Saalach
- Location:
- From Salzburg to Bad Reichenhall and further on to Unken and Lofer (just follow the signs, you can't miss it) .
- Suitability:
- Kayaking
- River Description:
-
- General:
-
- from Saalbach to the Martinsschlucht I-II
- We have not done this yet - should be rather boring.
- Martinsschlucht (corkscrew) III-IV
- Although a power station uses most of the water it is sometimes fun to go down this small canyon for a change. and just paddle all the way down to Lofer.
- Slalomstrecke (Hubertuswalze) IV
-
When the Saalach runs through the village of Lofer it goes in a first passes the hikers bridge near the Hubertushof, runs through the world famous Hubertuswalze, where international rodeo contests are held regularly and goes down a slalom course, before it passes the Teufelssteg (devils bridge). To paddle this section just park at the big parking lot near the tourist information building and carry your stuff to the river.
The whole area is a playboaters dream although it can get a bit dangerous at higher water levels. There are a lot of undercut blocks and if you see the canyon in winter you can see more than you thought possible. Nevertheless it is one of the best places around.
The Hubertuswalze is varies from a very good surfing wave at higher water level to a superb playhole with a little bit less water. To judge just have a look at the animation and the photos (more yet to come).
- Teufelsschlucht V
- Rewarding with lots of playspots for the very experienced
paddler, but very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.
A very good friend of ours drowned in there. And he was not
the first. Big blocks, undercuts and drops make it a very nice
experience. The beginning is easier and after the main section
of a few hundred meters it gets easier again, so you can do
the thing with carrying part of the canyon. But have a look
first. There is a hikers path along the whole canyon so that
there is no excuse for not checking.
- from Au to Unken III
- After the river passed the Teufelsschlucht it calms down a bit again, but still offers a very long and nice whitewater trip all the way to Unken.
- Unken to somewhere I-II
- gets boring again but is often done by commercial rafters.
- Difficulty:
- I-VI
- Best Time:
- high water during the snow melt and after heavy rainfalls, but you can paddle the Saalach for the hole year.
- Rodeo Holes and Stuff:
- endless playing on the Hubertuswalze, Teufelsschlucht, and further downrivers ...
- Special Dangers:
- siphons in the Teufelsschlucht and the Slalomstrecke