Lake Walking Salzkammergut

East of Salzburg, you find a breathtaking region dotted with many lakes called the Salzkammergut. The landscape includes fjord-like steep rocks and cliffs bordering lush, green mountains and pristine green-blue mountain lakes. This stunning panorama of natural beauty has drawn visitors for centuries and was the favored summer resort of the Habsburg monarchy. The Hallstättersee region has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site for its great natural and cultural heritage. The idyllic village of Hallstatt is “the jewel of this region” but Bad Ischl, Bad Goisern, St. Wolfgang, and St. Gilgen are some of our other favorite villages you will visit. Your tour will last 8 days and 7 nights. You’ll spend two nights each in Bad Ischl and Bad Goisern, and three nights in Abersee or St. Wolfgang.

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

2023

Prices are per person in US Dollars

This tour can be guided upon request

Choose your own starting date

Terms and Conditions

DAY 1 – Individual arrival in your hotel in Abersee near St. Wolfgang
You’ll make your way to your first hotel, with time to explore the town.

DAY 2 – Wolfgang-St. Gilgen – 6.5 miles (10.5 km, 4 hours)
+354 meters, -354 meters

Your day will begin with a short boat ride from Abersee to St. Wolfgang. You’ll walk along the lake and then gently up the pilgrim’s path to “Falkenstein Mountain,” really a cliff with a very nice view over the lake and the small villages. The idyllic “Fürberg Walk” will bring you to the village St. Gilgen, where Mozart’s mother was born. Though it’s smaller than neighboring St. Wolfgang, just across the lake, Gilgen presents a unique baroque and rococo character with plenty to do. Colorful streets, lined with cafes, pubs, fascinating shops, and old frescoed houses lead to the enchanting Mozart fountain. You’ll return by boat to your hotel in Abersee.

DAY 3 – Schwarzensee and Strobl – 7.3 miles (11.8 km, 5.5 hours)
+395 meters, -395 meters

You’ll start with another boat ride to St. Wolfgang. First you’ll walk up to shimmering Lake Schwarzensee, where you can rest in a nice mountain hut with a terrific view over the surroundings and enjoy some tasty local specialties. You will walk down on a small footpath into the valley next to a gorge and around the Bürglstein, a rock outcrop jutting into the lake. In the afternoon you’ll end in Strobl and transfer to the “Emperor’s Town,” Bad Ischl.

DAY 4 – Rest Day in Bad Ischl
Emperor Franz Joseph’s favorite town was Bad Ischl, the cultural and geographic centre of the Salzkammergut, where he and his wife Elisabeth (the captivating “Sissi” of the famous film) usually spent their summers. You can visit the Emperor’s Villa, Café Zauner, and the Hotel Austria.

DAY 5 – Bad Ischl to Bad Goisern – 7 miles (11 km, 4 hours)
+260 meters, -180 meters

Salt always has been an important raw material of the Salzkammergut. Today you’ll follow the “historic salt water path,” the world’s oldest pipeline, which was established in 1607. In order to make the brine flow, the pipeline (as well as the path) slopes down slightly, and therefore it’s a relatively easy walk to Bad Goisern. This lovely village was once known as the “Monarchy’s prettiest town” and retains all its charms today.

DAY 6 – Walk to Hallstatt – 9 miles (14.5 km, 4.5 hours)
+ 90 meters, – 90 meters

First, you will follow the river trail to Lake Hallstatt where you will walk along the lake into the “Fjord”. After a while you will see the first houses from Hallstatt and the wonderful mountains with the Salt Mountain. Enjoy the ride with the ferry to Hallstatt center, walking around the little alleys or take the funicular up to the salt mine. Look around to see Mount Dachstein, the highest peak in upper Austria. The day ends with a pleasant boat and train ride back to your hotel in Bad Goisern.

DAY 7 – Bad Ischl to Lake Wolfgangsee – 12 miles (19.5 km, 6 hours)
+210 meters, -140 meters

You’ll transfer by train to Bad Ischl, where you’ll follow the “Elisabeth-Walking Path,” one of Sissi’s favourite hiking and riding tracks. You can admire the idyllic Lake Nussensee and then continue along the River Ischl to Strobl. From late medieval times to the 17th century, Strobl was a center for pilgrims. From the town you’ll have gorgeous views on St. Wolfgang, Schafberg, and the lake itself. Along the lake and through the Blinking moor you’ll walk to the peninsula of Abersee, admiring the beautiful views.

DAY 8 – Tour Ends
Your tour ends today, with departure after breakfast.

The hotels listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different hotel of equal quality.

Hotel Aberseehof 
In the Salzkammergut it’s easy to have a good time. The hotel is only 0.4 miles away from the shore of Lake Wolfgang. The kitchen here is well-known in the region. In good weather, you can even bask in the sun in the beer garden and enjoy the amazing views on the mountains. 

Hotel Goldenes-Schiff
The Hotel Goldenes Schiff is located at the bank of the River Traun at the heart of Bad Ischl, only a two-minute walk from the thermal baths of the Eurotherme Bad Ischl. You will immediately fall in love with the peace and quiet and the unique view of the picturesque landscape of the Salzkammergut region.

Seehotel Huber
Embedded in one of the loveliest landscapes of the Salzkammergut, marvelous peace and a natural atmosphere await you with us. Among lush meadows on which cows graze, majestic lime trees in which birds twitter and the crystal-clear water of Lake Wolfgang, our hotel lies in the heart of beautiful idyllic nature.

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