Sustainable travel in one of Austria’s strongest tourism regions? Yes, I learn, Saalfelden-Leogang in Salzburg has much to show for green travel solutions. The mountain destination in the Salzburg Pinzgau region is now the third destination in Austria to be awarded the national eco-label for tourism destinations.
One year ago, I have visited the first such region, Seefeld in Tyrol, and later also Wagrain-Kleinarl, Austria’s first Green Destination, again located in Salzburg. Both trips have really opened my eyes to what sustainable tourism can be, a far cry from the usual greenwashing in marketing speech.
We met with sustainability managers, had many conversations with the locals and took one thing home with us: The more than 100 criteria that have to be fulfilled for being awarded the Austrian eco label for tourism destinations reflect sustainability at all levels, from mobility solutions and cultural tourism to socio-economic criteria, climate protection and management.
Achieving the national eco label for tourism destinations is something special, because it is such a complex achievement involving many different stakeholders. On our first walk in Leogang, we talk to Hans Madreiter, who works as an auditor for the label and was part of the internal team responsible for the certification of Saalfelden-Leogang.
Thomas Wurzinger, sustainability manager in Saalfelden-Leogang, has this to say: “With the award of the eco-label for tourism destinations, things are just getting started! The certification is a milestone in all that we’ve achieved in terms of sustainable travel, but now we have to and want to go even further. Sustainable tourism, a sustainable destination, is possible and worth striving for. We want to communicate this to other regions and, of course, to our guests as well.”
Alois Schläffer, regional manager in the “KEM” climate and energy model region Saalachtal, which also includes Saalfelden and Leogang, has also contributed to the national destination award. We meet him together with Thomas Wurzinger and Hans Madreiter at the charming, family-friendly Sinnlehenalm mountain hut, which is just over half an hour’s walk from our Hotel Der Löwe in Leogang.
The way is our goal: Wonderful hiking vibes up to the Sinnlehenalm mountain hut, including these panoramic views.
At the hut, we are able to sample typical regional delicacies, such as these Pinzgauer Kasnocken cheese gnocchi …
Cosy get-together at the Sinnlehenalm hut: from left to right Hans Madreiter, myself, Thomas Wurzinger, Alois Schläffer, my fellow travel bloggers Christina Leutner and Angelika Mandler with her husband Andreas and dog Coffee, and my dad. Only my son was more taken to the spacious playground at the Sinnlehenalm instead of the photo!
Sustainable travel right from the start: Taking the national rail ÖBB from Vienna to Salzburg and on to Saalfelden-Leogang.
So how sustainable can a typical weekend trip to the Saalfelden-Leogang region really be – even or especially as a family? Before I can use of all the sustainable mobility concepts on site, I obviously first have to get there from our home in Vienna.
Fortunately, it’s really very easy to travel from the capital city Vienna to Saalfelden-Leogang by train: It takes exactly four hours of train travel time, and thanks to well-timed transfer connections at Salzburg main station, it is really easy to manage the journey with a child (and grandad 😉 ) in tow.
Really nice: Our Hotel Der Löwe in Leogang, wich has also been awarded the national eco-label for its efforts on sustainability, comes and picks us up from the train station – off the train, and soon we are welcomed in these cosy rooms.
Sustainable accommodation: Staying at the four-star superior Hotel Der Löwe in Leogang, certified with both the Austrian and the European Ecolabel.
We can feel, taste, see and hear it throughout the hotel: sustainability really is a top priority at all levels at Hotel Der Löwe. The Madreiter family is keen to fulfil all our wishes, ensuring we get a look behind the scenes, such as green energy generation or the possibilities of sustainable mobility on site. We take an e-bike from the hotel and cycle along the so-called e-bike pleasure tour, which takes us to several stops at local producers in Saalfelden-Leogang.
At the hotel wellness area, meaning both the family spa centre as well as the Leonarium wellness centre on the fifth floor of the hotel, we are able to switch off completely after all the interesting conversations outside. A paradise above the rooftops of Leogang, where the hotel’s motto “Der Löwe – Lebe Frei” (live freely) can be seen and felt.
Wellness at the top floor of Hotel Der Löwe …
… my son Liam also really likes it here …
… thank you so much for the kind welcome, as in packing an extra kid-sized bathrobe into my room …
… at the family spa centre, children are allowed in some of the saunas and indoor as well as outdoor pools …
… we’ve loved dinner at the hotel each time, a wonderful regional creation and a feast for both the eyes and our bellies …
… the hotel’s e-bikes are a good means to offset the extra calories of the weekend!
Christina and I on our e-bike pleasure tour between Leogang and Saalfelden …
… we stop at the local farm shop Gerstbodner Troadladl and meet Zieferhof farmer Rupert. He is about to stock up his shop, but happily takes the time to stop and chat with us, too.
What I really like is an initiative that I have never found in any other hotel (and I have travelled to many hotels worldwide): Every time I skip (daily) room service at Hotel Der Löwe, a local tree is planted! It can hardly get more sustainable than that. The non-profit behind this is called “Bäume für Morgen” (Trees for Tomorrow), an Austrian organisation for the reforestation of local forests.
On our trip, we meet Piers Johnston, the founder of the organisation, who kindly offers to plant some trees with him! He has brought 50 silver firs and larches, as well as the connection to a local forest owner who has a slope in need of reforestation.
Very exciting for my son Liam (and us too, to be honest – we’ve never been reforestation bloggers before!). Check this out.
Piers Johnston, founder of “Bäume für Morgen” (Trees for Tomorrow), explains how to put the saplings into the ground …
… young Liam gets to help out as well …
… and in the end, we’re truly “done”: Group picture after our efforts in the reforestation of this mountain slope!
Sustainable mobility solutions: Beyond buses and trains, the local Loigom-Soifen shuttle closes the last mile just as any Uber would.
You can really forget about your own (rental) car, as there are so many easy alternatives in Saalfelden-Leogang. In addition to the usual regional bus connections and the e-bikes that we can hire directly from the hotel, the so-called Loigom Soifen shuttle takes us wherever (and whenever) we need it.
You can download the shuttle app directly onto your smartphone via a link or QR code, and order it similar to Uber or Bolt. You may also call the shuttle directly using a local Salzburg telephone number. Extra bonus: With your Saalfelden-Leogang Guest Card, you can use the shuttle free of charge!
We use the Loigom Soifen shuttle as an easy way to get to the starting point of an exciting activity for the day: our climate hike with Rupert Zehentner, who runs the Seealm hut on the border to Tyrol with his family. As a true mountain local, he is fully aware of the impact of climate change and has plenty to tell us along the hike to (the remnants of) the lowest (avalanche) glacier in the Eastern Alps.
Travelling with the Loigom Soifen shuttle, which closes the famous last mile of the local public transport network …
… we find it’s very simple and easy to book …
… a little later, Rupert Zehentner takes us on a so-called climate hike …
… where we learn that there really isn’t much left of the once huge masses of ice, so huge that blocks of it have been transported down the ice slide in this historic picture to the valley and to Munich to cool Bavarian beer! A tip for families: The climate hike from the Ullach – Leogang car park to the Birnbach bridge and even further to the Birnbachloch spring is also easy to manage with a five-year-old, and free hiking poles are available for hire at the car park below.
The Saalfelden Leogang website provides further interesting background information on the climate hike, particularly climate facts and interviews.
Liam and I then set off once again to fulfil a promise: We absolutely had to ride the summer toboggan run! The one in Saalfelden is over two kilometres long and is great fun, so we went a total of three times. With our guest card, we could use the chair lift as many times as we wanted, free of charge; I only had to pay for the toboggan run downhill (which again, was free for Liam). Below is the view from the chair lift!
The view towards Zell am See and Kitzsteinhorn mountain …
… down below, the first summer toboggans whizz past us, both Liam and I really enjoying the rides.
Sustainable mountain experiences: Show mine Leogang and Asitz “mountain of the senses”.
Finally, I’d like to highlight two more interesting experiences in Saalfelden-Leogang, notable for their value in teaching about sustainability beyond the immediate activities themselves.
The Leogang show mine adds to our historical understanding of how Saalfelden-Leogang evolved from a mere agricultural mountain destination (the mining of rare ores and minerals was an important economic factor here for centuries); with the Mining and Gothic Museum also worth a visit, as my friend Angelika who went confirms.
Liam eagerly awaiting the “little train” that today transports passengers instead of precious stones and minerals …
… a visit of the mine, which has been active for well over three centuries, is also possible with children …
… we listen, spellbound, to the many stories about the hard labour of those days, in which women and children were also actively involved (fortunately, today the little ones are no longer seen as additional labour in mining).
We also really enjoyed our Asitz mountain experience, the Asitz also known as the “mountain of the senses”.
Why mountain of the senses? Everything here is geared towards taking in as much of the surrounding nature as possible; through either specially signposted hiking trails (think giant anthills!), a small Kneipp facility in a local reservoir lake, or even a little sensory park built near the middle station of the Asitzbahn mountain cable car. We promised Liam we’d come back for the adventure hiking trail made especially for kids, and the sommer toboggan soon – unfortunately, both services weren’t running yet at the very beginning of the summer season.
As for great local food and drinks, you can head to nearby Stöcklalm hut. It comes with a large, natural play area that delights any kid around. Check this out.
Our hike along the “mountain of the senses” …
… leads us past this small reservoir lake, complete with a local Kneipp facility…
… check out this wonderful alpine playground …
… and relax at nearby Stöcklalm hut, offering typical regional delicacies suitable for all ages.
Read more about how the local mountain railways view their commitment to sustainability – quite critically, because (how) can mountain railways be sustainable at all?
“Sustainability is and remains our goal at all levels”, concludes local manager Thomas Wurzinger. And adds: “If you still want to know more or have any further questions, just let us know and we’ll be happy to answer them, or find further solutions in the process!”
Check out even more travel pictures from our sustainable trip to and in Saalfelden-Leogang in this Flickr photo gallery.
Disclaimer: I have been invited to visit Saalfelden-Leogang as part of its certification with the Austrian national ecolabel. All opinions are my own.