BECAUSE WE CARE

From the cable cars to the hotels, it is a matter of course and is practised in all areas. In addition to being strongly committed to environmental protection, the region is also a member of the Climate Alliance and respACT, bears the Austrian Eco-label for Destinations and also has many companies that have been awarded the Austrian Eco-label. Experiences such as the “Nature & Climate in Transition” hike in summer as well as the e-bike culinary tour make your holiday unique. Good to know: the Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company runs on the power of plants.

 

Saalfelden Leogang is an Eco-label destination
Saalfelden Leogang is one of the first regions in Austria to be awarded the Austrian Eco-label for destinations. This represents a milestone in the development of a sustainably orientated region. The independent seal of quality evaluates a wide range of measures in three areas of sustainability: economy, ecology, and social aspects.
The region is also involved with its memberships in respACT (Saalfelden Leogang was the first regional tourism organisation), the Climate Alliance and the Salzburg Fair-bindet sustainability club (Saalfelden Leogang was the first tourism association in SalzburgerLand to join both). Sixteen percent of the entire holiday destination area is a nature reserve, especially the Steinernes Meer plateau and the Leoganger Steinberge mountain range.

Saalfelden Leogang is part of the European Commission's 'Sustainable EU Tourism - Shaping the Tourism of Tomorrow' project (2023-2025). The 'Sustainable EU Tourism' project promotes the sustainability and resilience of European tourism destinations by identifying best practices and facilitating the exchange between destinations. It aims to secure the economic, social and cultural well-being of local communities and preserve their natural environment.

 

The Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company runs on the power of plants.
-    Leoganger Bergbahnen is the first cable car company in Austria to use HVO100 fuel for its entire vehicle fleet. The fuel is made from renewable raw materials and saves up to 96 percent CO2. 
-    In addition, 100 percent of the electricity required comes from regional energy sources, such as hydropower, since 2018.  
-    The Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company has been using district heating from the nearby biomass heating plant since 2006. This co-heating partnership was set up in cooperation with neighbouring hotels. 
-    For example, the middle station, the workshop of the snow groomers and the Stöcklalm mountain restaurant, are all heated via the heat recovery of the drive motors at the Asitzbahn gondola lift middle station. 
-    At the newly opened Asitzkogelbahn cable car, special care was taken to ensure the incorporation of new technologies such as the direct-drive and photovoltaic systems. These will save a total of 62,000 kw/h compared to the old system with the same transport capacity.
-    With the Saalfelden Leogang Card, which guests receive for free upon check-in at partner accommodations, two daily return tickets are included during the summer and autumn for the cable car (including bike transport) with the Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company. The cable car is in operation for hikers in autumn until the start of the ski season. In winter, pedestrians can use the cable car free of charge once per stay.
-    Through the "doyo" – "do your donation" – campaign, the municipality of Leogang, along with the cable cars and hotels, is promoting social sustainability by collecting donated keycards and directly donating the proceeds to the social organisation "Loigom hoit zomm."

 

Saalfelden Leogang, true to the motto "BECAUSE WE CARE"
-    As part of the “365 Days active and creative programme,” the guided Nature and Climate in Transition hike takes place weekly during the summer months. The hike leads to Central Europe’s lowest glacier, the Birnbach glacier. It is a climate hike and highlights the changes occurring in nature, sparks meaningful discussions and also inspires hope. The goal is to showcase visible and tangible impacts while fostering an understanding of future challenges.
-    Saalfelden Leogang places great emphasis on sustainable singletrail construction. The Knappen, AlteSchmiede, Matzalm, Schwarzleo and Forsthof trails were crafted entirely by hand using only natural materials and wooden structures known as "North Shore elements," without the use of heavy machinery. 
-    "Keep the Epic Bikepark clean" is the motto at Epic Bikepark Leogang. "Clean the trail days" are organised to focus on avoiding waste in the mountains. 
-    Eco-label establishments account for 30% of all overnight stays.
-    Saalfelden Leogang is increasingly focussing on "green events" that focus on energy efficiency, waste avoidance and environmentally friendly travel for guests. These events include the Regionality Fair, the ALM:KULTUR series in summer, and the Nordic Park Experience in winter.
-    More than 70% of all farms in Saalfelden Leogang are organic. The 'ECHT.GSUND.GUAD’ (authentic.healthy.delicious) seal of quality makes the quality of local products easily apparent at a glance. 
-    Local direct sales outlets collaborate closely with the region's award-winning restaurants (seven establishments with a total of 17 Gault&Millau toques and two featured in the Guide MICHELIN), providing them with fresh products. Even high-quality organic saffron is grown in Leogang.
-    The e-bike culinary tour in summer is highly recommended. On this tour, you cycle from one direct sales outlet to another, visiting their farm shops and sampling homemade products.
-    Restaurants, hotels and mountain huts naturally also offer a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan food.

 

Getting here is easy and environmentally friendly 
Getting to Saalfelden Leogang is easy, comfortable and above all sustainable. There are three train stations in Saalfelden Leogang. From the train station, you can take the bus. Alternatively, you can also book a Loigom Soifen shuttle. The Loigom Soifen shuttle augments the existing route network by offering an on-demand service with Mercedes eVitos and serves numerous stops. This has created access to the public transport network where there previously was none. 
The great news is that holidays in Saalfelden Leogang are all about comfort and sustainability. From May 2025, overnight guests will receive the new Guest Mobility Ticket Salzburg. This allows guests to use most public transportation in the entire state of Salzburg - from the train to the Postbus to the Loigom Soifen shuttle. This is a relaxed and environmentally friendly way to travel through the region.
The municipalities are also deeply involved, with Saalfelden, for example, participating in the e5 programme for energy efficiency and operating a fully electric city bus line. Leogang utilises the previously mentioned Loigom Soifen shuttle. Guests can also rent electric cars at the hotels. There are numerous e-charging stations throughout the region. Saalfelden Leogang is therefore also an ideal stop on an e-car road trip. 
Sharing is a key aspect in the region: whether e-car, e-bike, bicycle, or baby carriage – all of which can be rented locally in high quality.

Tip for mountain enthusiasts: Selected mountain tours are accessible via public transport. This map, created by the Alpine Association, shows the options for a CO2-reduced journey to enjoy the mountains. www.saalfelden-leogang.com/wanderkarte

 

Comfortable rail connections 
Saalfelden Leogang can be easily reached from Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Czech Republic without a car thanks to good train connections. There are year-round connections to and from Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt and Vienna, for example. From Berlin you can reach Saalfelden Leogang in 7:30 hours with two changes or from Munich in 3 hours with just one change. There are direct connections to Zurich (5:30 hours), Graz (4 hours), Innsbruck (2:15 hours) and Salzburg (1:45 hours). In addition, from January to April and from June to October there is a direct connection to Saalfelden from Hamburg via Hanover, Göttingen, Kassel, Fulda, Würzburg, Augsburg and Munich on weekends and public holidays with the ICE “Grossglockner.”