City hike up the Kapuzinerberg mountain

Beautiful chapels and a few drops of sweat

We have chosen a beautiful Sunday for our little hike. The sun warms us, the wind cools our cheeks. We walk at a brisk pace through the historic gate in Linzer Gasse and tackle the Stefan Zweig path that leads up to the Capuchin monastery. Admittedly, the first part takes a little effort. The path climbs steeply for the first few metres. Sports shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended if you want to conquer this city mountain. At the bend, we stop briefly to look at the first of the Calvary chapels. A total of eleven of these beautifully designed chapels, themed around the crucifixion of Jesus, line the path to the Capuchin monastery. 

Panorama, monastery and tranquillity

We walk further uphill through the Felixpforte; we can already see the Capuchin monastery. To the right, a vantage point, the Hettwer Bastion, invites us to enjoy the magnificent view over the town of Salzburg. We sink down on one of the benches and take a deep breath. The first part of the climb is done. We sit for a few minutes and let our gaze wander over the Mönchsberg opposite. The bustling sounds of the old town are barely audible, the proximity of the monastery already seems to spread a pleasant calm here. But we still have a pleasant 30-minute walk ahead of us, so we continue on our way.  

"Jung groß. Spät erkannt. Nie erreicht" [Great in youth. Late to be recognised. Never equalled] 

One is almost tempted to say that all roads lead to the Franziskischlössl. Of course, it is not quite like that. But there are indeed many smaller paths up the mountain – some no more than narrow trails, others signposted and paved. The Basteiweg, which winds its way up along the bastion wall, is particularly charming. For the last stretch, however, which leads over stone steps, we bit require a bit of stamina. Also, the following applies here in particular: even as a city hiker, you should pay close attention to where you set your foot. We take the paved path past the monument to Mozart's bust on the left after the monastery. "Jung groß. Spät erkannt. Nie erreicht" [Great in youth. Late to be recognised. Never equalled]  is the inscription below Salzburg's most famous son. 

City mountain chamois and fortress views

For us it's further uphill. We meet a few hikers – we greet them, or at least nod briefly to each other. We walk through the forest up to the Franziskischlössl. The sun's rays penetrate through the green leafy canopy and paint intricate patterns on the narrow road. We hear peeps and chirps rustles in the undergrowth coming from the largely natural forest around us. Incidentally, a colony of chamois lives on the Kapuzinerberg and is looked after by a city hunter. In between, we enjoy the spectacular view of Hohensalzburg Fortress and the majestic Untersberg behind it. 

The Franziskischlössl

Another short climb and it appears in front of us, the Franziskischlössl. It stands fortified up here on the mountain – and it had to be fortified in the past. The beautiful castle was built in 1629 – in the middle of the Thirty Years' War and is dedicated to St. Francis, "auf dass der Frieden am Berg ewiger als ewig andauern möchte" [may peace on the mountain last beyond eternity]. Today it is a popular viewpoint and the destination of our Sunday excursion.