Its drainage basin of 6,829 km2 (2,637 sq mi) comprises large parts of the Northern Limestone and Central Eastern Alps.

From here, it runs eastwards through a large valley via Bruck south of Lake Zell to Schwarzach im Pongau.

North of here, the Salzach forms the narrow Salzachöfen Gorge between the Berchtesgaden Alps and the Tennen Mountains and before flowing to Hallein and the city of Salzburg.

Cities on the banks in this lower section include Laufen and its sister town Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Tittmoning, and Burghausen.

Lower reaches: Lammer from the east, Torrener Bach [ceb; cv; Torrenerbach] (in the Blunau Valley [ceb; de; sv]) from the Berchtesgaden Alps, Taugl [ceb; de; sv] and Almbach from the Hintersee [bar; ceb; de; sv], both from the Osterhorn Group, Königsseer Ache from the Königssee, Kehlbach [de], Fischach from the lake Wallersee, Klausbach, Saalach the largest tributaries, Sur and Götzinger Achen on the Bavarian side, Oichten near Oberndorf and Moosach in the Salzburg-Upper Austrian border region.