Hiking in the World Heritage region of Salzkammergut

The “Hallstatt - Dachstein / Salzkammergut” region has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since December 1997. UNESCO considers a large part of the Inner Salzkammergut to be a world heritage site worthy of protection. And you can visit it, because this hiking tour combines crystal-clear lakes, impressive mountains and enchanting towns with well-marked hiking trails. The region includes 76 lakes - with crystal clear waters, in the magical mountain world with the lush green of the alpine pastures or the bizarre rocks of the Dachstein massif, which is up to 3,000 m high.
 
Accommodation: You will spend the night in cozy rooms with shower/toilet, TV and some. Internet/WLAN in 3* hotels or inns. Public parking on site (for a fee). Payable locally: local tax.

Price per person:
22.4.–30.6. & 1.9.–18.10.2024: EUR 885,–
21.9.–4.10.2024: EUR 920,–
Surcharges: Half board: EUR 169,- ppp

Code: SASGWS1 DS B

Your hiking tour

Day 1:
Individual arrival at Lake Wolfgangsee and handover of travel documents. Overnight stay in Abersee or St. Gilgen.
Day 2:
St. Wolfgang - St. Gilgen – approx.: 10 km, 2-3 hours, elevation gain/descent: 352/352 m.
From Abersee take the ferry to the other side of the lake to St. Wolfgang. Today's hike leads past the small village of Ried on the historic pilgrimage route over the Falkenstein with many places of worship and the Falkensteinkircherl as well as a cave. Along the lake and to the Gasthof Fürberg, follow the riverside path to the Mozart town of St. Gilgen. Below the street, the pretty town nestles on the bank and you stroll past the pretty town hall and other villas as well as the birthplace of Mozart's mother, where the world-famous musician's sister also lived. The ship takes you from St. Gilgen back to Gschwendt (Abersee). If you prefer to hike: a beautiful path leads along the lakeshore from St. Gilgen to Abersee. Overnight stay in Abersee or St. Gilgen.
Day 3:
Schwarzensee and Strobl – approx.: 14 km, 5-6 hours, elevation gain/descent: 573/573 m.
Once again the ferry takes you to St. Wolfgang. From there you start your climb to the quiet heights of Lake Schwarzensee. At a good 700 meters above sea level, the small mountain lake offers some beautiful swimming areas. We recommend stopping at the “Zur Lore” inn; Here you can enjoy freshly caught trout! As you continue towards Strobl, you circle around the Bürglstein on a panoramic path, which - particularly picturesquely - runs directly along the water. Before you reach Strobl at the eastern end of the lake, you have reached the state of Salzburg. Now follow the waterfront promenade into the center of Strobl. The local bus will take you comfortably to the once imperial summer resort of Bad Ischl. Overnight stay in a 4* hotel in Bad Ischl.
Day 4:
Day at leisure in the former imperial summer residence of Bad Ischl.
In Bad Ischl you can find leisure and relaxation, for example in the spa gardens or visit the famous Café Zauner and the city museum in the former Hotel Austria. The tour of the imperial villa, embedded in a spacious park, is included in the tour price and is highly recommended if you want to go back to the time of the 19th century, when the imperial family spent their summer months here. Overnight stay in a 4* hotel in Bad Ischl.
Day 5:
Bad Ischl - Bad Goisern approx.: 9 km, 3 hours, elevation gain/descent: 201/188m.
Today's stage begins on the promenade of the turquoise-green Traun. The hike leads past the valley station of the Katrin cable car and the bronze statue of the Emperor Hunt on a narrow, wooded road to the small town of Lauffen. This is also where the comedy “Weißes Rössl” was created. After Lauffen, the valley floor widens and the Kalmberg Mountains and the mighty Dachstein Mountains rise one after the other. Following Weißenbach, the mountain panorama is particularly impressive 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, now a World Heritage region, Bad Goisern. Overnight stay in Bad Goisern.
Day 6:
Bad Goisern – Ostuferwanderweg – Obertraun - Hallstatt, approx. 5 hours, 19 km Elevation gain/descent: 127 / 102 m.
On the way to Lake Hallstatt you follow the Traun, the 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 side of the Sarstein falls almost vertically into the lake and the footbridge floating above the water gives the impression of walking on water. We continue via Obertraun to Hallstatt. If you want to take a shortcut, you can take the ferry from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt Markt and save yourself an eight-kilometer walk (ferry payable on site). The almost perfect ensemble of narrow streets, historic houses, lake panorama and the cultural heritage from the Hallstatt period make this place world famous. During a visit to the oldest salt mine in the world, you will enter a fascinating underground world. From Hallstatt Markt you take the ferry to the train station and continue with the Salzkammergutbahn back to Bad Goisern. Overnight stay in Bad Goisern.
Day 7:
Bad Ischl - Abersee. – approx.: 18 km, approx. 5 hours, elevation gain/descent: 128/68 m.
The bus takes you from the Inner Salzkammergut in Bad Goisern back to Bad Ischl. From here you hike along the Elisabeth Forest Path, which was laid out in 1899 and was often visited by Empress Sisi, to Pfandl, where salt was boiled as early as the 12th century. Follow the short river Ischl, which drains Lake Wolfgangsee and flows into the Traun in Bad Ischl, further to Aigen-Voglhub to Strobl on Lake Wolfgangsee. After the local community pool you reach the Blinkling Moos nature reserve. Rare plants can be discovered here. It's not far to the small town of Abersee. Overnight stay in Abersee or St. Gilgen
Day 8:
Individual departure or extra nights.
 
General information
The daily hikes do not present any technical difficulties and are also suitable for beginners and families. Your hiking equipment should include: sturdy shoes, backpack, sun and rain protection and functional clothing.