The Longa shows how closely nature in Weißpriach is tied to specific places: because of its unique meanders, the Longa area was designated a protected landscape area. In spring, thousands of frogs and newts travel from Fanningberg to the Longa to spawn. The Weißpriach Valley is a side valley in the UNESCO Salzburg Lungau Biosphere Reserve.
Nature between the Longa and the mountain landscape
The natural experience along the stream is complemented by a landscape at a higher elevation. From the Longa and the Weißpriach Valley, continue into the mountains to reach Lake Wirpitschsee. This picturesque mountain lake lies 1,750 metres above sea level. The stream’s meanders and the lake offer different perspectives on the landscape: the Longa area here, and a destination higher up in the mountains there.
The Norway spruce on Schlickenalm in the Weißpriach Valley also makes its own distinctive mark. It is also called a spire spruce and has been designated a natural monument. The Longa area is designated a protected landscape area, and the Norway spruce a natural monument.
Activities in different seasons
In winter, the Weißpriach Valley offers cleared winter walking trails, cross-country ski trails and snowshoe paths. In summer, the Longa is a popular destination for fly-fishing. Numerous mountain huts serving food in the valley invite you to linger over regional specialities. This brings together outdoor activities and breaks featuring regional cuisine, while each of the activities mentioned has its own distinct focus.
A cycling route leads from the centre of Weißpriach through the district of Schwaig and along the Longa mountain stream to Hinterweißpriach. There is a rest area with benches there. If you’re interested in another way to be active by the water, you’ll find a yoga spot right by the water at Weißpriach’s leisure facility. There is also a Kneipp facility by the Longa mountain stream: a handrail leads from the bank to a small island, and there is a rest area too. These facilities are quite distinct: a cycling route with named starting and end points, a yoga spot by the water, and a Kneipp facility by the stream.
Another winter option is the Fanningberg family ski area, which is located in the municipality of Weißpriach. The amphibian migration in spring and the winter activities thus mark two distinct seasonal highlights.
Churches, cultural heritage and former livelihoods
St. Rupert’s Church in Weißpriach is a former castle chapel. It is more than 1,000 years old and is one of the oldest churches in the state of Salzburg. In addition to the church, the old sexton’s house includes a Troadkasten, a traditional grain store that was first mentioned in a document in 1300. Together, the two sites link religious history with an early written record from the area’s history.
Other cultural monuments tell different stories about the past. The Brechelhütte in Sonndörfl is a well-preserved cultural monument associated with the former production of linen. Seekreuz Chapel stands in Hinterweißpriach and was a wayside shrine on the old Tauern Road, specifically a Tauern cross. The mining remains at Zinkwand include a stone-masonry passage from the entrance to the drop-off point for the ore sacks, as well as the ruins of a spring house and former miners’ quarters. Religious sites, linen production and mining thus offer different ways to explore Weißpriach’s history.
Discover more destinations: Begöriach, Sankt Andrä Im Lungau, Zankwarn, Sankt Michael Im Lungau, Wölting, Hinterweisspriach, Sankt Margarethen Im Lungau, Mauterndorf.
Go to the main travel overview: Tamsweg.
