Nestled in the Radstadt Tauern mountains, Obertauern is a popular winter sports resort in the Austrian state of Salzburg. It’s positioned along a Roman road that was constructed over the Tauern Pass and famously featured in The Beatles 1965 film “Help!”
Things to do in Obertauern
Obertauern comes to life during the winter months when it’s a hub for skiing and snowboarding. It boasts around 100 kilometres of pistes that are suitable for all abilities, as well as 19 chairlifts and a gondola. Due to the circular positioning of the lifts, it’s possible to ski what’s known as the “Tauern Circuit”. In addition to its downhill runs, Obertauern also offers more than 25 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails to explore.
In the summer months, Obertauern is an ideal base for exploring the Central Alpine Way and most of the ski lifts can be used for accessing the surrounding hiking trails. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for the rare red-breasted bluethroat found in the region. The town also features a sports centre with tennis and squash courts, badminton facilities and several automated bowling alleys.
A short drive west of Obertauern is the Johannes Wasserfall, a single-drop waterfall that plunges 38 metres over a rocky outcrop. Soak up the views from the top of the cascade before climbing down the stairs that lead behind the waterfall to experience its spray. Also nearby is the Gnadenfall, a photogenic, multi-tiered cascade along the River Taurach.
Getting around Obertauern
Obertauern is around 45 minutes’ drive from Bischofshofen and just over an hour from Salzburg Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Radstadt railway station, from where buses continue to Obertauern. The town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.