Raptor Show

There's that moment when a shadow glides across the alpine meadow, you look up – and hold your breath. In the Rauris Valley, right in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, it happens more often than you might expect. Hardly any other region in Salzburg brings you this close to the great birds of prey: the bearded vulture with its immense wingspan, the golden eagle in its ancestral territory, the falcons on their breathtaking dives.

Whether soaring free in the wilderness of the Krumltal or right up close at the birds of prey show in Rauris on the Hochalm – from your summer holiday at the 4-star Hotel Rauriserhof, you're right in the middle of it all. We know the best spots, times and trails, and we'll take you there.

The Birds of Prey Show in Rauris on the Hochalm – Flight Artistry at 1,780 Metres

Right beside the mountain station of the Rauris Hochalmbahn, at 1,780 metres above sea level, the view opens up wide across the peaks of the Hohe Tauern. Against this backdrop, falconer Petr shows what his birds can do at the birds of prey show on the Hochalm: silently circling owls, falcons in full stoop, buzzards – and striking close-ups of the eagles. Between the flights, he shares how these birds live, hunt, and why protecting them matters so much. You quickly realise: this is someone who truly knows his animals.

This falconry show is one of the finest in all of Salzburg – and for you, it's right on the doorstep.

Good to know for your planning:

• Show times: daily at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., lasting around 40 minutes (in summer, depending on operating hours).
• For the whole family: easy and barrier-free access by gondola – perfect for children, grandparents and anyone who'd rather skip the long hike.
• Your Rauriserhof advantage: With the Hohe Tauern SummerCard included in your stay, the cable car up and down as well as admission to the birds of prey show are free of charge.

Insider tip from the Rauriserhof team: Catch the 11 a.m. show and then stroll down Tilly's Forest Trail to the middle station (Heimalm). There you'll find a real gold-panning site – panning for gold delights children and adults alike, and the cool mountain water is a welcome refreshment on hot days.

While the birds of prey show on the Hochalm thrills the crowds, the Krumltal is where the heart of the wild Alpine fauna truly beats. If you're looking for something beyond a traditional falconry centre in Rauris – to see these birds free and untamed – this is exactly the place. This side valley has made history: it played a key role in the international WWF project to reintroduce the bearded vulture, which had once been completely wiped out in the Alps. Today, the king of the skies once again circles freely overhead.

Who you might spot, with a little luck and a pair of binoculars:

• Bearded vulture: with a wingspan of up to 2.90 metres, the largest bird in the Alps. The well-known breeding pair is once again successfully raising young – it was here that "Kruml 1" hatched, the first bearded vulture born in the wild in the Alps.
• Griffon vulture: Every summer, 60 to 80 of these mighty soarers spend the warm months in the Krumltal.
• Golden eagle: The golden eagle, too, has its firmly established territory here.

Guided Hikes into the Krumltal – with the Rauriserhof Team

You don't have to search for the birds on your own. As part of our weekly programme, we accompany you into the Krumltal. Our hiking guide knows where the nesting and hunting grounds lie and when your chances are best – through his binoculars, bearded vultures and eagles come right within reach. Questions are always welcome, because we have plenty of stories to tell from the "Valley of the Vultures".

Two experiences, one valley: the close encounter at the birds of prey show in Rauris and the true sense of wilderness in the Krumltal. Both begin right outside the door of your room at the Rauriserhof.