Lake Walking Salzkammergut

You’ll make your way to your first hotel, with time to explore the town.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your tour ends today, with departure after breakfast.