The other side of the Gastein Valley: While the Gastein Trail has so far tended to focus on the magnificent mountain landscape – i.e. nature – you get to know another side of the valley (as was partly the case on the previous stage): namely the cultural heritage. And that is tremendously rich: Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein were already famous health resorts in the imperial era. Those who were self-respecting stayed in these places for a summer retreat. No wonder that many architectural gems such as hotels, promenades or even the staging of the waterfall in the middle of Bad Gastein were built at that time. Today, you can comfortably hike in the footsteps of the high society of the time: Although the stage does not offer any alpine demands, it connects the most beautiful promenades between Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein, such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Promenade and the Gasteiner Höhenweg, built in 1934. Between the two places, you will also find ancient mountain farms, lovingly tended rural cultural landscapes and highlights in nature such as the Gadaunerer Schlucht (officially named "Austria's most beautiful place 2024"), before you can celebrate at the end of the hike on the Gastein Trail in the pedestrian zone of Bad Hofgastein or dive into the Alpentherme and swim with real sea fish.
