Untersberg rises up to 6,473 feet (1,973 meters), and in the summer months attracts scores of hikers drawn to its well-marked trails, paragliders for spectacular alpine views, expert climbers for tough ascents, and tours around the Schellenberger ice cave. In the winter, local skiers flock to the mountain for the demanding 4.75-mile (7.5-kilometer) run back down to the village of Grödig.
The summit of Untersberg can be reached all year around (weather permitting) by a panoramic cable-car ride from the village of St. Leonhard; the alpine views are spectacular, as the Rositten Valley and snow-flecked alpine peaks spread out far below. The peak is also a popular stop on The Sound of Music tours, as the foothills of Untersberg was where the Von Trapp family sang “Climb Every Mountain” as they escaped across the Alps to safety from Nazi Austria.
The Untersbergbahn cable car departs from St. Leonhard regularly, and reaches the top of the mountain in around 10 minutes. To reach the cable car station, take bus 25 from Salzburg’s Hauptbahnhof or Mirabellplatz to St. Leonhard.
The peak of Untersberg is a paradise for hikers and paragliders in the summer and for skiers in the winter. Photographers should visit in the spring and fall to capture the alpine landscape at its most colorful.
From the cable car station on the peak of Untersberg, a number of short, easy trails lead to the scenic overlooks at Geiereck and Salzburg Hochthron. Other, more challenging trails lead into the Alps and require a good map, sturdy shoes, hiking gear, and plenty of water.
