Discovering a cultural landscape - under the sign of salt

Ischl became a holiday home of European standing from the middle of the 19th century when Emperor Franz Joseph began to spend his holidays in his Ischl summer residence. Bad Ischl – a health resort since 1906 – is located in the heart of the Salzkammergut and offers itself as a starting point for this extraordinarily varied hiking trip. Leisure and relaxation can be found, for example, in the spa park, the spacious thermal bath or by a visit to the famous Café Zauner. At the hotel you will receive your detailed travel documents. (1 night)

With the Elisabeth Forest Trail, which was already laid out in 1899 and is named after Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), you start your hiking tour from Bad Ischl. Continue via Pfandl, where salt was already boiled in the 12th century. From Rußbach you ascent to the quiet heights of the Schwarzensee. Now the hike continues past wet meadows. You’ll reach the Attersee in Burgau. Following the lakeside path you’ll arrive in Weißenbach or Steinbach. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 7-8 hours (24 km, ascent 584 m in height, descent 584 m in height)

The hiking bus takes you to the entrance of the wildromatic gorge ‘Burggraben’. It is considered an impressive natural jewel in the Salzkammergut and ends immediately before the thunderously falling masses of water. Over the alpine pasture ‘Eisenau’, at the same time the highest point of today's hiking day, a path winds along the heights of the Mondsee with various wayside crosses, which encourage you to pause. From Scharfling you walk past the Krottensee down to St. Gilgen at Lake Wolfgang. Along the lake promenade you reach the little town Abersee (alternatively you also have the possibility to travel from St. Gilgen to Abersee by bus; 1 night in Abersee or St. Gilgen)

Hiking: approx. 7-8 hours (23 km, ascent 700 m in height, descent 650 m in height)

Today it could be nice to take the ferry to St. Wolfgang. From there, the steepest steam rack railway in Austria takes you in 35 minutes to the 1,782-meter-high Schafberg. There is a scenic hike on the Schafberg plateau with views over seven lakes of the Salzkammergut. Back in St. Wolfgang follow the lakeside path to Berau. A wonderful panoramic path, which runs directly along the water and leads you around the Bürglstein. Via Strobl it goes to the overnight stay to Weißenbach. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 2-3 hours (7,5 km, ascent 164 m in height / descent 141 m in height)

Alternatively, a circular hike to the Postalm is recommended. This largest alpine plateau in Austria extends in the south of Lake Wolfgang at an altitude between 1000 and 2000 meters and is known as an extraordinary beautiful hiking area.

Hiking: approx. 10 hours (24,5 km, ascent 1’243 m in height / descent 1’216 m in height)

A walkable connection from Weißenbach to Bad Goisern, the so-called bear trail, leads into a rather primeval landscape formed by the water. Gorges, deep ponds and gurgling, splashing streams characterize the path. Past the cabin ‘Kammersbach’ you climb up to the Bärenpfadsattel. Halfway down, you may be interested in the ‘Chorinsky Klause’, an industrial monument built at the beginning of the 19th century for the wood drift. Following the Goiserer Weißenbach you reach Bad Goisern. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 8 hours (21 km, ascent 895 m in height / descent 977 m in height)

On your way to Lake Hallstatt you cross the river Traun several times. It is the lifeline of the Salzkammergut and rises in the Totes Gebirge in Styria. The next section on the eastern shore of Lake Hallstatt is unobstructed, the view of the Dachstein mountains is fantastic and the route is spectacular. Hanging bridges give the impression of walking above the water. We continue on to Obertraun and spend the night in Hallstatt. The almost perfect ensemble of narrow streets, historical houses, lake panorama and the cultural heritage from the Hallstatt era make this place world-famous.

If you want to make a shortcut, you can take the ferry from Hallstatt station to Hallstatt market and save yourself about eight kilometers on foot (ferry payable locally).

(1 night)

Hiking: approx. 5 hours (19 km, ascent 127 m in height / descent 102 m in height)

Return to Obertraun, where the Koppentraun flows into Lake Hallstatt. This is also where the hike through the gorge-like, wildly romantic valley of the mountain river begins. A number of well-signposted adventure stations, where interesting facts about natural features, prehistoric traces or the bold railway line from the 19th century can be experienced, can be inspected. Special attractions are the water-bearing Koppenbrüller stalactite cave, an old railway tunnel, the huge avalanche channels descending from the Hohe Sarstein (1,975 m) and the suspension bridge over the wild Koppentraun. In Sarstein, the gorge opens up again and Bad Aussee comes into sight. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 5-6 hours (17 km, ascent 414 m in height / descent 277 m in height)

Beginning in Bad Aussee in Styria you hike on the old salt path. Here is the last place in Austria, where salt is still mined as rock salt. Worth seeing is the Alpine Garden, where about 2000 species of alpine plants as well as plant rarities from all over the world thrive. In specially built themed gardens, medicinal plants, aromatic herbs and much more are presented.

The lookout tower of the Pflindsberg ruins from 1250 AD offers a fantastic view. The theme trail now merges into the so-called Römerweg; thus, the beginnings of the settlement Michelhallberg, which you cross, are already documented from Roman times. Once you have arrived in Bad Goisern, you have also reached the province of Upper Austria again. Back to the starting point of your trip you will take public transport to Bad Ischl (costs to be paid extra on site). Your luggage is ready for pick up at Salzkammergut Touristik. If you have booked an extended stay, your luggage will be brought directly to the hotel.

Hiking: approx. 6-7 hours (19 km, ascent 500 m in height / descent 660 m in height)