BECAUSE WE CARE

It is a given and is lived across all areas, from the cable cars to the hotels. The region is also strongly committed to environmental protection, a member of the Climate Alliance and respACT, holds the Austrian Ecolabel for destinations and is home to many businesses that have also been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel. Experiences such as the “Nature & Climate in Transition” hike and the E-Bike Culinary Tour make a holiday here truly unique.

 

Saalfelden Leogang is an Austrian Ecolabel Destination

Saalfelden Leogang is one of the first regions in Austria to be awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for destinations. It marks a milestone in the development towards a sustainably oriented region. This independent quality seal evaluates a wide range of measures across the three pillars of sustainability: economy, ecology and social responsibility.

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 further developing the region sustainably and successfully preparing for re-certification with the Austrian Ecolabel.

In addition, the region is actively engaged through its memberships in respACT (as the first regional tourism organisation), the Climate Alliance and the Salzburg sustainability network Fair-bindet (in both cases as the first tourism association in SalzburgerLand).

 

Prestigious award for Saalfelden Leogang:

“UN Tourism & FIA Award for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism”

In Saalfelden Leogang, world-class mountain biking meets sustainability – and has received international recognition as a result. At the first UN Tourism & FIA Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism 2025, the region prevailed against finalists from around the globe in the category “Innovation in Sports Tourism Development”.

With the project “Nature-Driven Performance: Saalfelden Leogang as a Pioneer in Eco-Friendly Mountain Bike Tourism”, the region demonstrates how sports tourism and environmental protection go hand in hand – from sustainable trail building and energy-efficient cable cars to initiatives focused on protecting nature and wildlife.

This award is a great honour for the destination and a tribute to all partners and dedicated people who are shaping this sustainable path together.

 

The Leoganger Bergbahnen cable car company uses 100% green energy

· Since 2018, 100% of the required electricity has been sourced from regional energy providers, such as hydropower.

· In addition to the switch in fuel, the company has been using district heating from a nearby biomass heating plant since 2006 – a shared system established together with neighbouring hotels.

· Heat recovery from the drive motors at the mid-station of the Asitz cable cars is used to heat the mid-station itself, the snow groomer workshop and the Stöcklalm restaurant.

· For the Asitzkogel cable cars, newly opened in winter 2022/23, special attention was paid to efficiency: thanks to direct drive technology and a new photovoltaic system, a total of 62,000 kWh is saved compared to the previous installation while maintaining the same transport capacity.

· With the Saalfelden Leogang Card, which guests receive at check-in in partner accommodations, two daily ascents and descents (including bike transport) with the Leoganger Bergbahnen cable cars are included in summer and autumn. In autumn, the cable cars remain in operation for hikers until the start of the ski season. In winter, pedestrians can use the cable cars once per stay.

· With the “doyo – do your donation” initiative, the municipality of Leogang, the cable car company and local hotels demonstrate lived social sustainability by collecting donated keycards and directing the proceeds to the social association “Loigom hoit zomm” (means “Leogang sticks together”).

 

Saalfelden Leogang – True to the motto “BECAUSE WE CARE”

· As part of the “365 Days Active & Creative” programme, the guided “Nature & Climate in Transition” hike takes place weekly during summer. The tour leads to Central Europe’s lowest glacier, the Birnbach Glacier. It is a climate-focused hike that highlights visible changes in nature, encourages discussion and conveys a sense of hope. The aim is to make impacts tangible and create awareness of future challenges.

· Additional sustainable activities within the “365 Days Active & Creative” programme include guided snowshoeing tours, incense and herb workshops and more.

· Trees for Tomorrow – from a student project to a regional initiative: what began as a committed student group has developed into a small company. “Trees for Tomorrow” implements reforestation projects, including in the Pinzgau region. The focus is on nature conservation, reforestation, sustainability and collaboration with regional stakeholders. New this summer: for the first time, guests and locals can actively participate in reforestation projects as part of the tourism association’s “365 Days Active & Creative” programme and contribute directly to preserving local forests.

· Saalfelden Leogang places great emphasis on sustainable single trail construction. Trails such as the Knappen Trail, AlteSchmiede Trail, Matzalm Trail, Schwarzleo Trail and Forsthof Trail were built exclusively using natural materials and wooden constructions (“North Shore elements”) and were constructed by hand without heavy machinery. Since summer 2025, the Epic Bikepark Leogang has added another highlight with the natural single trail “Back to the Roots”.

· Around 30% of all overnight stays in the region take place in eco-certified accommodations.

· Saalfelden Leogang increasingly focuses on “Green Events”, which prioritise energy efficiency, waste reduction and environmentally friendly travel. Examples include the Regionality Fair, the ALM:KULTUR series in summer, as well as the Nordic Park Experience and the 3 Days of Jazz festival in winter. In addition, local event organizers are supported through the Green Event Heimbonus, which promotes sustainably organized events.

· The Jazzfestival Saalfelden has received the renowned European Jazz Network Award for Adventurous Programming 2025 – not only for its outstanding programme, but also for its strong commitment to ecological sustainability and its forward-looking vision, setting a benchmark in 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 direct producers work closely with the region’s gourmet restaurants (7 Gault&Millau-awarded restaurants with a total of 19 toques and 2 restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide), supplying them with high-quality products. Even organic saffron is cultivated in Leogang.

· A recommended summer activity is the E-Bike Culinary Tour, where visitors cycle from one direct producer to another, visit farm shops and sample homemade products.

· Restaurants, hotels and alpine huts 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 strongly committed. Leogang, for example, supports sustainable mobility through the aforementioned Loigom-Soifen Shuttle. Saalfelden contributes through its participation in the e5 programme for energy efficiency and its fully electrified city bus line. The municipality of Saalfelden also uses HVO100 fuel, made from renewable raw materials, for its entire municipal fleet, from snowploughs to fire engines. 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

Sixteen percent of the entire destination area is protected land – including large parts of the Steinernes Meer plateau and the Leoganger Steinberge mountain range.

 

Comfortable Train Connections

Saalfelden Leogang is easy and convenient to reach from Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Czech Republic – all without a car, thanks to excellent rail connections. Year-round train services run, for example, to and from Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt and Vienna. Travelling from Berlin, visitors reach Saalfelden Leogang in 7 hours and 30 minutes with two transfers. From Munich, Saalfelden Leogang is a three-hour trip with one transfer. There are also direct connections to Vienna and Zurich (5 hours 30 minutes), Graz (4 hours), Innsbruck (2 hours 15 minutes) and Salzburg (1 hour 45 minutes), as well as to Sweden and Denmark. In addition, from December to April and May to October, the ICE “Großglockner” offers direct weekend and public holiday connections to Saalfelden from Hamburg via Hanover, Göttingen, Kassel, Fulda, Würzburg, Augsburg and Munich.

New: the Westbahn now operates on the western route from Vienna to Salzburg every 30 minutes, and there are also three new direct daily connections between Vienna and Saalfelden – with no transfer required.