Зальфельден-ам-Штайнернен-Мер

June to September is best for hiking, cycling and the jazz festival. Winter is for skiing in nearby areas such as Leogang and Saalbach. Spring and late autumn are quiet, and some mountain huts are closed.

• Schloss Ritzen is a castle just outside the town, now a cultural venue.
• Schloss Dorfheim and Schloss Lichtenberg are other historic manor houses in the valley.
• Stadtpfarrkirche Saalfelden is the main church in town.
• Heimatmuseum Saalfelden covers local history and traditions.
• Wallfahrtskirche Maria Alm is a pilgrimage church in nearby Maria Alm.
• Kolkbläser-Monsterhöhle is a cave system near Leogang.
• Viehkogel is a nearby peak for a day walk.
• The Steinernes Meer plateau has high mountain huts, long hikes and views toward Königssee.

• Hike to a Steinernes Meer hut.
• Cycle the valley or mountain bike a forest trail.
• Visit the cave system.
• Attend the jazz festival in summer.
• Ski in the nearby Skicircus.

• Zell am See is a lake town, about 20 minutes away by car or train.
• Kaprun is the gateway to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, about 30 minutes away.
• Saalbach is a ski resort, about 25 minutes away.
• Salzburg is about 1 hour away by car.
• Königssee in Germany is about 40 minutes away by car.

• Zell am See, Kaprun and Saalbach are the nearest preferred destinations.

• By air: Salzburg Airport is about 1 hour away by car. Innsbruck is about 2 hours.
• By train: Saalfelden is on the Salzburg–Innsbruck line, with Zell am See about 20 minutes away and Salzburg about 1 hour 15 minutes. Check times on ÖBB.
• By car: The B311 road passes the town.

The town centre is flat and best on foot or by bike. Local buses reach Leogang, Maria Alm and the valley villages. Hiking buses serve some trailheads in summer.

A car helps for trailheads and the surrounding valleys. Winter tyres or chains are required in snow. Motorways in Austria need a vignette. Mountain toll roads reach some huts.

Salzburg-region food includes Kasnocken, cheese dumplings, and Kaiserschmarrn. Alpine huts serve fresh dairy and simple meals. Local inns offer Pinzgau beef and game.

Saalfelden is very safe. High mountain routes in the Steinernes Meer are serious and need good fitness and equipment. Tap water is clean and safe to drink. The emergency number is 112. The mountain rescue number is 140.

The Saalfelden valley was settled early because of its mining and trade routes. It was ruled by the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg for centuries. Tourism grew with the railway in the 19th century, and the jazz festival, started in 1980, brought the town international attention.

Quick practical facts for Austria at a glance: