Why a trip to Saalfelden Leogang is worthwhile is shown by the choice of Lonely Planet, which has included the region in the top 10 best holiday destinations in the world. A Sherpa, special summit crosses and an exciting tour illustrate just how exhilarating a holiday between the Leoganger Steinberge and the Steinernes Meer can be.
How a Sherpa from Nepal came to Saalfelden Leogang
Laki Tshering (51) has been spending the high season in Saalfelden Leogang for over 23 years. How did this come about? In 1992, the Sherpa met an Austrian on a mountain tour in his home country of Nepal. The connection remained and eventually led him to the Alps. Since 2004, he has been working at the Peter Wiechenthaler Hut in summer and at a ski hut in winter. There he helps in the kitchen, serving and cleaning. This is how he finances the education of his five children, his second eldest daughter has been with him in Saalfelden Leogang for two years. When he returns to his home country in the off-season, he helps at the local school and organises trekking tours. Mostly for Austrians.
Laki Tshering feels very much at home in Saalfelden Leogang, even though he misses his family, and he loves the food. ‘Austrian food is really, really delicious. I particularly like roast pork.’ He spends a lot of his free time in the beautiful countryside. His tips: ‘In winter I like to go skiing and in summer I hike in the Steineren Meer to the Riemannhaus and the Ingolstädter Haus. But my favourite thing to do is relax, have a beer and watch football - preferably the German national team matches.’
Summit crosses and views reward every ascent
Anyone who climbs a mountain will reach the summit at some point. In Saalfelden Leogang, framed by the Steinernes Meer and the Leoganger Steinberge mountains, climbers are rewarded with special summit crosses and impressive views. On the Schönfeldspitze, a proud 2,653 metres high, mountaineers can look forward to an extraordinary summit cross by sculptor Anton Thuswaldner from 1970, which depicts the mother of Jesus with her dead son as a crossbeam. After the wooden cross was destroyed in a storm in 2020, it had to be replaced. Since 2010, a statue of the Madonna has crowned the Persailhorn (2,347 metres).
Two via ferratas lead to the summit. By the way: During the ascent, you pass the Peter-Wiechenthaler-Hütte, where you can enjoy an excellent breakfast.
Two more tips for climbers: In the Leoganger Steinberge mountains lies the Hochzint (2,243 metres), from whose beautiful summit cross you can enjoy an incredible view of the Glockner mountains and the Watzmann. The trail to the summit of the Großer Asitz (1,914 metres) and its large cross has a few special features in store. You pass the five TONspur islands and the nature cinema on the Sonnkogel is just a stone's throw away.
Hiking above the clouds: 4 peaks in 4 hours
This tour is for real summiteers: the ‘Panorama Hike 4 Peaks Tour’. A hike that starts at the Asitz mountain station and takes you over four peaks in four hours. It runs along hiking trails and narrow paths to the Geierkogel and back to the Asitz. The route is 7.5 kilometres long, covers 300 metres in altitude and is also suitable for families.
The ‘4 Summits Tour’ is part of the 365-day ‘Active & Creative’ programme, which guarantees fun and excitement for the whole family in Saalfelden Leogang - 365 days a year. The offer ranges from guided hikes to a cultural programme. With the Saalfelden Leogang Card, numerous offers in the region are cheaper or even included.
The new Saalfelden Leogang magazine is here
Even more insider tips, stories about locals and activities can be found in the new ‘Saalfelden Leogang’ magazine. It is the perfect preparation for an unforgettable holiday between the Leoganger Steinberge and the Steinernes Meer. The 160 pages are packed with great tips for every season, exciting stories about the locals and lots of service.
You can browse through the magazine online here
