Welcome to The Hochkönig Region, an endless mountain playground in the heart of the Austrian Alps. So whether you love active adventures or taking it easy, your family’s happy place is right here.
Hiking is more fun in Hochkönig
Space to roam and time to chill in the Hochkönig region
The Hochkönig region – a massif crowned by a nearly 3,000 metre high peak of the same name in the Berchtesgaden Alps, Salzburgerland – is the nature playground you need in your life this year.
Mountain adventure playgrounds, forest slides, high-altitude swing parks and family summer festivals taking place in the region’s villages with fun activities and live music in the evenings, mean that a trip to Hochkönig will leave you as refreshed and happy as a dip in the outdoor pool at Maria Alm after a long day’s adventuring.
Travelling around the region’s attractions has never been easier either, with no fewer than six summer cable cars – free with the HochkönigCard – providing easy access to the mountains. So, whether your brood includes toddlers discovering the joys of nature, or teenagers seeking adrenaline-fuelled thrills, Hochkönig has something for everyone to get excited about.
Forest slide, Prinzenberg Natrun, Hochkönig
You can see so much more with a HochkönigCard this summer
With the HochkönigCard, which you’ll get from selected partner establishments in exchange for a one-night minimum stay, you’ll have free use of the summer cable cars and hiking bus, a free one-time use of the summer toboggan run, and access to over 100 attractions in the surrounding area. So don’t miss out!
Biking in the Hochkönig region
Delicious food awaits you all over the Hochkönig region
Eating well is important on any summer mountains adventure, so you should know that even by Alpine standards, Hochkönig cuisine is exceptional.
Family-friendly mountain huts serve delicious Pinzgau specialties, using the freshest local ingredients. Plus, unique to the region are herbal huts, where families can learn about alpine herbs and collect stamps with a special pass for kids. In total there are 56 alpine meadows and huts to choose from, and if you can’t make up your mind, then consider biking or hiking on a Culinary Kingtour, which is a great way to work up appetites between each stop.
The village of Dienten, Hochkönig
Family events make summer here a festival for kids
The region is based around three charming villages: Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach.
Maria Alm is known for its picturesque church, scenic meadows, and endless hiking and biking trails.
Dienten, in the heart of the region, is perfect for nature walks and mountain excursions. And Mühlbach is a historic mountain village known for its mining heritage, incredible views and a wide range of outdoor activities: all three villages are connected by 340km of hiking trails, as well as buses and cable cars.
Family festivals take place weekly in the villages during summer, with an interactive circus, bouncy castles, and programmes of creative activities for kids, run by trained childcare educators. The events in Maria Alm and Dienten are suitable for kids of four and older, and, in Mühlbach, they’re best suited for ages six and over.
Prinzenberg Natrun, Hochkönig
Hochkönig’s outdoor attractions are a thrilling ride
Hochkönig’s attractions are full of thrills and wholesome outdoor fun and not just for summer. This alpine playground may shine brightest in the warmest months of the year, but the lush green meadows, adventure parks, and cultural festivals in all three villages are just as appealing to families in late spring or early autumn.
You reach the fairy tale playground at Prinzenberg Natrun by taking the Natrun cable car from Maria Alm. Kids can explore the enchanting Schlossberg playground, swing through the trees at the forest rope park, and glide down forest slides. Also, the picturesque Prinzensee lake is perfect for a family picnic, and breathtaking views provide the ultimate alpine backdrop.
Or head to Saalfelden for the summer toboggan run, an exhilarating ride down the mountain and a must-do activity for families visiting Hochkönig. Then, after speeding down one mountain, you can then swing high up another. There’s even a spectacular swing park at the summit of the Gabühel, where kids can soar (or gently sway) against the stunning backdrop of the Alps.
Swinging high at the summit of the Gabühel
Bike your way around Hochkönig, shoot arrows or ride a cart
The giant ball track at Karbachalm, the longest of its kind in the Alps, is part of the 2km trail at Toni’s Alpine playground in Mühlbach. Watching wooden balls twist and turn through the beautifully designed course here is a mesmerising sight, and each station invites play and allows kids to interact with its mechanisms.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. You can ride mountain carts at Karbachalm, or take an archery course at Jufenalm: which offers a free taster course on Thursdays.
And naturally, the Hochkönig region is a hotspot for biking of all levels. Older kids and teens will love the mountain bike trails, skill areas, and the renowned Königstour bike route: a unique cycling tour that takes you through the mountainous terrain of Hochkönig in four stages. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a less strenuous ride, e-bike trails give you more relaxed ways to see the scenery, especially on those uphill climbs.
Then there’s the outdoor pool Sommerstein at Maria Alm, because after a day of hiking and exploration, what could be nicer than cooling off in an outdoor pool with crystal-clear waters and panoramic mountain views? It’s the perfect way to relax and recharge.
Nebra Sky Disc, Mining Museum, Mühlbach
Dig deeper into the past at the Mining Museum in Mühlbach
The Mining Museum in Mühlbach is another educational attraction, this time with interesting displays on prehistoric mining technology, excavation finds and modern mining tools.
Moreover, for kids (and adults) who love models, there are impressive reconstructions of mine locomotives, as well as a geology room for rock fans, and special exhibitions including a history of skiing and ski jumping in Mühlbach, featuring the village’s greatest winter sportsmen. And look out for the replica of the Early Bronze Age Nebra Sky Disk, considered to be one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.
Logenplaetze, Hochkönig
You’ll find plenty of family-friendly accommodation in the Hochkönig region
During summer, the Hochkönig region also offers a range of family-friendly hotels that cater to all ages, as well as chalet rentals and more luxurious options.
Our recommendations for families include Hotel Tante Frida in Maria Alm: a playful hotel with exciting indoor and outdoor activities and special family days. Then there’s Hochkönigin, a luxury retreat with a stunning spa which is also in Maria Alm. Or for a traditional alpine retreat with fantastic family facilities, Übergossene Alm is another good choice. And finally, Clubhotel Aldiana in Mühlbach is an all-inclusive family paradise with entertainment and activities for all ages, as well as organised family excursions to local attractions.
Now start planning your family summer adventure at Hochkönig Tourism