Hunting for treasure at gold-panning sites in our “Golden Valley of the Alps”

Zur Geschichte des goldenen Tals der Alpen

True golden moments are just waiting for you to experience in Rauris as the first slivers of gold begin to sparkle inside your pan. For centuries, Rauris Valley – in the heart of the Goldberg Group – was a mecca of gold mining – until gold mining finally ceased during the past century. At its height, around 10% of world gold production was focused on the Rauris and neighboring Gastein Valleys of SalzburgerLand. It is estimated that 120 tons of this precious metal are still deposited throughout the Goldberg Group. Reason enough, then, to put your luck to the test as a treasure hunter at our gold-panning locations in Rauris!   

 At our two gold-panning sites – the Bodenhaus and the Heimalm – you will be able to pan, with expert assistance if you wish, for fine flakes of gold in the water. Of course, you are welcome to take these golden souvenirs of your summer vacation in Hohe Tauern National Park home with you!

Evidence of gold mining can be found, amongst other places, at the Kolm Saigurn valley head along the Tauern Gold Theme Path. Here, during your hike you will come across the ruins of old miners’ homes, the "Bremserhäusl" as well as the "Radhaus".

At the Valley Museum in the center of Rauris, you will learn how Raurisertal became the “Golden Valley of the Alps”, how Europe’s highest permanent weather station on the Hoher Sonnblick came to be built, and what Ignaz Rojacher, known as "Kolm Naz", had to do with all of it.

In addition, Rauris Valley also made a name for itself as host venue for the Gold-Panning World Championships. It was here in Rauris, in the 1980’s and 90’s, that world and European gold-panning competition took place.

Learn more about the history of the "Golden Valley of the Alps"

At the original Bodenhaus gold-panning location, about 20 minutes’ drive from the town center of Rauris, you will be able to pan – equipped with rubber boots, shovel and a pan – right in the running waters of the Hüttwinkl Ache. Particular good fun for the kids: their own water playground.


Opening Times 2022:

Open daily from June 16th until September 6th
June & September every day from 10 am until 4 pm (depending on the weather)
July & August every day from 9.45 am until 5 pm (depending on the weather)

 Prices 2022:

Gold panning with lesson and equipment (shovel, pan, vial)Euro 8,- per person
Gold panning with lesson and equipment for groups (of 8 or more)Euro 6,- per person
Gold panning with your own gear and toolsEuro 8,- per person
Loan of rubber boots (European sizes 23 - 49)Euro 2 per day
Loan of gold-panning pansEuro 7,- per day

2 hours free with the SalzburgerLand Card and National Park Summercard (+ 50 Cent for the vial).

Contact:

Bodenhaus Gold-Panning Site
Kolmstr. 6
5661 Rauris, Österreich

Tel.: +43 6544 200 22

E-Mail: info@raurisertal.at
Web: www.raurisertal.at

Set out to your treasure hunt on the climate-friendly Hochalmbahn lift: There at the mid-station, site of the Heimalm (refreshment opportunity), you have excellent prospects of making a find, while the views of Rauris Valley are exceptional. The newly built panning site, where you pan in wooden tubs, is also an exciting attraction for prospectors big and small, not least because of a 3 meters-high waterwheel!


Opening Times 2021:
from 23rd of May until 12th of September 2021 open

Prices 2021:

Gold-panning lessons with an experienced gold pannerEuro 10 per person

Admission free with the SalzburgerLand Card. National Park Summercard partner.

Contact:

Gold-panning site at the Heimalm
Mittelstation - Heimalm
5661 Rauris, Österreich

Tel.: +43 664 1121358

wichtiger Hinweis:

nur mit der Hochalmbahn erreichbar - Zufahrt mit dem Auto nicht möglich!

Want to learn more about gold mining and the history of Rauris Valley in general? The Valley Museum in Rauris and the Zimmererhütte at Kolm Saigurn valley head are always well worth a visit. For information about opening times, please contact Rauris Tourist Office (T: +43 6544 200 22). .