BECAUSE WE CARE

It is embedded in every aspect of the region, from the cable cars to the hotels. The destination is strongly committed to environmental protection, is a member of Climate Alliance and respACT, holds the Austrian Ecolabel for Destinations, and is home to numerous companies that are likewise certified with the Austrian Ecolabel. Experiences such as the “Nature & Climate in Transition” hike and the E-Bike Culinary Tour make every holiday unique. Good to know: the Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company runs on plant power.

Saalfelden Leogang – an Austrian Ecolabel Destination
Saalfelden Leogang is one of the first regions in Austria to have been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for Destinations – a milestone in its development into a sustainability-oriented destination. The independent seal of quality evaluates a wide range of measures in the three key areas of sustainability: economic, ecological and social.
The region also demonstrates its commitment through memberships in respACT (Saalfelden Leogang being the first regional tourism organisation to join), the Climate Alliance, and the Sustainability Club Salzburg Fair-bindet (in both cases as the first tourism association in the province of Salzburg).
With its “Focus Years on Sustainability”, Saalfelden Leogang follows a clear roadmap: step by step, key future topics such as climate change adaptation, climate protection and habitat development are addressed – with the goal of advancing sustainable regional development and preparing for successful re-certification with the Austrian Ecolabel.
Sixteen percent of the entire destination area is protected land – including large parts of the Steinernes Meer plateau and the Leoganger Steinberge mountain range.

Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company – Powered by Nature
•    Leoganger Bergbahnen are the first cable car company in Austria to operate their entire vehicle fleet on HVO100 fuel, made from renewable raw materials and reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 96 percent.
•    Since 2018, 100% of the electricity used has come from regional renewable energy sources, primarily hydropower.
•    Since 2006, the company has also sourced district heating from a nearby biomass heating plant – a cooperative project established together with neighbouring hotels.
•    Heat recovery systems from the drive motors at the Asitzbahn cable car mid-station are used to heat the mid-station itself, the snowcat workshop and the Stöcklalm restaurant.
•    When the Asitzkogel cable car opened in winter 2022/23, special attention was given to energy efficiency: the new direct-drive technology and photovoltaic system now save around 62,000 kWh per year compared to the previous installation, with the same transport capacity.
•    With the Saalfelden Leogang Card, which guests receive free of charge at check-in in all partner accommodations, guests can enjoy two complimentary return rides per day (including bike transport) on the Leoganger Bergbahnen cable cars during summer and autumn. The cable cars remain in operation throughout autumn until the start of the ski season. In winter, pedestrians can use the cable cars once per stay free of charge.
•    Through the “doyo – do your donation” initiative, the municipality of Leogang, the cable car company and local hotels demonstrate social sustainability in action by collecting returned keycards, with proceeds donated directly to the local charity “Loigom hoit zomm” (“Leogang sticks together”).

Saalfelden Leogang – True to the motto “BECAUSE WE CARE”
•    As part of the “365 Days Active & Creative” programme, the guided hike “Nature & Climate in Transition” takes place every week in summer. The hike leads to the Birnbach Glacier, the lowest glacier in Central Europe. It is a climate-themed hike that raises awareness, inspires discussion and offers hope – aiming to make visible the effects of climate change while fostering understanding for future challenges.
•    Other sustainable activities within the “365 Days Active & Creative” programme include guided snowshoe hikes, incense and herbal workshops, and much more.
•    Saalfelden Leogang also places great importance on sustainable single trail construction. MTB trails such as the Knappen Trail, AlteSchmiede Trail, Matzalm Trail, Schwarzleo Trail and Forsthof Trail are built entirely by hand using natural materials and wooden “North Shore” elements, without heavy machinery. Since summer 2025, the Epic Bikepark Leogang has featured a new natural trail highlight called “Back to the Roots.”
•    Under the motto “Keep the Epic Bikepark clean,” regular Clean the Trail Days are organised to focus on waste reduction and environmental awareness in the mountains.
•    Around 30% of all overnight stays in the region take place in eco-certified accommodations.
•    Saalfelden Leogang increasingly hosts Green Events that focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction and eco-friendly travel. Examples include the Regional Fair, the ALM:KULTUR series in summer, the Nordic Park Experience, and the “3 Days of Jazz” Festival in winter.
•    The Jazzfestival Saalfelden has been honoured with the renowned EJN Award – not only for its outstanding artistic programming but also for its strong commitment to ecological sustainability and forward-thinking vision, setting an inspiring benchmark within Europe’s creative music scene.
•    Around 70% of all farms in Saalfelden Leogang are organic farms. The regional quality label "ECHT.GSUND.GUAD." (authentic.healthy.delicious) clearly identifies the authenticity and quality of local products at a glance.
•    Local producers work closely with the region’s gourmet restaurants (seven Gault&Millau awarded with a total of 17 Gault&Millau toques and two recognised by the Guide MICHELIN), supplying them with premium regional ingredients. High-quality organic saffron is even cultivated in Leogang.
•    A wonderful summer activity tip is the “E-Bike Culinary Tour”, which takes guests from one local producer to another, stopping at farm shops along the way to sample homemade products.
•    Restaurants, hotels and mountain huts throughout the region naturally offer a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Arrival – Easy and Eco-Friendly
Travelling to Saalfelden Leogang is simple, comfortable and above all, sustainable. The destination features three train stations, and onward travel is conveniently possible by bus or by booking the Loigom-Soifen Shuttle – an on-demand e-shuttle service operated with Mercedes eVito vehicles. This shuttle complements the existing public transport network by connecting stops that previously had no direct access, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the region.
Great news for guests: since May 2025, overnight guests receive the Guest Mobility Ticket Salzburg, giving them access to public transport throughout the province – including trains, post buses and the Loigom-Soifen Shuttle. This makes travelling around the region both easy and sustainable.
The local municipalities are also committed to sustainability: Saalfelden participates in the e5 energy efficiency programme and operates a fully electric city bus line, while Leogang continues to expand the Loigom-Soifen Shuttle service.
Many hotels offer electric car rentals, and there are numerous charging stations throughout the region – making Saalfelden Leogang an ideal stop for e-car road trips.
Sharing plays a major role in the region: whether e-cars, e-bikes, bicycles or pushchairs – high-quality equipment can be easily rented on-site.

With the “Car-Free Ski Experience” package, guests enjoy seven nights in Saalfelden Leogang including a 6-day Ski ALPIN CARD, the Saalfelden Leogang Card, and free transfer from the railway station directly to the accommodation. Thanks to the new Guest Mobility Ticket Salzburg, guests remain sustainably mobile throughout the province – using trains, buses and the Loigom-Soifen Shuttle. This makes a ski holiday not only comfortable, but also environmentally friendly.
--> from €599.00 per person for 7 nights

Mountain Tip for Hikers
Selected mountain tours can also be reached conveniently by public transport. A map created by the Austrian Alpine Club – Saalfelden Section shows the options for low-CO₂ mountain adventures: www.saalfelden-leogang.com/wanderkarte

Comfortable Train Connections
Saalfelden Leogang is easily accessible from Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Czech Republic – conveniently and car-free thanks to excellent rail connections. Year-round train connections are available to and from Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt and Vienna. From Berlin, the journey takes 7.5 hours with two transfers, and from Munich only 3 hours with one transfer. Direct connections are also available to Zurich (5.5 hours), Graz (4 hours), Innsbruck (2:15 hours) and Salzburg (1:45 hours), as well as Sweden and Denmark. From January to April and June to October, the ICE “Großglockner” provides a direct weekend and public holiday connection to Saalfelden, running from Hamburg via Hannover, Göttingen, Kassel, Fulda, Würzburg, Augsburg and Munich.