Out of everyday life

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 summer residence in Ischl. Bad Ischl – a health resort since 1906 – is located in the heart of the Salzkammergut and is the ideal starting point for this varied hiking tour. To get started, take a stroll through the traditional small town and take a seat in the famous Café Zauner. Also worth a visit is the Emperor's Villa, once his summer residence, nestled in a spacious park. At the hotel you will receive your detailed travel documents.
(3 nights in Bad Ischl)

The first stage destination of today's hike is the Hoisnradalm in the Dead Mountains. The somewhat rocky and stony Jubilee Trail, built in 1898, does not require any special skill and is the most beautiful way to climb. The view from the alpine pasture is stunning, partly because of the good food, partly because of the mountain scenery with Lake Wolfgang and the former imperial city of Bad Ischl. Yaks also feel very much at home on the alpine pasture and spend their summer here. It goes a little further into the mountains, namely via the Gschwendalm and in the direction of Grabenbach. The way back leads high above the gorge into the Rettenbach valley to the Rettenbach wilderness. At the end of the gorge, cross the mountain stream over a romantic wooden bridge and hike back to the spa town.
Hiking: approx. 5-6 hours (17 km, ascent 531 m in height, descent 531 m in height)

The hike along the Traun promenade to the valley station of the charming Katrin gondola cable car is short; there begins the rather steep ascent to the most popular local mountain of Bad Ischl. Through shady forest with many serpentines, sometimes forest path, sometimes narrow forest path, then wide meadow path, the path winds its way to an altitude of over 1500 meters. Due to the geographically favourable position, six of the Salzkammergut lakes can be seen from the summit area. Before the 15-minute cable car ride back to the valley starts, you can stop for a bite to eat - for example at the Katrinalm - and enjoy a hearty snack including a mountain panorama.
Hiking: approx. 4-5 hours (6 km, ascent 954 m in height, descent 0 m in height)

Today's stage begins at the Traun esplanade again. Past the valley station of the Katrin cable car and the bronze emperor hunting statue, you hike on a narrow, wooded road to the small village of Lauffen. The name derives from the rapids that the salt boatmen once had to overcome and asked for the protection of the Madonna from misfortune. By the way, this is also the place of origin of the comedy "White Horse Inn". After Lauffen, the valley floor widens and the Kalm Mountains rise one after the other and then the mighty Dachstein Mountains. After Weißenbach, the mountain panorama impresses particularly with the "Eternal Wall" on the left, the mighty ridge of the Hoher Sarstein and the over 2,000 meter high Krippenstein in the distance. Now you reach the former woodworkers' settlement of Bad Goisern. The village was founded because the rich local wood deposits were needed to heat the brewing pans in Hallstatt. The village stretches for several kilometers to the northern end of Lake Hallstatt. Once you arrive in Steeg, take the bus to Gosau.
(4 nights in Gosau)
Hiking: approx. 3 hours (13 km, ascent 187 m in height, descent 147 m in height)

A day full of natural wonders – today's ascent from Gosau-Mittertal through a wonderful high forest first takes you to a place in the Gosau Valley steeped in history, the grinding stone quarries that have been in operation for 400 years. The well-signposted path leads up to the edge of the blanket high moor, which is unique in Austria and was formed at the end of the last ice age. Take your time here to walk over the wooden walkways, because due to the moor floor, the path would be too swampy to the quiet Lake Löckernmoos. It is home to a special flora and fauna, including rare species such as the sundew or the moor frog. In the rustic hut Badstub'n below the Löckernmoos you can take a break; here the hut landlady serves a very special delicacy: real Gosau Pofesen. The descent leads to Gosau-Hintertal, where the bus takes you back to the starting point.    
Hiking: approx. 5 hours (13 km, ascent 684 m in height, descent 685 m in height)

From Gosau, high above the valley, the so-called Herrenweg leads quite comfortably uphill. Again and again small streams are crossed. Forest paths and wet meadows lead past several alpine huts to Zwieselam, where in summer cows and horses graze. A unique panorama with the Dachstein glacier, the rock towers of the Gosaukamm and Lake Gosau now spreads out before your eyes. Via the Sonnenalm you reach the hospitable Gablonzer lodge at an altitude of 1,522 meters. It is located below the mighty peaks of the two Donnerkogel, which are the prelude to the bizarre Gosaukamm. Look forward to coffee and cake at the hut before you take the Gosaukamm cable car back down to the valley. The bus will take you back to your accommodation in Gosau Mittertal.
Hiking: approx. 4 hours (9 1/2 km, ascent 847 m in height, descent 83 m in height)

Today you will take the hiking bus to one of the most impressive valley heads in Austria, because here are the Gosau Lakes, somewhat hidden. Its beauty is unique, especially when the majestic Dachstein is perfectly reflected in Front Lake Gosau in clear and windless weather. The great naturalist Alexander von Humboldt once called them "the eyes of God". This is where the hike begins and leads along the first lake, equipped with a variety of information boards and a fantastic view of the surrounding mountain scenery. A first small altitude step is crossed through the forest, past clearings and the Gosaulacke, which is only filled with water in spring or after heavy rainfall, namely when the Rear Gosau Lake merges. To the Rear Gosau Lake it goes uphill again. It is not far to the end of the lake and the inviting Holzmeisteralm at 1,164 meters. You will be amazed at who continues to hike – because from here there is only one direction: up to the glaciated Dachstein. But you now turn around and hike back to the first Gosau Lake to gain a new perspective on the landscape on the opposite side of the lake. The hiking bus takes you back to the Gosau Valley to your accommodation.
Hiking: approx. 4-5 hours (13 km, ascent 324 m in height, descent 311 m in height)

If you have the opportunity to extend your stay in sun-drenched Gosau, the repertoire of discoveries is far from exhausted and additional nights can be booked. For example, the hike along the Bible Trail to the Iglmoosalm is charming. Otherwise, the return journey will take place in the morning.