Five large DIGITAL-132 car racing tracks, a Roman milestone and signposted hiking trails highlight the different attractions of Puch bei Hallein. The Carrera WORLD is all about motorsport, while churches and castles showcase the area’s architectural and local history. When planning a stay, you can start by deciding whether you want to focus on the racing tracks, historical landmarks or trails through the landscape.
Getting here and finding your way
The Carrera WORLD is right by the A10 (E55), at exit 11 Puch/Urstein. Puch/Urstein is the northernmost motorway exit in the Tennengau region. The Carrera WORLD is just a few minutes’ walk from Puch Urstein station. Public transport options include the S3 suburban train, which runs directly from Salzburg Central Station.
According to the cycling route information, Salzburg’s historic old town is about 9.5 kilometres north of Puch; the journey takes around 30 minutes by bike. Along the way, you can enjoy views of Hohensalzburg Fortress and the river landscape. The stated time is a guide and varies depending on conditions.
The Carrera WORLD has five large DIGITAL-132 car racing tracks, and admission is free. Different rules apply to the municipal leisure facility: it is exclusively for Puch residents to use for recreation. This distinction is important when planning, as the signposted hiking trails also lead from the village to this facility.
Castles, church and Roman traces
Different building phases come together at Urstein Castle. The old complex, including today’s Maierei and its outbuildings, dates in its essentials from the 15th century. The new castle was rebuilt in the Baroque style around 1700; its present form took shape in 1701 under Alfons Dückher Freiherr von Haslau. Puchstein Castle has a different history: according to old chronicles, it was first mentioned in 822. In the Middle Ages, it was used to monitor the salt shipping trade.
Puch Parish Church is Late Gothic and has a pointed-spire tower. It was first mentioned in a document in 1347. Next to its entrance, a Roman milestone marks the seventh mile of the important Juvavum–Teurina trade route, the Salzburg–Carinthia connection. This allows you to see both ecclesiastical architectural history and evidence of the Roman road network in one place.
The carved wooden Puch Palm Donkey, featuring a figure of Christ, can be viewed year-round in the bell tower of the parish church. This type of figure was popular in medieval Easter processions. Those interested in religious art and customs can find a tangible connection here to the history of processions; the Palm Donkey can also be viewed outside any particular season.
Hiking trails with different destinations
Puch has eight signposted hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately difficult. This number may change if the local trail network is revised. The trails lead from the village to the leisure facility, up Almerberg or to the Urstein footbridge. Destinations also include Hubertus Chapel on Schönalm; a dedicated winter hike leads to it.
Agriculture is a particular theme: the themed trail features eleven information boards along the marked village loop on Schwester Hildegard Weg. The boards are accessible year-round, around the clock, along the signposted hiking trail, which is suitable for pushchairs. This lets you choose a trail not only by its destination but also by its theme.
Another option is a walking path along the Salzach. It passes the scenic Urstein footbridge, near Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and Urstein Castle. The options differ mainly in their focus: the themed trail explores agriculture, the walking path follows the Salzach, and Hubertus Chapel is also a destination for a winter hike.
Discover more destinations: Abtenau, Weissenbach, Bad Vigaun, Annaberg-Lungötz, Oberalm, Adnet, Rußbachsaag, Scheffau am Tennengebirge.
Return to the main travel overview: Hallein.
