Golling an der Salzach combines nature experiences and cultural history. The waterfall in the Torren district, the Salzach Gorge and the Bluntautal valley represent different landscape and activity themes; the castle, museum and churches offer cultural and historical perspectives. This gives you two clear priorities when planning your trip: trails and landscapes on the one hand, exhibitions and architectural history on the other.
Waterfall, gorge and themed trails
The Golling Waterfall plunges down 76 metres in two stages. At the waterfall, a circular hike of about 1.5 hours leads to the source in the Schwarzbachhöhle cave. This is distinct from the walk from the town centre to the beginning of the waterfall, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The times refer to different routes: one is for the circular hike to the source, the other for the walk from the centre to the start. For your day’s planning, consider them separately rather than reading them as the duration of a single tour.
The Bluntautal valley is a protected landscape area, with viewpoints and benches along its circular trail. The Salzach Gorge is a natural monument in Golling, up to 80 metres deep and about 1.5 kilometres long. A hike through the gorge follows well-secured walkways and trails. A separate activity there is an approximately 800-metre-long Flying Fox across the Salzach. So in the gorge, hiking and another activity are available side by side, while the circular trail in the Bluntautal valley is described as having viewpoints and benches.
The seasonal trail at Egelsee has 32 information boards, as well as stations devoted to body, mind and soul, and to energy, relaxation and meditation. These themed stations offer a different focus from the trail and elevation details given for the waterfall and gorge.
Castle, museum and churches
The Museum Burg Golling was founded in 1969 as a local history museum. Its temporary and permanent exhibitions cover the regional natural and cultural history of the valley and mountain regions along the Salzach. Golling Parish Church was first mentioned as a place of worship in 1384. The pilgrimage church of St. Nicholas features a specific architectural detail: its polygonal exterior pulpit has a parapet made of red Adnet marble. The churches therefore present two different approaches to history: an early written mention and a distinctive architectural form. Golling Castle is protected as a historic monument by ordinance.
Festivals and practical planning
The Golling Festival began in 2000 as a concert series featuring five concerts at Golling Castle. Tickets for festival events can be purchased online. Check the details for the specific event before your trip. The free Festival Express takes guests with mobility impairments to Golling Castle; check its operating times before your visit.
For nature destinations, different details can help you estimate how much time to allow: for the waterfall, there is both an approximate duration for the circular hike to the source and a walking time from the town centre to the beginning. In the Bluntautal valley, viewpoints and benches are noted along the circular trail; in the Salzach Gorge, the focus is on the secured walkways and trails, as well as the Flying Fox. For those interested in culture, the museum, churches and festival history offer a range of themes, without requiring you to limit your stay to just one way of exploring.
Discover more destinations: Scheffau am Tennengebirge, Schattau, Bad Vigaun, GaiĂźau, Kuchl, Krispl, Steuer, Puch Bei Hallein.
For the main travel overview: Hallein.
