Enjoy a panoramic view over medieval Salzburg from the city’s highest point, and learn more about its varied history on the walk up!
At 636 metres, Kapuzinerberg is the highest point in the city of Salzburg. It offers excellent views over the Old Town, and has a range of historic memorials dotting its slopes. As well as all of this, it's a perfect spot to bring the family for a quiet picnic.With its strong position overlooking the Salzach River, the mountain has a very long history of settlement, there are even Neolithic remains still in evidence on the slopes here. More recently, the Kapuzinerberg Cloister monastery stands out on the landscape. It was built on the site of a castle known as Trompeterschlössl.There are two paths to the top – along Linzergasse and Imbergstiege. The former follows six stations on the Way of the Cross, tracing Jesus Christ's climb up Calvary to his crucifixion. Further on, a small memorial marks the spot where Mozart is said to have written the immortal opera, “The Magic Flute”. Reaching the top, make sure to take in the view from Felix Gate.Imbergstiege begins from the Steingasse, which was once a significant trade route. The local writer Stefan Zweig had his home at Paschinger Schlössl – just off your route, nestled among the trees to the side. Vantage points worth pausing at on your climb include Bayerische Aussicht (Bavarian Lookout) and the Obere Stadtaussicht (Upper View of Town), 20 and 30 minutes up the mountain respectively.From Felix Gate, continue along the wall to Franziskischlössl, a pub since 1849 and an excellent spot to have some food or refreshments at the summit. It is open in the afternoon, from Wednesday to Sunday, with extended opening hours in the summertime, but is closed for all of January.Kapuzinerberg is a short walk from central Salzburg, on the eastern banks of the Salzach River. The Old Town is just across Staatsbruke or Mozartsteg bridges. Your return walk to the top takes three or four hours, depending on your pace and the route you choose.
