Rafting in Slovenia
27 March 2020
Rafting on the Dunajec River 2025 – 10 most important information
3 February 2025Rafting in Slovenia
27 March 2020Rafting on the Dunajec River 2025 – 10 most important information
3 February 2025Rafting in Austria
Rafting on the Salza & Enns River Where to go rafting? What's worth seeing? Where to stay?
Austria is our next proposition for an active trip abroad. During our stay in this country, we were enchanted by the beautiful Alpine views, as well as great conditions for rafting and an ideal option for kayaking. The natural landscape, a handful of tourists and a wide range of sports you can practice make it a place where you can really actively relax from the hustle and bustle of cities. We especially recommend rafting on the Salza and Enns rivers and accommodation in Wildalpen. And why? Be sure to read and see for yourself how! Here you will find ideas for spending a few days in the amazing Alpine climate :)
Mountain rivers of Austria
Austria is a country that boasts a rich network of mountain rivers, ideal for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts. These picturesque rivers offer various levels of difficulty, so everyone can try their hand at rafting.
From gentle, ideal for beginners, to wild and rapid, which will satisfy even the most experienced kayakers practicing whitewater kayaking or taking part in a kayaking course.
The most popular mountain rivers for rafting are the Salza, Enns and Inn. Each of them has its own unique character and offers unforgettable adventures on the water. Regardless of whether you are a novice or have experience in rafting, they will provide you with a lot of excitement and wonderful views.
It is also important to follow safety rules and use the services of proven organizers with certified instructors who offer helmets and life jackets, as well as the option of bus transportation along the rafting route.
This will make rafting not only an exciting but also a safe experience! Rafting is organized 7 days a week, so if you only want to come for a weekend, you can also go rafting on Saturday or Sunday.
Rafting - Salza river
The Salza is a mountain river, famous for its crystal-clear water and quite universal character with an average degree of difficulty. This is an excellent option for people who want to develop their skills, but also for thrill seekers and for families with children. There are numerous rapids along the entire section. In some places you have to squeeze through, because at times the river narrows to several meters.
What can a rafting participant admire? The beautiful surroundings of the Gesäuse National Park and the Steirische Eisenwurzen Nature Park, vertical canyon walls, and charming coves where you can take a break. ,
There are various degrees of difficulty on the river, depending on the section we go down - however, it is usually an easy or medium route.
Rafting - Enns River
This river is quite diverse. In many sections, its degree of difficulty varies significantly. It is a right tributary of the Danube, 254 km long. It springs from the Radstädter Tauern springs in the Low Tauern and flows through the Eastern Alps and the Northern Foreland.
Rafting - where to stay?
The Wildalpen campsite is located directly on the banks of the Salsa, right in the Alps! Feel free to wave from your tent or camper to rafting participants or passing kayakers.
The campsite has bathrooms, a fireplace, wi-fi and, above all, a fantastic atmosphere and friendly hosts. It is an ideal place for families and a group of friends. You can relax here after a day of attractions, falling asleep to the sound of the Salza - the campsite is located in a quiet and secluded place!
There is also a shop and a pub nearby, so you don't have to worry about food, which is another reason why this is our favorite accommodation base, which we always use when going rafting or kayaking.
Rafting and canyoning
Of course, we wouldn't be ourselves if we didn't recommend canyoning! Because if we are going to take part in a rafting trip around Enns, why not take a walk through the canyon? Bruckgraben is a popular canyon in Gesäuse that can only be accessed by water - by kayak or dinghy.
As the Bruckgraben Canyon is only accessible from Enns, there is no other way to access it without ropes. Bruckgraben is a foretaste of real canyoning. The crossing itself does not require specialized equipment or experience. On the way we pass through large rock slides, fallen trees and ladders. Then, through a 1-meter-narrow and 30-meter-high canyon, we reach a blockage in the form of a large rock slide, from which a small waterfall gushes out at us.
Gesäuse National Park
The park is located in the central part of the country, at the fork of the Enns and Johnsbach rivers. The highest peak in the Park is Hochtor (2369 m), and the view from it is very extensive. There is a dense network of hiking trails in Gesäuse, and there is also the possibility of mountain climbing.
The greatest value is the rich fauna and flora. First of all, over 1,000 species of butterflies, eagles, chamois and marmots are the greatest pride of the Park. Many species of orchids - over 50, there are also plants such as bellflower, alpine carnation and valerian. In the mountain meadows you can see grazing cows and goats, which like the surroundings of Gesäuse, quiet and undisturbed by tourists.
There is little tourist traffic, there is peace and harmony here, which is why communing with nature in the Gesäuse National Park is unique.
What about rafting in Austria?
Bicycles - Buchstein bicycle route
If you are planning a cycling trip, the Buchstein route will be perfect for you. It is nothing more than a 158-kilometer section around the Gesäuse National Park, connected to the Steirische Eisenwurzen Nature Park. A beautiful and picturesque route high above the wild rivers Salza and Enns that will delight every bicycle enthusiast. You can cover the entire route on your own in one weekend, or selected sections of it.
Water park - Gallen Water Adventure PARK
Whoever doesn't have enough water after rafting will definitely want to visit the water park. And if you are going on a trip with children, this option is perfect for them!
The park has many attractions, from an Indian village, rubber boating, to climbing. Gallen Park offers many water attractions that allow children to develop their motor skills, entertain and teach.
And for those who get hungry, I offer delicious breakfasts and lunches in an Alpine hut, as well as other delicious dishes made from fresh, local products.
Climbing
The area of the Gesäuse National Park is ideal for climbing for experienced climbers. However, don't let the beautiful landscapes fool you, the climbing surface is difficult, so it is not intended for amateurs of this discipline.
Waterfalls in Palfau
On the way to St. Gallen, it is worth stopping in Pfalu and entering the gorge where you will discover the secret of the "waterhole". The journey through the gorge begins right next to the bridge under which the emerald Salza flows, where you will encounter as many as five waterfalls, the largest of which has 37 meter drop.
The culmination of the route is a mysterious spring with whose water flows out at irregular and unpredictable time intervals! This borderland phenomenon has already intrigued many people.
Gallenstein Castle
A short trip to XIII, where on a steep rock in St. Gallen a fortress was established. The resulting castle was once a shelter. for the Benedictines of Admont.
Today it is a popular option for tourists to visit, open all year round. From the walls of the castle on the rock there is a wonderful view of the Gesäuse Park.
Vaitlauber Vineyard
The Vaitlbauer winery invites not only wine lovers, children are also welcome. Because there are fun activities prepared for them on the farm. Adults will have the opportunity to taste dry wines, and children will learn about life on a farm among animals.
An additional advantage of visiting a winery is learning about the culture and life of the local hosts, who cultivate native cuisine straight from Austria.
Gorge - Butterfly Valley
The gorge starting in St. Gallen, it is a Natural Monument with about 1,000 species of butterflies! This is a recreational route that will charm adults and little adventure seekers alike. It takes about an hour to cross the gorge, and during the walk you will definitely see more than one butterfly :-)
Rafting in Austria - is it worth it?
It's definitely worth it! First of all, we recommend this country because of its natural beauty, nature undisturbed by the multitude of tourists and the attractions it offers.
Both rivers, so different, but both beautiful, rapid and attractive - offer us a lot of adrenaline and rest. We can start our adventure with rafting on Salza and improve our skills on Enns.
The campsite is located on the sidelines of the charming town of Wildalpen, which has a wonderful atmosphere. Situated right next to Salza, surrounded by natural vegetation, it provides peace and quiet. During our trip to this Austrian region, we also learned about other ways to spend time.
Who would have thought that in one place you could find so many opportunities to practice various sports! If you like nature, spending time actively and are not afraid of adventures, this is the perfect option for you, your loved ones and friends
We are in love, I think it will charm you to the point that you won't want to come back :-) Therefore, if you are interested in our rafting trips, be sure to read what awaits you during Rafting in Slovenia!
