Discover Großarl: Culture, Trails and Special Holiday Days

Großarl combines visible local history with a variety of experiences in the valley. The parish church defines the townscape, the chapel hiking trail follows a route of around 17.5 kilometres to the head of the valley, and the outdoor pool, single trails and a distinctive baking tradition create a range of opportunities for shared holiday days. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Großarl, it is therefore worth deciding first on your preferred pace: should the trip focus on culture and walks through the town, on physical activity, or on varied days during which each family member can pursue their own interests?

Local History Around the Market Square and Parish Church

The market square is a good starting point for discovering Großarl. Most of the buildings there are listed as historic monuments and give the town centre a distinctive historical setting. From the market square, the walk through Großarl offers a wonderful view of the town. This means that your visit need not focus solely on individual sights, but can also be enjoyed as a leisurely exploration of the townscape.

The landmark of Großarl is the parish church, which is visible from far away and towers over the town on a rocky outcrop. It is a late Baroque, broad, single-nave hall church with a striking tower. It was rebuilt in the 18th century and given a uniform Rococo interior. Anyone interested in church architecture, historic town centres and craftsmanship will find a clear cultural focus for planning their trip here. You can choose the location of your accommodation according to whether you would like the town centre to be an important part of your stay.

Hiking, Cycling and Winter Experiences

The chapel hiking trail begins at the parish church in Großarl, leads towards Hüttschlag and continues to the head of the valley. It is around 17.5 kilometres long in total. The length of the route is an important planning factor for anyone intending to spend a longer day hiking. You can consider this trail a focus in its own right and, when looking for accommodation, make sure that your planned daily activities suit your preferred holiday pace.

For cycling, the Großarltal single trail offers two options: Panorama Rausch is 7 kilometres long, while Waldgeflüster is 3.3 kilometres long. Depending on your plans for the day, you can choose the longer or shorter trail loop. In winter, the Großarl cross-country ski trail begins at the “Reitwiese”. This also provides a specific point of reference for planning your stay during the colder season.

Another option is the Großarl Trail of the Senses. It can be reached from the top station of the Panorama cable car in around 30 minutes. This information helps you incorporate the trail into your daily plans. Depending on your focus, a holiday apartment in Großarl can therefore serve as a starting point for cultural discoveries, longer walks, cycling or a stay with varied daily plans.

A Day at the Pool and Regional Tradition

The outdoor pool in Großarl has four pools, a slide, diving towers, a baby pool and a sunbathing lawn. For families whose holiday days are not meant to consist exclusively of hikes or sightseeing, these facilities offer several specific options for a day at the pool.

A regional baking tradition is also part of the range of experiences: at the Kösslerhäusl, visitors can bake farmhouse bread and farmhouse doughnuts from 14:00 onwards. Registration at the EDELWEISS reception is required. Baking requires a fixed afternoon appointment and advance registration, so it can be deliberately incorporated into the day's plans. It is a vivid opportunity to discover Großarl not only through its landscape and trails, but also through a culinary tradition.

Other Places for Your Search

If you would like to compare Großarl with other destinations, you can also look at Kleinarl, Bad Gastein, Filzmoos, Sankt Johann Im Pongau, Sonnberg, Harbach, Iglsbach and Wimm.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Sankt Johann Im Pongau.