Treasure hunting in the
Golden Valley
of the Alps
Raurisertal Goldfiole | © TVB Rauris - Fotograf Florian Bachmeier
Treasure hunting in the
Golden Valley
of the Alps

For centuries, the Rauris Valley was considered the centre of gold mining in Austria. Today, treasure hunters of all ages can follow in the footsteps of the past gold rush era.

Really. Interesting.

  • Gold mining in Rauris in Austria probably began in Celtic and Roman times. One indication of this is the discovery of a Celtic handcuff that was discovered in 1874 in the Rauris Seidlwinkltal. Today, a copy of the cuff and its history are on display in the Rauris Valley Museum.
  • During the heyday, which lasted from around 1460 to 1560 AD, around 10% of world gold production took place in the Rauris and Gastein valleys. At its absolute peak in 1550, 450 (!) mines were operating in Rauris.
  • At the end of the 14th century, gold guilders made from Tauern gold were minted on a large scale for the first time in Salzburg. At the turn of the 16th century, the state of Salzburg was still known as the "Peru of the Old World". At that time, gold mining was the main source of income in the Rauris Valley.
  • You can also discover traces of gold mining at the end of the Kolm Saigurn valley on two of our themed educational trails: the Tauern Gold Educational Trail and the Tauern Gold Adventure Trail. Here, on your hike, you will pass the ruins of miners' houses, the "Bremserhäusl" and the "Radhaus".
  • Today, treasure hunters of all ages try their luck at the two gold panning sites and - under professional supervision if desired - wash fine gold flakes out of the water. It is estimated that there are still 120 tons stored in the Goldberg group!
Gold panning area Bodenhaus

At the original Bodenhaus gold panning site, about twenty minutes by car from Rauris town centre, you can pan for gold from the Hüttwinkl Ache, i.e. directly from the stream, equipped with rubber boots, a spade and a gold pan. The water playground is particularly nice for children.

Opening hours summer 2024

daily from June 15th to mid-September
from 10am to 4pm (weather dependent, closed in heavy rain)

Prices 2024
Gold panning including training and equipment
(shovel, gold pan and glass vial)
Euro 10,- p. person

Gold panning including training and equipment
for groups of 10 or more

Euro 8,- p. person
Gold panning with your own equipment
and tools
Euro 10,- p. person
Rental rubber boots (size 23 - 49) Euro 2,- p. day
Gold pan rental Euro 8,- p. day

 

 

GOOD TO KNOW: 

 

  • No pre-booking necessary - only for groups of 10 people or more at info@raurisertal.at or by phone: +43 (0) 6544 20022

  • Admission to the gold panning area is also payable if you bring your own equipment.

  • Gold panning outside opening hours is not permitted!

  • Use of the gold panning area is at your own risk - parents are liable for their children!

  • Dogs are allowed, but only on a lead.

  • Gold panning with the SalzburgerLand Card and the National Park Summercard: 2 hours free; plus 50 cents for the vial

  • Gold panning with a pan/dish is permitted in the entire gold panning area, a channel may only be used in the Ache.

  • Metal detectors or sensors are not permitted. 


Contact:

Gold panning area Bodenhaus
Kolmstraße (Bodenhaus parking lot)
5661 Rauris

Gold panning area and mineral world Heimalm

Go treasure hunting with the climate-friendly Rauriser Hochalmbahn: At the middle station, the Heimalm, you have a good chance of finding something and of looking out over the Rauris Valley. The newly created gold panning area with its three-meter-high water wheel will delight more than just little treasure hunters!

Opening hours:
June 8th to September 8th, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Only open during the operating hours of the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen!)

Prices 2024
Gold panning for adults Euro 10 p. person
Gold panning for children Euro 8,70 p. person
Mineral hunting for adults and children Euro 8,50 p. person
 

Free entry with the SalzburgerLand Card. Service partner: National Park Summer Card.