Sonnberg: Hiking and Mining History

Sonnberg is one of the four cadastral communities you can discover while hiking in Hüttau. Hüttau and the associated district of Niedernfritz are located in the Fritztal valley. In the surrounding area, mountain hiking trails meet a history explored through the Ore Trail and the show mine at Larzenbach. This lets you consider both nature and culture when planning your trip.

Hiking in the Mountain Landscape

The Hüttau-Niedernfritz area has around 100 kilometres of well-marked hiking trails leading to scenic heights and popular alpine pastures. Hüttau is considered a starting point for mountain hikes to idyllic natural spots. Hochgründeck reaches 1,827 metres and, together with the Tennengebirge and the Fritztal mountains, shapes the mountain landscape of Hüttau-Niedernfritz. Check local trail conditions before setting out on a hike.

The hiking trails lead to heights and alpine pastures; the Ore Trail has a different focus, connecting several places through their mining history. Information boards along the route also provide details about the landscape and the region’s history. This lets you choose between an extensive network of trails and a route with a historical theme for your stay.

The Ore Trail and Its Stages

The Ore Trail connects Hüttau, Bischofshofen, Mühlbach am Hochkönig, and St. Veit im Pongau over a distance of around 60 kilometres. It starts at the Larzenbach show mine in Hüttau. The first stage of the Ore Trail is around 13 kilometres long and takes approximately four hours. The stage details provide a different planning measure from the total length of the route; the four hours mentioned apply to the first stage.

The Hüttau section runs from the Kupferzeche to the municipal offices in the town centre, where the “Ores, Gold and Minerals” museum is located. This gives the section a specific connection between the route and Hüttau’s cultural history. If you are interested in mining history, the information boards along the Ore Trail also provide details about it.

Show Mine and Mining History

At Larzenbach, it is believed that the Kupferzeche was already in operation in the 13th century. Ore mining later resumed in a second period of extraction from 1853; it was discontinued in 1869. The history therefore stretches from a presumed early period of operation to a clearly dated resumption in the 19th century.

The “Ores, Gold and Minerals” museum displays thousands of exhibits that demonstrate the historical significance of mining in Salzburg. It is located in the former Gewerkenhaus, built in 1594, which was once the home of the operators of the Kupferzeche. Guided tours of the show mine offer insights into the medieval working world of the miners, which developed over centuries. Visits to the Larzenbach show mine always take place accompanied by guides. Check with the operator before your trip for information about visiting options.

Getting There and More Culture in Hüttau

From the centre of Hüttau, the access road to the Kupferzeche leads towards Larzenbach; after around 650 metres, you will reach the show mine’s visitor centre. Parking spaces for coaches and cars are available directly next to the show mine. Check local conditions before setting off.

Passenger services at “Hüttau Terminal” in the Sonnberg district are no longer available. Trains now stop at the new station near the town, which opened on 15 December 2024. Plan your train journey to this station and check the timetable before travelling.

The parish church in Hüttau also adds to the historical perspective on the town: the late Gothic, three-aisled building dates from 1472.

Discover more travel destinations: Harbach, Mühlbach Am Hochkönig, Untertauern, Werfenweng, Wagrain, Tenneck, Filzmoos, Bad Gastein

Go to the main travel overview: Sankt Johann Im Pongau.