Still not sure where to go on your summer holiday this year? But in the mood for swimming, Mountain biking, climbing and feasting? The Steinberge mountain sports region has the perfect answer to all your wishes.
First and foremost: the Waidringer Steinplatte, visible from afar across the valley, with a distance of seven kilometres and a height of 250 metres. This former coral reef is a classic destination with a global reputation – not least because of its exceptionally high-quality rock. Alongside it, however, the Loferer & Leogang Rocky Mountains are also vying for attention from those keen to explore them.
As well as the technically challenging 45-pitch ‘Pinzgawurm’ route – named after the frequent patches of fog here, which snake like a worm from the Saalfelden Basin towards Tirol – there are countless mountain and climbing adventures for the whole Family.
And after a day in the mountains, the lake beckons: a dip in the Pillersee, then a quick pop round to the local farm to fetch fresh eggs, bacon and cheese – and nothing stands in the way of a magnificent dinner. After all, you’ll need to top up your energy reserves for the Mountain Bike Park, stand-up paddleboarding or the next day’s climbing.
Text: Susa Schreiner
Whether it’s sport climbing, leisure climbing or alpine climbing – the Steinplatte offers the right route for everyone: from Rock Climbing Areas with some challenging routes to picture-perfect leisure routes on the wall, which rises to a height of 250 metres. The former coral reef is now regarded as one of Tirol’s finest limestone climbing areas. And the view from the wall is simply breathtaking.
Thanks to the collaboration between the three regions of Saalfelden Leogang, Pillerseetal and Salzburger Saalachtal, climbing enthusiasts of all ages have more than 1,000 options to choose from – all within a maximum radius of 25 minutes’ drive. If you like, you can leave the car behind and set off on an E-Bike. That’s much nicer anyway: it lets you breathe in the scent of the meadows and experience the countryside much more intensely.
The Loferer & Leogang Rocky Mountains offer fantastic mountain experiences, whether guided or planned independently. Many climbing areas are ideal for anyone making the switch from the climbing gym to the crag or wanting to improve their lead climbing skills – with as little anxiety as possible. The Wiesensee Rock Climbing Area is perfectly suited to this. Meanwhile, seasoned climbers can choose from one of the numerous challenging multi-pitch routes.
The ‘Adolariwirt’ is a great place to meet local climbing enthusiasts. Anyone tempted straight into the water after a climb can pop into the Pillersee in their swimwear for an Aperol or an Almdudler. At the Wiesensee, the ‘Wiesenseehof’ is a great spot for coffee, cake and dumplings.
If you’re out and about in the Saalfelden-Leogang region, you might pass the Passauer Mountain Lodge/Hut after an alpine tour – be sure to pop in. And if you’re into cool music and trendy drinks, head to the ‘Mama Thresl’.
Tight muscles? Not with a session of SUP yoga on Lake Pillersee. It’s not exactly easy, but it’s very effective: the asanas on the SUP board strengthen your core, improve your balance and make your muscles supple. The ducks watch with amusement and comment on your moves.
You can experience the thrill of two wheels at ‘The Epic Mountain Bike Park Leogang’ – a lovely way to unwind on days off from climbing and a completely different kind of thrill. In contrast, a day at the spa at the Naturhotel Forsthofgut promises complete relaxation: the WaldSpa, with its herbal and steam baths, outdoor and indoor pools, and a range of saunas, is an ‘adults-only’ area – a wonderful hideaway to recharge your batteries.
The Steinberge mountain sports region offers a wide range of accommodation options – from 5-star wellness hotels to Holiday Apartments. We particularly recommend the traditional inn and climbers’ haunt ‘Adolariwirt’, situated south of Waidring on the road towards St. Ulrich am Pillersee. Of course, there are also campsites in the area for a completely self-catering outdoor holiday.
The ROCKdays are the Steinberge climbing festival. In the year this article was published (2021), the dates were left open for a long time due to the coronavirus pandemic and were eventually set for 25 and 26 September.
Up-to-date dates and all the information: rockdays.at
Tips & Safety
Would you like to know more about safety when climbing? Click here for our safety tips.
