The small community of Golling an der Salzach in the beautiful Salzburger Region turned out to be the perfect place for us to discover some great sights directly in the village on the one hand. At the same time it was a good starting point for various excursions in the Salzkammergut or also in the Berchtesgadener Land. We felt very comfortable in Golling an der Salzach.
This was due on the one hand to the cute little guesthouse where we stayed and on the other hand to the wonderful surroundings and nature in Golling. What are the best things to do in Golling an der Salzach we will tell you in our travel recommendations & travel tips on the way.
Hotel Recommendation in Golling an der Salzach
Our starting point was the beautiful little town of Golling, which is also directly home to some of the listed attractions. There was also the dog-friendly pension, where we stayed together with our dog Schoko. The family-run Pension Pass Lueg* has cute double rooms with breakfast from 80 Euro and offers you a dreamlike mountain scenery directly from your balcony or the terrace of the hotel.
We had originally planned only 3 nights in the Hotel Pass Lueg*, then it became 5. We have simply felt extremely comfortable in the small pension. The hotel is located directly in the mountains and is the starting point for various hikes.
Also, the entrance to the gorge of the Salzachöfen is right next door. While you can strengthen yourself in the morning with a delicious breakfast with many homemade treats, you can relax after the hikes in the free wellness area in the sauna or steam sauna.
The cozy Hotel Pass Lueg at Booking*
The Best Things To Do In Golling an der Salzach
#1 Golling Waterfall
In the Golling district of Torren, near the late-Gothic pilgrimage church of St. Nicholas, which is well worth seeing, the Golling Waterfall plunges an impressive 75 meters into the depths in two drop stages. The waterfall is a particularly popular destination for excursions and is probably one of the most attractive and romantic natural monuments in Salzburger region.
A forest path takes you directly to the foot of the waterfall, and you can then climb up some very steep steps to the source of the waterfall. The popular natural spectacle is a great tip for a family outing!
What you can experience at this attraction, where the parking lots are located and how much the entrance fees are, you can find out in the following travel report:
#2 Hike in the Bluntau Valley
The hike to the Bluntau lake in the Bluntautal valley of the same name in Austria is a bit reminiscent of an idyllic fairy tale. You walk along the babbling brook with its light blue glacial water, look at the moss-covered stones between the trees and eventually come to the emerald green lake, in which the surrounding mountains are reflected and here and there a fish likes to jump out of the water. And the best thing is that this hike is in no way crowded and you can enjoy the tranquility of nature to the fullest.
The hike around the Bluntau lake was the first excursion on our round trip through the Salzburger region and it was really the perfect start. How to get to the Lake Bluntau, where you can do the Kneipp cure for the forearms and whether you can swim in the lakes we tell you in our travel blog:
Our Travel Video to the Salzburger Region
From our round trip through the Salzburger Region, the Salzkammergut and parts of the Berchtesgadener Region Andreas has edited a video, which also contains beautiful drone footage. You can watch it here on Youtube:
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#3 Swimming in Golling (also with dog)
When we were in Golling an der Salzach in August we had perfect weather and pretty high temperatures. Bright blue skies and sun from morning to evening. Of course, that’s perfect for a cool down. There are several bathing lakes near Golling im Tennengau, where you can cool off wonderfully. We can recommend the following lakes:
Bürgerausee in Kuchl
The Bürgerausee in neighboring Kuchl is the perfect place for families to spend a varied summer day. Here you will find clear water, green sunbathing lawns and many leisure activities that offer you fun and, of course, relaxation. For the little ones there is a children’s playground with swings and climbing facilities.
For the adults there is a beach volleyball court and a Kneipp facility and many more things. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the lake.
Brief information about the Bürgerausee:
- Parking: On the north shore of the lake (Google Maps) | Fee required from May 1 – September 30 | € 0.70 per 30 minutes | € 7.00 daily fee
- Entrance fee: Free of charge
- Dogs: not allowed
- Distance from Golling: 5km, 7 minutes: Google Maps
- Opening hours: open all day
More info about Bürgerausee: www.kuchl-info.at
Recreational facility Harrbergsee
The Harrbergsee recreational facility is a bathing lake with adjacent play, sports & fun for the whole family. There is a separate swimming area for children, a children’s playground, large sunbathing lawns and even a beach volleyball facility.
As you can see, it’s not just about swimming here. You can spend the whole day here and your physical well-being is also taken care of. There is a kiosk where you can buy food and drinks. Only dogs are not allowed to take you to the lake, which is why we did not visit the Harrbergsee.
Short info about the Harrbergsee
- Parking: free of charge
- Admission: 6 Euro for adults, 3.60 Euro for children over 6, free for children under 6
- Dogs: not allowed
- Distance from Golling: 4km (7 minutes by car): Google Maps
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 19:00 o’clock
Further information about the Harrbergsee: www.harrbergsee.at
But if you are traveling with a dog, then you unfortunately cannot go to these lakes. At all bathing lakes in the area of Golling it is not allowed to take dogs with you. So if you want to go swimming with your best friend on four paws, then we have the following tip for you:
Recommendation for Swimming with Gog in Golling
In our hotel (the fantastic Pass Lueg*) we received the tip to spend the afternoon at the nearby river Salzach. Although the river flows near the city and there is a lot of nature around it, there are hardly any places where you can go to the water. Or rather, there are hardly any places where you can park your car and then walk from there to the river.
We really tried for almost an hour and drove from here to there and looked for a place where we could park. But everywhere there are no stopping signs, private parking and no entry signs. Very close to the hotel there is a place where you can park your car and also walk to the Salzach. You have to park your car at the gas station between Hotel Pass Lueg and Golling (Google Maps links). It is best to ask the friendly employee at the cash desk beforehand.
Through the lumberyard to the river
Then walk over the bridge and turn right into the small street and then right again. There is the entrance to a timber company. There is an access prohibited sign, but you can walk through it. All locals do the same. You walk through the complete timber company (Google Maps Link) and then a small path (Google Maps Link) goes down to the river.
If you’re lucky, you’ll even find a patch of sand to lie on, but most of it is unfortunately coarse pebbles. The water of the Salzach is really cold! So be prepared for something! Nevertheless, it is a great experience to swim in the ice-cold mountain water.
#4 Family Hike on the Seasons Trail
The hiking trail Jahreszeitenweg starts directly in the city center of Golling and is a family-friendly hiking trail, which on the one hand runs through a piece of forest, but on the other hand also offers great viewpoints again and again. The circular trail consists of several stations, which are sometimes educational and sometimes adventurous and therefore very interesting, especially for children.
In addition, it is expressly suitable to walk or drive on it with strollers or, of course, with a wheelchair. On various information boards native animals and plants of the forest are described and especially children have fun discovering the forest and nature quasi playfully. The hiking trail leads once around the Egel lake and is very easy to walk.
The almost 1.5 kilometers can be hiked in 30-90 minutes, depending on how fast you are and whether you are traveling with children who spend a lot of time solving puzzles and exploring nature along the way.
Short info about the seasons hiking trail
- Distance: 1.5km
- Circular route: Yes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Suitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs: Yes
- Starting point: From Marktstr. turn into Trögergasse, this leads directly to Egelsee.
More information at www.bergfex.at
#5 Salzachöfen Adventure Gorge with Ziplining
The imposing natural monument “Salzachöfen” is a gorge between the Tennen and Hagen mountains and allows you to explore the power of the elements in a spectacular way. This excursion destination is ideal for the whole family – and not only on hot summer days. The Salzachöfen in the Salzburger region are considered an insider tip among Austrian gorges. The gorge, which is up to an incredible 90 meters deep, is only a few meters wide at its narrowest point.
The path to the gorge is quite easy to walk, but still unsuitable for people with limited mobility or strollers. In addition, you should already wear good walking shoes and also a flashlight can be very helpful – especially if you are on the road in the late afternoon. Especially if you want to go into the dark cathedral. What makes this gorge so special and what you can discover here so everything we tell you in our travel report:
#6 Aqua Salza in Golling
The Aqua Salza is the perfect wellness oasis to really relax after a day full of hiking. The wellness paradise offers various different saunas (including earth sauna, steam sauna, fire sauna) as well as several swimming pools. There are also separate pools and a slide for children, so a visit with the whole family is fun.
Since we had a free wellness area in our hotel* and we did not want to leave our dog Schoko alone for so long, we unfortunately did not visit the Aqua Salza. However, the good reviews speak for themselves, so you should plan a few hours there to relax.
It’s best to ask at your hotel for vouchers or discounts. Sometimes the hotels have corresponding vouchers available, so that you can visit the Aqua Salza Therme at a reduced rate.
Brief information about the Aqua Salza Therme
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 09.00 to 18.30 hrs
- Admission price: Sauna day ticket: 31 euros | Bathing area day ticket: 14.5 euros
Further information about the Aqua Salza www.aqua-salza.at
The following travel reports might also interest you:
- Königssee | Everything you need to know for your visit
- Liechtensteinklamm Hike | Tips for a family hike
- St. Wolfgang am Wolfgangsee | Sights & Excursion Tips
- Gosausee Austria | Hiking in Salzkammergut