The Salzkammergut is an area located just outside Salzburg that spans various mountain ranges, including the Dachstein Mountains.
The name means 'Salt Chamber Estate' and is derived from the Imperial Salt Chamber that ran the important salt mines in the area under the Hapsburg Empire. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and according to the UNESCO website: 'Human activity in the magnificent natural landscape of the Salzkammergut began in prehistoric times, with the salt deposits being exploited as early as the 2nd millennium BC. This resource formed the basis of the area’s prosperity up to the middle of the 20th century, a prosperity that is reflected in the fine architecture of the town of Hallstatt.'*
Travellers can often be found making the most of the seasons in the Salzkammergut; hiking and mountain biking as well as swimming and fishing in the many lakes are popular summer activities, and the area is also a popular winter sports destination.
Local attractions include the famous 5 fingers viewing platform at Krippenstein (which can be reached from Obertraun by cable car), views from up here are magnificent, but those with a fear of heights should stay away - each platform has a glass floor!
Salzkammergut 7 night self-guided hiking holiday
This wonderfully scenic self-guided walking holiday in the Salzkammergut is ideal for those who like to cover a lot of ground. You will cover around 130km in one week, averaging around 25km per day, though distances can be adjusted easily by taking public transport. The tour starts and ends in Bad Ischl, taking you around some of the area's most beautiful lakes including Lake Attersse (Austria's largest) and Lake Wolfgangsee. Prices start from € 600 euros per person
Highlights
- See the beautiful Austrian Alpine lakes around the Salzkammergut area
- Take advantage of daily luggage transfer so you can enjoy your day unburdened
- If you feel like taking it easy one day there are easy public transport options
Included
- 7 nights' accommodation in small family run pensions along the route
- Bed & Breakfast basis
- Welcome drink
- Hiking map of the Salzkammergut area with detailed route (1 per room)
- Hiking bus to Burggrabenklamm
- Ferry ride on Lake Wolfgangsee (Abersee – St. Wolfgang)
- Salzkammergut Souvenir
- Daily luggage transfer - max.25 kg, 2 per person
- Daily service hotline from 8.00am - 6.00pm (including weekends)
Excluded
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals & beverages – unless otherwise specified above
- Local taxes where applicable
- Everything not specified above
Itinerary
1st day: Individual arrival in Bad Ischl.
Pick up your travel documents at the information centre in Bad Ischl
Overnight stay in Bad Ischl
2nd day: Bad Ischl – Lake Attersee; 24 km, 7-8 hrs, ascent 584 m / descent 584 m
From Bad Ischl walk towards the Kalvarienbergkirche church and the “Elisabeth Forest Trail” to Rußbach - Schwarzensee - Eisenau - Burgau at Lake Attersee - walk along the lake shore to your accommodation in Weissenbach.
Overnight stay in Weissenbach
3rd day: Lake Attersee – Lake Wolfgangsee; 22,5 km, 8-9 hrs, ascent 930 m / descent 870 m
Take the hiking bus to the access point at Burggrabenklamm. A spectacular trail leads through a narrow gorge to the flank of Mount Schafberg. Continue between Attersee and Mondsee on Hiking path 17A. You will pass the Scharfling pass, descent to St. Gilgen and walk along the lake towards Abersee.
It is possible to take the bus from St. Gilgen to Abersee.
Overnight stay in Abersee
4th day: Lake Wolfgangsee; 7,5 km, 2-3 hrs, ascent 164 m / descent 141 m
Zinkenbach / Stockach – boat trip to St. Wolfgang – option to take the famous cogwheel railway up to Mount Schafberg (1760 m) – time for a stroll through St. Wolfgang – on to Berau. Bürglpromenade to Strobl centre – Weißenbach.
Overnight stay in Strobl/Weißenbach
5th day: Baerenpfad Trail Strobl to Bad Goisern; 21 km, 8 hrs, ascent 895 m / descent 977 m
Along the Strobler Weißenbach river to Kammersbach hut and from the Chorinsky Klause along the Goiserer Weißenbach river to Bad Goisern
Overnight stay in Bad Goisern
6th day: Bad Goisern – Hallstatt – Koppental valley – Bad Aussee; 30,5 km, 10 hrs, ascent 805 / descent 641 m
Hike along a part of the Historical Brine Pipeline Trail on the western shore of Lake Hallstaettersee. After following the lake shore to Obertraun you come to the Koppental valley. A themed trail leads along the Traun river through the valley to Bad Aussee
(It is also possible to take the train from Obertraun / Koppen to Bad Aussee)
Overnight stay in Bad Aussee
7th day: Bad Aussee – Oberleislingalm - Bad Goisern; 19 km, 8 hrs, ascent 500 m / descent 660 m
From Bad Aussee pass the beautiful Alpengarten and the historic Aussee salt mountain then hike through scenic mountain pastures to Bad Goisern. From there take the train or bus to Bad Ischl (fare not included in package).
Overnight stay in Bad Ischl
8th day: Departure or additional nights
Please Note
A reasonable fitness level and basic hiking equipment like good hiking shoes, rucksack, rain and sun protection, functional clothing and also a warmer jacket or pullover are necessary to enjoy your trip.
Extras/Upgrades
Upgrade to 3* hotels and inns, half board and additional nights also available. Contact us for details.
Salzkammer Trail
You will stay in small family run pensions (B&Bs) along the way. Your room will have en-suite facilities and will include breakfast each morning.
Please note: Twin-bedded rooms in Austrian resorts are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. These are also known as 'Austrian Twins' and are regarded as two beds. Separate twin beds are rare and cannot be guaranteed as available.
Nearest Airport: Salzburg Airport (1hr)
Other airports: Vienna Airport (3hrs)
By Car
Get onto the A1/E55/E60 from Loiger Str. Follow this until Henndorfer Landesstrasse in Thalgau. Exit at 274-Thalgau. Follow Enzersberg Landesstrasse to Wolfgangsee Strasse/B158. Continue until Bad Ischl.
By Public Transport
Take bus from Salzburg airport to the city centre, from there there is a direct bus to Bad Ischl. The whole journey takes around 2.5 hours.
By Private Transfer
Taxi available outside airport. Private transfer available on request after main booking, costs approx € 100 each way for up to 2 people, + € 15 per extra person
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