Escape the heat, embrace the mountain freshness – Rauris, the coolest place for hot days
When summer really turns up the heat and temperatures soar, there is nothing better than escaping the heat for a few days. In the Rauris Valley, pleasant freshness, clear mountain air, and wonderfully cool nights await you – just the right thing to breathe deeply and recharge your batteries.
The best part: Book directly with us now and secure a 10% discount on the current daily rate – valid for direct bookings until August 23, 2026.
Summer freshness has a long tradition in the Rauris Valley. As early as the 1960s, guests came to us to escape the summer heat and enjoy the pleasantly cool temperatures in the Rauris mountains. Nothing has changed since then – on the contrary: fresh mountain air, restful nights, and the tranquility of nature are more in demand today than ever.
Instead of stagnant heat, you can expect rushing mountain streams, shady forests, scenic alpine pastures, and numerous favorite spots where summer shows its relaxed side. Whether you enjoy hiking, taking in nature, or are simply looking for a quiet place to switch off – here with us, you will find your personal burst of freshness.
We recommend our most beautiful spots and excursion tips in the Rauris Valley, where you can easily escape the summer heat. Because sometimes it doesn’t take much: the mountains, fresh air, and a little time for yourself.
Our favorite excursion tips for hot summer days
It is not without reason that the Rauris Valley is also called the “Valley of Springs.” Over 300 natural springs, crystal-clear mountain streams, and impressive waterfalls characterize our landscape and provide soothing refreshment even on hot summer days. The calming sound of the water accompanies you on many hiking trails and makes the mountain world a place where you can find peace, breathe deeply, and gain new strength.
In this post, we show you our most beautiful excursion tips around Hotel Alpina in Rauris for hot summer days – the best part: you can even experience many of these excursion destinations for free with the National Park SummerCard. This way, your summer vacation in the Rauris Valley will not only be pleasantly cool but also full of unforgettable experiences.
Kolm Saigurn & the Rauris UrQuell – Freshness from the Hohe Tauern
Towards the end of the valley, you can reach the UrQuell from the Bodenhaus in the Hüttwinkl Valley after about 30 minutes on foot. The lovingly designed circular path leads through a small forest paradise with numerous watercourses, ponds, and a drinking water fountain where you can enjoy fresh, crystal-clear spring water. This special natural jewel is considered the source of the water in the valley. The pure mountain water is known far beyond the region for its excellent quality and makes the UrQuell a place where you can experience the power of nature firsthand.
Children especially love the cool water: they can play in the water to their heart’s content, discover small streams, and experience nature with all their senses. On warm summer days, the UrQuell is therefore an ideal excursion destination for the whole family.
Rauris Primeval Forest – Cool forest air and untouched nature
If you are looking for a shady retreat on a hot summer day, the Rauris Primeval Forest is just the right place. The natural forest area inspires with mighty, centuries-old trees, moss-covered rocks, and a pleasantly cool atmosphere – a place where you can leave everyday life behind in no time.
On the well-maintained paths, you will discover the original nature of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The gentle sound of the streams, the scent of the forest, and the chirping of the birds make every walk a special experience. Especially on warm summer days, the primeval forest is the ideal place to breathe deeply, enjoy the peace of the mountain world, and take in the soothing freshness of the forest with every breath.
Our tip: Combine your walk through the Rauris Primeval Forest with a hike or an excursion to Kolm Saigurn. This way, you can discover two of the most beautiful natural jewels of the Rauris Valley in one day.
Those who enjoy hiking and want to enjoy the pleasant freshness of the mountains will find the perfect place here for a relaxed summer day.
Gold Panning – Cooling down with adventure
The Rauris Valley has been known for centuries as the “Valley of Gold Miners.” So why not go on a gold hunt yourself?
When gold panning, you stand in the middle of clear mountain water and search for the famous Rauris gold flakes with a gold pan and sieve. The cool water provides wonderful refreshment on hot summer days – and gold panning becomes an unforgettable experience for young and old.
At the gold panning sites in the Rauris Valley, you will receive a professional introduction as well as the appropriate equipment. With a little patience and a bit of luck, your own small gold find might even sparkle in the pan at the end.
Particularly practical: With the National Park SummerCard, gold panning (gold finding) is included for free. A real vacation experience that perfectly combines adventure and cooling down.
Kitzlochklamm – Experience the power of nature firsthand
Only a few minutes’ drive from Rauris, the impressive Kitzlochklamm in Taxenbach awaits you. Thundering water, spectacular walkways, and shady rock walls make the gorge a perfect destination on hot days. While walking along the bridges and viewpoints, you can feel the pleasant coolness of the water and experience the power of the Rauriser Ache firsthand. Families and nature lovers in particular will get their money’s worth here.
When the summer sun shines from the sky, the Kitzlochklamm is an ideal excursion destination for a refreshing break. Thundering waterfalls, narrow rocky ravines, and the clear mountain water ensure a pleasantly cool climate and an impressive nature experience. On well-secured walkways and bridges, you hike through one of the most beautiful gorges in Salzburger Land and feel the power of the water firsthand. The sound of the Rauriser Ache and the fine water droplets in the air make the walk a real pleasure, especially on hot days.
Our tip: It is best to plan your visit in the morning or late afternoon. This way, you can enjoy the most pleasant temperatures and let the special atmosphere in the gorge work its magic on you in peace.
Good to know: With the National Park SummerCard, you receive free admission to the Kitzlochklamm. A perfect excursion for everyone who wants to combine nature, cooling down, and impressive landscapes.
Our tip: Bring sturdy shoes – the paths can be a bit slippery due to the moist air – plus free admission with the National Park SummerCard.
Krimml Waterfalls – Europe’s largest waterfalls
An excursion to the Krimml Waterfalls is one of the absolute highlights in Salzburger Land.
With a drop height of 380 meters, they are among the largest waterfalls in Europe. Along the waterfall path, spectacular views of the massive volumes of water open up again and again.
The fine spray provides pleasant cooling even on hot summer days. At the same time, the water-rich air is considered particularly beneficial for the respiratory tract.
An excursion that perfectly combines nature, exercise, and refreshment.
A unique experience!
Even more cool-down experiences around the Rauris Valley
Kitzsteinhorn – Summer at over 3,000 meters
At the Kitzsteinhorn, a fascinating glacier world awaits you even in midsummer. With the cable cars, you can comfortably reach over 3,000 meters above sea level. There, snow, ice, and temperatures that are often significantly lower than those in the valley provide a welcome cooling. Particularly impressive are the National Park Gallery, the Top of Salzburg viewing platform, and the ICE CAMP, if open.
Werfen Ice Giant World – Europe’s largest ice cave
Only about an hour from Hotel Alpina is the Ice Giant World in Werfen. The huge ice cave impresses with its massive ice formations and a constant cool temperature of about 0°C. Even the way to the cave and the guided tour through the mysterious ice world make the excursion an unforgettable experience.
Liechtensteinklamm – impressive gorge
The Liechtensteinklamm in St. Johann im Pongau is one of the most beautiful gorges in the Alps. Thundering masses of water, steep rock walls, and shady walkways create a pleasantly cool climate even on hot days. A special highlight is the spectacular spiral staircase “Helix,” which leads deep into the gorge.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
A drive on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is also a wonderful way to escape the summer heat. With every meter of altitude, the air becomes fresher and the views more impressive. Especially around the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, you can enjoy the clear mountain air and the view of the Pasterze Glacier.
Hallein Salt Mine – pleasant coolness deep in the mountain
Another ideal excursion destination for hot summer days is the Hallein Salt Mine, only about an hour’s drive from the Rauris Valley. As soon as you enter the mine, you feel the pleasant coolness underground – perfect conditions to escape the summer heat for a while.
Equipped with traditional miner’s clothing, you take the pit railway deep into the Dürrnberg. There, exciting insights into the over 2,500-year history of salt mining, fast-paced miner’s slides, a mysterious salt lake, and multimedia stagings that bring history to life await you. The salt mine is a varied experience for young and old and combines adventure, culture, and soothing cooling in a unique way.
Our tip: Plan about two to three hours for the visit and combine the excursion with a walk through the historic old town of Hallein or a detour to the city of Salzburg. This turns a hot summer day into a varied experience full of exciting impressions.
And if you are a guest at our Hotel Alpina, you have free admission with your included National Park SummerCard.
Our conclusion: Enjoy refreshment and return relaxed
One thing is certain: even on hot summer days, our region has a lot to offer. Between mountains, water, and exciting excursion destinations, you will find numerous ways to escape the heat and experience summer from its most pleasant side.
Cooling down doesn’t always have to be a swimming lake. In the Rauris Valley, impressive gorges, thundering waterfalls, crystal-clear mountain streams, and exciting nature experiences ensure pleasant refreshment and unforgettable vacation moments. Fancy a summer vacation full of nature, mountains, and refreshing excursions? Then discover the Rauris Valley and enjoy the most beautiful sides of Salzburger Land.
And after a varied excursion, the next opportunity to cool down and relax awaits at Hotel Alpina Rauris: in our wonderful outdoor pool, on the sun terrace, or with a cool drink – here you can end the summer day quite comfortably.
And now a few more tips for hot days
Our receptionist Sandra is a true Rauris native and knows the Rauris Valley with all its most beautiful spots like the back of her hand. She takes care of our guests every day with a lot of heart – and when she is not to be found at the reception, she devotes herself to her great passion: herbal medicine.
As a certified herbal educator, Sandra brings valuable knowledge about local herbs, natural applications, and proven home remedies. This knowledge not only enriches our team but she also enjoys passing it on to our guests.
Today, Sandra shares her personal tips on how to keep a cool head naturally on hot summer days and enjoy summer in the Rauris Valley in a relaxed way.
Refresh naturally – with herbs and minerals
On hot days, the body appreciates sufficient fluids and valuable minerals. Water or unsweetened herbal teas, refined with fresh herbs such as mint, lemon balm, or verbena, are particularly soothing. Cucumber, lemon, or berries also provide natural refreshment. Those who sweat a lot can additionally support their mineral balance with electrolyte-rich drinks or a pinch of natural salt and a splash of lemon juice in the water.
Refresh naturally – with Oxymel
On hot days, regular drinking is particularly important. A traditional option is Oxymel – a mixture of honey, apple cider vinegar, and, depending on the recipe, fresh herbs. Diluted with water, it makes a pleasantly refreshing drink with a fine sweet-sour note. Summer herbs such as mint, lemon balm, or lemon verbena are particularly popular.
Sandra’s tip: On warm days, I like to enjoy a glass of cold water with a dash of homemade Oxymel. It tastes wonderfully refreshing and is a nice alternative to heavily sugared soft drinks.
Kneipp therapy for new energy
Kneipp therapy is a natural method according to Sebastian Kneipp, in which cold water stimulates the circulation and provides pleasant refreshment. Especially on hot summer days, it is an easy way to recharge your batteries. A cold arm bath or water treading according to Sebastian Kneipp gets the circulation going and ensures pleasant cooling. In the Rauris Valley, you will find ideal places for this with fresh spring and mountain water. Sandra’s tip: Stand in cold water for 30 to 60 seconds or wade slowly through a Kneipp stream. Lift your feet consciously out of the water with every step (the so-called stork walk). Then only lightly wipe off the feet, do not rub dry, and warm up again by walking or light movement.
Use the morning cool
The early morning hours are the most pleasant time of the day. The air is fresh, the temperatures are still mild, and the body gets going more easily. Whether a walk, a hike, or a few stretching exercises on the balcony – exercise in the morning gently gets the circulation going and ensures an energetic start to the day. After that, a cozy breakfast can be enjoyed twice as much.
Enjoy the shade
Shady forest paths are not only pleasantly cool on hot days but also offer a particularly relaxed atmosphere. The rustling of the trees and the mountain streams make the break perfect.
Enjoy light meals
On hot days, light, fresh meals are often more pleasant than heavy dishes. Salads, seasonal vegetables, fruit, or a light dish with fish provide energy without putting additional strain on the body. It is better to eat several small portions throughout the day and enjoy water-rich fruit such as watermelon or berries in between – this way you will feel more comfortable even in summery temperatures.
Enjoy cool nights
A special advantage of the Rauris Valley is the pleasantly cool nights. While the air warms up during the day, the mountains provide noticeable cooling in the evening. This creates ideal conditions for a restful sleep and a relaxed start to the next vacation day – without any stuffy summer nights.
Cool down again and again
Even small refreshments in between can be very soothing on hot days. A short stop at a mountain stream, cold water over hands and forearms, or a refreshing foot bath quickly bring the body back into balance.
Sandra’s nature tip:
On hot days, I always have a peppermint or rose hydrosol in the refrigerator. A few sprays on the neck, arms, or legs immediately provide a wonderfully fresh feeling. This is particularly pleasant after a hike or when temperatures reach their peak. For tired, heavy legs, a leg ointment or a gel with cooling herbs such as mint, horse chestnut, or arnica is also suitable. This cares for the skin and gives a pleasantly fresh feeling, especially after a hike. Note: The cooling effect of mint is primarily based on the menthol it contains. For arnica and horse chestnut, the focus is traditionally on the care and well-being of tired legs.
Now is the perfect time for your summer freshness in the Rauris Valley
We look forward to supporting you and your loved ones in cooling down and are already looking forward to your visit with us at Hotel Alpina! We would be very happy to advise you at any time for your personal cool excursion destination.
Book by July 19 directly at Hotel Alpina Rauris and receive a 10% discount on the current daily rate.
Your entire Alpina Team!