Salzwelten Hallstatt

The Salt Mine in Hallstatt takes you 350 meters into the mountain's core, where you'll slide down original wooden miners' slides and cross underground lakes on wooden rafts. Digital projections illuminate the cave walls, showing you how Celtic miners worked these same tunnels 7,000 years ago. Above ground, walk onto the "World Heritage View" Skywalk platform, suspended 350 meters above Hallstatt, then stop at the 13th-century Rudolph's Tower restaurant for traditional Austrian schnitzel while looking out over Lake Hallstatt.

Underground Experience

Begin at the modern visitor center, where you'll put on protective white overalls before boarding the glass-walled funicular for a 420-meter ascent. The mine maintains a constant temperature of 12°C (53°F), so wear warm clothes underneath your overalls. Your guide will lead you through narrow tunnels where salt crystals sparkle orange and red in the mine lights. Two wooden slides, 27 and 40 meters long, connect different mine levels - you'll slide down just as miners did centuries ago, with safety barriers and handles for a secure descent.

Inside the Salt Mountain

The Mirror Lake sits at the mine's heart, where you'll cross the water on a wooden raft. As you float, projected images on the water's surface show salt mining evolution from 5000 BC to present day. The 90-minute tour takes you through four distinct mining zones, each demonstrating different extraction techniques. Stop at the Salt Cathedral and miners' prayer room, then learn about the 6,500 artworks stored here during World War II through interactive displays and 3D projections.

Getting to the Salt Mine

The salt mine sits in the Hochtal High Valley. Take bus line 150 from Salzburg main station to Hallstatt (2 hours), then catch local bus 543 directly to the mine entrance. By car, follow the A10 motorway to Bad Ischl, then take B145 to Hallstatt. The visitor center has a paid parking lot with 300 spaces. From Hallstatt town, ride the Salzbergbahn funicular up to the mine.

Tickets and Planning Your Visit

Tours run daily from March through November, starting at 9:30 AM with the last tour at 4:00 PM. Adult tickets cost €43 and include the funicular ride and guided tour. Children aged 4-15 pay €21, while those under four cannot join for safety reasons. Each tour accommodates 20 people maximum. Book tickets online at salzwelten.at, particularly during peak season (June-September) when tours often reach capacity days in advance. The complete experience, including transportation and the tour, takes about three hours.