St. Gilgen Vacations – A Summary

Set amidst the mountains and hemmed in on the sides by the crystal waters of Wolfgangsee, St. Gilgen is a small little village located less than an hour’s drive from Salzburg. Though not as undiscovered by tourists as it was just a decade ago, many will still find this very scenic town a welcome escape from the crowds of Salzburg and even neighboring St. Wolfgang. While lovers of nature will find plenty of hiking trails and water sports to keep them busy, others may find this an excellent spot to set up camp for touring the nearby cities and surrounding regions. If you prefer to stay in the larger city of Salzburg, St. Gilgen definitely warrants a day trip.

If you do decide to base your vacation in St. Gilgen, one thing you will absolutely not want to miss out on doing is taking the Cable Car up the Zwoflehorn. This is the mountain you will see towering over the little town and it offers a cable car service for you to ascend to its very peak. The ride itself is long and scenic and presents you with a fantasy of a landscape with miles and miles of lush greenness. Once you reach the viewing deck, you can walk up another few minutes to reach the absolute summit or hike away in several directions to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, lakes and landscape. There are also a couple of trails which offer a couple of hours long hikes down to Saint Gilgen itself. Don’t rush this visit for you will want to take time absorbing the sheer beauty of the vistas laid down below you.

If you decide to take a ferry boat ride over the St. Wolfgang during stay, another experience you will not want to miss is the Schaffberg Train ride starting from St. Wolfgang’s station. A steam train takes you for an incredibly steep ride through forests and meadows lasting roughly 30 minutes before reaching the top. The journey is wonderfully scenic and so sheer that at one point during the climb, the train appears more vertical than horizontal on the mountain surface. The colorful symphony of flowers, the breathtaking views and nice hiking trails will give you plenty of things to keep you occupied at the top. The trips up the Zwoflehorn and the Schafferberg are both rather pricey though and you may have to choose between them to keep your holiday budget on track.

St. Gilgen also offers excellent water sporting opportunities, several trails for hiking and trekking around the village and exploring the forests and tranquil camping grounds near the lake. An assortment of churches, museums (including a brilliant one dedicated to music instruments from around the world) and other landmarks are spread through the village alongside some delightful shops and cafes.

St. Gilgen vacations are more for communing with nature and exploring the outdoors than spending your time exploring palaces and museums. With a regular bus service connecting it with nearby cities, you could also set up your base here for exploring the region or make a day long visit here to explore its delights.