Harbach: Cycling, Hiking and Settlement History

Harbach offers a range of travel experiences: as a section of a cycling route, as a place on the descent from the Schockhochalm hike, and as part of an old settlement landscape. Other tours pass through the area between Dorfgastein and Luggau or start in Luggau. For planning, it is worth considering the route, return options and landscape highlights separately.

Cycling from Dorfgastein to Luggau

The Dorfgastein Family Cycling Loop runs from the centre of Dorfgastein along the Alte Straße, past the Kneipp pool and into the Harbach district. From there, it continues through an underpass to Luggau. Harbach is an intermediate section of this route; when planning your day, you can decide whether to ride as far as Harbach or continue on to Luggau. Route conditions may vary seasonally, so it is advisable to check the latest route information before setting off.

Hiking trails and their different highlights

On the descent from the Schockhochalm hike, you pass through Harbach to the main road. There is a bus stop there, offering the option of returning to your starting point. If you plan to take the bus, check the timetable in advance.

Another hike is the Dorfgastein–Luggau–Dorfgastein circular walk: it passes through the nature experience area, with the Kneipp facility at Stucktor, large marble blocks and the Patschwiese moor habitat, as well as attractive farmsteads, before reaching the Stöcklgut. These landmarks give the tour several points of interest in the landscape; conditions may vary seasonally. The short winter hiking trail from Luggau follows the Präauweg to the Präaubauer and returns to Luggau along a field path. Unlike the circular walk, with its named natural features, this winter route is defined primarily by the connection between Luggau and the Präaubauer.

History and elevation zones

In 1832, the Harbach chapel was built in masonry, with a flat ceiling inside. A regional history published in 1977 identifies Harbach, Laderding and Luggau as some of the oldest settlements in the Gastein Valley. The chapel’s history describes a single building, while the settlement classification considers three places together.

A biotope description from April 1994 places the beginning of the mountain flora in the Harbach area at around 1,000 m. The krummholz zone lies at around 1,900 m, where the Alpine flora also begins. These elevation figures complement the local history with a perspective on the landscape’s elevation zones.

The right holiday apartment for your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Harbach, you can first decide what you would like to focus on during your holiday: Is the cycling route and its continuation to Luggau important to you, are you drawn to a hike with the bus return option described here, or are natural and historical features your priority? Compare specific accommodation locations with the trails you actually plan to use. For the cycling route and circular walk, it is also worth checking seasonal trail conditions.

Discover more destinations: Goldegg, Lammertal, Sankt Johann Im Pongau, Radstadt, Dorfgastein, Mandling, Eben Im Pongau, Werfenweng.

Go to the main travel overview: Sankt Johann Im Pongau.