Mountains in the Salzkammergut: Majestic Heights

Mountains rise up across the world. And they are more than just piles of rock.

They are messengers of the climate, lifting us into another realm – fresh, clear and cool.

They are habitats, home to an impressive variety of animals and plants. Alpine flowers such as the brilliant blue gentian thrive here.

And us? We are their guests. In magical moments, high above, we can suddenly feel at one with the landscape.

The mountains give us something that has become rare in everyday life: silence.

It is hard to resist their allure. Yet there is one corner of the earth where their presence feels even more extraordinary. More majestic.

The mountains in the Salzkammergut.

The diversity of the mountains in the Salzkammergut

Austria is rich in famous mountains. But in the Salzkammergut, some very special kings and queens of the landscape reign supreme.

Between sparkling lakes, forested peaks, rugged cliffs and rolling alpine meadows, everyone can find a mountain world of their own.

And sometimes, the journey begins right in the heart of the Salzkammergut.

Mountains around Bad Ischl: where Sissi came to find peace

Empress Elisabeth – Sissi – was drawn to Bad Ischl time and again. The Jainzen, in particular, seems to have captured her heart.

Legend has it that she even rode to the summit on horseback. Once there, she is said to have read, painted, written and, above all, paused to reflect.

You can still sense that nostalgic feeling today, even in hiking boots. At 814 metres above sea level, the trail winds through a forested mountain landscape that lets you forget the world around you for a while.

And sometimes, you take that feeling right back down to the valley.

Imperial indulgence at Café LIVA

How lovely that you can pair that mood with a little indulgence.

At Café LIVA in St. Gilgen on Wolfgangsee, coffee is fit for royalty: creamy cappuccinos and other coffee specialities, finished with distinctive flavours – from lavender and caramel to rose.

Imperial. In its own special way.

The Katrin in the heart of the mountains in the Salzkammergut: Bad Ischl’s local mountain

The Katrin is Bad Ischl’s legendary local mountain – a rewarding destination for anyone who wants to bring nature, exercise and panoramic views together.

The ride on the historic Katrin cable car is an experience in itself. Since 1959, it has been carrying visitors up to an alpine paradise.

At the top, a vast protected hiking area awaits, with spectacular views. On a clear day, the panorama stretches across as many as seven lakes.

And the summit cross, at around 1,400 metres above sea level, feels almost within reach.

An invitation to climb a little higher.

With courage. And a sense of freedom.

After the climb, rustic alpine huts reward you with regional specialities – perhaps a hearty Kaiserschmarrn, said to have been enjoyed by Emperor Franz Joseph himself.

From Kaiserschmarrn to American pancakes

Step into Café LIVA and into the sweet life.

Here, fluffy, warm American pancakes come with a delicate drizzle of maple syrup – a modern take on a classic. Or choose a beautifully decorated slice of cake, a delicious contrast to the mountain air.

The emperor would probably have been delighted.

Mountains in the Salzkammergut – the scenic panoramas of Wolfgangsee

When it comes to mountains and legends, Wolfgangsee is hard to overlook.

Here, the Schafberg rises up as one of the most striking mountains in the Salzkammergut.

The Schafberg: ride Austria’s steepest cog railway to the top

The famous SchafbergBahn carries passengers up into the mountain world along a spectacular route – at an easy pace, with time to slow down and take in the ever-changing views.

The Schafberg opens up a view that’s impossible to take in as an afterthought.

Looking down from a rugged rocky outcrop, with the surrounding lakes stretching into the distance, brings the scale of nature vividly to life.

You can feel the courage it takes to make the climb.

And the strength you carry back down to the valley.

Indulgence with a view of the Schafberg

For a leisurely return, a scenic boat ride across Wolfgangsee leads back to Café LIVA. The Schafberg shimmers in the crystal-clear water – an image that stays with you.

At Café LIVA, fragrant cakes are baked in-house with care and attention to detail.

The perfect ending.

And another memory to hold on to.

The Zwölferhorn: a family adventure with lake views

Behind historic St. Gilgen, the Zwölferhorn rises into the sky. Its name comes from the sun: according to observations by former alpine residents, at true noon the sun stood directly above the summit. Sunny prospects indeed …

The mountain is a special treat for anyone who enjoys leisurely walks and family hikes. Step off the cable car and a breathtaking panorama opens up before you.

Three lakes lie at your feet.

And if you’re travelling with little summit seekers, you can take on the short, manageable walk to the summit cross together.

A little adventure that creates big memories.

From the mountain straight to Café LIVA

Then the paths lead back to the heart of the Mozart village – to Café LIVA.

Too late for breakfast?

Not at LIVA.

Here, special breakfast options are served all day. Sit back, unwind and forget everything around you.

Except the view.

That stays with you.

Where mountain and lake come together

Sometimes, it isn’t the summit that makes a moment special.

Sometimes, it’s the way the mountain meets the tranquillity of the lake.

A spontaneous detour to Bürglstein in nearby Strobl could be the finishing touch to a perfect day.

And once again, the boat is ready and waiting.

A wooden walkway leads right across the water. With every step, it feels as though you’re walking on the sparkling surface of Wolfgangsee.

Each wave brings a little more freedom.

That feeling of being on holiday.

Back at Café LIVA, a fruity, sparkling Aperol awaits. Or perhaps a Limoncello Spritz? A Lillebet? Or a refreshing glass of freshly squeezed orange juice?

The biggest challenge at LIVA:

choosing just one.

Mountains in the Salzkammergut: hikes you have to experience for yourself

… because they’re not stories you can simply tell.

When a holiday suddenly makes you want to venture further. To climb higher.

When the spirit of adventure stirs and all you want is to head up.

That’s when the trail leads to the impressive Krippenstein in the Dachstein range.

The Krippenstein: high above Hallstätter See

The Krippenstein rises dramatically above Hallstätter See. Around 1,600 metres of elevation separate the summit area from the lake.

From selected viewpoints such as the 5 Fingers, you can do more than simply look at the rugged high-alpine landscape in all its raw beauty.

You can feel it.

But the Dachstein holds a second world, too: a mystical landscape of caves.

Take the recently modernised cable car up in comfort, then step into the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave and its fascinating world of ice and rock.

The cave takes your breath away.

And warms your soul.

A thousand impressions, a thousand memories.

The kind words can’t do justice to.

The Traunstein: guardian of Traunsee

And then there’s the Traunsee-Almtal region.

The Traunstein is a must-see here.

Rugged and almost entirely on its own, it stands on the shore of Traunsee, earning its name as the “Guardian of Traunsee”.

Its steep rock faces plunge straight into the water. Traunsee lies below – at around 191 metres deep, Austria’s deepest lake.

A landscape of contrasts: rock and water, height and depth, vastness and closeness.

The Traunstein is an experience for mountaineers and climbers, too.

Standing at the top, you experience a moment that’s hard to put into words.

Overwhelming. Clear. Still.

The world below suddenly seems small.

The rugged rock becomes your own personal throne. Your gaze sweeps across the lake and the surrounding mountains.

A broader view. A sense of direction.

And confidence for the way back.

Stories you have to experience for yourself

Eventually, the world feels big and full of life again.

And then there’s no better place to round off the day than Café LIVA.

Guests from all over the world meet here, perhaps marvelling at the very same things you are.

Stories that don’t need to be told.

Because you’ve lived them.

Mountains in the Salzkammergut – beyond the horizon

The mountain world fascinates us in all its forms.

The Salzkammergut offers countless variations: rolling alpine meadows, forested heights, distinctive rocky peaks and impressive high-alpine landscapes.

We want to explore them.

And perhaps discover our own limits along the way.

We grow with the feeling of standing at the very top.

And experience a moment as unique as we are.

In autumn, the mountains in the Salzkammergut take on a very special light. The landscape’s warm golden hues catch the eye and draw it higher.

Perhaps all the way to a brilliant blue gentian.

Because sometimes, growing beyond yourself starts with something very simple:

the courage to be happy.

And to take the first step.

Here and now.

LIVA Living: your base for exploring the mountains in the Salzkammergut

To experience the mountains in the Salzkammergut, there’s one thing you need above all: time.

Time to hike.

Time to take it all in.

Time to savour the moment.

And a place you’ll be glad to return to afterwards.

The perfect base is LIVA Living.

Where a temporary stay means living with intention.

Where good food, relaxation and the majestic mountains of the Salzkammergut come together.

Because some experiences pass.

Some peaks are left behind.

But the finest memories stay.

Without words.