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You can experience a lot in the Rauris Valley: from gold panning and wildlife watching to a primeval forest hike. The national park valley at a glance.
Gold panning in the Rauris Valley
Family adventure in the Salzburger Land
Pick up your pans and let the treasure hunt begin! We embarked on a gold panning adventure in Rauris and felt a little bit like Indiana Jones...
Family treasure hunt in Raurisertal: panning for gold
There are simply some days when getting up in the morning is more fun than usual. Especially when a vacation day promises lots of adventures and incredible discoveries. Like a day such as this one in Raurisertal in Hohe Tauern National Park: After breakfast enjoyed in our fully equipped apartment at Carpe Solem Rauris, we pack together our rucksack and the kids for the 20-minute drive to the Bodenhaus in Upper Hüttwinkltal.
We leave the car on the car park next to the ticket gate for the Kolm Saigurn toll road. After a 5 min walk, we reach the Bodenhaus gold panning site. It’s located by the Kolm Saigurn toll road, in the forest next to the Rauriser Ache – and that’s exactly where we want to see if this is our lucky day.
As treasure hunters. Our goal is to pan thin slivers of gold from the water. And that might very well be a distinct possibility – after a brief introduction to the art of gold panning. After all, it is estimated that Rauris still “sits” on approximately 120 tons of gold (!). That’s where (in addition to its golden history) its nickname as the "golden valley of the Alps", comes from. Throughout the valley, we still encounter traces of those gold-mining days of yore. Hiking, for example, in Kolm Saigurn, where, not far from the Neubau refuge hut, you will discover the ruins of former miners’ huts and even a lift. Or right in the center of Rauris itself. As you walk through town, barely five minutes from Carpe Solem Rauris, you will stroll past numerous houses once resided in by mine overseers and owners, including what is today’s village hall. Furthermore, Raurisertal has frequently hosted various gold panning championships (yes, there are indeed such things!), including the European and World Championships during the 1980s and 90s.
As for now, back to the gold-panning site and our own adventures as treasure hunters: Theo, who manages this particular gold-panning site, is a passionate sluicer and shares a few of his secrets with us. The correct way to hold the pan, how much water you need – and last but not least, the spots along the river where you are most likely to strike it rich. Our “treasure hunt” is free with the Nationalpark Sommercard – and you can even take any golden slivers you find back home with you. Only one thing isn’t totally clear: Who will have more fun panning for gold, the kids or daddy?! 😉
What equipment do you need for gold panning?
At the Goldwaschplatz Bodenhaus, you can hire all the necessary equipment for your treasure hunt: from wellies and the gold washing pan to a spade and vial. You can store the fine gold flakes in the vial - and take them home as a souvenir. You can find out the current opening times of the Gold panning site Bodenhaus and the prices for gold panning courses in the Rauris Valley on the website of the Rauris tourist board.
Another gold panning site: Rauriser Hochalmbahnen
The second gold panning site in Rauris and a mineral world are located at the Heimalm, the middle station of the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen. Here you can search for gold at an artificial gold panning facility.
The Rauriser Hochalmbahnen lifts are among the "Best Austrian Summer Mountain Lifts" with their range of experiences. The valley station is located right next to Carpe Solem Rauris. In addition to the gold panning area, the following stations are worth a visit on a trip with the Rauris gondola lift: the birds of prey show, the barefoot path and a water playground at the Hochalm mountain station as well as Tilly's forest trail, which leads from the Hochalm to the Heimalm (walking time approx. 1.5 hours). These excursion destinations are included with the National Park Summer Card.
Hikes to the gold mining past of the Rauris Valley
The golden history of the Rauris Valley is not only palpable when panning for gold: You can also discover evidence of the gold mining era on hikes, walks and visits to the valley museum.
- 1 Tradesmen's houses in Rauris
During a walk through the village, approx. 5 minutes from Carpe Solem Rauris, you will pass numerous old "tradesmen's houses" such as today's municipal office. - 2 Knappenhäuser and Radhaus
Near the Schutzhaus Neubau (2,175 m) you will see the ruins of the Radhaus and inclined elevator. You can reach the managed Neubau after approx. 2.5 hours from the Lenzanger parking lot via the Rauris primeval forest and the family hiking trail or via the Barbara waterfall. - 3 Rauris Valley Museum
Learn about Ignaz Rojacher and his importance for gold mining and marvel at exhibits from times gone by at the museum in the town center.
Carpe Solem Rauris ****
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Verena Junger
Content Manager at ALPS RESORTS
Millennial with a passion for solitary mountains and compelling stories, always on the lookout for exciting destinations and experiences.
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