pilgrimage in the footsteps of the bible smugglers

Arrival in the sun-drenched Bad Goisern. The pretty spa town with its outstanding geographical location on Lake Hallstatt attracts sports and mountain enthusiasts in summer and winter. Depending on the time of arrival, it is worth taking a leisurely hike along the Traun along the Traunreiterweg to the Weißenbach district to 'warm up'. From the Goiserer Bridge you are accompanied by the tireless murmur of the Traun to the Weißenbach Bridge. This easy path is one of the most popular walking paths in the former lumberjack village. At the hotel in Bad Goisern you will receive your travel documents. (Overnight stay in Bad Goisern).

~19 km, 5 h, altitude difference ascent 127 m / descent 102 m

On the way to Lake Hallstatt, you follow the river Traun, refreshing lifeline of the Salzkammergut, which rises in the Dead Mountains in Styria. The following section on the eastern shore of the lake, which is reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord, is unobstructed, the view of the Dachstein Mountains including the glacier is fantastic and the route is spectacular. The flank of the Sarstein plunges almost vertically into the lake here and the climbing system floating above the water gives the impression of walking above the water. The route continues via Obertraun to 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.
If you want to take a shortcut, you can take the ferry (ferry payable locally) from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt Markt and save yourself about eight kilometres of walking. (Overnight stay in Hallstatt)

~ 13 km, 5-6 h, altitude difference á 811 m / â 896 m

The Salzberg funicular takes you comfortably up to the Hallstatt high valley. From the medieval fortified tower, the Rudolfsturm, the "World Heritage View" viewing platform offers a magnificent view of a mountain scenery with Lake Hallstatt that is second to none. The steeply ascending smugglers' path now leads past the show mine and passes some mine entrances. Over the Salzberg you reach the 1,378-meter-high Dammwiese. It represents a saddle between the Plassen, which dominates Hallstatt at over 1,950 meters, and the Solingerkogel and impresses with rare fauna and flora. The hike continues to the Durchgangalm - it refers to the narrow descent between two cliffs - to the Rossalm. A lunch stop is planned here. The managed alpine pasture of the Hübner family invites you to rest and linger with products from their own farm. Now follow the path down through a fairytale high forest into the historic Gosau Valley. With a bit of luck, you can experience the particularly good acoustics of the organ in the Protestant church of Gosau in the evening, because organ concerts take place again and again. (Overnight in Gosau)

The return journey to Bad Goisern is by public post bus.
If you have the opportunity to extend your stay in sun-drenched Bad Goisern, the repertoire of discoveries is far from exhausted. For example, a visit to the craftsman's house, where traditional, old craftsmanship is vividly conveyed, is a good idea. Additional nights can be booked additionally. Otherwise, the return journey will take place today.

Continuation of the pilgrimage is possible:
The “Way of the Book” can be continued to Schladming on the 2^nd stage.