Salzkammer Trail

The pretty spa town with its outstanding geographical location on Lake Hallstatt attracts sports and mountain enthusiasts in summer and winter. Depending on your arrival time, a leisurely hike along the Traun on the Traunreiterweg to the Weißenbach district is worthwhile to 'warm up'. From the Goiserer Bridge you are accompanied by the tireless roar 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 (1 night in Bad Goisern).

On the way to Lake Hallstatt, you will pass through the small village of St. Agatha with a real gem – the little church of St. Agatha. The lifeline of the Salzkammergut is the mountain river Traun; it rises in the Dead Mountains in Styria and also flows through Lake Hallstatt. The following section on the eastern shore of Lake Hallstatt is unobstructed, the view of the Dachstein mountains is fantastic and the route is spectacular. The flank of the Sarstein plunges almost vertically into the lake here, and the walkway suspended above the water gives the impression of walking above the water. We continue to Obertraun and spend the night in Hallstatt. With its shingle-roofed houses, picturesque half-timbered houses and pastel facades, church towers and market square, Hallstatt nestles perfectly in the scenery between mountains and lake (1 night in Hallstatt).

Hiking: 5 hours (approx. 18 km, ascent: 115 m in height / descent: 100 m in height)

The route returns to Obertraun, where the Koppentraun flows into Lake Hallstatt. This is also where the hike through the gorge-like, wildly romantic valley of the mountain river begins. A number of well-signposted adventure stations, where interesting facts about natural features, primeval traces or the bold railway line from the 19th century can be experienced. Special attractions are the water-bearing Koppenbrüller stalactite cave (admission and guided tour included!), an old railway tunnel, the mighty avalanche gullies descending from the Hoher Sarstein (1,975 m) and the suspension bridge over the wild Koppentraun. In Sarstein the gorge opens up again and Bad Aussee comes into view (1 night in Bad Aussee).

Hiking: 6 hours (approx. 20 km, ascent: 340 m in height / descent: 200 m in height)

From Bad Aussee in Styria you first hike on the old salt trail. The local salt is the only salt in Austria that is still quarried from the mountain as rock salt. The Alpine Garden is worth seeing, where about 2000 species of alpine plants as well as plant rarities from all over the world thrive. In specially built themed gardens, medicinal plants, aromatic herbs and much more are presented. From the observation tower of the Pflindsberg ruins from the year 1,250 a.d., there is a magnificent view. The theme trail now turns into the so-called Roman trail; for example, the beginnings of the settlement of Michelhallberg, which you cross, are documented as early as Roman times. This is followed by a section richly dotted with beautifully situated alpine pastures, such as the dilapidated Oberleislingalm. Arrived in Bad Goisern you have reached the province of Upper Austria again (1 night in Bad Goisern).

Hiking: 6-7 hours (approx. 19 km, ascent: 500 m in height / descent: 660 m in height)

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