This is how many winter resorts arose: first, healing waters were discovered in the middle of the mountains, a couple of centuries ago, when aquatherapy became fashionable, aristocrats flocked there, and when skiing became popular, trails were built around it. Since then, most tourists come to such towns for the sake of the mountains, and not everyone remembers that after coming down from the slopes, you can relax in a wellness center. But this Austrian ski resort is unique: it is still famous for both slopes and springs. Follow the example of Otto von Bismarck and Sigmund Freud, Fyodor Chaliapin and Liza Minnelli – come to Gastein!
City
When we entered Bad Gastein in the dark in the evening , it seemed that the driver got lost and brought us to the capital: we were surrounded by several beautiful tall buildings in the imperial style – a complete illusion that we got to Vienna. This feeling disappeared only in the morning, when the outlines of mountain peaks appeared around.
Probably, Gastein is beautiful in summer, but in winter it is incredibly beautiful: the rocky slopes around the town are decorated with openwork crystal arabesques – frozen streams. In the center of the city, a large waterfall, not defeated by the cold, roars, and it gives rise to the river that flows through the valley.
Be sure to take a walk in Gastain. It is worth seeing the Late Gothic frescoes in the old Nikolaus Kirche church, built in 1389, and going to the Maria vom Guten Rat church. You can learn more about the history of the region by visiting the Gasteiner Museum. And some will be attracted by the opportunity to try their luck in Europe’s oldest casino. If you are hungry, feel free to visit one of the restaurants. Forget about pizza and pay tribute to Austrian cuisine – it deserves it!
It is very easy to find your way in Bad Gastein: old famous hotels with a solid aqua past are located in the lower part of the town. The simpler ones are at the top, closer to the lift.
Mountains
So, we settled in Bad Gastein – that is where the hotels were located, where wealthy gentlemen rested a couple of centuries ago. The lifts to the peaks of Stubnerkogel (2251 meters) and Graukogel (+2492 meters) start from this village. The village of Bad Hofgastein is a 10-15 minute bus ride away , consisting of one- and two-story private houses and several modern hotels. From here, the elevators will take you up to the Schlossalm (2,050 meters).
Another 10 minutes – and you get to the tiny village of Dorfgastein. Those who plan to ski in the fairly large Dorfgastein-Grossarltal ski area with the peaks of Kreuzkogel (2027 meters) and Fulseck (2033 meters) settle there. Another small skiing area belongs to Gastein – Sportgastein (at the top of Kreuzkogel – 2686 meters), but it is far to go to it: it is more than 15 minutes from the nearest village – Bad Gastein, there is nowhere to live nearby, but there are fewer people skiing there.
You can move between all skating areas by bus. Separate ski passes will be required for Graukogel and Dorfgastein-Grossarltal. From Stubnerkogel to Schlossalm and back it will be possible to get there on skis and lifts, so there is a single ski pass (which also extends to Sportgastein). And you can go around the entire Gastein Valley on cross-country skis: 90 kilometers of tracks at an altitude of up to 1,600 meters are at your service.
Most of the tracks in these places are “red”, which means that skiers who are already quite confident going down the mountains will like it the most. Many tracks hide surprises: sudden departures on steep slopes, places where, after speeding up, you suddenly have to fit into narrow “throats”, so that “zero” women will be uncomfortable there. Experienced skiers will also appreciate the length of the routes: Hohe Scharte Nord is located in Gastein – the longest descent in the Eastern Alps (10.4 kilometers long!), There are many 7-5 kilometer tracks.
There are no dizzyingly high peaks here, which will appeal to those who suffer from pressure drops at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters. This resort has an impressive number of gondola lifts, which are not liked by skiers (they are too lazy to take off their skis), but to the liking of snowboarders. And the elevator cabin will be appreciated by people who do not plan to ride at all, who want to admire the mountains. Yes, you can not only climb the Stubnerkogel, reaching the observation deck and walk on Europe’s longest 140-meter suspension bridge stretched over the abyss, which sways eerily from your steps, but also go down by gondola to the Angertal ski center (between Stubnerkogel and Schlossalm ) and have lunch there with friends who got there on their own, and then return to Bad Gastein in exactly the same way on the lifts. Yes, Gastein is one of the few ski resorts,
Water and not only
If you stay in a good hotel, there will probably be a swimming pool and a small sauna. Moreover, it is considered a good tone in these places that the water in the pool must be thermal, from the bowels of the local mountains. But do not deprive yourself of the pleasure and at least once visit the Felsentherme – a large thermal complex consisting of several indoor pools with hydromassage, an outdoor pool with a jacuzzi, where you can swim in warm water, admiring the light athletes on the tracks, and a large spa area with saunas , hammam
Another highlight of Gastein is the Gasteiner Heilstollen radon tunnels. While resting, you can undergo a course of treatment! Many years ago, people noticed that the miners who work in these places, unlike their colleagues who suffer from many occupational diseases, are distinguished by excellent health. The phenomenon was thoroughly investigated and came to the conclusion that the cause is radon. Therefore, the miners were expelled from such a healing place, and their wagons were occupied by the wealthy public. You will be taken to the hot heart of Radhaus mountain, where you will spend half an hour on a deck chair at a temperature of +37 degrees and humidity of 75-80% (for “newbies”) to +41.5 and humidity of 100% (for those who take procedure not for the first time). Radon helps with chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, respiratory tract, skin, helps to increase immunity, that is, useful for almost everyone except pregnant women and those suffering from claustrophobia. If you want to achieve significant improvements, it is recommended to undergo 8-12 sessions within 2-3 weeks. Of course, you can’t take any medicine without consulting a doctor, so before you are admitted to the tunnel, you will have to undergo a small medical examination.
Hotel
We lived in the elegant Hotel Elisabethpark 4 *. It is located in the very center of the city, not far from the waterfall. The hotel is located in an ancient building built 200 years ago, it was renovated not so long ago without destroying the aura of imperial aristocracy. It was possible to try what the Gadayn waters are like without leaving the hotel: after skiing, we spent time in its spa center, which had an indoor pool with thermal water and as many as five saunas, from a salt steam bath to a hammam.
And this hotel was also memorable for its cuisine: in the morning a rich buffet was waiting for us, and in the evening we dreamed of getting to dinner as soon as possible. By the way, waiting for dinner was greatly enhanced by mulled wine, which at 5 o’clock in the evening was poured free of charge in the hall for everyone. The hotel is located in the lower part of Bad Gastein , so that guests do not have to climb to the lift with skis, a free shuttle runs to the Stubnerkogel lift all day – 3-5 minutes, and you are at the ticket office!
Other types of recreation in Bad Gastein
In general, we considered the main types of recreation that made Bad Gastein famous around the world: downhill skiing, radon tunnels, thermal springs and spa. But the beauty of this city is that this is only part of how you can spend time and strengthen your body. Other types of pastime in Bad Gastein include:
I. Mostly in summer
- Hiking
- Gastein mountain railways
- Bicycle tours
- Golf
- Tennis
- Paragliding (paragliding)
- Ascent
- Archery
- Fishing
- Mostly in winter
- Cross-country skis
- Sledding
- Trekking on snowshoes
- Horse attractions
In addition, one-day excursions for children and adults, sightseeing tours can be mentioned. And finally visit original Austrian restaurants, and for lovers of night life – clubs.