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About Gosau
Lead-in:
The small village of Gosau is situated in the heart of the Salzkammergut region of Austria. It is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of some of the usual tourist traps.
During the winter months the valley is transformed into one of Austria’s best kept skiing secrets. The snow in the Dachstein-West region is plentiful all season, and is replenished regularly with fresh powder. The hotel offers ample storage for both skis and boots and a regular free bus service runs from the front door to the valley’s two ski lifts. At the base of the Hornspitz Express chairlift you will find equipment hire, lift pass kiosks and nursery slopes of varying length and difficulty. This brand new two stage lift transports you to the top of the mountain, from where the whole Dachstein ski area is available to you, including runs back down to the valley bottom. One lift pass will service the whole region, including the brand new gondola at Gosau Hinteral, at the top of the valley. From here you have access to 140 km of interconnecting runs, and 45 lifts with which to explore the region. The descents offer beautiful, quiet, unspoilt skiing and snowboarding, with plentiful log cabins serving traditional food and drinks.
As well as skiing there are 40 kilometres of Langlau (cross-country tracks) throughout the valley floor. These tracks are carefully maintained by state of the art equipment. Maps showing the routes are available and they are also on notice boards placed along the routes. Langlau skies and boots can be hired. There is a ski school there which offers group or private lessons for all types of skiing and snowboarding.
Wide walking tracks in the snow are maintained throughout the valley allowing wonderful walking through the magnificent scenery.
To the rear of the hotel there is a small nursery slope which is available to our guests at no extra charge.
There is ample free car parking space available within the grounds of the hotel. The local authorities keep the roads ploughed and gritted.
The Inner Salzkammergut is a place to enjoy at leisure. No matter whether you are seeking relaxation and simply wish to unwind, or whether you would rather engage in something more energetic - you are sure to find what is right for you. Natural scenic beauty, friendly people, vibrant traditions, a rich cultural landscape and interesting sights are the ideal ingredients for the ultimate holiday experience.
The road up the Gosau valley finishes when it comes up against the massive Dachstein mountain range and Gosausee. From here a cable car climbs up the mountain side to a viewpoint looking down onto the lake and across to the glaciers on the Dachstein. A restaurant and sunny terrace are a place to soak up the wonderful vista.
Springtime becomes awash with the colour of flowers and the freshness of the new greens on the pastures as the snows disappear and retreat back up the mountains. The melting snows release their water, which cascade down magnificent waterfalls.
Summertime is ideal for hiking with many well signposted walks by the numerous lakes, in the mountains or across valley pastures. For instance, the walk around Gosausee is magnificent. Here the usually still waters perfectly reflect the surrounding mountains. Instead of going around the lake immediately, a further walk deeper into the mountains leads to Hinterer Gosausee, a smaller but equally beautiful lake. In the summer, at a small wooden building, refreshments are available. A climb from here over the lower mountains goes to Hallstatter See.
The area is ideal for mountain bikers with over 400 km of excellent routes. Rafting, canyoning, fishing, diving, kayaking, jogging, paragliding, hot air ballooning or taking a boat trip are there to enjoy. Indeed, the possibilities for enjoying fresh air and crystal clear water are virtually endless in Inner Salzgammergut.
Autumn colours are wonderful as the whole area is ablaze with reds, oranges and browns as the countryside prepares itself for winter. The mellow warmth of this season makes it an ideal time for outside pursuits.
Gosau has a wide range of services including a well-stocked supermarket, banks, a plentiful supply of restaurants and a good tourist information centre. There is also a large indoor swimming pool in the village. It is the policy of the authorities in the valley that no high rise buildings are permitted, therefore allowing it to retain its traditional character.
We also have access to another studio apartment, which sleeps two, also non-smoking, immediately below ours. Similar rates to ours apply.
For more info on the Gosau valley, click these links:
