Families Love This Week-Long Itinerary In Rauris, AustriaDiscover family-friendly adventures in Rauriser Valley Austria, from gold panning and wildlife encounters to Alpine hikes, traditional mountain huts, cultural experiences, and unforgettable moments in Hohe Tauern National Park.Authorsvisitaustria
DestinationsRaurisItinerary

Day 1

Goldwaschplatz Heimalm der Rauriser Hochalmbahnen
High above Rauris, families can try their hand at a tradition that shaped the valley for centuries: gold panning. At the Heimalm gold panning site, kids can learn how miners once searched these streams for precious flakes while enjoying the mountain scenery nearby. It’s a hands-on experience that turns local history into a fun Alpine adventure.
See More
Rauriser Hochalmbahnen
Ride the cable car above Rauris and step into an alpine playground filled with mountain views, wildlife, and family adventures. From the Hochalm station, easy trails lead to places like Heimalm, where visitors can enjoy gold panning, mountain scenery, and traditional hut stops. The family route is about 1.5 miles with around 980 feet of elevation gain, taking roughly 1 hour. It’s an effortless way to experience the Hohe Tauern mountains without a challenging climb.
See More
Wander-Hotel Rauriserhof
This hotel is well known for its professionally guided hiking program, which regularly includes botanical and herb hikes led by certified guides during the summer season. Guests learn about edible plants, medicinal herbs, and traditional Alpine uses while exploring the surrounding mountains.
See More
Book

Day 2

Hochalm Bergsee
Tucked above Rauris near the Hochalm mountain station, the Hochalm Bergsee is a peaceful alpine lake surrounded by wide-open mountain views. It’s an easy family stop after riding the cable car, where children can explore the shoreline while parents take in the Hohe Tauern scenery. Pack a picnic, slow down, and enjoy the quiet side of the Alps.
See More
Hohe Tauern National Park exhibition King of the Skies
This interactive exhibition is a great introduction to the wild world waiting outside in Hohe Tauern National Park. Families can learn about golden eagles, bearded vultures, and other Alpine wildlife through engaging displays and storytelling. It’s the perfect stop before heading into the valley, helping children understand the animals, landscapes, and conservation efforts that make Rauris so special.
See More
Palfneralm
One of Rauris’ most charming traditional alpine huts, Palfneralm has been part of the valley’s farming culture for generations. Built in 1730, this family-run alm still celebrates old-world traditions, from raising local breeds to producing its own dairy products. After the walk through Seidlwinkltal, settle in for homemade specialties like fresh butter, cheese, and apple strudel while watching the cows and mountain life unfold.
See More

Day 3

Rauriser urQuell
Rauriser UrQuell leads families through a quiet Alpine forest to a natural spring surrounded by mountain scenery, a good pick for younger hikers starting the day. The route covers roughly 1.2 miles round trip with a real but manageable climb, giving kids plenty to explore along the way: streams, wildlife, and the valley's deep connection to fresh mountain water.
See More
Mitterastenalm
Set deep in the Hohe Tauern National Park near Kolm Saigurn, Mitterastenalm feels like a place where time moves a little slower. The hut is known for its peaceful setting beneath the Goldberg Group peaks and its authentic Alpine hospitality. People linger here over traditional Pinzgau flavors, especially the famous homemade Bauernkrapfen, while the Sonnblick watches over the valley from the window.
See More
Rauris Krumltal - Valley of Vultures
The Krumltal is a rare Alpine place where nature takes center stage. Families can slow down, scan the skies, and watch for bearded vultures, golden eagles, and other wildlife moving through the valley. Binoculars help, since sitting quietly and waiting for the mountains to reveal themselves is part of the experience.
See More

Day 4

Nationalpark Kolm Saigurn
Kolm Saigurn is where the Rauriser Valley truly feels wild. Surrounded by towering peaks, waterfalls, forests, and historic mining landscapes, this National Park area gives families a chance to slow down and explore nature at their own pace. Peaceful trails wind past nearby huts, with views toward the Hoher Sonnblick the whole way, and the mountains largely speak for themselves.
See More
Erlebnis Tauerngold
Follow the story of Rauris’ legendary gold rush through an outdoor experience that brings the valley’s mining past into the landscape itself. Along the route, families discover how miners searched these mountains for gold, learning about historic tunnels, working conditions, and the people who shaped this “Valley of Gold.”
See More
Braualm restaurant
Located in the Krumltal, the Bräualm is a wonderful stop after exploring Rauris’ famous “Valley of Vultures.” This mountain restaurant reflects the valley’s connection to traditional Alpine life, offering a place to rest after a day outdoors. Families come here for the peaceful setting, local atmosphere, and a chance to enjoy regional dishes surrounded by the same landscapes where golden eagles and bearded vultures soar.
See More
Durchgangalm
Dating back to centuries of Alpine farming traditions, Durchgangalm offers a true taste of life on the mountain pasture. Located beneath the Sonnblick, this family-run hut is known for its homemade products, including farmhouse bread, cheese, bacon, sausage, and hearty Almjause platters. After exploring the nearby Rauriser Urwald, this is the perfect place to sit outside, watch the marmots, and enjoy a slower side of Austria.
See More

Day 5

Greifvogelwarte Hochalmbahnen Rauris
Managed by falconer Peter Krizan, the Greifvogelwarte brings families closer to the incredible world of birds of prey through breathtaking flight demonstrations featuring eagles, owls, and falcons. Watching these powerful birds dive and soar above the valley is a highlight of any Hochalm visit.
See More
Heimatmuseum
Step inside one of Rauris’ best windows into the past, where families can discover how life in the valley changed from mining village to Alpine destination. Highlights include the impressive mineral collection, exhibits on historic gold mining, traditional farming tools, local costumes, and a dedicated display about the famous Sonnblick Observatory. It’s a small museum with plenty of stories hiding inside.
See More
Rauriser Talmuseum
Housed in a historic 16th-century building, the Rauriser Talmuseum feels like stepping into the valley’s living room. Families can discover the stories behind Rauris’ gold-mining past, explore sparkling mineral collections, see traditional farming tools and clothing, and learn about the legendary Sonnblick Observatory.
See More

Stays

Carpe Solem Rauris by ALPS RESORTS
For families who like a little extra comfort after a day in the mountains, Carpe Solem strikes a wonderful balance between apartment living and resort amenities. Located beside the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen, it's an easy base for hiking and sightseeing, with spacious apartments, an indoor pool, wellness area, and the popular Das Albert restaurant just steps away. It feels thoughtfully designed for families who want to explore all day, then come home and truly unwind.
See More
Book
Ammererhof
Since 1897, the Ammererhof has welcomed travelers at the foot of Hoher Sonnblick, continuing a tradition first envisioned during Rauris' gold-mining era. Still family-run today, it's known as much for its genuine hospitality as its mountain cuisine. If there's one dish to order, make it the Kaiserschmarrn with quince sauce, best enjoyed on the terrace with the waterfalls in view. It feels less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone's mountain home.
See More