Enntal: Best Time to Visit, Top Sights, and Things to Do

If you are planning a trip to the Austrian Alps and want real mountain scenery without the biggest crowds, the Enntal deserves a close look. This long valley follows the River Enns through parts of Salzburg, Styria and Upper Austria, linking ski towns, old abbey towns and a wild national park gorge in one easy line.

One small point first: the correct German spelling is Ennstal, from Enns, the river, and Tal, the German word for valley. Enntal is a common search spelling, and both point to the same place. This guide covers the best time to visit Enntal, the top sights, and the best things to do in each season.

Quick Facts

Where Enntal Is and How the Valley Is Laid Out

The Enns rises in the Radstadt Tauern mountains in the state of Salzburg and flows east for 254 kilometres before it joins the Danube. Along the way it cuts the ancient Ennstal valley, running between the Northern Limestone Alps on one side and the Central Alps on the other. It is the longest river that flows entirely within Austria.

The upper valley, around Radstadt, Altenmarkt and Schladming, is broad and green, with meadows, timber farmhouses and sharp peaks on both sides. The Dachstein group stands to the north, while the Schladminger Tauern rises to the south. This is the sporting heart of the valley, busy in both ski season and hiking season.

Further east, the valley grows quieter around Liezen and Admont. Then, between Admont and Hieflau, the river forces its way through the Gesause, a limestone gorge about 15 kilometres long inside a national park. Beyond the gorge, the Enns turns north, passes Steyr, and reaches the Danube near Enns, one of the oldest towns in Austria.

Best Time to Visit Enntal

For hiking, cycling and mountain lakes, the best time to visit Enntal is from June to September. Trails at high level are usually clear of snow, mountain huts are open, and the long days suit big walks. July and August are the warmest months, but they are also the busiest and can bring afternoon storms, so early starts are wise.

For skiing and snowboarding, December to March is the season. Schladming and its linked ski areas are in full swing, and the valley towns have a lively winter feel. Book early for the Christmas and New Year period and for big race weeks in January, when prices rise and rooms fill quickly.

The shoulder months, May and late September into October, are the quiet choice. The valley is calm, prices are lower and autumn colour on the larch trees can be beautiful. The trade off is that some lifts, huts and side attractions close outside the main seasons, and high trails may still hold snow in May. There is no wrong season, only a season that matches your plans.

Top Sights You Should Not Miss

Schladming is the best known town in the valley. Its Planai ski area is famous for the annual Night Race, a World Cup slalom held under floodlights each January, and in summer the same slopes turn into walking and biking terrain. The town itself has a compact centre with cafes, sports shops and an easy, friendly feel.

Ramsau am Dachstein sits on a sunny plateau above Schladming, under the wall of the Dachstein. A cable car rises to the Dachstein glacier, where prepared paths and viewpoints give a taste of the high Alps. Ramsau is also known for gentle trails and cross country skiing, which makes it a strong base for families.

Admont Abbey is the cultural jewel of the valley. Founded in 1074, it is the oldest remaining monastery in Styria, and its great Baroque library is the largest monastic library in the world, a hall of books, frescoes and marble that surprises every visitor. The town of Admont sits at the door of the Gesause, so culture and wild nature fit into one day.

The Gesause National Park protects the wildest stretch of the river. Steep limestone walls, white water and quiet forest paths make it a favourite for hikers, climbers and photographers. Liezen, back in the central valley, is the practical stop, with shops, services and road links into side valleys.

Things to Do in the Valley

Walking is the main summer pleasure, and the choice is wide. Valley paths follow the river for easy family days, while marked trails climb to alpine pastures, lakes and high viewpoints. Cyclists use the Enns cycle path for long, gentle stages, and via ferrata routes on the limestone walls suit those with a head for heights and the right equipment.

In winter, the focus shifts to snow. Downhill skiers base themselves in Schladming or Haus im Ennstal for fast lift access. Cross country skiers head to the Ramsau plateau, snowshoe walkers take to quiet side valleys, and toboggan runs give families a simple and joyful option on days away from the pistes.

Slower pleasures matter too. Swim in a mountain lake on a hot day, ride the scenic Ennstal railway line, visit a working alpine farm in summer, or time your trip for a harvest festival in autumn. Local food is hearty Alpine cooking: dumplings, soups, fresh trout from cold rivers, and cheeses made in the valley.

Where to Base Yourself

Your base shapes the trip. Choose Schladming if skiing, nightlife and fast lift access matter most. Choose Ramsau am Dachstein for a sunny, peaceful stay with family trails at the door. Choose Admont if you want the abbey, the Gesause and a quieter, more local feel. Liezen suits travellers who pass through by train and want simple services and good road links in every direction.

Getting There and Getting Around

The valley is well connected. Trains run along the Ennstal line, linking Salzburg with Schladming, Liezen and Selzthal, where lines branch toward Graz and Linz. Intercity trains make the main towns easy to reach without a car, and regional buses cover side valleys and trailheads, though less often outside the main seasons.

By road, the B320 highway follows the valley floor and is the main driving route. Salzburg and Graz are the nearest airports for most visitors, with Vienna further away but served by direct trains. In winter, drivers should expect snow and ice, carry the right equipment, and check road conditions before long drives.

A car is not essential, but it does help for early trail starts, small villages and shoulder season trips when buses are rare. Many visitors mix both: arrive by train, base in one town, and rent a car for a day or two to reach the Gesause or a quiet side valley.

FAQs

Is it spelled Enntal or Ennstal?

The correct German spelling is Ennstal, from the River Enns and Tal, meaning valley. Enntal is a common search spelling. When booking trains or rooms, use Ennstal and the town name, such as Schladming or Admont.

What is the best month to visit Enntal?

For hiking, late June, July and September offer warm days and open huts, with September often quieter. For skiing, January and February usually give the most reliable snow conditions.

Is Enntal the same as the Inntal?

No. The Inntal is the valley of the River Inn in Tyrol, in western Austria. The Ennstal lies further east, following the River Enns through Salzburg, Styria and Upper Austria.

Do I need a car in Enntal?

Not necessarily. Trains and buses connect the main towns and many sights. A car helps for remote trailheads and small villages, especially in spring and autumn.

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Final Thoughts

Enntal gives you the classic Austrian Alps in one connected valley: a great river, ski towns with real energy, a sunny plateau under the Dachstein, a thousand year old abbey library, and a national park gorge where the water runs white between limestone walls.

Pick your season by your plans, summer for trails and lakes or winter for snow, base yourself in Schladming, Ramsau or Admont, and let the valley set the pace. Enntal rewards travellers who take their time, look up from the road, and follow the river a little further east.