Key facts at a glance
The Gipfelwelt 3000 on the Kitzsteinhorn (3,029 m) brings together viewing platforms such as the Top of Salzburg, the Nationalpark Gallery, the Cinema 3000 and the ICE ARENA – with panoramic views across the Hohe Tauern to the Großglockner.
At 3,029 metres, the world doesn’t end – it truly begins. The Gipfelwelt 3000 at the Kitzsteinhorn is the highest accessible point in the Salzburg region and a destination that leaves even seasoned mountain lovers speechless. In the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, a mix of viewing platforms, a tunnel through the mountain, a summit cinema, and snow that lingers even in high summer awaits up here. A day at the Gipfelwelt 3000 feels like a journey to the edge of the Alps.
Top of Salzburg – the roof of the province
The “Top of Salzburg” platform is the highest-altitude destination in the province. From here, the view sweeps across the national park’s mightiest peaks, down to Lake Zell, over to the Steinernes Meer and across to the Kitzbühel Alps. On clear days, visibility extends far beyond the provincial borders – a panorama you won’t soon forget.
The Nationalpark Gallery – straight through the mountain
A 360-metre tunnel leads through the interior of the Kitzsteinhorn. In the Nationalpark Gallery, stations along the way tell of life in the high mountains, of glaciers, geology and the wildlife of the Hohe Tauern. At the end of the tunnel, the view opens up onto the Großglockner, Austria’s highest mountain – a moment that more than rewards the walk through the rock.
Cinema 3000 and the world of the glacier
At Cinema 3000, located right along the tunnel path, visitors experience the Gipfelwelt from a whole new perspective. Striking footage shows the Kitzsteinhorn in every season, giving a real sense of the forces at work up here. A brief pause in the dark, before stepping back out into the dazzling light of the heights.
ICE ARENA – snow in summer
While the meadows bloom down in the valley, guests go sledging in the ICE ARENA on real glacier snow. This free snow paradise at over 3,000 metres is especially popular with families and turns a summer day into an unexpected winter adventure.
Gipfel-Restaurant with a view
The Gipfel-Restaurant is Salzburg’s highest-altitude restaurant. Over regional specialities and a cup of coffee, you can enjoy what is arguably the most spectacular dinner-table view in the region: the national park’s three-thousand-metre peaks, seemingly within reach beyond the panoramic window.
How to get up there
- The 3K K-onnection and the Gletscherjet cable cars take you comfortably from Kaprun into the glacier ski resort.
- Up to six cable cars cover around 2,261 metres of altitude over roughly 12 kilometres.
- The journey from the centre of Kaprun takes about 50 minutes.
- In summer, guided ranger tours and the “My First 3,000er” experience are well worth it.
If you’d like to build the Gipfelwelt 3000 into a relaxed holiday, you’ll find more ideas in our overview of Zell am See in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gipfelwelt 3000?
An excursion and adventure area at 3,029 m on the Kitzsteinhorn, with the Top of Salzburg viewing platform, the walk-through Nationalpark Gallery, the Cinema 3000 and the ICE ARENA.
Is the Gipfelwelt 3000 open year-round?
Yes, the Gipfelwelt 3000 is reachable by cableway all year round – only occasional maintenance periods may briefly limit operations.
What can you see from the viewing platform?
On a clear day the view stretches across the glaciers and peaks of the Hohe Tauern to the Großglockner, Austria's highest mountain.
Do you need warm clothing?
Yes, at 3,000 m it's much cooler than down in the valley – warm clothing and sturdy shoes are recommended even in summer.