Obertauern

Obertauern – a winter sports paradise and summer idyll in the Salzburg region

Obertauern is a well-known winter sports resort in the Radstadt Tauern mountains, situated at an altitude of almost 1,740 meters in the state of Salzburg. With around 950,000 overnight stays and 9,000 guest beds, the region is one of Austria's most popular winter sports destinations. What is a paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and cross-country skiers in winter transforms into a tranquil high plateau in summer, offering extensive hiking trails, mountain lakes, and a wide range of leisure activities.

Short info:

• What is Obertauern? Popular ski and summer sports resort in Salzburg, Austria.
• Location: In the Radstadt Tauern mountains between Salzburg and Carinthia.
• Winter: Approximately 100 km of slopes, 26 lifts, Tauern circuit, Gamsleiten 2, snow parks, cross-country ski trails, toboggan run, winter hiking trails.
• Summer: 280 km of hiking trails, 20 managed alpine pastures, mountain lakes (e.g. Grünwaldsee, Wildsee), Johannis and Tenn waterfalls, mountain cart track, mountain bike routes.
• Highlights: Legendary après-ski scene, sports centre with tennis, squash, fitness and bowling alley, motorcycle days in August, Stoneman Taurista bike route.
• Family-friendly: Manageable ski area, children's slopes, winter and summer programs, wildlife and leisure park.

Winter in Obertauern

skiing and snowboarding

Obertauern is considered one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Austria. More 100 km of perfectly groomed slopes The high valley is crisscrossed by 26 lifts. 61 of the runs are blue (easy), 35 red (intermediate), and 4 black (difficult). Among the steepest slopes is the Gamsleiten 2, which challenges even experienced skiers. Those who prefer a more leisurely experience can use the TauernrundeThanks to the interconnected lifts, the entire ski area can be circumnavigated clockwise (red markers) or counterclockwise (green markers). Ski bridges cross the Katschbergstraße road at several points, so you don't have to interrupt your turns. For non-skiers, the Zehnerkar, Plattenkar, and Grünwaldkopf lifts also open the way to the mountains for pedestrians to enjoy the view or stop at a mountain hut.

Snowboarders will find in Snowpark The Seekarspitz offers a variety of kickers, rails, and boxes. Two illuminated slopes allow for night skiing (Edelweißbahn), and modern snowmaking systems ensure reliable snow cover from November to April.

A skier in red equipment skis down a steep, snowy mountain slope under the bright sun of Obertauern, with a clear blue sky, snow-covered peaks and pine trees in the background.

Cross-country skiing and winter hiking

In addition to alpine slopes, Obertauern offers an attractive network of Cross-country ski trails and winter paths:

• Gnadenalm: A 20-km network of cross-country ski trails at an altitude of 1,350 m with four loops (Sprint, Nordic Dream, Cross Country Spirit, and Tauern Power). Snow is guaranteed thanks to artificial snow, and access and parking are free. There is also a small biathlon shooting range on the Gnadenalm.
• Hundsfeld cross-country ski trail and World Cup trail: Two 6-km loops lead through the Hundsfeldmoor nature reserve or below the Gamsleiten chairlift and offer flat to moderately difficult sections.
• Winter hiking & snowshoeing: Seven groomed trails (approx. 20 km) invite you to stroll through snow-covered forests. Guided snowshoe tours with trained guides are offered and often lead to viewpoints or mountain huts.
• Sledding on the Gnadenalm: A 1.5 km long, illuminated natural toboggan run with "toboggan taxi" – a snowmobile comfortably takes guests and their sleds to the start.

Ski touring and freeriding

Obertauern offers fantastic opportunities for ski tourers and freeriders. Local ski schools and mountain guides offer introductory ski touring courses, teaching climbing techniques, kick turns, and avalanche awareness. For touring enthusiasts, the route to the Große Kesselspitze is highly recommended: Away from groomed slopes, the route leads along the southeast ridge through sparse larch forests to the summit (950 m ascent, approx. 2.5 hours). Guided tours ensure safety, especially during avalanche danger.

Freeriders will find numerous untouched slopes in Obertauern. The region is hosting a Open Faces Freeride Challengers, This underlines the high quality of the terrain. Safety is paramount – a local guide and avalanche equipment are mandatory.

Après-ski and nightlife

After a day of skiing, numerous mountain huts and bars beckon – the Lürzer Alm, the Treff 2000, and the Gamsmilchbar are legendary meeting places. Those who want to party all night will find clubs and discos in the village center where the festivities continue late into the night.

Summer in Obertauern

Hiking and mountain tours

When the snow melts, Obertauern transforms into a tranquil hiking area with approximately 280 km of marked trails and around 20 managed alpine huts. Some highlights:

• 3-Lakes Hike: A light round to Grünwaldsee, Krummschnabelsee and Hundsfeldsee. The hike starts at the Grünwaldkopf lift (accessible on foot or by cable car), takes about 2.5 hours, and leads past moors and alpine cows. The morning or evening hours are particularly beautiful when the mountains are reflected in the water.
• Wildsee: The starting point is the Hintergnadenalm. The route leads via the St. John's Waterfall and the Felseralm leads up through a high valley to the warm Wildsee lake, where cows graze on its shores. Those who wish can continue from here along the Salzburg Alpine Trail to the Südwiener Hütte and back (approx. 13.5 km, 910 m elevation gain, 5:30 h).
• Twenger Almsee From the center of Tweng, a steep climb leads to the Twenger Alm, where regional products are served. Afterwards, the route continues at a leisurely pace to the idyllic Almsee (7.8 km, 504 m elevation gain). This tour is also suitable for families.
• Oberhüttensee: A little further away, but charming, is the Oberhüttensee lake in the Weißpriachtal valley in Lungau (2:30 h walking time). It lies at an altitude of 1,860 m and can be combined with the Stoneman-Taurista route.

Those who want to find their way can use the SummitLynx app and collect digital hiking badges. Guided herb walks, survival hikes and yoga sessions are also part of the summer program.

Lakes, waterfalls and nature experiences

Besides numerous mountain lakes, the landscape is particularly characterized by the St. John's Waterfall The landscape near Gnadenalm is stunning. The 60-meter-high waterfall is a nature reserve and can be reached via a family-friendly circular trail with around 200 steps. A secured path even leads behind the waterfall – the view is particularly impressive in spring when the meltwater is rushing. In Tweng, there is also the Tennfall waterfall, which is easily accessible.

Two people hike along a narrow path beside a tall waterfall cascading over a rocky cliff in Obertauern, surrounded by lush green vegetation. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a bright, picturesque scene.

For a refreshing dip, there are lakes like the Grünwaldsee or the Hundsfeldsee (the latter is restricted due to its protected moorland status). Those interested in observing animals can visit the Untertauern Wildlife & Leisure Park, an 11-hectare facility with more than 40 wild animals, a petting zoo, a large playground, a Tarzan rope course, a fishing pond, and a small bathing lake. Anglers can fish for trout, char, or carp at the Fürstenbrunn Pond (June to September) for a fee; rowboats and pedal boats are available.

Leisure and adventure

Since 2025, they have been attracting Mountain carts and mountain skyvers Adventurers hit the slopes: A roughly 1,350-meter-long track leads from the mountain station to the valley station of the Kringsalm cable car. The go-kart track is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; a single ride costs €10 (adults) or €8 (children 10 and older), with 10-ride passes offering better value. Mountainskyver, lightweight mountain scooters, can be rented for €15 per 3 hours; they are approved for riders up to 90 kg and are also suitable for children 10 and older (with an accompanying adult).

Children wearing helmets ride pedal go-karts down a grassy hill in Obertauern, with mountains and a lake in the background under a cloudy sky.

Mountain bikers are drawn to the legendary Stoneman Taurista: The 147 km long circular route leads from Flachau above Wagrain-Kleinarl, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Radstadt, Forstau, Filzmoos and Obertauern back to Flachau. A total of 4,700 meters of elevation gain must be conquered, including the challenging ascent near Obertauern, which reaches over 2,100 meters. The trail can be completed in one to three stages; the season runs from the beginning of June to the end of September. Additional mountain bike trails, e-bike tours, and trail running routes are signposted.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, Obertauern is part of Salzburg's Route 99: The mountain pass road crosses the Tauern Pass and offers panoramic views from an altitude of 1,630 meters. A large motorcycle rally with rides and a supporting program takes place every year in August and September.

Families and sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy at the Obertauern sports centre in summer. Two indoor tennis courts, three squash courts, a badminton court, bowling lanes, a fitness studio with sports medicine support and a multi-purpose hall offer opportunities for exercise on rainy days.

Conclusion

Obertauern combines the best of both seasons: In winter, guests can expect snow-sure slopes, diverse cross-country ski trails, toboggan runs, and exciting ski tours. In summer, numerous hiking trails, mountain lakes, waterfalls, and new attractions such as mountain carts and mountain bikes invite outdoor adventures. Thanks to its high altitude, the air remains pleasantly fresh even on hot days – ideal for those seeking active holidays, nature experiences, and alpine hospitality.