The local tax, also known as visitor's tax, is payable locally to the landlord; the amount depends on the resort and is between 1,00€ and 4,00€ per person per night. Children up to the age of 15 are usually exempt.
Hut to hut adventure
along the Dachstein hiking trail
Hiking fun for the whole family
- Arrival daily possible
The Hohe Dachstein with its 2,995 meters, an Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, and at the same time the highest mountain in the Northern Limestone Alps, was once a barrier between the Enns Valley and the Salzkammergut to the north. The Gosau Valley, where the hike begins, with the surrounding high mountain regions, such as the jagged Gosaukamm, is one of the most beautiful hiking areas in the Dachstein Mountains. The region south of the Bischofsmütze, above Filzmoos, is also attractive. The historically grown alpine farming is still traditionally practiced today. Its heyday is associated with the Middle Ages, which was coming to an end, because the climatic conditions changed at that time to the detriment of the living conditions for the local population. The alpine pastures that lie along the path of the hut tour are worth visiting. Their location is attractive and they recommend products that are produced locally.
Look forward to impressive alpine pasture and mountain hikes through a magnificent high alpine landscape, complemented by culinary delights and delicacies of the region, which make up the special charm of this trip.
Highlights
- Spectacular tour in front of a high mountain backdrop
- Visit to the World Heritage Site Hoher Dachstein and Gosau
- Hut stays with a magnificent view
- Peace and quiet on lovely alpine pastures
- Hikes from hut to hut – a powerful experience!
The course of your hiking tour:
Day 1: Individual arrival in Gosau am Dachstein
The Gosau Valley is one of the most magnificent mountain areas in the Northern Alps and experiences its brilliant conclusion with the two Gosau Lakes at the end of the valley. One of the most impressive panoramas that the Dachstein has to offer is seen from here, the so-called Gosauseeblick. In 1997, the impressive region on the Dachstein was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. At the accommodation in Gosau you will receive your detailed travel documents.
(1 night in Gosau)
Day 2: Breathtaking scenery on the Zwieselalm
From the Kalvarienberg in Gosau, the so-called Herrenweg leads quite comfortably uphill. Small streams are crossed again and again. Over forest paths and wet meadows, the route leads past several alpine huts to the Zwieselalm, where horses graze in addition to cows in summer. A unique panorama with the Dachstein glacier, the rock towers of the Gosaukamm and Lake Gosau now spreads out before your eyes. The Zwieselalmhütte, which was once visited by Empress Sisi and where cooking is still done without electricity, is quaint. For the night, we now head to the 1,522-meter-high hospitable Gablonzerhütte, including a magnificent view of the Dachstein with Gosau, Torstein and Schneeloch glaciers. This picture is framed by the wildly jagged towers of the Gosaukamm, especially the ‘Große Donnerkogel’.
(1 night at the Gablonzerhütte; the luggage with hut sleeping bag for 1 night must be brought along.)
Hiking: 4 1/2 hours (approx. 9 km, ascent: 890 m in height / descent: 123 m in height)
Day 3: Over alpine pastures and rocky paths below the imposing Gosaukamm
From the Gablonzerhütte, follow the Austria Trail, first over steeper flower meadows to the Upper Törlecksattel. Then it continues slightly downhill on the south side of the Große Donnerkogel and through mountain pine fields, forest and through rocky grassy slopes to the Stuhlalm. Again and again, beautiful views of the High Tauern and the peaks of the Gosaukamm are inspiring. From here it is another 1/2 hour to the Theodor-Körner-Hütte, hidden in the forest.
(Luggage - hut sleeping bag - for the night at the Theodor-Körner-Hütte you have to take yourself during the hike)
(1 night at the Theodor-Körner-Hütte)
Hiking: 2 hours (approx. 4 km, ascent: 114 m height / descent: 217 m in height)
Day 4: On the scenic Austriaweg, part of the European long-distance hiking trail E4
From the Theodor-Körner-Hütte it goes a little back to the Stuhlalm. Today's hike again is very varied: first there is a steeper section of the trail to master, then the trail winds slightly up and down through mountain pine alleys and boulders and offers excellent views of the jagged ridge of the Gosaukamm again and again. On the Sulzkaralm, which is located a little lower, hikers are offered fresh milk, butter and homemade cheeses. With a little luck, you will discover a special orchid species in early summer, the sweet-scented orchid. At the center of the hiking route that follows is the view of the Bischofsmütze, whose striking double summit rises high above the Austriaweg. Then the huge boulder of the Torstein comes into view - it is the westernmost peak of the Dachstein triumvirate. Soon the Hofpürglhütte can also be seen on its dream spot at an altitude of a good 1,700 meters and thus also the overnight place is reached.
(Luggage - hut sleeping bag - for the night at the Hofpürglhütte you have to take yourself during the hike)
(1 night at the Hofpürglhütte)
Hiking: 2-3 hours (approx. 6 1/2 km, ascent: 339 m in height / descent: 97 m in height)
Day 5: In the realm of the Filzmoos alpine pastures
From the Hofpürglhütte you start the descent into the valley to Filzmoos via the Wastl-Lackner-Steig. This trail was named after a long-time landlord of the Hofpürglhütte and winds its way down to the Hofalmen between pine trees and sparse forest. The Oberhofalm is one of the historic alpine pastures in the Filzmoos area, it can already look back on a 350-year tradition of alpine farming. The path continues past the Almsee. Via the Mandlinghofalm and the Löckenwaldgraben, the route continues to the center of the summer and winter sports resort of Filzmoos, originally a pure alpine pasture area. At the end of today's mountain stage, visit a café or inn in Filzmoos before taking a taxi back to the starting point in Gosau.
(1 night in Gosau)
Hike: approx. 5-6 hours (12 km, ascent: 278 m in height / descent: 1,614 m in height)
Day 6: Individual departure from the mountaineering village of Gosau
For all those who want to spend even more time in the Gosau Valley, additional nights can be reserved. For example, a visit to a moor is a good idea. A well-signposted path leads to the edge of a ceiling bog that is unique in Austria. Take your time here to walk over the wooden footbridges to the quiet Löckernmoossee.
Otherwise, you will start your return journey from the well-known Dachstein area today.
Requirements and General Information
The tour mainly covers alpine terrain. You will need appropriate mountain equipment and basic stamina. Necessary mountain equipment: ankle-high boots, functional clothes, rucksack, food and water, rain and sun protection, first-aid kit, mobile phone, possibly hiking sticks, … Even in the midsummer there could be a drop of temperature, so please make sure that you have warm clothing with you including gloves and cap.Your route is recorded for posterity when you enter your name in every hut logbook in the Dachstein Mountains. The routes are well signposted, although the signs could partly be covered by snow. Hence, it is imperative that you take your maps and the Dachstein hiking book with you. An experienced guide is available to accompany you upon request.
The carrying out of the tour is dependent on weather conditions! Alternative walking routes are always possible.
Arrangement
5x
(2 x ***inn/hotel, 3 x hut – communal bunks, hut sleeping bags* mandatory)
1x
welcome video with explanations and information that you need for the tour
1x
Dachstein hiking guide book + extra tour map (1 x per room)
1x
transfer from Filzmoos to Gosau
+
Daily service hotline from 08.00 am – 06.00 pm (also on weekends)
+
A tree for your booking – we plant a tree for your booking
Rates per person and arrangement in €:
| 15.06. - 24.09.25 (last arrival) | |
|---|---|
| ***hotel/inn in double room (communal bunks in hut) | 509,00 |
| Supplement half board (min. 2 course dinner in inns/hotels and partly also in huts otherwise 1 course hikers-meal in huts) | 175,00 |
| Supplement 2 x single room (communal bunks in huts) | 112,00 |
| Supplement for single travelers | 80,00 |
| Mountain guide | on request |
| Day of arrival | daily |
30% reduction for children 7 - 15 years sleeping in their parents’ room (2 fully paying guests, max. 2 children)
Notes on staying at an Alpine lodge:
- *Hut sleeping bag: blankets are available in the huts; necessary but mandatory is only a lightweight cotton/silk sleeping bag liner
- Due to their location, not all huts can offer running water, hot water or showers. In some cases there is also no flushing system in the toilets.
- On most huts, card payment is not possible. Take enough cash with you for food and drinks.
Become a sponsor of Austrian mountain rescue and enjoy the comprehensive rescue protection: www.bergrettung-ooe.at/en/foerderer-werden
The standard terms and conditions of the Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH apply in the current version.
Rates and operating hours / timetables are subject to change
Our recommendations: Get a travel cancellation insurance.
Informationen
For environmental reasons, we recommend arriving and departing by public transport (train/bus). We are happy to help you organise your train journey within Austria. Talk to us!
"A tree for your booking" – Cooperation project with Austrian Federal Forests
For every bike or hiking tour in the region booked with us, a tree is planted in the Weißenbach valley – near Bad Ischl. With this campaign we want to generate awareness for climate-friendly travel and take responsibility for a world worth living in.
The ‘Dachstein circular hiking trail’ opens up the scenic beauty and diversity of the Dachstein, the "showpiece of the northern limestone Alps", in 8 daily stages. In manageable daily stages, without rope and climbing equipment, with walking times between four and seven hours, the scenic diversity of the mountain range can be experienced hiking.
Level of difficulty
Daily stages with up to 900 metres of ascent - Ø 4-10 hours walking time - medium to difficult terrain: Trails with major obstacles.
