Spielberghaus above Saalbach
| Start | Saalbach (1002m) |
| Distance | 5km (one way) |
| Height gain | 317m |
| Height loss | 63m |
| Grade | 1–2 |
| Time | 1½hrs |
| Location | Northwest of Saalbach |
A short and easy walk with a modest amount of height gain, which crosses a minor saddle and leads to a charming alm restaurant with views to the Northern Limestone Alps. This outing is perfect for those occasions when you prefer an undemanding but rewarding day out; not quite a ‘rest day’, but one in which you can afford to take your time and relax.
It begins by following a woodland path up the west flank of the narrow Spielberggraben ‘behind’ Saalbach. At its head the Spielberghaus stands at a junction with many options for longer walks. The Burgeralm lies among pastureland on the far side of the Spielberg saddle.
From Saalbach make your way to the valley station of the Bernkogel lift and wander along the service road which goes to the left of the building. When it forks by some houses branch right, then snake up the hillside with views down to the village. About 10mins from the start, when the road makes a left-hand bend, go through a gate onto a track, the Grubenweg, which cuts through a meadow and curves by a barn. Here you take a footpath to pass beneath the Bernkogel lift and enter forest. The path forks. Take the upper option (the Pascherweg) with its red-and-yellow waymarks, and at the next junction keep ahead on an easy contour across the steep hillside.
Spielberghaus above Saalbach
About 1hr after leaving Saalbach the path brings you onto a track at 1230m. Keep ahead along this and 15mins later come to the Spielberghaus (1319m, accommodation and refreshments), with its small chapel and open views to the north. A goodly choice of walks can be made from here, with paths to left and right, and a track continuing ahead across the narrow saddle. Walk ahead to the Innere Spielbergalm (1320m), and the GasthofBurgeralm (1256m, refreshments), the latter reached in a little over 10mins from the Spielberghaus.
Allow about 50mins to return to Saalbach by the track which descends all the way through the Spielberggraben valley.
Note The continuing track beyond the Gasthof Burgeralm eventually leads to Fieberbrunn in the valley of the Schwarzachbach, one of the divisions between the Kitzbüheler Alps and the Northern Limestone Alps, which has a scenic road running through it from St Johann in Tirol to Saalfelden.