Hike to the Hermitage

The hustle and bustle is getting to you, and you just want to escape the world for a while. A touch of spirituality would be nice, and a beautiful panorama would be wonderful too. Ever been to a hermitage? It sounds a lot like a church, and indeed, this place, perched high above Saalfelden, is maintained by the church. From May to September, it's even inhabited by a hermit, despite the fact that the place isn't connected to the electricity or water grid.

The easy hike leads idyllically through a forest to the hermitage. Once you arrive, you'll have plenty of space and time to find your center and enjoy the peace and quiet. The view across the Saalfelden basin to Lake Zell and the Alps is breathtaking, and you'll never tire of it. It's especially beautiful at sunset, when the mountains seem like giants gathered around the valley.

The starting point for this circular route is the Bürgerau parking lot in Saalfelden. From there, you'll walk across a bridge and past the beautiful Lichtenberg Castle. The trail then leads through the woods up to the hermitage. From there, it takes you through the small village of Bachwinkel back to the starting point.

This hike is ideal for families. For safety, you should bring your hiking poles, and of course, a drink and a small picnic should be packed in your backpack.