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.
