In Grödig, different ways to explore come together: the Untersberg cable car departs from St. Leonhard, hiking trails begin in Fürstenbrunn, and the Alm Canal tells the story of Salzburg’s historic water supply. There is also the pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard and recurring local traditions. This gives you different options when planning your trip—mountain rides, outdoor activities or architectural and local history.

Getting there and taking the cable car

The Untersberg cable car departs from St. Leonhard near Grödig and goes to the Geiereck. The ride takes 8½ minutes and offers views of the city of Salzburg, the Berchtesgaden region and the Rosittental valley. The journey time gives you a specific reference point for this part of your excursion; the views mentioned extend beyond Grödig.

Bus route 25 connects Salzburg Central Station with the Untersberg cable car via the city centre, Hellbrunn, Anif, Grödig and St. Leonhard. This route is a useful guide for getting there. As route details can change, check the timetable before travelling.

Trails with different destinations

From Fürstenbrunn, a district of Grödig, trail 461 leads via the Schweigmühlalm and the Großer Eiskeller to the Mittagsscharte or directly to the Salzburger Hochthron. The description gives two possible destinations. When planning, you can first decide whether you want to head for the Mittagsscharte or the Salzburger Hochthron.

The long-distance Alpine hiking trail covers a different scale: it is 160 km long in total and runs partly through the municipality of Grödig. This means you can choose between a specifically described trail from Fürstenbrunn and a long-distance hiking trail with a considerable total distance, depending on the scale of your plans.

A ski route is also described: it is 7.5 km long, starts a 15-minute walk from the Untersberg cable car’s mountain station and ends in Fürstenbrunn. Whether the route can be used depends on snow conditions. Check the snow cover before including it in your plans.

Water and architectural history

At the foot of the Untersberg, a spring-fed stream rises in Fürstenbrunn at an elevation of around 590 m and formed one of the three sources of the Glanbach stream. The Alm Canal offers another perspective on local landscape history: it has flowed through Grödig since the 13th century. It was built in the Middle Ages to supply water to the city of Salzburg and served as a lifeline for many businesses, especially mills, for centuries. Both water supply and former commercial use are part of its history.

The pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard is a building of interest from an art and cultural history perspective. At its core, the nave is Romanesque; the triumphal arch and choir were built in the Gothic period. The different construction phases can therefore be seen in different parts of the same church.

Traditions throughout the year

The Leonhardiritt takes place every year at the pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard, at the foot of the Untersberg. The traditional St. Leonharder Kirtag fair is also held every year around the first weekend in September. Exact dates may change. If you want to plan your trip around either event, check the current dates before booking.

Discover more destinations: Salzburg, Muntigl, Habach, Henndorf Am Wallersee, Helming, Neumarkt Am Wallersee, Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Wals-Siezenheim

Go to the overview of the wider region: Salzburg-Flachgau.