We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Salzburg and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it. Our favorite day trip was just over an hour away near Lake Traunsee, in the town of Gmunden. Our destination wasn’t the town itself, but the mountain overlooking it and the gorgeous lake views.
When we arrived in Gmunden, we drove straight to the cable car station that takes visitors up to Grünberg, or Green Mountain. We bought a family ticket for 98.50 euros, which included two adults and two children aged six and up. Our younger two, who are five and under, rode for free. The ticket covered the cable car rides both up and down the mountain, as well as entrance to the treetop walk at the top. It was one of our pricier family activities, but it was also our only paid outing for the entire day, and we stayed until one of the last rides down. To keep things budget-friendly, we packed a picnic lunch to enjoy on the mountain.
Before heading up, be sure to grab a scavenger hunt map from the cable car station. It’s available in both German and English. My two older boys decided to complete one in each language together, which was very sweet to watch. Along the route, there are seven stations where kids can press a button to hear short audio messages in either language. The characters tell a story, and the kids fill in riddles and answers on their map as they go.
My boys followed the map with full dedication, even when a sign pointed toward a destination an hour away. As parents, we loved having them so motivated to join us, and they even took turns leading the way. Our kids hike somewhat regularly, but this scavenger hunt kept them moving faster and happier than usual.
We brought a stroller for our almost two-year-old, and every path had a stroller-friendly option. A carrier would have worked too, but I love when he naps in the stroller. Plus, he’s at that age where he loves getting in and out constantly, which makes a carrier tricky.
The views along the hike were breathtaking, especially the ones overlooking the lake at the farthest point of the trail. October was the perfect time to visit with cooler temperatures, fall colors, and very few other hikers.
Before heading back down, don’t forget to turn in the completed scavenger hunt map at the cable car office — the kids receive a small prize to take home as a fun souvenir from the day.
This day trip to Grünberg in Gmunden was our favorite adventure we did from Salzburg. The kids are still talking about all of the woodland creatures along the way. It’s just over an hour’s drive, and the views from the top make it well worth the trip. We didn’t budget time for exploring Gmunden town itself, but it looked quaint and worth a visit before or after your hike.
What to know before you go:
Where: Gmunden, Austria — about 75 minutes by car from Salzburg
Activity: Take the Grünberg cable car up the mountain, hike the family-friendly trails, and enjoy the treetop walk with sweeping lake views
Tickets: Family ticket around 98 euros (includes two adults and two children six and older; younger children are free); slight discount available if you purchase in advance.
Time Needed: Plan for at least half a day — we arrived midmorning and stayed until one of the last cable cars down around 4:30pm.
Accessibility: The trails are stroller-friendly, though a baby carrier also works well for younger toddlers
When to Visit: Early fall is ideal with colorful foliage, mild temperatures, and smaller crowds
Tip: Grab the scavenger hunt map at the cable car station before starting your hike. It is available in English and German, and kids can turn it in for a small prize at the end
