Swap the sand for the serenity of SalzburgerLand’s incredible landscape this summer and get ready to enjoy the dreamiest of alpine escapes in Austria, says editor Sophie Ritchie
Located just a two hour flight from London, SalzburgerLand in Austria offers it all when it comes to a luxury adventure break. Mesmerising mountain scenery? Check. Authentic cuisine? Check. Enough wellness opportunities to leave you looking ten years younger by the time you reboard the plane? Double check.
City exploring never gets old of course, but located a mere half hour’s drive from Salzburg’s airport awaits the Fuschlsee region, Austria’s own somewhat superior version of the UK’s Lake District.
Part of Salzkammergut, an Austrian region of lakes and Alpine ranges near Salzburg that makes up just one of the 16 wider regions in SalzburgerLand, this spectacular area guarantees exceptional hiking and biking, as well as exceptional food and sustainable farming practices.
Here, the landscape leaps up on the scale of charming from scenic to full on fairytale enchanted. Curved roads sweep around the mountains peppered with forests whilst shimmering lakes below invite an explorer to dive into their depths (or simply row across, depending on how good your front crawl is).
As we head towards the vast emerald-green Lake Fuschl, glossy even despite the week of torrential rain it befelled before our stay, it’s hard not to find myself glued to the car windows.
Expect to be transfixed with the natural beauty here whilst already imagining all the expeditions you must try out during a visit. Even the cycle paths and pavements seem endless – I’ve never seen such a pedestrian-friendly landscape as we drive closer and closer to our destination. With a whopping 10,000km of hiking trails and 7,000 of biking trails awaiting you in the Salzkammergut region, the spring and summer adventures are limitless.
Where to stay: Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee
Nestled in the charming village of Hof Bei Salzburg, which sits beside the waters of Lake Fuschl, Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee offers a traditional yet luxe hotel experience for its guests.
With parts of the resort dating all the way back to 1700, this 4-star property welcomes both leisure and business travelers with open arms – I spot as many suits as I do suitcases during my stay.
With 143 tastefully appointed rooms spread across several floors and buildings, this Marriot-owned property provides ample space and a calming atmosphere, the ideal duo for a place to unwind after a busy day of traversing the local area. Abodes are simple but comfortable, with three main categories to choose from: the Hüttererhaus; Gutshaus; and ultra historic Jagdhaus.
I stay in the middle of the property sandwich – the Gutshaus, where guest rooms are characterized by timeless design. The natural wood-look flooring and lighting design create a consistent atmosphere of well-being, feeling authentically Austrian whilst still delivering all the essentials for a modern break.
At Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee, there’s plenty of options for a wellness boost without even leaving the perimeter too. Complete with its own indoor pool, small but well-equipped gym and even a private beach, make sure to pack your workout wear and make the most of these health-led facilities.
Early bird or not, make sure to wake up early enough for breakfast. Hosted daily within historic restaurant Wirtshaus CERVUS, this buffet spread features enough sustenance to keep you going for a full on mountain climb. Breads, cereals, pastries, eggs, fresh fruits, hot dishes, juices, yoghurts, smoked fish and more. No matter how strong your will power might be, the vast selection will leave you greedily piling up a plate as high as it can go.
Where to eat
1 Best for a snack: Fuschl Castle Fischerei
Perched on the shores of Lake Fuschl (and about a five-minute stroll from the resort), this husband and wife-led business is renowned for its delicious local cuisine. The ideal pitstop after a morning of trekking the surrounding terrain, stop by for a beer and a smoked fish sarnie, best enjoyed outside in the sunshine on one of the many wooden benches. In winter, the paprika-spiced fish soup is especially comforting for both the soul (and stomach) schlossfuschlfischerei.com
2 Best for an alpine experience: GruberAlm (hintersee)
Perched 1036 metres up, the Grubenbach hut at the foot of Regenspitz, Gruberhorn and Gennerhorn will make any other hiker’s picnic pale in comparison. Meals here are conjured with ingredients from their very own organic farm: juices, bacon, cheese, fresh pofesen, farmhouse donuts and cheese dumplings. When winter weather strikes, throw caution to the calorie wind and indulge in a vat of Käsespäetzle, Austria’s take on Macaroni cheese with a portion large enough to leave a girl full for weeks. gruberalm.at
3 Best for DIY fun: Grillhütte & Stadl at Hotel Jakob in Fuschl
All the fun of barbecue without the chores of washing up (you’re on holiday, after all) – it’s time for a hot grill summer. At the sporty Hotel Jakob in Fuschl, guests can enjoy the magic of its private Grillhütte.
With diverse options for vegetarians, pescaratians and of course the carnivores, have fun cooking your own dinner over the hot fire in this intimate setting – complete with sides, veggies and salad galore. With soft lighting and seemingly endless portions, you’re guaranteed a memorable and engagingly delicious dinner experience. Built and designed for triathletes competing in local events, there’s even a Finnish sauna awaiting back in the main building should you feel like encountering some heat yourself. hoteljakob.at
What to do
1 Explore Salzburg: The best kind of adventure trip blends the serenity with a dose of city, so it’s well-worth setting aside a day to explore the rich history of Salzburg itself too. Purchasing a recently-launched 5 Treasure Ticket will grant access to five of the top attractions in Salzburg and the Salzkammergut, providing a cost-efficient way to explore with just one ticket. A must-see for any Salzburg day out is the FestungsBahn funicular, included in the ticket, where a speedy climb up above the roofs of Salzburg will transport you to Fortress Hohensalzburg and its truly mesmerising views. One of the biggest castles in Europe, FestungsBahn is Austria’s oldest funicular still in operation today.
2 Go paddle boarding: All a’board!’ Back at Lake Fuschl, take on a standup paddle boarding adventure with SUP Wing Box and explore the vast lake in truly scenic style. Balance not included! sup-box.at/wing
3 Embark upon a run: If you’re a runner, jogger or speed walker, don’t even think about getting back to the boarding gate without lacing up those trainers. If staying at Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee, there’s a direct pavement route from the property down into the nearby town of Fuschl with outstanding mountain views all around. Either take on the steep ascent back up or enjoy a flatter scenic lakeside return route – either way, this 10km-ish route makes a splendid start to the day.
4 Afternoon cakes at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl: Sleek, stylish and full of glamorous people that looked like they just stepped off a Hollywood film set, this hotel sits within a revamped 15th-century castle with panoramic views of the region’s mountains. The interiors are gorgeous, but it’s the meticulously-crafted pastries that will really captivate – forget their steep price tags and sink your teeth into a little bit of decadence instead. rosewoodhotels.com/en/schloss-fuschl-salzburg
The Wordrobe Verdict
Located just a two hour flight from London, SalzburgerLand in Austria offers it all when it comes to a luxury adventure break. Mesmerising mountain scenery? Check. Authentic cuisine? Check. Enough wellness opportunities to leave you looking ten years younger by the time you reboard the plane? Double check. Swap the sand for the serenity of this incredible landscape this summer and get ready to enjoy the dreamiest of alpine escapes.
Start the adventure
How: Find out more and make a booking via salzburgerland.com.
Wallet: Rooms at Arabella Jagdhof Resort am Fuschlsee start from approximately £126 per person per night (based on 2 sharing, B&B for 2 nights in May 2025).
Getting there: Fly from London Gatwick to Salzburg with British Airways from £51 each way, based on a return fare in May 2025 ba.com/gatwick. (Customers flying in Club Europe/with eligible frequent flyer status* can take advantage of the British Airways lounge at London Gatwick’s South Terminal)
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
