Werfenweng in the summer

Werfenweng is a picturesque alpine village in the Salzburg region, where the holiday philosophy is to forget the rush and slow down to find your inner tranquility. A successful approach, thanks to which this locality of the Salzburg it is making itself known and appreciated even outside the Austrian borders.

The panorama, ai 900 meters of altitude of Werfenweng, in the heart of the Pongau region, is one of those that immediately conquer the heart of every guest, with spectacular mountains that frame the charming holiday resort, nestled on a verdant plateau where the sun never fails.
For the 900 inhabitants, tourism is a fundamental activity, with over 200.000 overnight stays every year. In the 80s and 90s, the development of large and renowned tourist resorts in the immediate vicinity represented a real survival challenge. Werfenweng had to be able to propose himself in a new way in order not to end up in oblivion.

Peter Brandauer, Mayor and director of the tourist consortium, accepted the challenge, developing a new identity and an unmistakable profile for this idyllic place, that of gentle mobility (in German sanfte Mobilität - abbr. SAMO). Since 1997 Werfenweng has been a pioneer location for this issue, which implies a conscious economic and tourism approach, based on sustainability and climate and nature protection and aimed at making an effective contribution to maintaining the vital and cultural space of the Alps. Dr. Peter Brandauer pursues with passion and foresight the development of eco-friendly tourist offers, with particular attention to socially sustainable forms of mobility. Guests thus have the opportunity to make free use of a range of zero impact vehicles: bicycles, mountain bikes, electric bikes, fun-bikes and a fleet of electric cars. All electric vehicles are powered by a solar charging station located in the center of the village and a photovoltaic system built on the southern side of the town, which produces 294.000 kWh per year, ie the energy needs of about 150 families.

Arrival by train and guaranteed mobility on site

Werfenweng is the ideal tourist destination for guests arriving by train and want to enjoy a 360-degree eco-friendly mobility holiday. Choosing the "big electric vehicle" (the train) for arrival allows you to use the "small electric vehicles" on site. In fact, those arriving by train, and those who, despite arriving by car, are willing not to use it on vacation, handing over the keys to the tourist office for at least 4 days, receives the SAMO-Card in exchange (SAMO is the abbreviation of "sanfte Mobilität ”, which in Italian means soft mobility). This card entitles you to an incredible range of free services and activities: in addition to the use of the "Smile-E's" electric cars, the daytime shuttle service and the night taxi, SAMO-Card holders are also entitled to a free transfer from the station from Bischofshofen for accommodation and free rental of sports equipment.

Advantageous offers in Val Gardena

Discover the best offers to spend an unforgettable summer holiday in the Dolomites of Val Gardena, with holiday packages at advantageous prices in hotels and apartments in Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena

Discover best offers

adv

Thanks to its commitment to climate protection, Werfenweng has already won a number of international awards, among which the very important environmental recognition of the Energy Globe Award must certainly be mentioned.

Sport and culture in the name of sustainable mobility

Even the most sporty guests will find their ideal place in Werfenweng: the town offers a real paradise for lovers of trekking,Climbing and mountain biking, but also for those who simply like to run and practice nordic walking: all away from noise, pollution and haste. The Running & Walking Park built in 2007, equipped with a Runnersfun® system with directional arrows and indications of kilometers, length and altitude profiles of the routes and a special GPS system, allows everyone, from beginners to agonists, to train in various ways according to the own individual program. Even in winter, there is no shortage of opportunities for practicing outdoor sports: 26 km of cross-country trails (classic and skating), toboggan runs and above all an area of ​​26 km of slopes for alpine skiing of all difficulties.
The wide, flat valley floor is the ideal setting for relaxing walks in the sun: in summer through the flowery meadows and in winter along specially beaten fairytale paths.

Those who choose a holiday in Werfenweng also have numerous destinations available for interesting trips, for example to Salzburg, the city of Mozart, or to the Hohenwerfen Fortress, to the largest ice caves in the world of the Eisriesenwelt or to the thermal baths of Bad Hofgastein or Bad Reichenhall. All of these places are easily accessible by public transport or electric vehicles from Werfenweng. Another experience not to be missed are the guided excursions to discover aromatic herbs, accompanied by an expert in ethnobotany and ecology.

All offers are characterized by a common denominator: soft mobility. And this philosophy is a clear response to everyday life made only of haste, stress and performance typical of our society, which unfortunately is also the basis of many tourist proposals. Werfenweng has chosen a different path, that of "going slowly", slowing down and learning to enjoy nature while respecting its times: an optimal choice for those on vacation who really want to switch off and recharge with energy and find themselves .

Werfenweng and the European Alpine Pearls project

The idea of ​​"soft mobility" is now a concept that has attracted interest throughout the Alps and which has led to the creation of the network "Alpine Pearls - Pearls of the Alps". Objective of this cooperation is the protection of regional specialties and especially the promoting environmentally friendly mobility. Werfenweng is one of the 27 localities, scattered in 6 Alpine countries, which can boast the nickname of "Pearl of the Alps". All the municipalities participating in the initiative offer their guests the possibility of arrive comfortably without a car on the holiday location, free use of public transport on site and a series of offers dedicated to climate protection. The organization was recently awarded the “Tourism for Tomorrow Award” of the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council).