Schwarzach junction
The fastest route to this destination
Schwarzach junction
HOW WAS THE TAUERN RAILWAY BUILT OVER 100 YEARS AGO AND WHERE DOES THE POWER COME FROM? AN EDUCATIONAL WALK FROM THE RAILWAY MUSEUM TO THE SCHWARZACH POWER PLANT.
Several important connections meet in Schwarzach. The eponymous Schwarze Ache, also depicted in the coat of arms as a crossing black river, flows from the northwest through the Putzgraben into the Salzach. Perhaps an even more important connection for freight and passenger traffic is the Tauern Railway which begins here. Thanks to the groundbreaking route over Spittal an der Drau, the industrial north of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was connected to the Mediterranean port of Trieste without the 200-kilometer detour via Vienna. The section from Schwarzach to the Gastein Valley was opened in 1905, marking the beginning of the economic rise and the population doubled. In 2005, on the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the Tauern Railway, an attractive railway museum was opened. Visiting this facility, located directly next to the station, is one highlight of the short walk; the other is the thematically well-matched run-of-river power plant two kilometers upstream on the Salzach.
easy
1h 15min
3.61 km
Stroller-friendly
Round trip
Schwarzach im Pongau
Seasons
Directions
The starting point is Schwarzach – St. Veit station. On the forecourt, the unmistakable tender locomotive 93.1379 draws attention to the railway museum located to the right beside it. Our path, however, turns left, first following Bahnhofstraße, then at the next fork the Kraftwerksstraße and reaches the Verbund power plant Schwarzach 30 minutes later. Through a 17-kilometer-long pressure water tunnel, the water of the Salzach is first directed into the Brandstatt balancing basin, then plunges from there, depending on daily demand, with a large gradient via a 900-meter-long, armored pressure shaft into the powerhouse and is finally converted into electricity by the four Francis turbines. The path leads around the power plant complex, where various types of impellers and turbines are impressively presented. The fish ladder is also an impressive structure to marvel at. Over a footbridge, or due to construction over the power plant, the route crosses to the other Salzach bank and leads off to the right along the towpath back to the station.
Information & contact
Mag. Christian Heugl
5400 Hallein
Photo credit: Christian Heugl
By public transport
From Salzburg main station to Schwarzach station numerous train connections with IC, EC, Rex or S 3.
Timetable information and download: Online at www.salzburg-verkehr.at or on your smartphone via the free Salzburg Verkehr app for Android and iOS.
Route profile
All content has been researched by the editorial team to the best of their knowledge. However, the editorial team of Salzburger Verkehrsverbund GmbH cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information provided. We kindly ask you to verify the details when planning your trip, as opening hours, admission prices, or other information may change. Any liability claims against the editorial team or Salzburger Verkehrsverbund GmbH relating to material or non-material damages arising from the use of the information provided, or from the use of incorrect or incomplete information, are generally excluded.
