Hohenwerfen Castle
Werfen, Austria
A medieval fortress on a rock above the Salzach valley, with daily falconry displays in season. A lift runs up from the car park, or you can walk up in 20 minutes.
Hohenwerfen Castle in Werfen stands on a 155 m (509 feet) rock, 623 m (2,044 feet) above sea level, above the Salzach valley in the Salzburg region, about 40 km (25 miles) south of Salzburg. Construction began in the late 11th century (around 1077) under Archbishop Gebhard as a strategic fortress. It later served as a prison and barracks, among other things. It was damaged in the Peasants' War of 1525 to 1526 and by a fire in 1931; after the Second World War it was a gendarmerie training school until 1987. Today it is a museum with a weapons collection and a falconry museum.
The birds-of-prey show with eagles, falcons and vultures is part of the programme; falconry is recognised as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Flight times depend on the season, so check them on site. A lift runs from the car park to the upper castle courtyard; alternatively a footpath (the Vogeltennweg) climbs through woodland in about 30 minutes. The castle is open from April to early November (in 2024 from March 29 to November 3); check the 2026 season times on the website beforehand (as of October 2026). The castle combines well with the Eisriesenwelt, for which Lonely Planet advises an early start.
- Nearest town
- Werfen, Austria
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.4836, 13.1886
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in August–September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Austria: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t need a GO-Box for distance-based tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
.jpg){kind=link}
Campsites nearby
- Camping MartinaCampsite13 km from Hohenwerfen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Landhaus Camping KastenhofCampsite16 km from Hohenwerfen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Ennspark coworking StellplatzMotorhome stopover19 km from Hohenwerfen CastleMotorhomesDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- GrafenlehenCampsite20 km from Hohenwerfen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping AllweglehenCampsite21 km from Hohenwerfen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Wohnmobilstellplatz KellerbauerMotorhome stopover22 km from Hohenwerfen CastleMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Austria · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Hohenwerfen Castle?
Hohenwerfen Castle is in Werfen, Austria, at GPS 47.4836, 13.1886. It is about 22 km from Berchtesgaden.
Can you camp near Hohenwerfen Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Wohnmobilpark Aqua Salza, about 12 km away; within 25 km there are 22 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Hohenwerfen Castle?
Hohenwerfen Castle is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams.
What is there to see near Hohenwerfen Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: Eisriesenwelt (2 km), Königssee (18 km), Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) (18 km) and Liechtensteinklamm (19 km).
When is the best time to visit Hohenwerfen Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in August–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)