Location
Car is not necessary
About Bad Gastein
Located at the foot of the Hohentauern National Park, the nearby historic town of Bad Gastein is still visited by the rich and famous. It is understandably popular with its stunning architecture and thermal spa’s with their renowned healing properties. This beautiful spa town, with its belle époque Viennese architecture has links to the royal households of Europe. Bismarck and famous Austrian composers including Mozart and Shubert were frequent visitors and the historic town retains its imposing beauty to this day.
With 200km of piste the Gastein valley offers a fantastic ski experience. It’s a great resort for all levels: 60km easy, 117km intermediate and 24km difficult. Bad Gastein is the annual host of the FIS Snowboard World Cup and between 8th -10th of January snowboarders from around the world make their annual pilgrimage to the Gastein mountains. Over 35 million euros has recently been invested to keep Bad Gastein ahead of the competition with fantastic new lift systems linking the areas. It is literally impossible to ski the whole resort in a week the pistes are so extensive!
Ski lifts are in operation from the first week of December through Easter to the last week of April in snowsure Sportsgastein with runs reaching 2686m on the Kreuzkogel. Spring skiing comes highly recommended! There are 5 extensive ski areas - more than enough to keep you entertained for a fortnight!
The Gastein valley has a long 5 month season compared to many other Austrian resorts. It lies at the Eastern side of the alps which are colder and have a much better snow record compared to those further west. The resort is higher than nearby Kitzbuhel has more extensive runs and is much less crowded! The Gastein valley is an integral part of the vast Ski Amade alliance with more than 854km of slopes in over 30 resorts on the same ticket including Schladming and Flachau. Other nearby resorts include Kitzbuhel, Saalbach - Hinterglemm and Zell am See are within one hours easy drive of the Gastein valley.
Summer in Bad Gastein
Spring heralds the dramatic change of season with the spectacular snow melt as cascades of water roar as they fall down the beautiful mountainside. The area is a very popular holiday destination outside the ski season. The main ski lifts are kept open for hikers to explore the high alpine wilderness with beautiful flower meadows and nature filled scenery viewing Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner at 3798m.
Hike along the Salzburger Almenweg which runs through the Gastein valley. There is also great hiking in the spectacular HoHe Tauern National Park http://www.hohetauern.at a nature reserve encompasses sweeping, primeval Alpine landscapes, such as glaciers, rock faces and turf, as well as mountain pasture landscapes.
Gastein is famous for its health care and therapy. You can take the 2.4km train ride into the mountain to the Gastein Healing Gallery a natural Turkish bath at 32 degrees centigrade www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com The thermal cure is effective in disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the respiratory tracts and the skin. Furthermore it has a soothing effect on the general wellbeing (immunoprophylaxis) and affords new vitality, power and energy.
Spas at Badgastein Felsentherme and Badhofgastein Alpentherme - www.alpentherme.com & www.felsentherme.com. Also see The Gastein Cure www.gesundheit.gastein.com
Fly above the mountains with Lois Grugger, paragliding world record holder at www.tandem-flying.com or parasail from the top of Dorfgastein ski lift - www.dorfgastein.net
There is horse riding locally in Bad Bruck, or Icelandic ponies at www.reitzentrum.at in Bad Hofgastein.
Activities near Bad Gastein
| Local sports activities |
Within 15 minutes: Mountain biking, Horse riding, Climbing, Sports centre, Fishing, Cycling, Skiing, Golf, Walking, Tennis
Within 45 minutes: Flying
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| Local leisure activities |
Within 15 minutes: Food shop, Restaurant, Shopping
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| Great for |
Walking holiday, Winter sun break, Cycling holiday, Summer holidays, Ski Holidays |
