Obertauern: Ski Circuits, Moorland and Mountain Lakes
Accommodation in Obertauern
Obertauern offers a variety of reasons to visit: ski circuits and cross-country trails sit alongside winter hikes, mountain lakes and cultural and historical sites. If you are looking for a hotel in Obertauern, you can plan your trip around the activities that matter most to you. Seasonal offers and conditions vary, so check in advance what suits your travel dates.
Skiing, Cross-Country Trails and Winter Paths
The Obertauern ski area has more than 100 kilometres of well-maintained pistes, suitable for beginners, intermediate skiers and very experienced skiers. The Tauern Circuit gives you a choice of two directions: the red route runs clockwise around the ski area, while the green route runs in the opposite direction. Modern lift facilities provide access to the highest peaks as well.
Seasonal conditions are important when planning your visit: piste conditions and lift operations can change. Cross-country skiers also have plenty to choose from: Obertauern has almost 70 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails in total. Their availability depends on snow conditions.
If you prefer to get around on foot, you can plan winter hikes and snowshoe walks. Guided snowshoe tours are also offered in Obertauern; availability is seasonal and should be checked before your trip. This lets you consider skiing, cross-country skiing and hiking as different focal points of your trip, without assuming they share the same conditions.
Moorland, Mountain Lakes and Outdoor Activities
The Obertauern-Hundsfeld Moor Nature and European Conservation Area lies immediately north of the village of Obertauern. The moor provides a habitat for rare animal and plant species, including the red-spotted bluethroat (Luscinia svecica svecica) and the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). If you are interested in protected natural areas, this is a distinctive feature of the surrounding landscape.
The mountain lakes also offer specific activities. After taking the GrĂĽnwaldkopf cable car to the high plateau, you can use pedal boats on Lake GrĂĽnwald. SUPs are available for free use at Lake Krummschnabel. Both offers are seasonal; their availability depends on current operating conditions.
Bobby’s Erlebniswelt offers activity stations for children around Lake Grünwald and Lake Krummschnabel. These include a stilts course, a raft ride across Lake Krummschnabel and the chance to explore underground Mankei dwellings. The attraction is seasonal, so its operating period may change. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Stoneman Taurista Challenge passes through Obertauern; access to the route and seasonal participation conditions may vary. Another activity is mountain carting: the ride descends along winding gravel paths, with carts and instruction available at the Kringsalmbahn mountain station. This activity is also seasonal.
Culture and Local History
Obertauern was a filming location for the Beatles’ film “Help!” in March 1965. This chapter in film history sits alongside an older story from the region: an information board in the Seekar area commemorates the former mining of silver and copper. The mines were finally abandoned in 1910.
The Tauern distillery offers another glimpse into local production. Its demonstration distillery at the Alte Alm offers tastings of fine spirits, distillates and liqueurs, including an introduction to the art of distilling. Alongside nature and sporting activities, you can also include film history, mining history and distilling in your plans.
Getting There and Planning
From Radstadt railway station, you can continue to Obertauern by Postbus or taxi. Bus route 280 also stops directly at the GrĂĽnwaldkopf valley station. As timetables and transport connections can change, it is a good idea to check the latest information for your travel date. When choosing a hotel, it helps to match your travel dates with the seasonal activities you want to enjoy.
Discover more destinations: HĂĽttschlag, Dorfgastein, Bischofshofen, Kleinarl, Altenmarkt Im Pongau, Niedernfritz, GroĂźarl, Sankt Martin Am Tennengebirge
For the overview of the wider region: Sankt Johann Im Pongau.
