The Hills Are Alive with Adventure! 4 Must-Do Outdoor Experiences Near Salzburg

The Hills Are Alive Around Salzburg…with Adventure! 4 great tips for out and about near Salzburg.

Traveloso’s luxury travel designer and adventure architect, Anthony Lee, recently visited Austria with his family.

Let’s be clear: Austria was already a top contender for Anthony’s list of favourite places even before this latest escapade.

In this latest Bespoke Travel update, he’s serving up four must-do outdoor adventures that you’ll absolutely want to pencil into your plans next time you’re in the area.

Schafberg Bahn

Hop aboard this incredible cog railway as it climbs from the shores of sparkling Lake Wolfgang (Wolfgang See), rising a whopping 1,190 meters over nearly 6 kilometers of jaw-dropping scenery.

The views en route are as breathtaking as those at the summit, where you’ll be in awe of the sweeping lakes and valleys below. Featured on the BBC’s Michael Portillo’s Greatest Railway Journeys, the Schafberg Bahn ride takes about 40 minutes each way—though you’ll want at least an hour at the top to soak it all in.

If the views aren’t enough, then two restaurants are ready to serve up scenery and delicious food. Lake Wolfgang is just an hour’s drive from Salzburg, a journey that’s easily one of the most picturesque drives you’ll ever experience!

Snagging your ticket in advance is a must when the crowds roll in—trust us, you don’t want FOMO as your only souvenir!

The view from the top of the Schafberg Bahn.

Hallstatt & Salt Mines

Hallstatt is a UNESCO-listed village on Hallstaetter See, west of Salzburg. A visit to Hallstatt can be combined as a day out with a visit to Salzwelten (Salt Mines).

Hallstatt is one of the most gorgeous lakeside villages you will see. It is now well-frequented by many tourists, so a visit to Hallstatt is best done early in the day or late in the afternoon. Perhaps even better would be to stay overnight and enjoy Hallstatt long after the horde of tourists have headed home.

For those unaware, the name Salzburg translates as Salt City. The surrounding area of Salzburg provides a great abundance of salt underground, and there are numerous mines.

Salzwelten (Salt World) is just above Hallstatt and can be reached via a small funicular on the edge of town. These salt mines were first dug around 3000 years ago and today comprise a labyrinth of tunnels kilometres long.

Hallstatt, a UNESCO gem nestled by the serene Hallstaetter See just west of Salzburg, is hands down one of the most picturesque lakeside villages you’ll ever see.

A perfect day trip pairs Hallstatt with a visit to Salzwelten, the salt mines just above the village.

This lakeside charmer draws quite a crowd, so early birds or late-afternoon wanderers get the best experience. Even better? Stay the night and enjoy Hallstatt after the day-trippers have vanished!

Fun fact for the uninitiated: “Salzburg” translates to “Salt City,” thanks to the area’s rich underground salt reserves.

Just above Hallstatt, Salzwelten awaits, reached by a cozy little funicular. These ancient mines, first dug 3,000 years ago, form a winding labyrinth of tunnels that stretch for miles—a salty, historic wonder!

The majestic Unesco listed Hallstatt

Dachstein Glacier

For an epic mountain experience just 80 minutes south of Salzburg, look no further than the Dachstein Glacier. Open year-round, this glacier delivers a true white wonderland in winter, while in summer, it’s a mix ofthe gleaming glacier and rugged rock as the seasonal snow melts away.

Getting there is a thrill itself—a gondola whisks you up to 2,700 meters, where even the ride offers jaw-dropping views. But the fun only begins at the top! Adventurers, brace yourselves:

• Suspension Bridge Walk: A 100-meter-long, single-meter-wide, high-railed bridge that swings 400 meters above the mountainside—perfect for those who love a little vertigo!
• Stairway to Nothingness: Brave the 14-step descent onto a glass platform hovering 400 meters over open air.
• Stairway to Heaven: Twelve steps up to a glass shelf for a heavenly, high-altitude view.
• Skywalk: Step onto a 250-meter platform jutting from the rock face, with nothing but the world spread out below.

For those less into thrills, there’s the Ice Palace, a crystal world carved into the glacier itself—no dizzying heights, just an enchanting, icy escape.

Pro tip: book your gondola ticket ahead of time to avoid disappointment. And if heights aren’t your thing, this might be a great day to go shopping or catch up on that novel instead!

Dachstein Glacier – 100 metre suspension bridge

The Sound of Music Tour

Set in Salzburg, The Sound of Music became a mega-hit across the English-speaking world, but in Austria and nearby Germany? Not so much! It turns out that this iconic musical never quite hit home there, partly because it’s in English and partly because it premiered in 1965, just 20 years post-WWII—a sensitive time in these parts.

But for fans who grew up with The Sound of Music, there’s a dreamy way to relive the magic: a Sound of Music tour! Sing along to all the classics as you cruise around Salzburg, spotting the scenic backdrops that made the film unforgettable. Choose your adventure with tours by bus, bike, or on foot, and let yourself be swept away in a musical journey through the landscapes where the hills truly are alive!

There are more than just the above, but for those looking for great experiences from somebody with first-hand experience, get in touch with Traveloso for some wonderful adventures.

Traveloso’s Luxury Travel designer Anthony Lee with the best Sound of Music guide, Panorama’s Kylie Gretener

If you’re craving unforgettable adventures curated by someone who’s been there and done that—reach out to Traveloso and let the magic begin!