The best traffic-free bike rides around Bad Vigaun

A beautiful driveway and sensational panoramic view from slightly above.

swimming in the Taugl

Hallein Station is an important hub for regional rail traffic, particularly on the Western Railway line between Salzburg and Bischofshofen. It is regularly served by Salzburg S-Bahn (line S3) trains as well as regional and long-distance trains. The station has several barrier-free platforms, modern ticket machines, and good connections to regional bus services. Hallein Station is well-equipped for cyclists. Covered bicycle parking spaces are located directly in front of the station. Bicycles can be transported on many regional and S-Bahn trains, although a separate ÖBB bicycle ticket is required. Hallein Station thus offers a good combination of rail and bicycle use.

The Old Town Square is the historic heart of the city, surrounded by historic burgher houses with typical facades and arcades, the square conveys an atmospheric, almost southern flair. The square, with its cafés, small shops, and shady seating areas, invites visitors to linger and is often the venue for markets, concerts, and festivals. Nearby are the Keltenmuseum, the Salzachpromenade, and charming side streets with further historical details. For cyclists, the square offers an ideal backdrop for a break with cultural and culinary added value – right in the old town of Hallein.

A cycling trip to the Hallein Celtic Museum is worthwhile not only for its fascinating exhibition on Celtic history and salt mining, but also for the unique atmosphere surrounding the museum. Located directly on the banks of the Salzach River, the visit can easily be integrated into a cycling tour through the Tennengau region or along the Tauern Cycle Path. The short detour leads to the historic town center of Hallein, where the impressive wooden sculptures outside the museum already set the tone for the town's cultural character. Ideal for a break with added cultural value and a beautiful backdrop.

The Georgenberg in Kuchl is an impressive natural monument and a striking inselberg in the Salzach Valley, rising prominently from the surrounding landscape. Geologically, it consists of ancient conglomerate rock and was formed around 400,000 years ago by the melting of the Salzach Glacier. Its sheltered location made it a settlement as early as the Neolithic period – traces of Celtic, Roman, and Bavarian cultures have been preserved to this day, as has the Church of St. George, built on the foundations of an early Christian chapel. Today, the Georgenberg is easily accessible via paths and a small road and offers beautiful views as well as stops of natural and historical interest. It has been a nature reserve since 1960 and is also home to a colony of the rare Northern Bald Ibis. Cyclists traveling along the Salzach Cycle Path can include the Georgenberg as a worthwhile detour into their tour – whether for a rest or a cultural stopover.

Pfannhauserplatz is located in the old town of Hallein, directly on the southern bank of the Salzach River and next to the Celtic Museum. It is connected to Pernerinsel via the Pfannhausersteg bridge, built in 2019. The square has a long history and has had various names over the years, such as Salinenplatz, Magazinsplatz, and Pfleggasse, before being named after the panworkers who worked here until the 19th century. These salt workers were subject to their own professional code of conduct, including an oath, hierarchy, and guild structure. Today, the square is surrounded by several listed buildings, including the historic Saigerhaus and the Hundshaus. Also located there are the Reifwich Fountain and the bronze sculpture "Mädchen" by the artist Josef Zenzmaier, which was erected around 2017. After extensive renovations in 2019, Pfannhauserplatz received new paving, new seating, and bicycle parking. Today it serves as a meeting place, event venue and entrance to the Celtic Museum, which is located in the former saltworks.

A little further on is the entrance to this water paradise. So pack your swimsuit and take your little sister. Of course, only in the right weather.