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.
pilgrimage in the footsteps of the bible smugglers
Stage I: short version
through the centres of secret protestantism Bad Goisern - Hallstatt - Gosau
- with luggage transfer
In times of the Counter-reformation Protestants in Austria had to follow their beliefs in secret. On adventurous routes, under the constant threat of capture (and subsequently heavy punishment), bibles, prayer and song books were smuggled to the remote mountain valleys of the Salzkammergut where the protestant beliefs were still strong among the population.
The course of your hiking tour:
Day 1: Individual arrival in Bad Goisern.
You will receive your travel documents at your accommodation
Overnight in Bad Goisern.
Day 2: Bad Goisern – Eastern Lake Shore Hiking Trail – Obertraun - Hallstatt
~19 km, 5 h, altitude difference ascent 127 m / descent 102 m
From Bad Goisern in the direction of Lake Hallstättersee and along the eastern shore - with magnificent views of Hallstatt and the Dachstein Glacier - to Obertraun and further on to Hallstatt. Short cut: ferry from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt market. Saving about 8km. Ferry has to be paid on the spot. Hallstatt is rich in cultural attractions - especially the prehistoric museum invites you to learn about Hallstatt’s long-standing history as salt town.
Overnight stay in Hallstatt
Day 3: Hallstatt - Gosau
~ 13 km, 5-6 h, altitude difference á 811 m / â 896 m
Today, the smugglers’ path leads over the mount Salzberg - up to 1378 m altitude, further to the Dammwiese meadow with its very rare fauna and flora. Below the looming presence of Mount Plassen you continue to the Durchgangalm and further to the Rossalm - here you can stop for lunch (included in your package). The family Hubner is taking care of this mountain pasture and it is an inviting place to stay for a while and rest. Afterwards you hike 2 hours to Gosau Mittertal to your accommodation. In the evening we recommend to visit to the protestant church, which is known for its good acoustics. Perhaps you are in time for one of the regular performances.
Overnight in Gosau.
Day 4: Bus ride (with luggage) to Bad Goisern.
Individual departure or extra nights are possible.
The “Way of the Book” can be continued to Schladming on the 2nd stage.
General information:
Daily stages are introductory to moderately difficult, hiking distances can be adjusted easily by public transport. A reasonable fitness level and basic hiking equipment like good hiking shoes, rucksack, rain and sun protection, functional clothing and also a warmer jacket or pullover are necessary to enjoy your trip.
Arrangement
3x
Overnight stay with breakfast buffet in ***hotels/inns
1x
welcome video with explanations and information that you need for the tour
1x
map and information material (1 x per room)
1x
bus ticket for the ride from Gosau to Bad Goisern
1x
Ascent with the Salt Mountain funicular railway
2x
meals on the trail (packed lunch or refreshment along the way)
2x
luggage transfer - max. 2 pcs./person and max. 25 kg/piece of luggage
+
A tree for your booking – we plant a tree for your booking
+
Service hotline daily from 8.00 am - 06.00 pm (also on weekends)
Rates per person and arrangement in €:
| 20.05. – 01.07.25 01.09. – 25.10.25 |
01.07. – 01.09.25 | |
|---|---|---|
| in double room with breakfast | 413,00 | 429,00 |
| Supplement half board (minimum 2 course dinner) | 107,00 | 107,00 |
| Supplement for single room | 124,00 | 124,00 |
| Additional night in double room/with breakfast | 72,00 | 72,00 |
| Additional night in double room/with breakfast in Hallstatt | 82,00 | 82,00 |
| Supplement for additional night half board | 25,00 | 25,00 |
| Supplement for additional night in single room (except Hallstatt) | 22,00 | 22,00 |
| Day of arrival | daily | daily |
Reduction for children sleeping in their parents’ room (2 fully paying guests, maximum 2 children):
0 – 5 years: 100%
6 – 14 years: 30%
Information for arrivals by car:
The parking place does not always situate next to the accommodation but on a public parking place. (Possibly costs have to be paid on spot)
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 UNESCO World Heritage List currently lists 1,154 natural and cultural sites from 167 countries worldwide. The excellent cultural and natural monuments have an extraordinary universal value that must be preserved in the long term. Austria is represented with 10 World Heritage Sites.
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.
