Sustainable travel - enjoy your vacation with a small ecological footprint
Our glaciers are melting, nature is changing and the whole world is affected. Whether at home or on vacation, every one of us can make a difference with a few actions. Sustainable living while on vacation: how is it possible? The destination of Saalfelden Leogang makes it easy for guests: the region is constantly working to implement new ideas and environmentally friendly projects. In recent years, they have already taken on a pioneering role in various areas, such as the conscious use of resources.
Saalfelden Leogang: All together for the environment
Cohesion is very important if you want to change something. That is why there are various projects in the region that have the common goal of doing something against climate change and for the environment. In addition to the numerous sustainable offers for guests, the locals are also very committed. Because they, as well, want tourists to feel good. At the Leoganger Bergbahnen, for example, there is the "Clean the trail day" campaign, where you walk the bike trails once a month after closing time to collect trash. Furthermore, there is also the community "Loigom hoit zomm", colloquially for "Leogang holds together". The organization offers quick help as well as consultations in any situation or emergency, for example with voluntary services or sustainable projects.
Arrival and departure without a car, without a plane, without traffic jams?
When planning for the upcoming vacation, the arrival and departure are always a big deal. Most guests still travel to Saalfelden Leogang by car, although the train is a great alternative with many advantages. The greatest and most important advantage is of course the climate-neutral journey. There are no traffic jams, the train connections are constantly being expanded and a train journey is very comfortable. In our region there are three train stations, so there is no need for a long drive or transfer to reach the accommodation. The main reason why most people prefer to travel by car rather than by train is the transfer with luggage. However, this can now be avoided as ÖBB (Austrian Railways) offers a service in which the luggage is sent ahead. This means that nothing stands in the way of travelling climate-neutrally.
How can a vacation be made sustainable?
You can also do a lot for sustainability during your stay. When booking accommodation, you can make sure that it is labelled with the eco-label. In addition, an overnight stay on an authentic and traditional farm would be an attractive option. Like most regions in Austria, Saalfelden Leogang also offers the possibility to rent many utensils (such as bicycles, hiking poles, helmets, climbing equipment and much more) on site. Thus, you can save money, you do not have to buy everything from scratch, do not have to carry heavy luggage and you are helping the environment at the same time. In the region Saalfelden Leogang, a diverse program is offered for both tourists and locals. As an example, the event ALM:KULTUR, which mainly takes place at mountain huts to which there usually is no means of transport - other than your own legs. Within the framework of ALM:KULTUR, concerts and workshops are organized according to the motto "tradition meets modernity". Furthermore, the region’s weekly program has a novelty in store since this summer: The climate hike, where you go on a journey through time in the footsteps of ice, water and change. The tour takes place weekly and deals with the consequences of the climate crisis. Visible and tangible impacts are shown to create a greater understanding of nature and future challenges. This and much more awaits you on a vacation in Saalfelden Leogang.
One card - many possibilities
In addition to the many benefits that the Saalfelden Leogang Card offers, one is very significant for sustainability. From May 1st – October 31st, all public transport in the region of Pinzgau can be used free of charge. The card also counts as a mobility card Pinzgau. The most beautiful places in the region can be reached without any problem by public transport or mountain railroads. Therefore, the car can be left out sometimes. In addition, the Saalfelden Leogang Card is already valid on the day of arrival and is available online. Thus, costs can be reduced when arriving by public transport. In addition, the card is still valid on the day of departure - so you can save money on bus and train journeys right up to the last minute of the vacation. In addition to transportation, the card entices you with discounts on bike and e-bike rentals to explore mountain tops and valleys.
Prioritizing local products
When does food taste the best? When it is freshly prepared and comes from local farms, of course. Saalfelden Leogang has been focusing on regional products for many years. Several direct marketers in the region make sustainable shopping possible, including several farm stores, the weekly market in Saalfelden, the Leoganger Dorfladen and the Saalachtaler Bauernladen in Saalfelden. Here, fresh food from their own production, as well as regional products, are offered. When buying, you can easily look for the green quality seal "Echt.Gsund.Guad", which identifies products from the region.
Environmentally friendly major events in Saalfelden Leogang
All events in the region also pay conscientious attention to the treating the environment sustainably. For example, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2022 in Leogang took place as a Green Event, a certification of the province of Salzburg. But sustainability is also at the forefront of all other events. The Jazzfestival Saalfelden provides free shuttle buses to the venues, uses electric cars for the artists' shuttles, works with a deposit system for take-away-cups, avoids plastic in the catering and produces climate neutral printed materials.