Naked Family Points
Salzburg is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Austria and beyond. Many tourists come to the city of Mozart year after year, captivated by the stunning panorama of the city and its rural surroundings. Running has become an increasingly popular way to explore a new place. In this blog, we'll share how you can tailor your running experience to suit your needs and the best routes for exploring Salzburg (city and countryside) while running.
Self-assessment is important
To find your perfect running route in Salzburg, it's important to be able to assess your own abilities. What pace should you run at and roughly how far should you cover? In Salzburg, you can get to know a lot of the surrounding area even in short distances and you don't have to exhaust yourself to the limit. Don't forget to warm up properly to avoid potential injuries during your explorations. If you'd also like to meet new people, joining one of the various run clubs in Salzburg might be an interesting option for you. The "Early Birds" movement has recently caused a stir in Salzburg and meets regularly for sporting activities.
These running routes belong on your bucket list
The biggest advantage first: Salzburg has an extensive network of cycling and running paths that are ideal for your next run. Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the old town or would like to explore the major sights up close – there is something for everyone. You can get a wonderful overview of the old town surrounded by greenery if you run up the Mönchsberg. There are many places you can start from, for example, you can run from Nonntal up to the fortress and then jog via Richterhöhe and Mönchsstein Castle back down to the Augustinerbräu in Mülln, where you can reward yourself with a cold drink after about 5km. The route from Leopoldskron Castle along the Almkanal to Schleinlacke and back again is of a similar length and close to the city center. You can extend this run as you wish, as the Almkanal continues on a beautiful route after Schleinlacke and the Gneis district generally has a lot to offer in terms of nature. This makes Gneis, off the beaten track, a real insider tip in Salzburg.
Things get a bit more challenging if you head towards Lake Fuschl in the Salzburg region. There, you can run around the popular bathing lake for around 12km and enjoy the surrounding mountain panorama. In summer, a quick dip in the cool water afterwards is also worthwhile. Another insider tip, which requires a high level of fitness, is the route from Hallein along the Salzach River via Lake Bürgerau in Kuchl to the natural paradise of the Bluntauseen in Golling. Even though the 16km of this route can be quite challenging, you can enjoy unique views at the Bluntauseen that are worth every single drop of sweat. Don't forget the right equipment for this sporting activity. With sports glasses from NAKED Optics, you'll be well protected from UV radiation and can even hide the strain of your workout here and there. A final advantage of choosing the route from Hallein to the Bluntau Lakes is that you can easily travel to and from both Hallein and Golling by regional train if you are coming from the city of Salzburg.
Your free introductory tour
We haven't even mentioned the biggest advantage of exploring Salzburg on foot: It's free! While walking tours or sightseeing buses can be quite expensive, for running is all you need to do is lace up your running shoes and get going. Even if you have a short commute to your starting point, exploring in running shoes is a cost-effective option. Plus, you're doing something good for your health and have the chance to discover places you wouldn't otherwise have visited. It's a classic win-win situation. So what are you waiting for?
Credits: Elias Neier