The lovely region of Saalfelden Leogang in the Austrian Alps

Someone’s got the memo. Actually, in Austria a whole region did. For Saalfelden Leogang a visitor is much more than just a tourist, he is a guest and as such he needs to be taken care of. That’s hospitality at its best.

And it starts in the hotels, of course. Look no further for genuine hospitality than our Pretty Hotels members Kirchenwirt 1326 and Naturhotel Forsthofgut.

With both gems you get the best of two worlds. Aiming for a rather petite boutique-style inn with pretty rooms and fine dining then the Kirchenwirt 1326 is for you – it is actually the oldest inn in the Salzburger Land region (and the most beautiful we know).

Opting more for the full monty, the Forsthofgut with more than 100 rooms, large spa with every wellness program in the book and a Kids Club got you covered. Add to that every imaginable activity full catering and you are in for a treat. Both guesthouses made the Top 100 list of Europe’s most beautiful hotels crowned by the travel magazine GEO Saison. (It could have helped that we sat in on the jury :-)).

Der Kirchenwirt 1326

kirchenwirt-leogang@2 — Divine: The scenery at the Kirchenwirt 1326 hotel & restaurant.

Pretty Hotels: The lovely region of Saalfelden Leogang in the Austrian Alps (Image 2) — The rooms…

saalfelden-leogang-kirchenwirt3@2 — At the Kirchenwirt, you will be treated with great food and excellent wines.

Naturhotel Forsthofgut

Pretty Hotels: The lovely region of Saalfelden Leogang in the Austrian Alps (Image 3) — The new Forsthofgut will impress you with fine dining, wellness and swimming pools.

The Region

The real jewel of Saalfelden Leogang is, of course, the backdrop, the fantastic surroundings and the many possibilities that are available here. (The claim of the Saalfelden Leogang tourism board says, it`s “a region rich in contrast”).

During a visit at the beginning of August we were allowed to spend a whole day in Saalfelden together with a family with two children aged 5 and 7 years. In beautiful sunshine we first went to the Ritzensee lake. At the top of the Schmalenbergham path you have a wonderful view of the mountain ranges and the lake. The Ritzensee is 23-24 degrees warm in summer, so it is ideal for a day of swimming. There is a lido with a kiosk and two large jetties for jumping into the water. The kids had a lot of fun there right away.

And in the afternoon we went on a mountain tour. A family-friendly hike to the small, fine Lettlkaser hut in the middle of the Leoganger Steinberge. We parked the car in Leogang/Rosental at the parking lot of the entrance to the fitness course. Then you might just follow the road towards Sinning and the signs to the Lettlkaser Hut. At the beginning Saalfelden Leogang Tourism has set up a “stick-sharing station”, which means that you can borrow hiking sticks here and put them back there at the end of the tour. About in the middle of the tour there is a forest swing and there are 360-degree full wooden benches at the viewpoints to enjoy the nature and the panorama.

When arriving at the hut at 1442 meters above sea level we meet Katrin, the tenant. She manages the tiny place in great love of detail and offers her guests a snack board with local cheese, radishes, cucumbers, salami and ham. All very fine, all very natural. What`s not to like about this?

Pretty Hotels: The lovely region of Saalfelden Leogang in the Austrian Alps (Image 4) — The beautiful scenery at the Ritzensee.

Pretty Hotels: The lovely region of Saalfelden Leogang in the Austrian Alps (Image 5) — Good morning from the Ritzensee lake and the Leoganger Steinberge.

Pretty Hotels: The lovely region of Saalfelden Leogang in the Austrian Alps (Image 6) — and caring is sharing (when it comes to Brotzeitbrett and Austrian jause).

Pretty Hotels: The lovely region of Saalfelden Leogang in the Austrian Alps (Image 7) — Divine: The tiny Lettlkaser hut.

Details

Total walking time: about 2.5 hours. Difference in altitude: 67o meters. Level of difficulty: low – middle. Open during the day until around 4.30 to 5 p.m.. Closed on Monday and Tuesday between June and 31 September. No sleeping facilities.

More recommendations for a holiday in Saalfelden Leogang

The Saalfelden Leogang region is very well known among (very) sporty mountain bikers. Mountain bike freaks from all over Europe come to the Epic Bikepark at the Asitz mountain in summer, because there are flow trails and lines, i.e. artificially created routes with steep turns and obstacles. You take the gondola (and your bike) up to the top or middle station and then glide down the trail several times a day.

Since 2020 the trails of Saalbach Hinterglemm and Fieberbrunn are connected to the Bikepark Leogang. That means there are trails on seven mountains, nine mountain railways and over 70 kilometres of lines & trails.

Helmet, protective equipment and quite good skills on the bike are however mandatory here. If you don’t like it quite so sporty, simply explore the area on an electric mountain bike. The local sports shop Sport Mitterer has a variety of e-mountainbikes for rent in its sales room.