Rauris Valley

The Raurisertal runs south from the Salzach into the Hohe Tauern and ends at Kolm-Saigurn under the Sonnblick, and it has two distinct claims. The first is gold: the valley was one of the most productive gold mining districts in the eastern Alps from the Middle Ages, and the tunnels, spoil heaps and washing places are still in the ground, with panning demonstrated at Bodenhaus. The second is birds - the Rauriser Urwald, a patch of never-cleared forest, is protected, and the valley is the core release and monitoring area for the bearded vulture reintroduction in the Alps, so this is where you go in Austria with a reasonable chance of seeing one, along with golden eagles and marmots. The Sonnblick observatory at over three thousand metres has recorded weather since 1886.

What you actually see

• Bearded vultures - the reintroduction area, with the best odds in Austria.
• Old gold workings - tunnels, spoil and panning sites through the valley.
• The Rauriser Urwald - a stand of forest never cleared, now protected.
• The Sonnblick observatory - weather recorded from over 3,000 metres since 1886.

When to go

May to October; the upper valley closes in winter. Two days.

Honest expectations

Vultures are wild birds - sightings are likely, not guaranteed, and binoculars are essential. The upper road is tolled and closed by snow. Weather changes fast at the head of the valley.

Nearby

Bad Gastein is east; the Grossglockner road is west.