The Best Day Hikes from Salzburg City

Do you love getting out in the fresh air for a great hike even when visiting touristy cities like Salzburg? You are in luck! Surrounded by beautiful nature even in the middle of the city, here are two hikes you can take just steps away from Mozart’s birthplace.

Mönchsberg

One of my favorite hikes when I’m visiting Salzburg is the walk up the Mönchsberg. Weather permitting, I try to fit this hike in at least twice during my stay in the city. Easily accessible from multiple points in the city, my suggestion is to start at the northernmost end, near the neighborhood of Mülln. From this starting point, you can enter either off of Augustinergasse or from Müllner Hauptstrasse.

Walking from this direction, you pass through two old city wall entrances hailing from the 1600s, the Augustinerpforte and the Monikapforte, before you arrive at the 5-star Hotel Schloss Mönchstein.

Continuing on the path, you arrive at the Museum der Moderne. Take a break here to enjoy the overview onto the Salzburg old town below you before moving on. If you are short on time or need a quick way back into the city, you can catch the Mönchsberg elevator down here.

As Am Mönchsberg crosses over Siegmundstor, continue following Doktor-Ludwig-Prähauser-Weg around to the Festung (Fortress). This path offers expansive views to the West of the old city, towards the airport. Along the way, stop at the WasserSpiegel Museum to read all about Salzburg’s water supply or fill up your water bottle in the fountain found at the top of the berg.

We like to stop at the Buffet zur Richterhöhe, a little hut serving small plates, drinks and snacks. Our kids (okay and maybe I) can’t resist a Jolly or Twinnie!

From the entrance to the Mönchsberg at Augustinergasse to the Fortress entrance, the distance is roughly 2.3km and should take you around 35-40 min. We often then will walk down into the old town from near the fortress and continue with our day.

Kapuzinerberg

The hike up the Kapuzinerberg takes you a bit further off the beaten path and away from the old town than the Mönchsberg. From Linzergasse, enter Stefan-Zweig-Weg through the arched town wall entrance.

Continue following the Stefan-Zweig-Weg through the forest, stopping to enjoy the cooling water of the refilling stations or to appreciate the view of Salzburg city from the various overlooks.

At the top of the Kapuzinerberg is The Castle, built in the 1600s as a fortress and lookout. Today, The Castle houses a small hotel, restaurant and tavern. Hikers hoping for a refreshment after their long walk up the Kapuzinerberg are rewarded with a peaceful respite at The Tavern.

From the entrance to Kapuzinerberg at Linzergasse to The Castle, the distance is roughly 1.6km and should take you around 35-40 minutes to walk one direction. Or if you are with my children, closer to an hour 🙂

Looking for other things to do in/around Salzburg? Check out our post about our favorite beer gardens to visit while in the city. You won’t be disappointed!