New hike “Nature and Climate in Change” with Anna Heuberger

Green events, sustainable accommodation, cable cars that promote the idea of the environment, and a lot of social cohesion – the year-round destination Saalfelden Leogang has already been a pioneer in the conscious use of resources and in the development of forward-looking initiatives. New this season is a climate hike that shows guests the change in nature, stimulates discussion, but also offers hope. Anna Heuber developed this hike together with the Saalfelden Leogang Tourismik.

New and Forward-Looking: The Hike “Nature and Climate in Change” 

“My motivation for the hike is to illustrate and communicate changes in our climate.” 
Anna Heuberger is 31 years old and comes from Pinzgau/Salzburg. She is a ski instructor and ski guide, a member of the Canadian Ski and Mountain Rescue, has explored numerous glaciers around the world and has studied alpine natural hazards as part of her studies. From her experience, she has developed a completely new and probably unique concept for climate hikes with the tourists of the region and is offering them to guests in the Saalfelden Leogang region new this season. Climate change and its effects on our society and environment have become an increasingly important topic for Heuberger in recent years. She believes that everyone needs to be aware of the fact that the climate affects us all. Extreme heat affects our daily lives just like severe weather. Anna Heuberger also has some good news for her fellow immigrants:
“At the same time, we can all play our part in curbing the climate crisis and taking action to protect ourselves from the already inevitable consequences. 

Understanding climate change using glacier melt

On the way on the climate hike you can see an avalanche glacier at an altitude of about 1,400 meters. It is not considered a glacier in the narrower sense, but its deep location and well-documented history make the Birnbach Glacier a symbol of climate change in the last century. It is often referred to in literature as the deepest glacier in Central Europe and this ice field has changed drastically in recent years. Using the glacier, Anna Heuberger explains the history, features and future challenges of the region. Along the way, she addresses topics such as rising temperatures and their impact on winter tourism, as well as the measures and adaptation strategies that are already being implemented in the region to manage resources responsibly. Anna Heuberger sees Saalfelden Leogang as a pioneer in diversifying the tourist offer.

Entering into dialogue with different target groups with climate migration

Anna Heuberger designs her climate hikes to be equally appealing to all ages. The trail itself does not require much mountain experience, but it also offers a lot of new features for experienced climbers. The migration is therefore adapted to the special interests and needs of the respective groups. Anna Heuberger wants to clarify:
“Every hike has one goal at its heart: to illustrate climate change and discuss the effects of change.”
More information about the hike, which is part of the region's summer adventure program: www.saalfelden-leogang.at/klimawalking  

Saalfelden Leogang: Ready!-Region even more initiatives for sustainability 

The aim of the Climate Change Adaptation Model Regions (CLAR!) funding programme is to give regions and communities the opportunity to prepare for climate change. Adaptation measures are intended to minimize the negative consequences of climate change and to exploit the new opportunities that open up. The programme was initiated by the Climate and Energy Fund, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK). In Salzburger Land, the whole Pinzgau is CLEAR!-Region, climate migration occurs exclusively in Saalfelden Leogang. It is one of the first measures implemented by the region for even greater sustainability and environmental protection.

 

Numerous other sustainable initiatives: From Green Events to “Loigom hoit zomm” 

In addition to the new climate migration, there are numerous other measures that demonstrate the region's commitment to the careful management of resources. This includes the “green events”, of which there are more and more in the region. Examples of this are the UCI Mountainbike World Cup as well as the “Stoabergmarsch”, a 24-hour hike between Tyrol and Salzburg. What makes events “green”? Success factors include public access to the event, avoiding waste or using reusable cups, raising awareness among athletes and guests about the environment, and using local products. 

Leoganger Bergbahnen is a strong partner when it comes to sustainability: since 2006, they have been committed to measures to improve energy use and have been awarded several times for this. These include, for example, the recovery of heat from the lift engines to heat the adjacent rooms of the cable cars, the workshop and the mountain restaurant “Stocklamalm” and the conversion to district heating. A special initiative is the Austrian lighthouse project “Clean Energy For Tourism” (CE4T). This is about decarbonising the winter tourism industry. The power supply is optimized with state-of-the-art digitalization technology. For example, excess energy from the ski area is to be channelled into storage power plants and storage ponds to relieve pressure on the power grid and supply other businesses, such as spas and hotels. Last year, the Leoganger Bergbahnen dedicated themselves specifically to the topic of “waste separation” and implemented the concept from mountain to valley. This summer there will be a joint action of the bike community – once a month under the title “Clean the trail day” special reference is made to the topic.
Social cohesion is also an important factor in sustainability in a region. How strong this is in the region is shown by the action “Loigom hoit zomm” (Leogang holds together). The association organizes quick, unbureaucratic help and professional support for all possible emergencies. This ranges from voluntary services to sustainable projects in the field of mobility, including the car sharing initiative LEO-mobil. 

Climate-friendly accommodation and regional products from the farm shops

Sustainable night time? This is also the case in the Saalfelden Leogang region. Some houses place great emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability: biomass heating plants, wood chip plants or composting plants are available for the energy supply. The surrounding hotels take special care to avoid waste. Many companies and companies have already been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for these measures. Since 2021, the Saalfelden Leogang region has been working as a pilot destination together with other destinations and under the leadership of the Association for Consumer Information on a certification for sustainable tourism regions. 
Sustainable enjoyment can also be wonderfully combined with a holiday in Saalfelden Leogang. Rich products from the region are available directly on site. They are also suitable as culinary souvenirs and thus a valuable holiday memory. A large number of farms directly market their products, such as milk, cheese or eggs. At the Stechaubauer-Biohof, for example, you can always find fresh organic vegetables – around the clock. From a self-service vending machine, you select your vegetables via touch screen and then pull them out of the corresponding compartment. Many farm shops can be visited with an e-bike as part of a bookable pleasure tour. Also restaurants and hotels, such as the Riederalm Hood Restaurant, offer excellent cuisine with products from regional direct marketers.

Holidays without a car: By train to the most beautiful hiking trails in the region 

Travelling by train to Saalfelden Leogang is not only sustainable, but it also offers some advantages, such as avoiding traffic jams. There are fast and regular train connections directly from Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich. Public transport to excursion destinations or stops where the hiking trails start is also completely hassle-free. For example, holidaymakers arriving by train and their own bike need only a few minutes from Leogang Station to EPIC Bikepark Leogang. It is the heart of the region and is one of the most prestigious bike parks in Europe. Guests can also rent electric cars on site or use all public transport in Pinzgau free of charge with the Saalfelden Leogang Card. 
The Tourism Association Saalfelden Leogang and the Leoganger Bergbahnen are also committed to sustainability when it comes to employee mobility. Mercedes-Benz supports the organisations with two EQVs. A partnership that plays an innovative role with electromobility and helps to reduce CO2 emissions in terms of individual mobility.