Mauterndorf – Cross-Country Skiing, Castle Culture and Trails in Lungau

If you are looking for accommodation for a skiing holiday in Mauterndorf, you will find a clear winter focus here. The offering is complemented by marked walking and hiking trails, Mauterndorf Castle with its history, and destinations in Lungau. This allows you to combine cross-country skiing, exploring the town, landscapes and other activities during your stay.

Winter and Trails around Mauterndorf

The cross-country ski trail to Tweng/Lanschfeld is 25 kilometres long and starts at the campsite in Mauterndorf. For shorter outings, there are marked hiking and walking trails: the options range from an hour-long circular route through the town to excursions in the surrounding area. Grosseck-Speiereck is Mauterndorf’s local mountain and a hiking area in summer. From the valley, you can reach it on foot via several routes in around 2.5 hours or by cable car. You can also explore the town on foot around the castle. A circular route of around one kilometre leads through the grounds of the old palace park around Mauterndorf Castle. For cycle tourists, the Mur Cycle Path, also known as the Tour de Mur, begins in Mauterndorf. There are also mountain biking, road cycling and trekking tours. This provides different ways to get around and be active, without restricting your stay to just one sport.

Mauterndorf Castle and the History of Lungau

Mauterndorf Castle dates back to the 13th century and was formerly the summer residence of the prince-archbishops of Salzburg. Its 44-metre-high defensive tower offers views across Lungau. The castle chapel contains a High Gothic fresco dating from around 1350; since 2018, visitors have been able to access the chapel gallery. The collection of the Lungau Regional Museum can also be viewed in the castle. It covers customs, rural life, minerals and religions. For your planning, the seasonal difference is important: in summer, the museum follows Mauterndorf Castle’s opening hours; in winter, the museum is closed. Mauterndorf’s toll station was first mentioned in a document in 1002.

Townscape, Excursions and Regional Experiences

The historic townscape is characterised by distinctive stepped-gable houses at the foot of Mauterndorf Castle. The Samson figure is also part of the region’s identity: Mauterndorf is one of ten municipalities in Salzburg’s Lungau region with such a figure. In fine weather, the Burgschenke restaurant serves Lungau specialities on a terrace overlooking the surrounding mountains. For an excursion, the Taurach Railway offers nostalgic steam train rides through Lungau from Mauterndorf to St. Andrä and back. A variety of flight routes through the mountainous surroundings begin at Mauterndorf Airfield. Passengers can enjoy a special flying experience there and, under the supervision of an experienced flight instructor, even take control themselves.

Choose the Right Accommodation for Your Trip

Mauterndorf is a good fit for a trip that combines cross-country skiing, historical sightseeing and trails through the landscape. Travel groups with different interests have several independent options: while one person uses the ski trail, others can visit the castle, the museum in summer, follow the circular route or go on a cycling tour. For a further comparison in Lungau, you can also consider [Sankt Michael Im Lungau](Sankt Michael Im Lungau), [Tamsweg](Tamsweg), [Katschberg](Katschberg), [Lessach](Lessach), [Göriach](Göriach), [Mariapfarr](Mariapfarr), [Weißpriach](Weißpriach) and [St. Martin](St. Martin) .

For the higher-level travel overview: Tamsweg District.