Hallstatt, Austria, Beckons Families with History, Adventure and Nature

When your family arrives in the small town of Hallstatt, you may feel as though you’d been there before. That’s because Hallstatt is the poster child of the Austrian Alps, pictured in magazine articles, tourism websites and postcards sent home by generations of tourists.

But the pictures are no match to seeing this idyllic village of 16^th-century houses in person. Clustered beside a pristine lake and surrounded by towering snow-covered Alps, Hallstatt is more than just a pretty face; its narrow streets and alleyways lined by traditional Alpine houses are lined with cafés, small shops and flower-decked balconies.

Stop in a café to sample delicious Austrian pastries, then wander to the square in front of the steeple-topped church and board a boat to see the town and surrounding mountains from the water. For yet another perspective and thrills for the kids, ride the Salzbergbahn up to the Hallstatt high valley, where you can look get a bird’s-eye view of the town, lake and surrounding Alps from the Skywalk.

Hallstatt is a good center for touring the Salzkammergut region and several outstanding local attractions. Take a funicular railway to tour Salzwelten, an ancient salt mine with a subterranean lake, where you can explore the tunnels and chambers in hard hats and with the help of flashlights. The experience is always a winner with kids.

The Salzbergbahn takes you up to the Hallstatt high valley. At the top, the Skywalk awaits you with an unobstructed view over Hallstatt, the lake and surrounding mountains.

A walking trail leads to the Echern Valley glacier garden with glacial potholes such as “Riesenkessel” (giant cauldron), measuring 15 feet in diameter. Stairs follow one side of a stream leading to more pot holes; be sure to see the sign to learn about the giant snail. Another trail leads to the beautiful Waldbachstrub Waterfall.