Geography Of Bischofshofen
About 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of Salzburg, the state capital, Bischofshofen is situated in the Salzach river valley in the Northern Limestone Alps. The Salzburg Slate Alps border it on the southeast, the Tennen Mountains on the northeast, and the Hochkönig massif on the west.
The municipal territory includes the cadastral villages of Winkl, Buchberg, Haidberg, and Bischofshofen proper.
The cadastral districts of Bischofshofen (left side of the valley), Buchberg (right side of the valley), Haidberg (lower Mühlbach river), and Winkl (in the Fritz valley) are included in the municipality.
The following nine towns are part of the municipal area (population in brackets as of January 1, 2022):
- Bischofshofen , the city (main town) – in the Salzach valley (7552)
- Mitterberghütten – (until 1929 Ausserfelden) a village in the Salzach Valley south of the city at the mouth of the Mühlbach (1325)
- Laideregg – a village on the foot of the Hochkönig (left side of the Salzach) west of the city (481)
- Gainfeld – a valley near Laideregg to the Hochkönig (83)
- Haidberg – the valley beginning of the Mühlbachtal, which passes the Hochkönig in the direction of Dienten to the south (89)
- Buchberg – the right valley side of the Salzach am Hochgrundeck (409)
- Kreuzberg – the ridge north-east of the city, between Salzachtal and Fritztal , leading towards Ennspongau (328)
- Winkl – the left side of the Fritz Valley on the Hochgrüneckstock (68)
- Alpfahrt – the left side of the Fritztal valley towards the valley, with portions of the southern foot of the Tennengebirge (140)
Location
Situated about 50 km (31 mi) south of Salzburg, the state capital, Bischofshofen is in the Salzach river valley in the Northern Limestone Alps.
At the meeting point of the Salzach and Bischofsbach rivers, at a height of 544 m (1,785 ft) above sea level, is Bischofshofen. The population of the 49.61 km2 (19.15 sq mi) settlement was 10,540 in 2018.
The towns listed below border Bischofshofen:
- Hüttau and Eben im Pongau to the south
- St. Veit im Pongau and Schwarzach im Pongau to the east
- Sankt Johann im Pongau and Mühlbach am Hochkönig to the north
- Werfen and Pfarrwerfen to the west
Bischofshofen can be reached by various modes of transportation, such as:
- By road: Bischofshofen is located at the junction of the Tauern Autobahn (A10) and the Pinzgauer Straße (B311), which connect it to Salzburg, Villach, Zell am See, and other destinations.
- By rail: Bischofshofen is a station on the Salzburg-Tyrol Railway line, which links it to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, and other cities. It is also the terminus of the Gastein Railway line, which runs through the Gastein Valley to Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein.
- By air: The nearest airport is Salzburg Airport, about 55 km (34 mi) north of Bischofshofen. It offers domestic and international flights to various destinations in Europe and beyond.
Terrain and Topography
Part of the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Tennen Mountains in the northeast, the Salzburg Slate Alps in the southeast, and the Hochkönig massif in the west all encircle Bischofshofen. The Salzach river, which cuts through the limestone and slate rocks of the Alps, eroded a basin that is home to the town. There are some meadows and fields in the valley, but mostly the area is steep and forested.
Mountain Ranges
The following mountain ranges totally encircle Bischofshofen:
- The Hochkönig massif: With its highest point of 2,941 meters (9,649 feet), the Hochkönig massif is a well-known mountain range in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Among its peaks are the Hochkönig, the Torsäule, the Schneeberg, and the Mitterfeldalmkopf. Ski resorts, hiking paths, alpine pastures, and picturesque views are all features of the mountain.
- The Tennen Mountains: With a maximum summit of 2,363 meters (7,752 feet), the Tennen Mountains are a subrange of the Berchtesgaden Alps. It comprises summits including the Hochthron, the Eiskogel, the Raucheck, and the Werfener Hochthron and extends from the Salzach valley to the Lammer valley. Caves in the Tennen Mountains include the biggest ice cave in the world, Eisriesenwelt, and one of Europe’s oldest salt mines, Hallein Salt Mine.
- The Salzburg Slate Alps: A mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps, the Salzburg Slate Alps reach a height of 2,117 m (6,946 ft). It consists of subranges including the Hochgründeck, the Fritztal, and the Dienten Mountains and spans the southeast portion of Salzburg. The dark and rough look of the Salzburg Slate Alps is caused by its slate and schist rocks.
Key Mountain Peaks
Key mountain peaks visible from Bischofshofen include the following:
- The Hochkönig is the second highest peak of the Berchtesgaden Alps and the tallest and most noticeable summit of the Hochkönig massif. Elevation is 2,941 m (9,649 ft), prominence is 2,181 m (7,156 ft). Offering expansive vistas of the neighboring mountains and valleys, it is a well-liked mountaineering, climbing, and ski resort.
- The Hochthron: Situated third in the Berchtesgaden Alps and highest in the Tennen Mountains. Elevation is 2,363 m (7,752 ft), prominence is 1,063 m (3,488 ft). Climbers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Hochkönig mountain and the Salzach river for their difficult ascent, which calls for technical expertise and equipment.
- The Hochgründeck is the highest point in the state of Salzburg that is not a member of the main Alpine chain and the highest point in the Salzburg Slate Alps. Elevation is 2,117 m (6,946 ft), prominence is 1,073 m (3,520 ft). Families and novices may enjoy the comparatively easy trek, which provides breathtaking vistas of the Salzburg basin and the neighboring peaks.
Notable Summits
Prominent mountains close to Bischofshofen include:
- The Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze: The Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze is a ski jumping hill in Bischofshofen named for the 1952 death of Austrian ski jumper Paul Ausserleitner from a fall from the hill. Its hill height is 142 meters (466 feet), and in 2018 Polish ski jumper Kamil Stoch established a hill record of 145 meters (476 feet). Thousands of spectators and supporters attend the Four Hills Tournament every year, which is held there as the final event.
- The Mitterfeldalmkopf: A peak in the Hochkönig mountain, the Mitterfeldalmkopf rises to 2,474 meters (8,117 feet). Being reachable from the Mitterfeldalm, a mountain hut providing food and lodging, it is a well-liked hiking destination. It is also a good spot to see the two most striking peaks of the massif, the Hochkönig and the Torsäule.
- The Eiskogel: The 2,321-meter-tall (7,615-foot) Eiskogel is a peak in the Tennen Mountains. The largest ice cave in the world, Eisriesenwelt, is reached by this difficult climb that calls for alpine abilities and equipment. The nearly 40 km (25 km) cave is filled with enchanted ice formations like stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and drapes.
Valleys and Basins
The Salzach river, which slices through the limestone and slate rocks of the Alps, eroded a basin into which Bischofshofen is situated. Many valleys round the basin; these include:
- The Salzach valley: The Salzach river drains the waters of the Alps in this primary valley of the area, which runs from south to north. Major commercial and transportation corridor, the valley links Salzburg to the rest of Germany and Austria. The valley has parks, museums, castles, and cathedrals among other natural and cultural attractions.
- The Gastein valley: The Gastein Ache river flows from west to east in this side valley of the Salzach valley, entering the Salzach close to Lend. Thermal springs, lodging, and ski runs abound in this well-known spa and ski resort. Besides, the valley is home to picturesque canyons, woods, and waterfalls.
- The Bischofsbach valley: The Bischofsbach stream runs from north to south in this little valley, which separates from the Salzach river near Bischofshofen. There are farms, fields and meadows in the rural and agricultural valley. Along with these historical and cultural landmarks are the Bischofshofen castle, the St. Rupert’s crucifix, and the St. Maximilian’s church.
Bodies of Water
Bischofshofen lies in an area with multiple bodies of water and is hydrologically active. The Salzach river, together with its tributaries, the Bischofsbach and the Gastein Ache, drain the town and its environs. Numerous lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in the area provide offer picturesque vistas, leisure, and water supplies. In the vicinity of Bischofshofen are the following bodies of water:
- The Jägersee: A side valley of the Salzach valley, the Kleinarl valley is home to the natural lake known as the Jägersee. Covering 7.4 hectares (18.3 acres), its depth reaches 12 metres (39 feet). Situated amid mountains and forests, it is a well-liked hiking, fishing, and boating spot.
- The Wengsee: The Wengsee is an artificial lake situated in the Salzach valley’s side valley, Werfen. It is 13.5 hectares (33.4 acres) in size and as deep as 15 metres (49 feet). Built in 1968 by damming the Lammer River, it serves as a source of hydroelectric power and flood control. It is a leisure area as well, complete with a restaurant, playground, and beach.
- The Ritzensee: The Ritzensee is an artificial lake situated in the Salzach valley’s Saalfelden basin, a depression. Covering 6.5 hectares (16.1 acres), its depth reaches 4 metres (13 feet). Excavation of an old wetland produced it in 1986, and it is utilized for leisure and irrigation. It is a component of a sports and recreation complex that also has a skating rink, sauna, golf course, and swimming pool.
Scenic Views
The village of Bischofshofen provides picturesque vistas of the neighboring valleys and mountains. There are several viewpoints throughout the town and its surrounds from which to take in the diversity and beauty of the scenery. Among the picturesque vistas from Bischofshofen are:
- The view from the Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze: The Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze is a ski jumping hill in Bischofshofen from which one can see the town, the Salzach valley, and the Hochkönig mountain. The hill looks particularly spectacular in the winter when it is lit up and covered with snow. The Four Hills Tournament, a yearly ski jumping tournament that draws thousands of viewers and enthusiasts, concludes at this hill as well.
- The view from the Mitterfeldalm: From this mountain hut in the Hochkönig massif, one can see the Hochkönig, the Torsäule, the Schneeberg, and the Mitterfeldalmkopf. Being reachable from the Arthurhaus, a hotel and restaurant at the base of the mountain, the hut is a well-liked hiking spot. The hut is a base camp for more treks and climbs and provides food and lodging as well.
- The view from the Eisriesenwelt: The world’s biggest ice cave offers a mystical ambiance created by ice structures like stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and curtains. The cave is situated in the Tennen Mountains and may be reached by hike, cable car, or from the Eisriesenwelt parking lot. Additionally housed in the cave are a museum, a gift store, and a tourist center.
