Dachstein circuit

The Gosau Valley is one of the greatest mountain areas in the Northern Alps and experiences its brilliant conclusion with the two Gosauseen at the end of the valley. In 1997, this impressive region on the Dachstein was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will receive your detailed travel documents at the accommodation in Gosau.
(1 night in Gosau)

The Gosaukamm cable car takes hikers in a short time to an altitude of 1,475 meters to the Zwieselalm, where a panoramic path begins. After a few hundred meters you will reach the so-called Bible Path, which leads below the Gosaukamm and over idyllically situated alpine pastures. At the time of the Counter-Reformation, precious Bible prints were smuggled along this route, hence the name Bible Path. Over the alpine pasture of the Stuhlalm with wonderful panoramic views and through the passage gate, the path makes a wide berth around the most famous peak of the Gosaukamm, the Bischofsmütze.  The destination of the day is the stately Hofpürglhütte, which is enthroned on a grandiose box seat at the foot of the Bischofsmütze.
(1 night at the Hofpürglhütte)
Hiking: approx. 4-5 hours (10 km, ascent 850 m in height / descent 860 m in height)

Lovers of bizarre limestone formations will get their money's worth today. First, you follow the Salzburger Almenweg to the so-called Rinderfeld, a pasture area covered by limestone blocks and landslide material. A crystal-clear mountain stream winds through it, inviting you to linger. We continue past huge rocks to the so-called "Tor", the highest point of today's stage. This is also where you cross the Salzburg-Styrian border. The path runs directly below the steep walls of Torstein, Mitterspitz and Hoher Dachstein. You reach the Dachstein-Südwandhütte, like an eagle's nest, at over 1,900 meters above sea level and in the high alpine pasture area of Ramsau am Dachstein, below the steep south faces of the impressive Dachstein massif. These are about 200 million years old and were formed in the calm waters of a tropical lagoon. From the spacious terrace of the hut there is a magnificent panoramic view of the Hoher Dachstein, as well as the Schladminger and Radstädter Tauern.
(1 night at the Dachstein-Südwandhütte)
Hiking: approx. 5-6 hours (11 km, ascent 850 m in height / descent 860 m in height)

The Guttenberghaus, the hiking destination of the day, is located at 2,147 meters. The hut has already celebrated its 100th birthday and has fortunately retained its rustic character. Situated on a meadow hill, you can enjoy an impressive view of the Ramsau and the Enns Valley at your feet, as well as the Lower and Higher Tauern opposite. First the path leads you over a huge scree cirque, in which possibly the last remnants of snow have to be crossed, along the foot of mighty rock faces. You come to the alder and mountain pine zone, then enter a sparse larch forest and finally reach the valley station of the Dachstein cable car.
(1 night at the Guttenberghaus)

Option 1 – Hike via Ramsau a. Dachstein to the Guttenberghaus – the classic way
The hike across the valley (also recommended in bad weather) through Ramsau am Dachstein, beautifully situated on a sunny high plateau, the hiking trail follows the Hochfellnerweg to the Hotel Feisterer. This is where the ascent through the forest to the rustic Lärchbodenalm begins. The tour along the Anton-Baum- Trail leads through mountain pine alleys up to the rocks of the 'Fisherman's Wall'. The trail continues to wind safely through the open slopes of the Tiefkar; the rock walls of Sinabell are getting closer and closer. Finally, you reach the exposed Guttenberghaus.
Hiking: approx. 4-5 hours (15 km, ascent 1,048 m in height / descent 785 m in height)

Option 2 – Over the Dachstein Glacier to the Guttenberghaus
Spectacular ascent with the Dachstein cable car (costs to be paid separately on site) – 1,000 meters in altitude in just 7 minutes - to the Hunerkogel mountain station. In the immediate vicinity of the mountain station, the "Sky Walk" viewing platform, the Dachstein Ice Palace and the suspension bridge are worth a short visit. Over the Schladming Glacier, the high alpine tour runs in a wide arc into the rugged landscape of the Dachstein massif to the Feisterscharte and finally to the overnight stay in the Guttenberghaus.
Hiking: approx. 4-5 hours (9,5 km, ascent 264 m in height / descent 861 m in height)

ATTENTION: If you decide to take the route via the Dachstein Glacier it is very important to make a reservation for your gondola ride here: www.derdachstein.at/en - at minimum 1 week in advance. Otherwise the gondola could be fully booked.
For the reservation guests are responsible for themselves.

The next stage leads from the Guttenberghaus over the plateau 'Am Stein', northeast of the Dachstein massif. You pass the Feisterscharte and follow the path into a bizarre landscape. It is a karstified high plateau that extends over 20 km² in the north and east of the Dachstein, where small rocky peaks, green hills, pine forests and deeply cut cirques form a wondrous landscape. At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, the high alpine hike moves. There are several small mountain lakes here, such as the Rumplerseelein. Passing Oberfeld, the route continues through a magnificent high mountain landscape, which has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It finally ends on the Wiesberghöhe at the Wiesberghaus, which is already at the tree line.
(1 night at the Wiesberghaus)
Hiking: approx. 5 hours (16 km, ascent 185 m in height / descent 466 m in height)

Today you leave the Dachstein plateau on a path whose origins date back to the 19th century. From the Wiesberghaus, you hike downhill through loose larch and pine trees. Now the path follows through the high valley of Herrengasse down to the Tiergartenhütte. The path winds its way in serpentines below the Grünkogelwand and you come across the forest road at the so-called 'Old Herd'. It is recommended to visit the karst source of the Waldbach and dare to take a look at the waterfalls of the Waldbachstrub with a great deep view. Later, you will reach the oldest salt mine in the world, which is about 7,000 years old. From here you pass the historic Rudolfsturm and follow the path over serpentines to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt. The almost perfect ensemble of narrow streets, historic houses, lake panorama and the cultural heritage from the Hallstatt period make this place world-famous. Finally, the bus takes you back to the starting point of the hiking week, Gosau.
(1 night in Gosau)
Hiking: approx. 5-6 hours (12 km, ascent 278 m in height / descent 1,519 m in height)

For all those who want to spend even more time in the Inner Salzkammergut, additional nights can be reserved. For example, a visit to the Löckernmoos is a good idea. A well-signposted path leads to the edge of a ceiling bog that is unique in Austria.
Otherwise, the return journey will take place today.