Glacier, marmots and water worlds

A refreshing start to this varied hiking week is the round through the Talbachklamm, during which the rushing Talbach is a constant companion. From a viewing platform, just a few metres after the entrance, the irrepressible power of the Talbach can be experienced from a dizzying height and yet without danger. Shortly afterwards, you pass the ruins of the former Saisenstein Castle, and after just under an hour upstream you reach the village of Untertal, which is picturesquely embedded at the confluence of the Obertalbach and Untertalbach. Back to Schladming, follow the so-called Spreitzweg below the Planai. Again and again you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the gorge. At the end, follow a somewhat steeper hollow path down into the "Grubegg" and return to the valley exit of the gorge.
(4 nights in Schladming)
Hiking: approx. 2 hours (5 km, ascent 159 m in height, descent 159 m in height)

The hiking bus takes you from Schladming to the valley station of the Tauern cable car. After a brisk ascent, you reach an altitude of 1,840 meters and at the same time the starting point of the hike. From here, the path leads along carefully re-naturalized slopes, which serve as sheep pastures in summer and are part of an EU-funded project. The tour is signposted throughout and leads in slight ups and downs around the plateau of the Hauser Kaibling first to the Rossfeldsattel. In addition to the wonderful view of the entire Enns Valley, the hike offers a lot of information about the project located here, the Ennstal Lamb. We continue to the beautifully situated Kaiblingalmhütte of the Friends of Nature Austria, which offers delicious food and natural juices and, due to its location, offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountain ranges. Return to the cable car station on a comfortable path.
Hiking: approx. 2 hours (6 km, ascent 213 m in height, descent 213 m in height)

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In the Valley of the Falling Waters – 3 Lakes Tour
The hiking bus takes you to the starting point of this wonderful hike on the crystal-clear Styrian Bodensee, where the abundance of water of the Schladminger Tauern can be experienced particularly well. The nature trail is framed by wild mountains of primary rock, above all the steeply towering Hochwildstelle. Two rushing waterfalls underline the imposing character of this primeval landscape. Already from the first lake, the view of the Bodensee waterfall opens up. A layered stone staircase quickly takes you up and you reach a green hill, where you soon reach the Hans-Wödl-Hütte. Here you can take a break before continuing the path to the Schleier waterfall. Finally you reach the dreamy Obersee. After this ascent, the tranquillity of the surrounding mountains can be enjoyed extensively before returning to Styrian Bodensee. The return journey is again by hiking bus.
Hiking: approx. 4 hours (8 km, ascent 540 m in height, descent 540 m in height)

This rewarding circular hike runs along the Styrian-Salzburg border between Filzmoos and Ramsau in the Dachstein Mountains. First, the bus takes you to the family-run Glösalm. From here, it goes on forest and footpaths over alpine pastures and white water climbs past the huts of the Neustattalm and towards the mighty Dachstein south face. The panorama with Torstein, Mitterspitz, Hoher Dachstein, Dirndln, Hunerkogel, Hinterer and Vorderer Türlspitz, which together form the Dachstein massif, is unique. The Lower Tauern and the Rötelstein can also be seen from here. The path continues through a sparse larch forest and over a small stream to the Maralm. From here, follow the Salzburger Almenweg to Bachlalm, where trusting marmots greet the hiker. Now it goes back down into the valley in the direction of Guesthouse Dachsteinruhe. Via the Luxwiese, follow the Duregg circular trail back to the Glösalm.
(3 nights in Ramsau a. Dachstein)
Hiking: approx. 4 - 5 hours (10 km, ascent 548 m in height, descent 548 m in height)

The hiking bus takes you to the Türlwand valley station and thus to the ascent to the highest mountain in Styria - the Hoher Dachstein. The ride on the cable car is spectacular, during which an altitude of about 1,000 meters is overcome and you reach a world of snow and ice in no time. The panorama is overwhelming, especially from the "Sky Walk" viewing platform. The view wanders from the icy glacier far into the distance to the south and gets lost on the ridge of the Central Alps. Now a short hike to the Dachsteinwarte Seethalerhütte is a good idea. You pass a groomed glacier path to the highest refuge in the Dachstein Mountains at 2,741 meters. An experience with thrills is promised by the tour over the Dachstein suspension bridge with the "Stairway to Nowhere" - 400 meters above the ground. A truly uplifting feeling to experience the world from a bird's eye view, but without taking off! Also worth a visit is the so-called Ice Palace, where you can admire filigree sculptures made of blue glacial ice.

For all those who want to spend even more time on the sun terrace above the Enns Valley, in Ramsau am Dachstein, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, additional nights can be booked. Allow yourself a little more time to reflect on the many impressions of an eventful week that is now behind you. The range of opportunities for relaxation and further discoveries is attractive and varied.