This is how many winter resorts came into being: 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 have come to such towns for the mountains, and not everyone remembers that after descending the slopes, you can relax in a wellness center. But this Austrian ski resort is unique: it is still famous for both its slopes and its springs. Follow the example of Otto von Bismarck and Sigmund Freud, Fyodor Chaliapin and Liza Minnelli – come to Gastein!

City

When we drove into Bad Gastein in the evening in the dark, it seemed that the driver had gotten lost and brought us to the capital: we were surrounded by several beautiful tall buildings in the imperial style – a complete illusion that we had arrived in Vienna. This feeling disappeared only in the morning, when the outlines of mountain peaks appeared around.

Gastein is probably beautiful in the 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 roars, not defeated by the cold, it is he who gives rise to the river flowing through the valley.

Be sure to take a walk around Gastein. It is worth seeing the late Gothic frescoes in the ancient Nikolaus Kirche church, built in 1389, and walking 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 the oldest casino in Europe. If you get 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 around Bad Gastein: the old, famous hotels with a solid aqua past are located in the lower part of the town. The simpler ones are in the upper part, closer to the ski lift.

Mountains

So, we settled in Bad Gastein – that’s where the hotels where wealthy gentlemen rested a couple of centuries ago are located. From this village, lifts to the peaks of Stubnerkogel (2251 meters) and Graukogel (+2492 meters) start. A 10-15 minute bus ride away is the village of Bad Hofgastein , consisting of one- and two-story private houses and several modern hotels. From here, lifts will take you to Schlossalm (2050 meters).

Another 10 minutes and you will find yourself in the tiny village of Dorfgastein. Those who plan to ski in the rather large Dorfgastein-Grossarltal ski area with the peaks of Kreuzkogel (2027 meters) and Fulseck (2033 meters) settle there. Another small ski area – Sportgastein (at the peak of Kreuzkogel – 2686 meters) – belongs to Gastein, but it is far to go to it: from the nearest village – Bad Gastein – more than 15 minutes, there is nowhere to settle nearby, but there are fewer people skiing there.

You can travel between all ski areas by bus. For skiing in Graukogel and Dorfgastein-Grossarltal, separate ski passes will be required. From Stubnerkogel to Schlossalm and back, you can get there on skis and lifts, so there is a single ski pass (which also applies to Sportgastein). And you can also ski the entire Gastein Valley on flat skis: 90 kilometers of trails at an altitude of up to 1,600 meters are at your service.

Most of the trails in these places are “red”, which means that skiers who are already quite confident in descending the mountains will like it the most. Many trails hide surprises: sudden exits onto steep slopes, places where, having accelerated, you suddenly have to fit into narrow “throats”, so “zeros” will be uncomfortable there. Experienced skiers will also appreciate the length of the routes: in Gastein there is Hohe Scharte Nord – the longest descent in the Eastern Alps (10.4 kilometers long!), Many 7-5 kilometer trails.

There are no dizzyingly high peaks here, which will appeal to those who suffer from pressure drops at an altitude of over 3000 meters. This resort is impressive in the number of gondola lifts, which skiers do not like (they are too lazy to take off their skis), but snowboarders like. And the elevator cabin will also be appreciated by people who do not plan to ski at all, who want to admire the mountains. Yes, you can not only climb Stubnerkogel, reach the observation deck and walk along the longest suspension bridge in Europe stretched over the abyss, 140 meters long, 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 by the same lifts. Yes, Gastein is one of the few ski resorts where you can safely come “for company”, even if you yourself are not going to ski: you will not have to wander aimlessly through the streets and empty the shelves of shops out of boredom, you will not have a single free minute!

Water and more

If you stay in a good hotel, there will probably be a swimming pool and a small sauna. Moreover, it is considered good manners in these places that the water in the pool must be thermal, from the depths of the local mountains. But do not deprive yourself of 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 athletes running on the slopes, and a large spa area with saunas, a hammam.

Another highlight of Gastein is the Gasteiner Heilstollen radon tunnels. While relaxing, you can undergo a course of treatment! Many years ago, people noticed that the miners working in these places, unlike their colleagues suffering from many occupational diseases, are distinguished by excellent health. The phenomenon was carefully studied and came to the conclusion that the reason for this is radon. Therefore, the miners were expelled from such a healing place, and their trailers were occupied by a wealthy audience. You will be taken to the hot heart of the Radhaus mountain, where you, having settled down on a sunbed, will spend half an hour at a temperature of +37 degrees and a humidity of 75-80% (for “newbies”) to +41.5 and a humidity of 100% (for those who are taking the procedure for the first time). Radon helps with chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, respiratory tract, skin, helps to increase immunity, that is, it 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, any medication cannot be taken without consulting a doctor, so before you are allowed into the tunnel, you will have to undergo a small medical examination.

Hotel

We stayed at 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 old building built 200 years ago, it was recently renovated, without destroying, however, the aura of imperial aristocracy. You could try what the Gashtein waters are like without leaving the hotel: after skiing, we spent time in its spa center, where there was 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 remembered for its cuisine: in the morning we were greeted by a rich buffet, and in the evening we dreamed of getting to dinner as soon as possible. By the way, the anticipation of dinner was greatly enhanced by mulled wine, which was poured for free in the lobby at 5 o’clock in the evening to everyone who wanted it. The hotel is located in the lower part of Bad Gastein, so that guests do not have to climb to the ski 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 have considered the main types of recreation that have made Bad Gastein famous all over the world: skiing, radon tunnels, thermal springs and spas. But the charm of this city is that this is only part of how you can spend time and strengthen your body. Other activities in Bad Gastein include:

I. Mostly in summer

  • Hiking
  • Gastein mountain railways
  • Cycling
  • Golf
  • Tennis

  • Paragliding
  • Climbing
  • Archery
  • Fishing
  1. Mostly in winter
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Sledding
  • Snowshoeing
  • Horse rides

In addition, one-day excursions for children and adults, sightseeing. And finally, visiting original Austrian restaurants, and for nightlife lovers – clubs.

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