(c) Nadia Jabli Photography Ortsansicht Altenmarkt und Zauchensee
A vacation paradise times two
Altenmarkt-Zauchensee impresses as a double holiday paradise in the Pongau region, 70 kilometers south of Salzburg.
ALTENMARKT
(842 m) is a town of 370 people, where tradition and modernity go hand in hand. This famous pilgrimage destination of the late Middle Ages captivates with its natural charm and one of the most beautiful town centers in all of Austria. The oldest guest house is the Markterwirt, which has occupied its ancestral spot in the village center since 1528. In fact, even Emperor Franz Joseph and his hunting entourage were once served here. Lovingly designed shops and boutiques invite you to browse their windows and enjoy “shopping with a heart”. At numerous festivals and special events throughout the year, guests are able to sense the sincere hospitality of the people here, and experience first-hand the living traditions which are often refreshingly creative in character!
ZAUCHENSEE
Zauchensee (1,350 m), which has been a host venue for the Alpine Ski World Cup for the last three decades, was actually nothing but an area of alpine pastures until the 1950s. In summer, the hotel village with its 4-star establishments awaits guests with exclusive mountain adventures.
Holiday Paradise: the most beautiful tours
Whatever you want, whatever you are up for: This healthy motto is encountered by holidaymakers everywhere in the double holiday paradise of Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, a member of Austria’s select “Hiking Villages” and recipient of the Hiking Seal of Quality in 2011. While the Steinfeldspitze (2,344 m) entices summiteers excited to gaze out from the region’s tallest peak, other hikers take advantage of the Gamskogelbahn I gondola, enjoying a comfortable ride from Zauchensee up the mountain, before setting out on a relaxing walk and treating themselves to refreshments at the Gamskogelhütte.In total, you have 240 kilometers of marked trails to choose from. The local hiking path as well as the Enns Hiking Tour and the Zauchbach Path are all ideally suited for walkers with prams, while the Koppen Tour on the Feuersang invites you to take a family hike, the Salzburger Almenweg to embark on a full-blown trek, and the Arnoweg to discover an ancient pilgrimage path.
Special Tip: An intermediate,scenic tourto the top of the Rossbrand at 1770 meters above sea level, with some of the most beautiful views in the Eastern Alps. The path leads you along the sunny side of the Schwemmberg to the Radstädter Hütte, and, if you wish, you can also take a side loop along the Country Lore theme path, which offers you all kinds of information about traditions associated with the weather.
