Valley meets summit in Bad Goisern

Arrival by car or public transport to the sun-drenched Agatha, a suburb of Bad Goisern. The pretty village with its outstanding geographical location on Lake Hallstatt attracts sports and adventure enthusiasts. Depending on the time of arrival, a visit to the handicraft house in Bad Goisern is worthwhile. Traditional, old craftsmanship is vividly depicted here. You will receive your travel documents at the hotel.
(3 nights)

On the way to Lake Hallstatt, you will pass through the small village of St. Agatha, which is home to a real gem – the little church of St. Agatha. The lifeline of the Salzkammergut is the mountain river Traun, which rises in the Totes Gebirge mountains in Styria and also flows through Lake Hallstatt. The next section on the eastern shore of Lake Hallstatt is unspoilt, with fantastic views of the Dachstein Mountains and a spectacular route. The flank of the Sarstein plunges almost vertically into the lake here, and the footbridge floating above the water gives the impression of walking above the water. The ferry then takes you from Hallstatt railway station across the lake directly to this wonderful gem of the Alps. After exploring the World Heritage Site at your leisure, take the public bus back to your hotel.
Hike: approx. 3 hours, (10 km, ascent: 70 m / descent: 100 m)

In the morning, take the train to Bad Ischl. This pretty spa town may not be located on a lake, but it is situated on the turquoise-green waters of the Traun River, where today's stage along the Soleweg trail begins on the esplanade. Here, you follow the course of the brine pipeline, the oldest active pipeline in the world, which transports brine from the Hallstatt salt mine to the salt works in Ebensee. Passing the valley station of the Katrin cable car and the bronze statue of the emperor hunting, you hike along the popular hiking trail to the small village of Lauffen. The name derives from the rapids that the salt shippers once had to overcome and for which they asked the Madonna for protection from misfortune. Incidentally, this is also where the comedy ‘Weißes Rössl’ was set. After Lauffen, the valley floor widens and the Kalmberge mountains rise one after the other, followed by the mighty Dachstein mountains. After Weißenbach, the mountain panorama is particularly impressive with the ‘Ewige Wand’ (Eternal Wall) on the left, the mighty ridge of the Hoher Sarstein and the Krippenstein, over 2000 metres high, in the distance. You now reach the former woodworkers' settlement of Bad Goisern. It stretches for several kilometres to the northern end of Lake Hallstatt. The village was founded because the rich local timber resources were needed to heat the brewing vats in Hallstatt.
Hike: approx. 4 hours, (14.5 km, ascent: 170 m / descent: 90 m)

First, take the public bus to the Gosau Valley with its impressive mountain ridge. The hike through the forest first leads to the Iglmoosalm, from where the Gosaukamm ridge reveals itself in all its wildness. Via the Schartenalm with its many old hay barns and huts and after climbing another 400 metres in altitude, the Goiserer Hütte, located between the Sonnenwendkogel and the Hoher Kalmberg, comes into view. You can leave your luggage at the hut, but you now have the option of hiking to the Hoher Kalmberg to crown your achievement. About 10 minutes after the Goiserer Hütte, below the marked summit ascent, you will find the Kalmooskirche cave. During the Counter-Reformation, Protestants met here for secret worship services. The view from the summit of Gosaukamm, Dachstein, Krippenstein and Schafberg is spectacular. After a long day of hiking, the hut team will spoil you with delicacies, and the view from the terrace is also a wonderful reward.
(1 night in the Goisererhütte; you must bring your own luggage and hut sleeping bag for 1 night)
Hike without Kalmberg summit: approx. 3 hours (5 km, ascent 797 m / descent -/- m).
Optional with summit: 1.5 hours (3 km, ascent and descent 286 m)

You start today's hike from the Goisererhütte towards the Loskogel and can enjoy spectacular views over the Bad Goiserer Valley at the Pramesberger Rast before beginning your descent. The trail leads through forests down to the high-altitude Hochmuth farm. Afterwards, the Jochwand observation tower invites you to take a break before the winding path finally leads to the Traun River. Now you hike one last stretch to the centre of Bad Goisern and then begin your journey home. Weather permitting, you can take a dip in the cool water at the outdoor pool in Bad Goisern.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (8.5 km, ascent 20 m / descent 1100 m).

Individual departure
(if you arrived by car, it is advisable to park at the Bad Goisern Mitte car park on the morning of day 4, take the bus to Gosau directly from there and end the hike there).