Hotel Sommerhof Gosau

Happiness is easy to find at Hotel Sommerhof Gosau in the Salzkammergut. It is waiting to be discovered at every turn: in the cosy rooms, in the restaurant and the Jaga Lounge, in the colourful ball pool and warm pool. And of course under every stone and blade of grass in the beautiful Salzkammergut mountain and lake region.

Sommerhof is not just a family hotel in Gosau, but also the place where generations are happily united. The Wallner family has been taking care of that since 1959 – with a warmth, as real as the Dachstein mountains outside the window!

And all those who want to stay that way forever are at the right place with us. The Sommerhog Gosau in the Salzkammergut is located in the middle of a winter wonderland: within a five-minute walk from the slopes, cross-country routes that are the stuff of fairytales and the jingle of bells from the next horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Who wants to venture outside? Whether in spring, summer or autumn: The nature surrounding our family hotel in the Salzkammergut has a lot to offer all year round. Hiking over hill and dale and along the lake shore, mountain biking, rock scrambling, archery, horse riding, swimming in crystal clear natural lakes and a whole lot more.

Food should taste good and be fun. That’s why we take great care to cook individually at our family hotel in Gosau. For small gourmets, guests with a big appetite, for organic lovers, game gourmets, but also for allergy sufferers. We have something for everyone – and if everyone enjoys it, the holiday is destined to be a success.

ROOMS & SUITES
Our rooms and suites are like our guests: all different, but all special. Choose your favourite home from nine categories. Our rooms are wonderfully renovated and partly air-conditioned.

Most are rear-facing, guaranteeing extra rest and sleeping comfort. Our family hotel in Gosau is dog- and pet-free, making it completely safe for the little ones, too. Special family rooms and suites offer plenty of space to spend time together.

DINING
Do you know our culinary secret? We have clear ideas when it comes to our ingredients, but are all the more flexible when it comes to preparing them. Our team cooks Austrian and international, gluten-free, vegetarian and lactose-free delicacies.

The important thing is that everyone likes and enjoys them. We like to work our magic with products from the Salzkammergut, from organic alpine oxen to trout from Lake Hallstatt and meat from the delicatessen Speiserei in Gosau. Enjoy our 3/4 board, ask us for a wine tip and round off your evening with a digestif in the Stoffen Lounge.

Take a delightful bite in your jam roll in the morning. Stave off a little hunger with your afternoon coffee time. And look forward to the menu in the evening. Sommerhof’s 3/4 Sun board is included in direct bookings, sweetens your family break and spices up every day of your holiday.

We like to cook with organic products, preferably regional and, on request, also vegetarian, lactose- or gluten-free. We also serve dishes specially adapted to children’s tastebuds – and we serve mum and dad a good glass of wine or a cocktail to round off the day.

THE BREAKFAST
As the saying goes: There is nothing better than a proper breakfast. At our breakfast buffet, breads and rolls line up with fresh egg dishes and heavenly waffles, fresh fruits await vitamin-hungry guests, and cold cuts and jams refine your breakfast roll.

THE AFTERNOON COFFEE
When afternoon comes and you feel like a treat, enjoy a coffee and something sweet. Tea and coffee specialities are served with homemade cakes. Little guests are usually found at the never-ending juice fountain, which refreshes guests with non-alcoholic drinks from 7.30 am to 9 pm.

THE DINNER
Each night we surprise you with a four-course dinner menu with salad buffet or a buffet evening. Guests delight on our regional, Austrian and international dishes. Our kitchen crew prepare special menus or buffets for children. Take a seat, let tempting aromas awaken your appetite and enjoy being pampered by us.

WINE CELLAR
Manuel Wallner not only loves being a host at the Sommerhof, he is also a qualified sommelier. His wine cellar contains over 2,000 labels, from top local wines and rarities to Chilean and Australian vintages. We will be happy to pour you a glass with dinner or in the Stoffen Lounge. Our baristas also mix cocktails and serve you in the lounge with winter garden and terrace.

GLUTEN FREE
Are you affected by lactose intolerance? Would you like to go on a gluten-free holiday with your children? Or do you follow a vegetarian diet? Then you have just found the perfect hotel in Gosau in the Salzkammergut! Guests with special dietary needs are given special care by our chef de cuisine.

Gluten-free holidays in Austria are just as simple with us as meat-free or lactose-free cuisine. As a small hotel, we can cater well to individual needs. Because our motto also applies to enjoyment: All happy, (all full), all good!

SPA & WELLNESS
The formula for absolute well-being at our hotel in Gosau? First be active outside, then put your feet up inside! Wellness with children in Upper Austria is what it should be: completely relaxed. In our cosy relaxation area we heat up a Finnish sauna and herbal sauna for you, there is even our own children’s sauna.

Sweat together inside, then take the plunge in the outdoor pool or enjoy some bubbling fun in the jacuzzi. There are plenty of loungers and sun loungers available. Wellness with children in Upper Austria is so versatile at the Sommerhof.

To make sure that the nature around the Sommerhof can also “recover”, we do not use disposable bathing shoes. We therefore ask you to bring your own bathing shoes for you and your family.

• Sauna world: Sanarium (herbal sauna), Finnish sauna & children’s sauna
• Outdoor swimming pool heated all year round with access from inside
• Outdoor Jacuzzi
• large green area next to the pool
• Sunbeds indoors and on the sunbathing lawn
• Massage service

FAMILY HOTEL
Our family hotel Sommerhof in the Dachstein region is the place where you want to stay longer and come back time and again. Whether it’s somersaults on the trampoline, a climbing tour, a family excursion, a craft session, a Playstation battle or a movie afternoon: There is always something to do for little guests with a big appetite for adventures.

The crowning glory is then shared moments at the wonderfully prepared dinner table, the family sauna or discovering the 1,001 excursion destinations in the Salzkammergut. On a family holiday with children in Upper Austria there is time for everything – except boredom!

KIDS & TEEN AREA
Trampoline, slides and climbing frames, toys, table football and ball pool: Our Kids & Teen area offers everything that children love.

In our family hotel in Upper Austria, the little ones meet up for a bobby car ride, children dance to mini-hits and teens compete in an air hockey match. There is something for everyone in our 2000 m2 indoor and outdoor play area, and certainly some new holiday friends.

SUMMER HOLIDAY
Family holidays in Austria in summer, autumn and spring are very special. When the sun makes the Dachstein mountains glow and the grass of the meadows gently sways in the mountain breeze, a spirit of optimism appears.

Donkey trekking and alpine pasture hiking, cycling races and a ride in the swan pedal boat, swimming in the mountain lake and strolling in Hallstatt, a visit to the salt mine and adrenaline kicks on the children’s via ferrata: Everything is on the table during a summer in Gosau.

Even on bad weather days, there is a programme for all generations, for all tastes and opportunities to make memories that will make you smile for long to come.

HIKING
Welcome to the mountain region Dachstein West in the Salzkammergut! A land of unspoiled natural wonder where animals roam free, the air smells of resin and the scent of needles and nature reveals its true beauty.

The UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage region Hallstatt-Dachstein is just as suitable for hiking with children as for “grown-up” tours in high alpine terrain. What many routes have in common: They start right outside our hotel door!

How about a family hike to the Zwieselalm? An alpine snack awaits hardy hikers in the small but snug hut. Or a pram hike to Gosau including a visit to the playground? At the Iglmoosalm there are not only meadows and forests, but also animal guests to marvel at. One thing is certain: The Dachstein area is ideal for hiking with children.

Those who are out and about without young hikers can head to the highest mountain – the Dachstein 2.995m – with its alpine trails. The 1.5 h tour to the Löckernmoos high moor is very popular.

Once you reach the top, you can gaze out the over 1,000-year-old moor lake, in which clouds, heather bushes and mountain pines are reflected. A place of power and reinvigoration!

If you like to be guided, Gosau guide Betty will take you to her favourite places. With “Gosinger slang” and a lot of warmth, she tells of the power of the mountains and the secrets of nature.

Betty Jehle also offers hikes especially for children, from herb walks to donkey trekking. Forgotten something when off on a hike on the Dachstein with children? Equipment for free rental or sale can be found…

MOUNTAINBIKING
Speed. Freedom. Close to nature. Mountainbike adventures around Dachstein release a whole spectrum of emotions. Some 100 km of mountain bike trails wind through the Gosau valley and up the surrounding mountains on forest trails and asphalt roads. Each tour rewards riders in its own way: with a view of the valley, typical alpine delicacies or a break in the midst of the mountain idyll.

MTB adventures can be had at every turn in the Salzkammergut. Dream-like views of the peaks of the Gosaukamm await those that pedal their way up to the Iglmoosalm. The Plassen, Hallstatt’s local mountain, requires a little more pedal power, but this bike tour is worth every inch of the way.

Picturesque alpine pastures greet you to the right and left and the descent into romantic Hallstatt is a true tour highlight. Those who feel like going the extra mile are well advised to take the multi-day Dachstein tour.

There is a secure bike cellar with free washing facilities and e-bike charging stations at the Hotel Sommerhof. Your bike can also have a quiet night and recharge its batteries for the next MTB tour in the Salzkammergut.

We will be happy to put you in touch with a local guide who, for a fee, will show you the ins and outs of local bike trails. If you need a rental mountain bike or e-bike, we recommend “Sport Jirka” in the village centre.

MOUNTAINEERING & CLIMBING
Higher, further, reaching for the sky. Mountaineers are greeted by a chain of peaks in the Salzkammergut, some even measuring over 3,000 m. Those who prefer to keep their feet somewhat closer to the ground can try their hand on the natural cliff with a view of the Dachstein.

Beginners Paradise Hallstatt, Niedere Schreiberwand, Ewige Wand: The names of the via ferratas are as diverse as their degrees of difficulty. For children and young ones there is a separate “Max & Moritz” via ferrata in Gosau.

ARCHERY & GOLF
Even if you don’t hit the mark right away, archery is always a fun idea. Less than 30 minutes from the hotel you will find a 3D and field course on the Halleralm where the whole family can have fun together.

Golfers can let off steam on 10 golf courses within a radius of 90 km. Around 30 minutes’ drive away are the Ausseerland Golf Club with all-round panoramic views and the Salzkammergut Golf Club on historic grounds.

RIDING
For many, there is nothing more beautiful than trotting across the meadows on horseback, roaming through the forests and admiring the landscape.

You can reach the Reitgut Lammertal in Abtenau within a fifteen minute car ride. They offer independent rides as well as lessons in the riding hall, on the riding arena and the gallop track. Wonderful fun for young and old horse fans!

WATER FUN
There are over 70 crystal-clear lakes in the Salzkammergut. Not only do they have drinking water quality, but they are also leisure oases for the whole family. Swimming and diving in Lake Gosau with its natural bathing beaches.

Splashing around in Hallstätter See with mountain water that can reach up to 23°. Fishing at the trout pond in Gosau. Or take a spin in a rowing, sailing, electric or swan pedal boat. You can do it all!

PARAGLIDING
Who doesn’t want to take off and see the world from above? On holiday in Gosau you have the opportunity to do so. The Zwieselalm or the mountain station of the Krippenstein cable car are popular starting points for gliding newbies.

With an experienced tandem partner you dare to take to the skies and circle above the wide Gosau valley, over deep blue lakes and the World Heritage site of Hallstatt. Make your dream of flying come true!

JOGGING & NORDIC WALKING
Feel like a jog or a walk? The walking and hiking trails around Gosau also make wonderful running tracks. Many of them run along rivers and streams without any troublesome gradients.

The Gosaubachweg or the Panoramaweg along Lake Hallstatt are ideal for relaxed runs. It gets a bit more hilly around the Koppenwinkel and more demanding, part of the route runs through the forest. Have a good run!

GOSAUSEE & GOSAUKAMMBAHN
Lake Gosausee is a real natural spectacle and the ultimate photo hotspot. A walk around the glittering Gosausee is a MUST. Those who visit the lake can also wonderfully combine the detour with a trip up the mountain with the Gosaukamm cable car and a (pram) hike to the Zwieselalm.

HALLSTATT
When does a place deserve the title of “UNESCO World Heritage Site”? For example, when it is called Hallstatt and is bursting with cultural treats. Stroll along the houses close to the rock, float across the turquoise-blue Hallstatt Lake in a boat, stop at the market square or visit the legendary ossuary. Hallstatt is only 15 minutes by car from our hotel!

HALLSTATT SALT MINE
Take the Salzberg cable car up and the slide back down, and you’ll travel back 7,000 years: to the time of tunnels and galleries, miners and white gold. Hallstatt is home to the oldest salt mine in the world with salt lakes, VR room and many other highlights for all the family. A must on your holiday in Gosau!

SKYWALK HALLSTATT
What is it like to be face to face with the mountains, to get a little closer to the sky and to float above a sparkling blue lake? You can find out on the Skywalk Hallstatt. It is part of the Salzwelten and offers breathtaking views of the World Heritage site.

KRIPPENSTEIN
A mountain that literally has it all! Two mysterious caves are waiting to be explored on the Krippenstein: the ice cave with its bizarre formations and the gigantic Mammut cave. Back out in the fresh air, the spectacular high plateau of the Dachstein Glacier and a marvellous view to the Lake Hallstatt awaits you.

BAD ISCHL
Who wouldn’t want to stroll through Sisi’s Kaiserpark and feel like royalty at her summer residence? In Bad Ischl you can crown your royal excursion with a carriage ride and a stroll through the town or enjoy sweet delicacies at the Konditorei Zauner confectionery. If you wish, the Katrin cable car will take you up to the alpine pasture with the same name, from where even the youngest can manage a summit climb.

WOLFGANGSEE & FUSCHLSEE
At Lake Wolfgangsee or also at Lake Fuschlsee, things get adventurous. If you don’t want to dive straight in yourself, you can do a round of tyres or try your hand at waterskiing. Off into the blue!

SCHIFFFAHRT AM WOLFGANGSEE
So you should visit lake Wolfgang with its stunning mountain Schafberg. By ship you will explore the three famous towns St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang and Strobl and at least you take the funicular Schafbergbahn to be on top of the region and enjoy the 7 lakes view.

TREETOP PATH
It has never been so nice to lose the ground beneath your feet… On the treetop path in Gmunden you walk high above the forest floor towards the highest point of the observation tower. It rises some 39 metres into the air and offers unique views of Lake Traunsee and Gmunden.

SOMMERRODELBAHN ABTENAU 
Tobogganing in summer? Why not? Abtenau’s summer toboggan run lets you speed down the track on the Karkogel mountain from May until October.

Leave your car at the free car park at the valley station of the Karkogel cable car. The comfortable gondola will take you in just a few minutes right up to the start of the toboggan track, where aerodynamic yellow summer toboggans await brave riders!

TRADITION UP CLOSE
From the daffodil festival in Ausseerland to the Corpus Christi procession at Lake Hallstatt and the Kaiserfest in Bad Ischl: The Salzkammergut always has an event ace up its sleeve. Around the year, tradition is lived and shared in the region. Alpine pastures, Alpine Advent or the Glöcklerlauf? The choice is yours!

BAD WEATHER PROGRAMME 
Bad weather, bad mood? Not at the Sommerhof! Even if the summer in Gosau doesn’t play along and storm clouds appear on the horizon: There is no shortage of adventure ideas. There is plenty to see, hear and taste for the whole family close by.

A day at the thermal baths? A visit to the salt mines? A museums visit in the Mozart-City Salzburg? Or perhaps some coffee and cake in the Imperial City Bad Ischl? Let our tips inspire you.

THERMAL BATHS
What could be nicer in rainy weather than retreating into the warmth? The Salzkammergut has lots of mineral-rich water and therefore many thermal baths. Whether Grimming Therme, Narzissenbad or Eurotherme Bad Ischl, there are many oases of well-being close to the Sommerhof. If you prefer to look for a fun pool for families, then head to Therme Amadé.

HAUS DER NATUR
Enormous dinosaurs. Dazzling underwater worlds. Mysterious lunar landscapes. The Haus der Natur in Salzburg is full of wonders. The adventure world with aquarium, reptile zoo, science centre for physics and technology and various exhibitions is always worth a visit. And if you are already in the city of Mozart, you can also follow in the footsteps of the child prodigy…

SALT WORDS
The Dachstein normally sees visitors climbing to the summit, but in the Salzkammergut, adventures also await deep down beneath the mountains. In the Hallstatt and Altaussee salt worlds you can speed towards the centre of the Earth on the exciting wooden slide, sail across the salt lake and listen carefully to the mining legends. A bad-weather day can be so exciting!

KOPPENBRULLER CAVE
You can’t see it at the Krippenstein, but you can hear it. After a short walk along the Koppentraun river you reach the youngest of the three Dachstein caves with its underground waterways. The river roars through the canyon like a roaring animal after heavy rain or when the snow melts. There are also ancient stalactites to marvel at in the cave.

TRADITIONAL COFFEE & CAKES 
Would you like a single-origin coffee, or would you prefer a large brown one? Austria’s coffee house culture can be experienced at its best in the Hallstatt Dachstein World Heritage region, for example in the famous Konditorei Zauner in Bad Ischl.

Sitting in stucco-decorated historic cafés, sipping cocoa or coffee and standing wide-eyed at the cake counter: A family coffee party like this is enough to make anyone forget the rain!

HAND.WERK.HAUS
The Hand.Werk.Haus in Bad Goisern is a hands-on kind of place. Quite literally, because handicrafts, art and culture combine there to form a unique overall concept.

In addition to a permanent exhibition by the member businesses, the house also hosts changing events. Lovingly designed handicrafts can be purchased at the Hand.Werk.Haus shop to be taken home as holiday souvenirs.

SKIING
Strapping on ski boots for the first time. Building a giant snowman in the hotel garden. Trotting through the white wintry forest in a horse-drawn carriage. Or see nature with different eyes on a snowshoe hike. The Sommerhof in Gosau is the place to go skiing in the Dachstein region, and many more activities await.

The absolute highlight is the closeness to Austria’s largest family ski region. The lifts and the children’s Fredyland of Dachstein West can be reached on foot in 5 minutes. This is going to be a picture-perfect winter holiday of a lifetime!

Are you ready to glide across the slopes at the foot of König Dachstein, practise ski turns in Fredyland or become a jumping hero in the snow park? The largest and one of the best family ski resorts in Austria is just a few steps away – literally! A 5 minute walk will take you to the Hornspitzbahn, which carries you to the heart of the Dachstein West ski region. And that really has it all!

Just as every snowflake is unique, so are the kilometres of pistes in Dachstein West. 160 in total, they range from easy to medium to difficult and are just as suitable for families as they are experienced pros.

There is hardly a visitor who does not enjoy the fun slopes: from the “Wilde Hilde” to the “Donnergroll”. The Marcel Hirscher slalom course with time measuring, mogul slopes, snowcross facilities and wave tracks also ensure a thoroughly action-packed and varied day of skiing.

Skiing without the hard work is included at the Sommerhof. You can safely store your equipment in the hotel’s own heated ski cellar. It is located directly on the piste at the valley station of the Hornspitzbahn. Fredyland for the children is also within walking distance and offers an all-white adventure world with magic carpet, wave run and Fredy meadow.

The Dachstein West ski region is therefore also an ideal ski area for children in Upper Austria. But even bigger skiers get their money’s worth at the Ötscher lift right next door: with the weekly night skiing in the dim floodlight.

And if you can’t get enough of the winter wind and adrenaline kick, try the jumps, slides, corners, boxes and wave rides at the Playground Snowpark. The Snowpark with its own park lift is located near the top station of the Hornspitzbahn.

No ski champion has ever fallen from the sky, but many have been born here! After all, the Gosau Ski School in the immediate vicinity welcomes students of all ages.

Whether first experience on the slopes or ambitious technique courses, whether private or in a group, whether skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing: The Bambini Club courses and the range of courses for young people and adults offer something for everyone. It’s best to book your courses at the Gosau Ski School from home!

The right equipment is also provided – the ski rental is under the same roof. You can also conveniently reserve your equipment online at the Gosau Ski Hire or at Sport Jirka. Strap on your skis and explore one of the most beautiful family ski areas in Upper Austria!

OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES
The snowy Gosau winter is perfect for a skiing holiday in the Dachstein region. But there is more to the Dachstein than just the pistes. There are also toboggan runs, magical winter hiking trails or a ride through the woods – in a horse-drawn sleigh! Find out here which activities lure even the biggest winter grouch to the fresh snowy air.

SKI TOURS
Uphill on skis! If you are drawn to explore past the pistes, you have countless ski touring opportunities in the Dachstein Salzkammergut UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Gosau you can reach the Goiserer Hütte, the Freesports Arena Krippenstein with perfect powder is only 15 minutes away by car.

In Russbach, a new route with a prepared downhill run awaits. No matter where, around the Dachstein you will not only enjoy the tranquillity of nature and descents in deep powdery snow, but also magical views and healthy mountain air.

TOBOGGANING
Take your place, hold on and off you go! Whether for young sledders or experienced professionals, sledding is timeless fun. You can sledge in Gosau as well as in the neighbouring villages. There is a 3 km long track in Abtenau.

The floodlights go on the Karkogel several times a week and illuminate the track for evening fun. In Bad Goisern, you can reach the Trockentann toboggan run on foot. What is an absolute must? A stop-off in a mountain hut with tea and hot chocolate!

SNOWSHOE HIKING 
Another family classic: Winter hikes through fairytale forests and meadows. Lots of cleared paths start in front of the hotel and lead past thick blankets of snow and hidden vantage points. The circuit along the Gosaubach stream from the Vordertal to the Hintertal is particularly popular.

Strap on the snowshoes and you can discover the “wild” winter landscape, for example on the Zwieselalm or in the Bad Goiserner Hütteneck. Rental equipment is available free of charge at the Best of Wandern Testcenter or at the Gosau ski rental shop.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 
An abundance of snow and the winter wonderland make the Gosau Valley a top cross-country skiing location. You can glide along through the winter world on almost 50 km of pristine trails. Directly in front of the hotel you can join the village cross-country trail, which is the longest at some 15 km.

To fill up on vitamin D, head for the sun trail, and to let off some steam, head for the sports trail. The fairytale forest trail or Märchenwaldloipe is one of the most scenic cross-country skiing trails, along which the Gosaubach river rushes and accompanies you with every step.

HORSE-DRAWN SLEIGH RIDES
A ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage is probably one of the most romantic winter activities of all. But children also enjoy a trot through the winter wonderland with two horsepower while they snuggle up tightly in a blanket.

There are several providers in the UNESCO World Heritage Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut who we will be happy to contact for you on request. So, can you hear the bells ringing already…?

WINTER EXCURSIONS
Who says that winter always has to be white? We offer you much more than “just” skiing holidays with children in Upper Austria. The whole family can not only slide down the slopes around the Sommerhof, but also directly into the salt mine – or into a warm thermal pool! Fancy a change from skiing fun? Here are our tips.

WHITE TRAILS
On skis, wrapped up in thick winter boots or on a ringing horse-drawn sleigh: The snowy paths around Gosau and on the Dachstein mountains can be explored in many different ways. Wrap up warm and off you go!

THERMAL PLEASURE
In winter there is sometimes nothing better than shaking off the snow and retreating into the warmth. Maybe in a steaming pool? The Salzkammergut has lots of mineral-rich water and therefore many thermal baths.

Whether Grimming Therme, Narzissenbad or Eurotherme Bad Ischl, there are many oases of well-being close to the Sommerhof. If you prefer to look for a fun pool for families, then head to Therme Amadé.

SALZBURG
The birthplace of the famous child prodigy Mozart is a must-see! It is not only the Mozart museums and his musical heritage that impress, but also many of the other sights including the Hohensalzburg fortress, Schloss Mirabell or the Haus der Natur.

Website: www.sommerhof.at

Rooms: 50

Price: from 326 EUR per night