Bad Hofgastein Attractions

Bad Hofgastein (870m/2,854ft; pop. 6,000), long the chief town in the valley, is an old-established spa and winter sports resort. In the 16th C., thanks to its gold mines, it was, after Salzburg, the richest town in the province. The Weitmoserschlössl (15th C.; now a restaurant) was the home of the Weitmosers, a wealthy mining family. The Late Gothic parish church (1498-1507) has a fine Baroque altar. The various sanatoria and treatment establishments as well as the modern Alpenthermalbad (Alpine Thermal Baths) are supplied with water from the radioactive springs at Badgastein, and are used most often for the treatment of rheumatism. Leisure activities are also catered to in the extensive Kurzentrum (treatment complex) and Kurpark which is notable for Alpine flora. A footpath affording extensive views leads past the Cafe Gamskar to Badgastein (2.25 hours).