Dorfgastein
Dorfgastein is a village in the Gasteinertal Valley, in the south of the Salzburg′s Pongau region. The valley is known as a popular skiing and winter sport destination, enhanced by the local spas and thermal springs. Dorfgastein′s immediate surroundings are part of the skiing area Dorfgastein-Großarl, which in turn is part of the Ski Amade skiing region.
Dorfgastein has approximately 1,700 residents and was first mentioned in a document from the early 13th century, when important trade routes led through the Gasteinertal. This is relatively late for an area that was of strategic importance ever since the days of the Roman Empire. However, Dorfgastein has always been overshadowed by nearby Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein. Only with the rise of mass tourism and the development of facilities that made Dorfgastein a biseasonal destination, the village awoke and turned into a booming region.
Skiing in & Around Dorfgastein
The skiing area of Dorfgastein ranges from an altitude of 885 metres near Großarl via Mount Kreuzkogel to an altitude of up to 2,027 metres. Both villages are linked through slopes. The approximately 80 kilometres of slopes are accessible via eight cable cars, eight chair lifts and five drag lifts.
In total, the capacities of these ski lifts sum up to 29,000 people that can be transported every hour. From the village of Dorfgastein itself, you can take shuttle busses that take you to Bad Gastein or Bad Hofgastein. From there, you can access the skiing area of Skischaukel Schloßalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel.
Note also the Alpentherme Gastein, the local spa of Bad Hofgastein. In terms of sightseeing, Dorfgastein has relatively little to offer. Note the parish church which dates back to the 14th century, when Dorfgastein was a mining village. The ruined castle Burg Klammstein makes an attractive destination if you are in Dorfgastein on a summer vacation. Hiking opportunities and facilities for all sorts of Alpine sports can be found in all sorts of variations in the surroundings of the village.
Municipalities of the Pongau
Links
Short Information on Dorfgastein
http://www.dorfgastein.at/
Official Website of Dorfgastein
http://www.dorfgastein.net/
Tourism Website on Dorfgastein
http://www.gastein.com/
Website of the Gasteinertal region
http://www.salzburgerland.com/eng/
Official Website of the Salzburg province
