to go up the mountains in the coming days. And if that’s a bit too far for you, you can try your hand at yoga in the Gastein Valley or walk along high-altitude trails, along valleys such as the Angertal or on promenades with sounding names. Empress Elisabeth and Kaiser Wilhelm have already been guests in Gastein and swear by the effects of Gastein’s thermal water.

Two thermal baths for all connoisseurs

Even the nobility knew: Relaxation is also part of a healthy lifestyle. Tired muscles recover on air bubble loungers, massage jets or in saunas and steam baths. Because the thermal water is so effective, there are two thermal baths in Gastein, the Alpentherme and the Felsentherme. While there are four theme worlds in the Alpentherme, one for families, one for relaxing, one for women only and a sauna village, the Felsentherme focuses on ambience with rocks of the Hohe Tauern and large panoramic windows. And because radon therapy only takes place under medical supervision, the noble gas is filtered out in the Gastein thermal baths. But not the valuable minerals. So everyone can dive into the soothing water kingdom without hesitation.

Healthy dishes and wellness for the palate

Finally, a healthy dinner. In the spa centre and at the spa and health partners, you can of course also get advice on nutrition. Inspiration for rich and balanced dishes can also be found in the accommodation or on the many alpine pastures and huts. How about a fresh buttermilk on the alpine pasture? With a lot of calcium and little fat. So it’s not difficult to eat healthy. And once you have acquired a taste for it on holiday, it is also easier to stick to your good intentions in everyday life. Because you can already tell during your holiday in Gastein how good it is for you. So get out of the office chair and towards the well-deserved healthy life!

40 km long, up to an altitude of over 3,000 metres and with three themed trails as well as the adventure mountains made for a family holiday in summer: this is Gastein im Pongau in the province of Salzburg – close to the border with Germany and in the middle of the Alps. Admittedly, the hike up the highest grass mountain in Europe, the Gamskarkogel at 2,467 meters above sea level, is only suitable for sporty hikers. On the other hand, the way to the Stubnerkogel with its claw-shaped viewing platforms at an altitude of 2,200 metres and the 140-metre-long suspension bridge is child’s play – thanks to the cable car. By the way, one of the platforms bears the name Glocknerblick, because on nice days you can see as far as the highest mountain in Austria, the Großglockner at 3,798 meters.

Hiking was yesterday – experience is today

Encouraging children to go hiking on a summer holiday is not always easy. That’s why in Gastein you don’t just go up the mountain, but explore nature, look for bears tracks or immerse yourself in the legendary world of the Hohe Tauern. On the Legend Trail, there are stories about the devil in the mill ditch or the cheeky shoemaker. Today, the shoemaker is a rock formation near the Arltörl – but in the past it is said to have been a smug shepherd who was transformed into today’s mountain peak together with his magnificent alpine pasture as punishment. Of course, you can see them from the Legend Trail!

On the Bear Trail, animal friends, bear caves and fun water games accompany the hike to the Amoseralm. On the nature discovery trail, all the curious questions of the little explorers are answered. Wood, cardinal directions, insects and climate change are explained on boards in a child-friendly way. And of course there is also space for picnics. On the three themed trails you are on the road for no more than one and a half hours – so also ideal for short legs. That’s always more exciting than building sandcastles every day.

Thermal baths for families: Wellness for parents – Family World for little pirates

Okay, there is plenty of fair-weather program. But what if bad weather is announced? Now Gastein’s mascot “Gasti” comes into play. The lively drop of water knows all about rain – after all, it’s in its nature. So it’s off from the cold water to the warm thermal baths. Parents relax in the Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein in the sauna village, on air bubble loungers with massage jets. Children immediately aim for the Family World. Speed slide with timekeeping, current channel and multimedia adventure dome – a cinema in the thermal water, so to speak: all this and more is waiting to be discovered. By the way, if you want to go one step further, you can take advantage of a spa treatment instead of wellness. Gastein is known worldwide for this, among other things – vapor bath, radon bath or the Gastein healing gallery are available.

Family fun in the rain: adventure arcade or horseback riding

But Gasti has even more in store. Among other things, a 1,600 m² adventure arcade in Bad Gastein. There is enough space here for trampoline jumping, pedal go-karting, inline skating and in between relaxing with a children’s film in the fairytale castle. If you just can’t get enough of nature, go horseback riding. Ponies, Icelandic horses or the classic Haflinger also like to trot a lap in the riding hall. You wouldn’t think how exhausting such an hour on a horse can be.

That was not all …

When the sun shines again, you can go to the climbing wall with the Gasti Club or pan for gold in the Angertal – after all, Gastein has a glamorous history in mining. Or you can jump into a thermal water bathing lake. Have you already discovered the fabulous rock creatures in the mountain formations on the Schlossalm? And how about the first summit victory in the Alps? The kids will certainly be talking about this for weeks after the summer holiday. Gastein is so easy to reach, you can also take a short holiday. With all this variety of activities in the middle of nature and with child-friendly accommodation in the mountains , a bed bunker in the distance cannot keep up.

Everyone knows the stories of sporty adventurers who cross the Alps. Conventional hikers admire these achievements and yet never think that they can become part of them. Because that’s not so far-fetched. The Gastein Trail is the ideal introduction to an adventurer’s life. But don’t worry, Gastein is not about pushing your own body to the limit. It’s about hiking pleasure in harmony with yourself and nature.

Introduction to adventure: long-distance hiking in the health region

The region’s long-distance hiking trail, the Gastein Trail, offers health-promoting activities to bring your own personal top performance up the mountain. In six stages, hikers get to know the entire Gastein Valley over 75 kilometres and master an impressive 4,643 metres in altitude. And if a stage was more strenuous, you can simply stay at the hut for an extra day. At the end, a relaxing bath in the thermal water or, in the case of special complaints, an application with Gastein radon therapy beckons.

A real challenge for mountain lovers

Admittedly, it won’t be a walk in the park. The longest stage is the last one with a distance of not quite 20 kilometers, but it is mainly downhill. Most of the altitude difference is mastered on the first day. 1,400 meters of altitude difference are climbed over a distance of 16.4 kilometers. This is only topped by the fifth stage with 17 kilometers and 1,456 meters of altitude. The good thing about it, on the first day you are still fresh. Stages 2, 3 and 4 are moderate, here you can relax. On the fifth day it gets exhausting again and on the sixth day the longer distance is sweetened with the prospect of a visit to the thermal baths.

The highlights in Gastein: Sparkling gold in the hiking area

A gem of nature, sparkling stones or simply a treasure – many things can be described as highlights – and all of them can be found in Gastein.

Experienced hikers will find sparkling stones in the Angertal (stage 6): In the late Middle Ages, gold was laboriously panned here in the stream. Furnaces, forge and miner’s house show the precious metal production of that time.

Natural beauties and architecture from ancient times

Highlights are not only the gold in the Angertal, but also special places along the way. Just like the Stoffalm (stage 1) with old timber construction technology and rustic fountain trough in front of a dense mixed forest. In Gastein, explorers will also find charming places of power, wide pastures (stage 2), perfect sunrises on the Biberalm (stage 3), rustic alpine villages such as the Gadaunerer Hochalmen (stage 4), 360° panoramas up to Austria’s highest mountain, the Großglockner (stage 5) or impressive waterfalls such as in the Gadaunerer Gorge and past architectural art in the planned town of Böckstein. (Stage 6). And always accompanied, of course, the entire Gastein Valley with its most valuable speciality, the thermal water and its three towns of Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein.

Summit victories: Realm of views on a hiking holiday

Not every summit is located directly on the Gastein Trail – but every additional step to the summit cross is worth it. In stage 1, you reach the Tagkopf after a 30-minute climb. An ideal place to enjoy the majestic sunset over the valley. The Wetterkreuz is even on the path of stage 2, here the view to the north to the rocky and striking Hochkönig and to the south to the graceful Hohe Tauern National Park is rewarding. Stage 3 leads to the Schlossalm adventure mountain, where the mountain station of the open Schlossalmbahn is also located. Only five minutes now separate hikers from the summit cross of the Hirschkarspitze: Here you can see the Gastein Valley in its full length for the first time.

Adventure mountains with steep walls, marmots and birds of prey

If you still have energy, you should definitely invest another hour to get from the Schlossalm to the Mauskarspitze. This 2,373-metre-high mountain above Bad Hofgastein is also known for freeriding among skiers in winter. It takes one and a half hours from the Schlossalm to the Türchlwand. Two stones mark the end of the path, because at the top it goes almost vertically downhill in the south and west. Ideal terrain for birds of prey that take advantage of the buoyancy on the steep slope. The marmots along the way are also a beautiful natural spectacle – with a bit of luck you can see them as small brown spots on the rock.

Adrenaline bridges and Glockner view

As I said, stage 5 is tough, but if you can still gather strength, you should make your way to the Stubnerkogel. Along the ridge you walk steadily towards the summit – hikers who take the cable car to the Panoramaberg do not experience this. From the viewing platforms you can see as far as Austria’s highest mountain, the Großglockner. The 140-metre-long suspension bridge over a 30-metre-deep abyss between the summit restaurant and the transmitter cable car is also adventurous: the view under your feet is unobstructed – pure thrill.

Alpine pastures and relaxation afterwards

After six stages of overnight stays in Gastein’s alpine pastures such as the Heinreich Alm or the Biberalm, you may already be longing for a longer stay. How about a special spa and health accommodation? In numerous treatments with thermal water or simply in the whirlpool, on bubble loungers and with massage jets in the two Gastein thermal baths , you can relax wonderfully after the long hiking tour. With the feeling that you have earned it, you enjoy these quiet hours twice. This is probably one reason why adventurers are always looking for new challenges – the good feeling afterwards and the many stories they have to tell. Perhaps one or the other conventional hiker will soon be looking for a new challenge thanks to the Gastein Trail!