What would you think if I promise you that your holiday doesn't have to be expensive. Of course there are countless destinations that meet your desire of action, adventure and relaxation, but let's be honest, a holiday like this can be quite expensive. Especially if you are travelling as a family. 

Did you know that there are also activities in our area that you don't have to spend money on, and they are unbelievable fun? No matter whether you are already an adult, still a child or just want to stay young at heart. 

That's why I have put together a selection of free excursion destinations, of course with a description with necessary details what awaits you there and how you can find your destination. The following excursion tips are available around the clock from spring to autumn. So you do not need to worry about opening times.

Wander-Nik is probably our best-known resident, whom many children have taken into their hearts. Perhaps you have already read through his personal data, then you probably know how much Wander-Nik loves the surrounding nature. On his tours through the entire Viehhofen hiking area, he has left boards of himself and would like adventurous children to find them. A Hide-and-Seek with the aim to encourage children to go hiking. Because if children find 3 of these boards and take a photo together (both children and hiking Nik should be clearly recognizable on the photo), they will receive a gift at the tourist office at the Viehhofen village square. The nice thing about it is that the entire 13 boards are hidden in easily accessible places as well as on peaks. This offer a small or large challenge for all ages. A little tip: The Viehhofen children's booklet will help you with your search!

With its 24 play stations and a length of approx. 4 km, the motor skills path offers plenty of space for skill exercises. Show balance at stations with promising names such as spider webs, stretching oases, alpine water ski walls, target fishing or 3D coordination trails. In order to be able to try out all the stations, I recommend you allow a duration of approx. 2 hours. Since the motor skills path is located next to the Saalach and the forests provide shade, it is easy to walk even on hot days. The last station of the motor skills path is in Saalbach just before the SchattbergXpress. From there you can use the public bus free of charge with the guest card to get back to Viehhofen. However, if you want to hike further, the sun promenade via the village square of Saalbach to Jausern would be a good idea.

The “Talschluss” of Saalbach Hinterglemm has a lot to offer. In addition to the high ropes park, jump'n slide park and tree top path, there is also located the Teufelswasser (devil’s water). A spacious theme park with many play and wellness stations. Here you can refresh yourself in the clear mountain spring water on hot summer days. Enjoy your time in the fish pond, the forest playhouse, at the mill wheel, in the rock pool, on the cave or alpine herb path and in the fairy and dwarf kingdom. The devil's water is easy to get to! Either with the guest card for free by bus or by car, following the main road through Saalbach and the Hinterglemm tunnel til the end of the street. The parking area at the end of the valley is free of charge. Your destination can be reached quickly via a leisurely hiking trail towards the Lindlingalm, which takes around 45 minutes.

If you are already on the way to the end of the valley, be sure to visit the fairy tale forest, which is located behind the tennis hall in Hinterglemm. Of course, this path is only suitable if you are not afraid of the big bad wolf or witches! Because these villains are waiting for your visit with Snow White & Co and want to share their stories for the best. Numerous lovingly furnished huts tell the well-known stories of the Brothers Grimm. The only question left to me is: "Who is the bravest of all and dares to touch the big bad wolf?"

In addition to the three large lido in the center of Zell am See, in Thumersbach and Schüttdorf, you can also swim for free in Lake Zell. Simply turn towards the Zell am See hospital, there is a parking area after approx. 500 m which can be used free of charge. Along the promenade in the direction of Zell am See center, numerous beautiful places invite you to relax and swim. The lawns and access to the lake vary. Sometimes the water is shallow, so ideal for small children, or you plunge into the depths of Lake Zell at one of the bays.

You are probably familiar with the Kneipp pools in the center of Viehhofen. This is our little oasis of wellbeing. Next to our Kneipp pool you find comfortable wooden loungers to relax in and our book owl Hermine. Hermine is filled with books that you can borrow. The books genre change again and again, sometimes there are thrillers, sometimes romance novels or even comics. I recommend first treading water and then relaxing on one of the loungers with a good book. Listen to the gurgling of water and the rustling of leaves in the wind. A wonderful place to relax or to end your day.

Let yourself be spoiled by the traditional music of our marching band in July and August. Every Friday at 8 p.m. there is a performance in the music pavilion where we live our traditions. Come by and celebrate the start of the weekend with the locals of Viehhofen. As the concert takes place under the stars, good weather is important. There is no concert at rainy conditions.

You only need to download a geogaching app and your treasure hunt through Viehhofen can start. How long it will take is up to you, because theoretically it can take a few days to fill all the caches in the Glemmtal. For your start, I would recommend the area around our tennis court at the beginning of Viehhofen.

Hikers watch out! Grab our summer information booklet and climb the following peaks: Lochalmköpfl, Geierkogel, Sausteige and Salersbachköpfl. There are stamps at the top with which you can fill your hiking pass. With your fulfilled hiking pass, you can get the wooden hiking pin at our tourist service center. The hiking pin is made in Viehhofen with a lot of love.

In autumn, you can expect on those pathes a real play of colors. The woods are already changing their colour and the first fresh snow is shining from the Kitzsteinhorn. The ideal season for hiking photos! 

With these 9 tips you can fill your holiday and the best of it you don't need a car for any of these destinations. With the guest card from Viehhofen you can travel by bus and train for free in the entire Pinzgau region.

Viehhofen is a small village, where we all know each other and also keep our guests in mind, it may well be that we run into each other one of the hiking pathes or meet at the village square. 

Maybe we see each other, I would be happy. 

Best regards 

Michaela