The Most Beautiful Hiking Tours

With its large grounds in the Pinzgau, comprising over 30 hectares of forest and meadows, the Puradies – Mein Naturresort not only offers an ideal place to relax and retreat, but is also located in one of the most beautiful and varied regions of Austria – in Saalfelden Leogang. This hiking paradise in the Salzburger Land impresses with around 400 kilometres of signposted hiking trails and challenging climbing paths and has plenty to offer for every level of ability.

Whether walkers, leisure hikers, adventure lovers or summit seekers, there is something for everyone in Saalfelden Leogang. Puradies owner and managing director Michael Madreiter also loves the mountains. Sometimes alone, sometimes as a couple, sometimes with the whole family, he always enjoys setting out to discover familiar paths from a new perspective or to explore trails that are completely new to him. Here he shares a few insider tips for your hiking holiday in Leogang.

According to Michael Madreiter, the Saalachtaler Höhenweg West is one of the most beautiful high-altitude hiking trails of all. The hike starts right at the Asitz mountain station. From there, you walk to the Kleiner Asitz and then on to the Großer Asitz. The destination of this hike of several hours over mountain ridges and alpine meadows with relatively gentle inclines is the Knappenstube "Unterberghaus", located in Leogang's Schwarzleotal.

For those who get hungry along the way, there are other places to stop for refreshments on the route, such as the "Alte Schmiede", the "Asitzbräu" or the "Spielbergalmen". However, the provisions you bring along usually taste best, and there are numerous spots in the open air that invite you to enjoy them. These spots all have one wonderful thing in common: the breathtaking panorama of the Salzburg mountains!

When Michael Madreiter wants to clear his head, he sets off on a mountain tour in the Leoganger Steinberge. It first leads along a shady forest path, then over exposed terrain to a path amid rocks before you reach the Passauer Hütte. Good fitness is required to master this tour – but you are rewarded for the physical effort right from the start. With a unique view of the surrounding landscape.

Mountain and climbing enthusiasts can look forward to this tour, as the surrounding peaks and via ferratas are easy to reach from the Passauer Hütte. From experience, Michael Madreiter knows that you should avoid the midday heat on this hike. As soon as you leave the shady forest at the beginning, you are exposed to the sun's rays and should protect yourself as well as possible with a hat and sun cream.

A recommendation that guests often hear from Michael Madreiter is the hike of approx. 2.5 hours to the Peter-Wiechenthaler-Hütte. It is equally popular with locals and holidaymakers and promises moderate effort combined with a high level of experience and enjoyment. The hut is located high above Saalfelden at the foot of the Persailhorn and welcomes hikers not only with a unique panorama, but also with culinary delicacies.

And depending on the level of difficulty you want, there are many different ways to combine it with other trails and huts. Do you also feel like going hiking now? Then off you go, because when is it more beautiful to be out and about in the open air and discover new places than now in summer?