Somewhere between alpine air, gravel trails, and the unique feeling of having the entire mountain to yourself—that is where you find Saalbach Hinterglemm. The Glemmtal valley in Salzburg’s Pinzgau district has truly earned its reputation as the “Home of Lässig” (the home of casual cool). It did not achieve this through empty marketing promises, but through an infrastructure that is second to none in both summer and winter. Anyone who has been here understands why.
The upper Glemmtal valley sits at around 1,000 meters above sea level, flanked by the gently rolling peaks of the Pinzgauer Grasberge and the Kitzbühel Alps. Several of these summits rise well above 2,000 meters—including iconic local landmarks like the Schattberg and the Zwölferkogel. The valley is deliberately peaceful, accessed solely from the neighboring town of Maishofen. Yet, urban hubs like Zell am See and the historic city of Salzburg are within easy reach. Whether arriving by train, car, or via Salzburg Airport, the region is highly accessible without ever feeling like an overcrowded mass tourism destination.
When people think of mountain biking in Europe, the Glemmtal valley inevitably comes to mind. Together with Leogang and Fieberbrunn, this area forms Austria’s largest connected bike region, boasting over 120 kilometers of lines and trails spanning seven mountains. Legendary routes like the Hacklberg-Trail, the technically demanding X-Line, or the family-friendly Z-Line on the Kohlmais offer the perfect challenge for every riding level. Modern cable cars equipped with bike transport carry riders effortlessly to the trailheads. Beginners and parents introducing their kids to the sport will find ideal conditions in the dedicated Learn to Ride Parks at the valley stations. The extensive trail network for E-MTBs and gravel bikes leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.
More than 400 kilometers of marked hiking trails crisscross the region, ranging from leisurely alpine pasture walks to serious endurance tests. Ambitious athletes push their limits on the Saalbach Hiking Challenge, which features the classic Pinzgauer Spaziergang (28 km) and the rugged Seven Summits ridge walk (24 km). Thanks to the summer cable cars, these high-altitude vistas are also fully accessible to those looking for a more relaxed pace. More than 40 traditional, staffed alpine huts ensure that no one ever leaves the mountain hungry.
When you stay at an official partner property in the Glemmtal valley, you receive the JOKER CARD automatically. It serves as your key to the perfect summer, granting free use of almost all operating summer cable cars, free admission to top attractions at the end of the valley, and exclusive discounts across the entire sports region.
The Skicircus ranks among the most renowned ski resorts in the world—and for good reason. With up to 270 seamlessly connected kilometers of slopes, state-of-the-art gondolas with heated seats, and a strict focus on eliminating lift lines, it strikes the perfect balance between slope quality, premium infrastructure, and pure alpine lifestyle. Beginners will find gentle slopes, carvers can enjoy wide boulevards, and experts can tackle the pitch-black World Cup runs on the Zwölferkogel. Those looking for world-class freeriding simply head toward Fieberbrunn. Here, ski-in / ski-out is not a marketing catchphrase, it is the daily standard—many accommodations are located directly on the slopes or right by the lifts.
The Glemmtal valley shines even without a pair of downhill skis. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts can explore the tracks at the end of the valley, while toboggan fans head to the floodlit run on the Reiterkogel. Miles of meticulously groomed winter hiking trails with panoramic views across the snow-covered valley offer the ultimate alternative for anyone who does not need a lift pass.
At the far end of the Glemmtal valley lies an impressive concentration of outdoor highlights. The 200-meter-long suspension bridge—famously known as the Golden Gate Bridge of the Alps—spans the valley at a height of 42 meters, leading directly into the Baumwipfelweg, the highest treetop walk in Europe. The massive Treetop Adventure Park and the Jump and Slide Park with its giant slides and trampolines make this area an absolute must for adrenaline seekers. For younger guests, Teufelswasser (Devil’s Water) and Schnitza’s Holzpark offer nature-focused, creek-side play areas that are incredibly popular during the summer months.
The ultimate family mountain: The little clown leads young explorers on a playful journey from the top station down to the mid-station. The absolute highlight of Montelino's Adventure Trail is the game feeding area near the Panoramaalm, ensuring that families with children rarely head down from the Kohlmais disappointed.
At 1,700 meters above sea level, the Reiterkogel offers a brilliant dual experience. While children solve riddles revolving around the goblin Kodok on Berg Kodok, those seeking peace find their ultimate sanctuary at the Forest Wellness Areal. Here, you can literally suspend yourself in hammocks strung between centuries-old spruce trees in one of the quietest corners of the region.
An interactive educational trail at the Hochalm provides fascinating insights into the history and engineering of modern cable cars. Up at the Westgipfel top station at 2,096 meters, mountain bikers will find a true highlight: one of the highest pump tracks in Austria. It is the perfect spot to watch the sun go down.
Saalbach Hinterglemm makes it effortless for guests to leave their cars behind. The integrated Guest Mobility Ticket allows overnight visitors to use all public transport (buses and trains) across the entire federal state of Salzburg completely free of charge for the duration of their stay. Whether you arrive by train or travel within the valley, your own vehicle becomes entirely redundant.
