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Village like Gimmelwald in Austria?

Posted by (Texas) on

Hi there - just looking for recommendations for a Gimmelwald-like locale in Austria (or in the Berchtesgaden region of Germany) - I stayed in Gimmelwald back in summer of 1995 on Rick Steves' recommendation and am hoping to find a similar experience in Austria. I'm headed from Vienna - wherever I can choose from y'alls recommendations - Munich and then flying home. I'll be staying two nights at this location - wherever it happens to end up being. This will be first couple weeks of July.

Prefererences is village/town actually up on the mountain side (rater than in a valley, for example) with towering peaks - and not traditionally "popular" - in the spirit of Rick Steves! I've found a couple possibilities east of Salzburg but, being unfamiliar with the geography I think I'm going to be more surrounded by hills than mountains, if that makes sense. So I'm turning to the experts of off-the-beaten-path travel.

Also, I'd prefer to not go much further west than Salzburg (towards Interlaken for example)

Thank you!

Posted by
623 posts

I don’t know of anywhere quite as quaint as Gimmelwald that’s car free in Austria, but there is a tiny hamlets on the back side of Grundlsee in the Salzkammergut that is very off the beaten path and has beautiful hiking along lakes you can only reach by boat or walking — Gößl, Austria

Also, Böckstein/Bad Gastein with amazing hiking in Sport Gastein - It’s not car free but not typical touristy.

Posted by
1402 posts

That's a tall order. Heiligenblut, Kals am Grossglockner, Defereggental, Virgental, Hinterhornbach, Hüttschlag, Silbertal? There are places, but some have only one hotel or only apartments. Look at some of the major river valleys and towns above them. Don't downgrade the valley towns. That's the only place for homes/ farms in some of these valleys. That's why there are Alms above them for summer pastures. Maybe look into staying at some Alms if you are able to make the climbs.

Posted by
7 posts

Thanks, y'all! All I needed was a few names to research and you gave me plenty. I really appreciate it.

Posted by
905 posts

Paul - thanks for the tip on Finkenberg & Haus Bichl!

Posted by
3003 posts

It’s as close to the Berner Oberland feel we’ve had. LOVED our stay.

Posted by
401 posts

We’ve very much enjoyed our stays in Rauris and stumbled across a delightful village called Goldegg as well

Posted by
7 posts

Thanks again, everyone. Was Goldegg easy to get to via train/transport? I won't have a car. But it looks promising, too!

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