Geography Of Bad Vigaun

Bad Vigaun, formerly called Vigaun, is a town in the historically significant Tennengau region, around 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Salzburg, the state capital. Its municipal limits run from the untamed Hagen Mountains to the picturesque Tennen Mountains and the massive Untersberg massif in the west to the Osterhorn Group of the Salzkammergut Mountains in the east. Bad Vigaun includes the cadastral settlements of Vigaun and Rengerberg inside its borders.

Benefiting from its advantageous position, the town has easy access to important transportation networks. Travel connections are made easy at the Bad Vigaun station by easy access to the S-Bahn Salzburg network and the Salzburg-Tyrol Railway line. The Hallein junction also provides easy access to the Tauern Autobahn (A10), guaranteeing effective traffic connectivity to and from the region.

Location

Bad Vigaun lies in the northern Alps, 484 meters (1,588 feet) above sea level.The cadastral settlements of Vigaun and Rengerberg are part of the 17.55 km2 (6.78 sq mi) municipal territory.In 2018, 2,091 people lived in the town.

Bad Vigaun is surrounded on the east by the Hagen Mountains, Tennen Mountains, and Untersberg massif and on the west by the Osterhorn Group of the Salzkammergut Mountains.The community is situated inside the Salzburg Basin, a large depression surrounded by mountains that runs from Salzburg to the German border.

Bad Vigaun borders the municipalities of Hallein, Krispl, Puch bei Hallein, Sankt Koloman, and Scheffau am Tennengebirge. Moreover, the town is close to Berchtesgaden, a German town situated roughly 20 km (12 mi) to the west over the border.

Both the Salzburg-Tyrol Railway line and the S-Bahn Salzburg network provide connections to Salzburg and other nearby cities from the Bad Vigaun station. An alternate approach to reach the town is by the Tauern Autobahn (A10), which connects to the European route E55 that runs from Sweden to Greece.

Terrain and Topography

Except for a few meadows and fields in the valley bottom, Bad Vigaun is largely steep and wooded. Many mountain peaks that provide trekking possibilities and picturesque vistas encircle the village.Schmittenstein, an Osterhorn Group summit rising to 1,691 m (5,548 ft) is the highest point in the municipal territory.The Salzach river, which crosses the town at 430 m (1,410 ft) above sea level, is the lowest point.

Mountain Ranges

Terrain and Topography

Bad Vigaun is situated in the northern Alps, which are split up into various sub-ranges by passes and valleys.Four major mountain ranges abut the town: the Osterhorn Group, the Untersberg massif, the Hagen Mountains, and the Tennen Mountains.

Subrange of the Berchtesgaden Alps, a part of the Northern Limestone Alps, are the Hagen Mountains. These contain karst structures and steep cliffs made of limestone and dolomite rocks. Reaching 2,522 m (8,274 ft), the Hoher Göll is the highest mountain in the Hagen Mountains and marks the border between Germany and Austria.
A further subrange of the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Tennen Mountains are located south of the Hagen Mountains. They too contain limestone and dolomite composition and share characteristics with the Hagen Mountains. Situated in the south-east of the Tennen Mountains, the Hoher Tenn is the highest peak at 2,336 m (7,664 ft).
To the west of Bad Vigaun, in the Berchtesgaden Alps, is the Untersberg massif, a distinct mountain grouping. Risen suddenly from the Salzach valley, this enormous limestone boulder dominates the surroundings. At 1,853 meters (6,079 feet) the Salzburger Hochthron is the highest point in the Untersberg range and provides a broad perspective of Salzburg and the surroundings.
A subrange of the Northern Limestone Alps, the Salzkammergut Mountains include the Osterhorn Group. These are a number of ridges and peaks largely covered by grasslands and woodlands, situated east of Bad Vigaun.Schmittenstein is the highest summit in the Osterhorn Group and in the Bad Vigaun municipal region.

Key Mountain Peaks

Terrain and Topography

The following notable mountain summits are visible or reachable from Bad Vigaun:

The highest summit in the Osterhorn Group and the municipality of Bad Vigaun is Schmittenstein (1,691 m). Offering a view of the Tennen Mountains and the Salzach valley, it has a unique form. It is a reasonable hike from the town or from the neighboring hamlet of Krispl.
At 2,522 metres, Hoher Göll is the highest point in the Hagen Mountains and marks the German-Austrian border. The Salzburg Basin and the Berchtesgaden Alps are visible from its iconic summit cross. It is reachable by strenuous hike from the Kehlsteinhaus, a historic structure constructed by the Nazis as Adolf Hitler’s hideaway.
The top peak in the Untersberg massif, Salzburger Hochthron (1,853 m) is a well-liked hiking and tourism destination. It features a cable car that connects the settlement of Grödig to the summit station, together with an amazing view of Salzburg and the neighboring Alps. It is accessible by lengthier hike from the village of Marktschellenberg or by a shorter hike from the cable car station.
Kneifelspitze (1,189 m): To the northwest of Bad Vigaun, in the Berchtesgaden Alps, is a low yet picturesque summit. Situated with a view of Germany’s second-highest peak, the Watzmann, is a comfortable mountain lodge. Either a lengthy trek from Berchtesgaden or an easy one from the settlement of Bischofswiesen will get you there.

Notable Summits

Terrain and Topography

From Bad Vigaun, some of the noteworthy heights are worth seeing or admiring:

1,834-meter-tall Kehlstein is a rocky spur in the Hagen Mountains well-known for its cultural and historical value. The Nazis built the Kehlsteinhaus, sometimes referred to as the Eagle’s Nest, there in 1939 as a present for Hitler’s 50th birthday. Now a museum and café, its history and the view of the Salzach valley and Hoher Göll draw a lot of tourists. One can reach there via bus from Obersalzberg town or by a strenuous walk from the parking lot at the end of the road.
The highest point of the picturesque German Alpine Road, which traces the boundary between Germany and Austria, is Rossfeld (1,567 m), a grassy crest in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Together with a ski resort and a toll road that ascends to the summit, it offers a broad perspective over the Salzburg Basin and the Berchtesgaden Alps. It is accessible by automobile from the Berchtesgaden town or by a strenuous walk from Oberau settlement.
A northern pre-summit of the Rossfeld, the town of Hallein’s local peak, is Zinkenkopf (1,336 m). With views of the Untersberg range and the Salzach river, it also features a wintertime toboggan run and ski lift. One can get there via moderate trek from the village of Golling or by cable car from the town of Hallein.
Southeast of Bad Vigaun, in the Osterhorn Group, is Schlenken, a little summit at 1,648 meters. It features a summertime-open mountain chalet and chapel with views of the Schmittenstein and Tennen Mountains. It is accessible via a moderate climb from Krispl village or the town of Bad Vigaun.

Valleys and Basins

Terrain and Topography

Bad Vigaun is situated in the Salzburg Basin’s primary valley, Salzach. Runned from the Hohe Tauern mountains in the south to the Inn river in the north, the Salzach valley is long and narrow. The largest river in the state of Salzburg and the principal tributary of the Inn, the Salzach, is the source of the valley’s name. Being the principal commercial and transportation route between the north and south of the Alps, the Salzach valley is rich in history and culture. The salt mines that have been used since antiquity and gave the area its name and prosperity are another feature of the valley.

Largely encompassing the state of Salzburg and portions of the nearby states of Upper Austria and Bavaria, the Salzburg Basin is a depression. Mountains on all sides encircle the basin, which has a somewhat humid environment. With Salzburg as well as a number of other towns and villages, the basin is the most populated and urbanized region in the state. Because it is home to numerous sights and events such the Salzburg Festival, Mozart Week, and Advent markets, the basin is also the cultural and economic hub of the area.

Bodies of Water

Numerous bodies of water, vital to the town’s existence and economy, are close to Bad Vigaun. There are rivers and streams, lakes and ponds, springs and wells accessible to the settlement. A hydrological system in the town also links and controls the local water supplies. The community also has cultural and recreational importance related to the local water features. Several pertinent or reachable bodies of water are:

Rivers and streams: Bad Vigaun lies on the Salzach river, the greatest tributary of the Inn and the principal river in the area. The 225 km (140 mi) Salzach river drains 6,700 km2 (2,600 sq mi) of area. Because it has so many bridges, canals, and dams along its course, the Salzach river is vital to the region’s irrigation, power generation, and transportation. The Salzach river is picturesque and historically significant as well because of the numerous castles, cities, and monuments that line its banks. Numerous minor streams that feed into the Salzach river and give the town water and habitat include the Vigaunbach, the Rengerbach, and the Bluntau Bach.
Lakes: A number of lakes—natural or man-made bodies of water encircled by land—are near to Bad Vigaun. Because lakes contain and control water as well as offer resources and services to both the environment and people, they are vital to the ecology and economy of the area. Because they present chances for tourism and leisure, lakes are also lovely and appealing. Near Bad Vigaun are several lakes: the Hintersee, a picturesque and idyllic lake surrounded by mountains and forests and part of the Berchtesgaden National Park; the Bluntauseen, two clear, turquoise lakes fed by underground springs and part of a nature reserve; and the Wiestalstausee, a big artificial lake formed by a dam and used for hydroelectric power and drinking water supply.

Wells and springs: Water supplies that are dug into the ground or emerge from it are well-known in Bad Vigaun. Since they offer mineral and thermal water with therapeutic and soothing qualities and represent the geological and cultural legacy of the area, springs and wells are important for the health and history of the community. Wells and springs are also enticing and beautiful since they provide areas for drinking and bathing. Among the springs and wells in or close to Bad Vigaun are the St. Barbara Spring, a historic and holy spring in the town center with a legend of healing a blind girl; the Bad Vigaun Thermal Spring, the town’s main attraction with a temperature of 40°C (104°F) and a mineral content of 2.5 g/l; and the Rengerberg Well, a contemporary and useful well in the Rengerberg neighborhood that supplies drinking water for the town.

Scenic Views

Being in a valley encircled by mountains and trees, Bad Vigaun offers a picturesque and varied perspective. Because the town provides several viewpoints and angles of the natural and cultural aspects of the area, it has a broad and varied view. As it varies and adjusts to the weather and the season, the town likewise has a dynamic and seasonal perspective. Since it evokes feelings and impressions in both the locals and the tourists, the town also offers a memorable and pleasurable perspective.

From Bad Vigaun, one can enjoy or access the following picturesque views:

View of the Salzach valley: This is a perspective of the valley that passes through the town and stretches north and south. The picture displays the Salzach river, which runs through the valley, together with the cities, castles, and bridges along its banks. The view also encompasses the sky and the mountains that encircle the valley. The church tower, the spa, and the train station are just a few of the places in the town where one may admire the vista.
Hagen Mountains view: A view of the German and Austrian borders formed by the Hagen Mountains, which are west of the town. The vista encompasses the Eagle’s Nest site on the Kehlstein and the Hoher Göll, the highest mountain in the Hagen Mountains. The view also features the clouds and sun that illuminate the Hagen Mountains, together with the rocks and karst forms that define them. From several locations in the town, including the Bluntau valley, the Vigaunbach, and the Rengerberg, one may see the view.
East of the village, in the Salzkammergut Mountains, is the Osterhorn Group. The view encompasses the municipal area of Bad Vigaun and the Schmittenstein, the highest peak in the Osterhorn Group, as well as the Schlenken, a gentle top. The view also displays the grasslands and forests that round the Osterhorn Group, together with the snow and rain that adorn them. From the spa park, the cemetery, and the Lammeröfen valley, among other places in the town, one can enjoy the view.