Discover Göriach: Alpine hamlet, hikes and winter experiences

Göriach lies at an altitude of 1,220 metres and is surrounded by the Radstadt Tauern mountains. Its altitude, hiking routes and seasonal experiences give a trip different focuses. If you are looking for a hotel, you can plan your stay around the season and the experiences that matter to you. In winter, options include winter hiking along the Göriachbach, cross-country skiing and sledging; traditional festivals provide special dates in July and September. The Göriach Alpine hamlet, along with hikes in the Salzburger Lungau and the Carinthian Nockberge, offers another perspective on the area.

Location and character

The Göriach Alpine hamlet is a small mountain village in the upper part of the valley, at around 1,200 metres. Göriach itself lies at an altitude of 1,220 metres; the two figures place the town and the Alpine hamlet at a similar elevation. As part of the “Bergsteigerdörfer” initiative, Göriach offers a more relaxed and unspoilt experience of nature.

Hiking and the Alpine hamlet

Two walking times are worth distinguishing when planning your visit: the hike from Hintergöriach to the Alpine hamlet and on to the Hansalhütte takes about an hour and may vary depending on conditions; from the last turnaround point, the Alpine hamlet is a five-minute walk. The Alpine hamlet is suitable for families with pushchairs and for older visitors. Göriach is also a starting point for hikes in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Salzburger Lungau and the Carinthian Nockberge. This means you can plan anything from a specific walk in the valley to hikes in these two areas.

Winter in Göriach

A winter hiking trail follows the Göriachbach through a snow-covered landscape. In winter, there are also excellently groomed cross-country ski trails; sledging is a winter activity for the whole family. There are therefore different activities to choose from: walking by the stream, skiing on the cross-country trails or taking a sled. If you are travelling with family, the sledging option, which is specifically described as family-friendly, is a practical point to consider when planning.

Traditions and regional products

Two traditional events take place in different months. The alpine pasture mass in the Göriach Alpine hamlet is held on the last Sunday in July. The “Bauernherbst-Fest” in Göriach features the traditional descent of the sheep from the alpine pastures and is held on the last Saturday in September. So if you are planning a stay around one of these events, the specific weekend date matters: the alpine pasture mass is in July, while the September festival features the descent from the alpine pastures.

Regional products may also play a part in planning your trip: the Hiasnhof, run by the Naynar family, is a farm in Fern that sells goat’s and cow’s cheese. Purchases and orders are possible by prior arrangement. If you are planning a visit for the cheese, remember to arrange your visit in advance.

Getting here and finding a hotel

You can travel by bus to the “Göriach Parkplatz Hüttendorf” stop; check the timetable before setting off. By car, you can drive to the turnaround point just before the Alpine hamlet in the upper Göriach Valley. These details can help you prepare for your journey in a way that suits your travel plans.

You can plan your travel dates around the features of the area. Then check the details of each hotel offer to make sure they meet your requirements.

Discover more destinations: Weißpriach, Lessach, Wölting, Unternberg, Thomatal, Sankt Andrä Im Lungau, Mauterndorf, Katschberg

For the overview of the wider area: Tamsweg.