Sonnberg: Hiking, Mining and Mountain Landscapes

Sonnberg combines the landscape of the Hüttau municipal area with an unusually vivid introduction to the region’s mining history. Those wishing to plan a trip featuring nature experiences, culture and outdoor activities will find several different options here: hiking trails lead to high elevations and alpine pastures, the Erzweg trail brings the history of mining to life, and the show mine at Larzenbach offers a special insight into the working world of miners in earlier times.

Mountain landscapes and trails for different day plans

Sonnberg covers an area of 1,770 hectares, of which 1,361 hectares are forest. Forest accounts for 77 percent of the area and shapes the character of the place. Together with the Tennengebirge and the Fritztal Mountains, the 1,827-metre-high Hochgründeck forms the mountain landscape of Hüttau-Niedernfritz. Hüttau is regarded as a starting point for mountain hikes to idyllic natural spots.

The Hüttau-Niedernfritz area has around 100 kilometres of well-marked hiking trails leading to scenic high elevations and popular alpine pastures. This allows you to plan your stay in different ways: accommodation in Sonnberg can serve as the starting point for an active day of hiking, while another day can be devoted to historical sights. Sonnberg is one of the four cadastral communities discovered when hiking in Hüttau.

Following in the footsteps of the Erzweg trail

The Erzweg trail connects Hüttau, Bischofshofen, Mühlbach am Hochkönig and St. Veit im Pongau over a route of around 60 kilometres. The first stage is approximately 13 kilometres long and takes about four hours. This information helps with planning the day, without implying a specific walking speed or level of difficulty.

The Erzweg trail begins at the Larzenbach show mine in Hüttau. The Hüttau section leads from the copper mine to the municipal office in the town centre, where the “Ores, Gold and Minerals” museum is located. Information panels along the Erzweg trail provide information about the landscape, the history of the region and its mining history. For visitors who like to combine their trip with a themed trail, this creates a sequence of landscape impressions and historical stops.

Show Mine and Museum

The copper mine at Larzenbach is believed to have been operated as early as the 13th century. Ore mining resumed in a second period of extraction from 1853 and was discontinued in 1869. Guided tours of the show mine provide insights into the medieval working world of the miners that developed over the course of centuries. Visits always take place accompanied by guides. Parking spaces for coaches and cars are available directly next to the show mine.

From the centre of Hüttau, the access road to the copper mine leads towards Larzenbach; after approximately 650 metres, you reach the show mine’s access hut. The “Ores, Gold and Minerals” museum displays thousands of exhibits documenting the historical significance of mining in Salzburg. It is located in the former Gewerkenhaus dating from 1594, the former home of the operators of the copper mine. The parish church in Hüttau also adds a cultural highlight: it is a late Gothic, three-nave building dating from 1472.

Guidance for choosing your accommodation

When looking for a holiday apartment in Sonnberg, it is worth considering the pace you want for your trip. Accommodation in Sonnberg can serve as the starting point for an active day of hiking; also plan time for historical sights. The “Hüttau Terminal” passenger stop in the Sonnberg district is no longer served; trains now stop at the new station close to the town. This information should therefore be taken into account when planning your journey.

For further orientation, you can also visit the following destination pages: Hüttau, Sankt Johann Im Pongau, Wimm, Reitdorf, Schwarzach Im Pongau, Bad Hofgastein, Bischofshofen and Sankt Veit Im Pongau.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Sankt Johann Im Pongau.