National Park Centre

A glacier crevasse seen from the inside, a marmot burrow you can crawl through, rock crystals from the Tauern valleys: across 1,800 m², the Hohe Tauern National Park Worlds in Mittersill show you what would otherwise take weeks of walking in the largest national park in the Alps.

From us at the Rauriserhof it is roughly 35 to 40 minutes by car, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) via the B311 and the B168. That makes the centre one of the most dependable day trips in the region – on grey days, with children, or as a warm-up before you head out into the Rauris valley yourself.

Ten themed worlds that hold children and adults alike

• 360° panoramic cinema: Summits, crevasses and the quiet Sulzbach valleys sweep past you on a 50-metre screen. If you can't get enough, simply stay seated for the second showing.
• Eagle flight panorama: The national park from a golden eagle's point of view – the valley basins and ridgelines suddenly make sense.
• Underground marmot burrow: the children's favourite. The winding tunnels can only be managed on all fours, and it usually takes a while before anyone reappears.
• Glacier world and avalanche dome: Cold, pressure and movement in the high mountains become physically tangible here rather than merely explained.
• Tauern treasures and mountain forest gallery: sparkling rock crystals, alpine minerals and the plants and animals of old mountain forests.
• Wild waters and alpine pasture life: from the microscopic life in a mountain stream to the alpine farming that still shapes the Salzburg landscape today.

Audio guides are available at the ticket desk, and there is a 3D cinema as well – plan on two to three hours for the exhibition.

• The plan for grey days: When the summits are wrapped in cloud, Mittersill is our first suggestion at reception. Dry, warm and several well-filled hours for the whole family.
• Get the children curious beforehand: They will meet the bearded vulture, golden eagle, marmot and ibex in the exhibition – and on our guided walks with Ina and Christian in the Rauris valley, the "valley of the vultures", they recognise them again straight away.
• An order that works well: the exhibition in the morning, some time outdoors in the afternoon. The weather in the Pinzgau often improves after midday.
• Somewhere to eat on site: Restaurant Almaa in the building cooks regional Pinzgau dishes – handy when hunger strikes between the cinema and the marmot burrow.

Good to know

• Address: Gerlosstraße 18, 5730 Mittersill
• Journey from Hotel Rauriserhof: approx. 35–40 minutes, around 40 km via the B311 and B168
• Opening hours May to October: daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Opening hours November to April: daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Last admission: 4:30 p.m.
• There is a short annual maintenance break in November. Current dates can be found at nationalparkzentrum.at.
• Free admission with the Nationalpark SommerCard and the SalzburgerLand Card – simply scan your card at the turnstile. The Nationalpark WinterCard gets you a reduced rate at the ticket desk.
• Accessible: the exhibition, washrooms, car park and restaurant are all suitable for wheelchairs and prams.

Worth combining: places around Mittersill

• Hintersee and Schößwendklamm gorge in the Felber valley: a quiet mountain lake with an easy circular trail, ideal for a stroll after the exhibition.
• Krimml Waterfalls: the highest waterfalls in Central Europe, about 25 minutes west of Mittersill.
• Felberturm Museum in Mittersill: a historic fortified tower with insights into the old pack-horse trade over the Tauern and traditional crafts.
• Kitzlochklamm gorge near Taxenbach: a dramatic rock gorge right at the entrance to the Rauris valley – the perfect stop on the way back to us.