Yesterday, since the weather was definitely improving, we decided to take a walk or hike to Böckstein, another town along the river that feeds the majestic Gasteiner Falls.

Looking back toward Bad Gastein – Kaiserin Elisabeth Promenade – Bad Gastein, Austria

To get there you can hike the Kaiserin Elisabethe Promenade, which is for the most part paved and relatively flat. It is probably important to remember to bring water, since there is not much wind in the valley and the sun can make it quite hot without any shade or clouds to protect you.

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Böckstein

Located a bit more than three kilometers south of Bad Gastein is Böckstein, a small hamlet of houses at the nexus of the Pallner Bach and the Naßfelder Ache.

Signage for bikers and walkers – Kaiserin Elisabeth Promenade – Bad Gastein, Austria

Anlauftal – Kaiserin Elisabeth Promenade – Bad Gastein, Austria

The town center has some historical buildings and items of interest, and of course a museum that was not open. Check the times, because like many other businesses in the area, they are probably only open from 15:00 – 18:00. However, if you do get to visit, definitely stop, I heard the museum is quite interesting and well presented.

Local Music Group – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Memorial, Montan museum – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Ehemalige Goldschlämmanlage – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Apartment house for laborers – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Park and Fountain – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Jagdschlössl Czernin – Kaiserin Elisabeth Promenade – Bad Gastein, Austria

Böckstein – Kaiserin Elisabeth Promenade – Bad Gastein, Austria

Maria, Mutter vom Guten Rat – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Within the park there is an old mining train on display. The Elektrische Grubenlokomotive, or electric mining train, is part of the Montanmuseum of Böckstein and a very interesting find for train enthusiasts.

Electric Grubenzug for a Grubenbahn – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Mannschaftstransportwagen – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Grubenzug – Böckstein – Bad Gastein, Austria

Restaurants

The unfortunate thing about Bad Gastein is the lack of restaurants. There are about a handful of them that are owned by the same entity that owns our hotel, therefore the menu in each becomes rather predictable. Our hotel does have the Ritz restaurant, however it only offers a five-course meal at a fix priced. Which is in and off itself okay, but the quantity of food sometimes is just too much.

Angelo Pizzeria

Located on Karl-Heinrich-Waggerl-Straße, Angelo Pizzeria is actually part of the group that owns the Salzburger Hof hotel. It is usually open from 15:00 to 20:00 and has fairly good pizza. The soup was actually quite good, I had their tomato soup with creme fraiche and it was very tasty.

Their mixed salad is a typical German gemischter Salat, where everything is actually not mixed, but placed next to each other. So all of the grated carrots, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes line the bowl. Moreover, on the bottom of your mixed greens, you will find a surprise of traditional coleslaw or chopped cabbage, beans, sliced beets and German potato salad styled potatoes.

Wirtshaus Jägerhäusl

This restaurant does not belong to the chain mentioned above and offers a happy alternative to the same menu. The decor is appealing and it is also in a quiet area, away from the Silver Bullet Bar that plays loud music.

Front – Wirsthaus Jägerhäusl – Bad Gastein, Austria

Inside – Wirsthaus Jägerhäusl – Bad Gastein, Austria

Here you can actually find a Minestrone soup and other dishes that are well prepared and taste great. We both ordered the soup, I ordered the chicken sandwich and Patti ordered the chicken schnitzel. With a bottle of water it all came to 57€, which we found reasonable for the area.

Minestrone soup – Wirsthaus Jägerhäusl – Bad Gastein, Austria

Chicken Sandwich with fries – Wirsthaus Jägerhäusl – Bad Gastein, Austria

Today it’s off to the top of the Stubnerkogel and a day on the mountain.