This spot near the Celtic city Hallein is not suitable for contemplative bathing pleasure. It is too close – though well hidden – to the busy Wiestal-mainroad. However, this location has advantages if you want to pursue a few “lengths” of its wild-swimming pleasure quickly and easily. Because the spot on the weir at the Hammerwirt is easily accessible, has a nice length and is usable regardless of the water level.
Wiestal – an insider tip for wildswimming and- bathing
The lower Wiestal is located about 1o km south of the city of Salzburg and is a northeastern side valley of the Salzachtal. In the upper Wiestal the waters are called in the valley bottom Schwarzaubach. At least until below Ebenau the Almbach flows into this and becomes the namesake. The Almbach drains the Hintersee, forms the Felsenbad in Faistenau and the popular with Canyoning- and Wilddipping friends Strubklamm. Shortly after the confluence of the Almbach is dammed to Wiestal-Reservoir. Just below the dam, the Wiestal-Gorge begins. This spectacular natural monument also offers beautiful places for wild bathing as a canyoning gorge. Below the gorge, the Almbach is once again dammed to a compensation basin. Then he flows through Adnet, forms shortly thereafter, the wild swimming spot described here at the Weir of the Hammerwirt and finally flows at Hallein in the Salzach.
An easily accessible spot for wildswimming
The swimming spot can be found if you come from Hallein or the exit of the Tauernautobahn A10, follow the signposting Adnet, Faistenau. Shortly after the Hallein city- boarder you can see the hint to the parking lot of the Hammerwirt. Either park here or continue for a few hundred meters and leave the car behind a rock ledge separating the spot from the main road. Sometimes you also meet fly fishermen, but if you take some mutual consideration, the “pool” should be big enough so that you do not get in the way. As already mentioned, this is a dedicated swimming area for active swimmers and not for enjoyable relaxation. This is neither the “beach” nor the relatively noisy environment. But you do not put it on a sporty “swim quickie” anyway …
