Family Summer in Gastein in Salzburger Land

Even in the morning over breakfast, already sensing the anticipation for what the new day will bring. Running, jumping, climbing, horseback riding or fishing in the mountains, all the while breathing in the clear mountain air. Later on, enjoying a dip in the rippling waters of the swimming pool or a refreshingly cool, crystal-clear alpine tarn. Sitting down to dinner at your cozy accommodations, head full of beautiful images of the day just spent. And afterwards, falling into bed, eyes still beaming, tired but happy, only to reawaken the following morning, batteries recharged and ready for more.

That’s what your child’s vacation day in Gastein might look like. And as you know, if your children are having fun during their summer holidays, mom and dad are too, and they might even get to spend some time away together just for the two of them. In Gastein, all the options you need for a successful family summer are open to you – you merely have to seize the opportunities. Some of the best of these are featured in our "GASTI Hiking & Activity Program" - Gasti is our valley’s own very personable mascot!

Gastein is the perfect holiday destination for explorers, big and small. Whether you plan on spending your 2019 summer holidays as a single parent with a child or together with your bigger family – kid-friendly adventures await behind practically every hilltop and every bend in the trail. For example, along the Path of Legends, the youngsters will discover magical tales from the distant past as well as have a chance to solve riddles and puzzles along the way.

Bread baking workshops will give them an opportunity to knead the dough and shape the loaves themselves, and then, in a matter of minutes, sample the tantalizingly fragrant farmhouse bread pulled fresh out of the oven. On guided trail rides through green meadows and shady forests, your children will experience first-hand the joys of horseback riding. Out on a leisurely bike tour, they will be able to lean into their pedals and race against their biking buddies, coasting along our valley’s safe bicycle paths.

The"Solarbad“ in Dorfgastein is a swimming pool in a green, sunny part of the valley, promising great fun in and around the water for your whole family. And on our four adventure mountains the Fulseck, Schlossalm, Stubnerkogel and Graukogel – small explorers get to experience grand adventures, including a big children’s playground as well as a chance to show off their mountaineering skills on a family via ferrata.

Taking a deep breath and enjoying the beauty of Hohe Tauern National Park. Waiting, as the crystal-clear stream water of the Kötschachtaler Ache babbles cheerfully by you. And feeling the certain sense of excitement in the air before the first fish bites. Fly fishing is an unforgettable experience for children. In Gastein, as you fish side-by-side with your kids, you will be able to experience nature at its most beautiful – in the midst of Hohe Tauern National Park, next to the delightful Kötschachtaler Ache, with countless brook trout splashing about in it.

If you are looking to “nab” something a little different, how about trying your hand at panning for gold in Gastein. Together with your youngsters, you are certain to enjoy all kinds of exciting moments. And right there in the bottom of your dark pan, could that possibly be a small piece of Tauern gold shining out from between the grains of sand? Aspiring treasure hunters can walk in the footsteps of those gold prospectors of old, discovering the various gold-panning sites that dot Gastein Valley.

Regardless of whether your child is hungry for adventure or a daydreamer, whether your child prefers to discover the wonders of this world quietly and thoughtfully, or always wants to go “full steam ahead” – during a summer holiday spent in Gastein, youngsters have every conceivable opportunity available to them.

If you are spending your summer holidays in Gastein with your children, you are looking for a different kind of hiking experience than if you were here alone or purely with your partner. With children, it is those little experiences along the way that assume greater importance, plus the hikes shouldn’t take too long and not be too strenuous. And maybe you even have a very young family member who would like to tag along in a pram as well.

In fact, there are more than enough pram-friendly hiking paths in Gastein. In general, promenades alongside the river and not-too-steep forestry roads are your best options. In Gastein, you will find a number of these in Sportgastein, in Kötschachtal, along the Gasteiner Achenpromenade, or on the Gasteiner Höhenweg. Many of Gastein's theme paths are ideal for children, too. All that’s left for you to do at this point is choose the hike that jumps out at you most.