Salzkammergut circular hiking trail

On the trail of white gold
  • with luggage transfer
  • Overnight stays in ****hotels
  • Daily arrival possible

“Moons and years pass, but a beautiful moment shines through life.”

Franz Grillparzer

Immerse yourself in the Salzkammergut, Austria’s oldest industrial landscape thanks to its white gold: salt. Salt has been mined here for thousands of years. Mining in the word-famous town of Hallstatt can be traced back to prehistoric times. On top, pilgrims have visited places of strength in the Salzkammergut since the Middle Ages. And many artists and celebrities came to the region to find peace and relaxation, and also to follow the imperial family to their summer residence in Bad Ischl. On this trail we invite you to visit some of these spectacular places and trails.

Highlights

  1. 2-day visit to the ‘World Heritage Site’ Hallstatt – Dachstein/Salzkammergut
  2. selected hikes on the shores of beautiful lakes in front of a unique mountain scenery
  3. fantastic mountain tours up to 2,000 meters above sea level
  4. traditional rides with cable cars and rack railways
  5. discovery of cultural and prehistoric treasures

The course of your hiking tour:

day 1: Individual arrival at the crystal-clear lake ‘Wolfgangsee’

You will receive your detailed travel documents at the hotel.

A visit to the town of St. Wolfgang on the northern shore of lake St. Wolfgang is worthwhile in  many respects. The pilgrimage church, which is dedicated to the bishop St. Wolfgang  of Regensburg, is consecrated site and houses art-historical trasures. Directly opposite is the hotel „Weisses Rössl“, to which a musical comedy was dedicated in the 1930s. Enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the coffeehouses to get in the mood! (2 nights)

day 2: With the cogwheel railway to the Schafberg

From the town of St. Wolfgang, the steepest steam cog railway in Austria, takes you to the 1782 meter-high Schafberg in 35 minutes. The nostalgic steam locomotive slowly makes its way up on a nearly six-kilometer-long route, while with a little luck you might even see a chamois. Once at the top, you can take a scenic hike on the Schafberg plateau with views of seven lakes in the Salzkammergut. There is still time for a refreshment in the mountain restaurant before the railway takes you back down into the valley.

day 3: Along the silk-thread border to Bad Ischl

Today’s hike takes you through the Upper Austrian St. Wolfgang via Berau und along the panoramic trail on the Bürglstein, which – particularly picturesque – runs right on the water. Via the silk-thread border into the province of Salzburg you reach Strobl. From there, the hiking trail follows the river Ischl to the town of Pfandl, where salt was produced already in the 12th century. Then it joins the Elisabeth Forest Trail to Bad Ischl – this trail was already created in 1899. Empress Sissi often visited this natural place during her summer breaks in Bad Ischl. (2 nights)

(It is possible to take the bus from Strobl to Bad Ischl. Payment on site)

Hiking: approx. 5 hours (16 km, ascent 234 m in height, descent 296 m in height)

day 4: On Ischl‘s local mountain – the ‘Katrin’

Short hike along the river Traun promenade to the valley station of the charming Katrin gondola cable car. In a 15-minute drive you reach a true hiking paradise at 1,400 m above sea level. The narrow, elongated hangover mountain range offers hiking and nature lovers a fine and manageable selection of trails. This circular hike offers unique views of seven lakes in four valleys and three countries.

Hiking: approx. 2 hours (4 km, ascent 290 m in height, descent 245 m in height)

day 5: At the mystical lake of Hallstatt

The journey with the Salzkammergut Railway to the climatic health resort of Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt brings passengers to the Inner Salzkammergut. Here you can enjoy the lake landscape with its impressive mountain scenery, characterized by ice-age glaciers. Following the eastern path on the lake shore, spots with free access to swimming allow for a refreshing dip into the lake. Via Obertraun the path leads to Hallstatt. The almost perfect ensemble of narrow streets, historical houses, lake panorama and the cultural heritage from the ‘Hallstatt’ period makes this place world famous. During a guided tour through the world’s oldest salt mine, you will enter a fascinating underground world. Finally you will hike down the Salzberg to the centre of Hallstatt. (2 nights)

Hiking: approx. 5 hours (19 km, ascent 127 m in height, descent 102 m in height)

day 6: Exploration of the Krippenstein at an altitude of 2,000 meters

A hike to the south end of Lake Hallstatt and a cable car ride up to Krippenstein. This will take you in no time to the Dachstein Ice Caves, which is a world shaped by water, ice and stone. After visiting them, you can continue your journey to the summit of Krippenstein, which offers sunny hiking trails and spectacular viewing platforms, such as the “5 fingers” or the “Welterbespirale”. It is also possible to hike to the Gjaid valley station with views of the majestic Dachstein glacier (route mountain station – Gjaid opens from about mid-June – if you arrive before mid-June this part of the route is not included – the caves can be reached anyway). You will return by cable car to Obertraun and hike to Hallstatt. (Alternative return trip by bus or boat – payment on site.)

Hiking: from Hallstatt to Obertraun about 2 hours (7 km)

day 7: Wild-romantic Echern Valley

A well-signposted circular trail leads from Hallstatt to the waterfalls of Waldbachstrub. From a huge 90m-high gorge, which is divided into three stages, the water masses plunge roaring into the depths. Once there, the natural spectacle of the waterfalls can be admired up close. Bus ride back to Bad Ischl. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 2 hours 7 km, ascent 183 m in height, descent 184 m in height)

day 8: Sanctuary of St. Wolfgang

The Ischl narrow-gauge railway once connected the imperial city with Lake Wolfgang. Today the bus will take you back to St. Wolfgang. Here the utilization of bee products was particularly important. Thus the pilgrims from far away sacrificed candles in front of the altar of St. Wolfgang and bought gingerbread as a souvenir. The tradition of the gingerbread bakery in St. Wolfgang goes back to the High Middle Ages. Try this delicacy best in one of the cafés!
(Individual departure or extra nights; bus payable locally, if your car is in St. Wolfgang).

General Information

The walks have no technical difficulties and are also suitable for beginners. Your hiking equipment should include: sturdy shoes, backpack, sun and rain protection, functional clothing.

Arrangement

7x
overnight stay in TOP **** hotels with breakfast
(2 x Wolfgangsee, 3 x Bad Ischl, 2 x Hallstatt)
1x
welcome video with explanations and information you need for this tour
1x
wandering spirit to welcome you
1x
souvenir of the Salzkammergut
1x
hiking map – Salzkammergut and other information material (1x per room)
1x
ascent and descent with the cogwheel railway to the Schafberg
1x
ascent and descent with the Katrin cable car
1x
train ride Bad Ischl – Bad Goisern
1x
entrance and guided tour Salzwelten Hallstatt
1x
‘All-Inclusive Card’ of the ‘Dachstein Adventure Worlds’ (3. strech of cable car running from mid of June)
1x
bus ride Hallstatt – Bad Ischl
3x
luggage transfer – max. 2 pcs./person and max. 25 kg/case
+
Daily service hotline from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm (also on weekends)

Prices per person and arrangement in €:

  28.04. – 01.07.25
01.09. – 18.10.25
01.07. – 01.09.25
****Hotels per person in double room with breakfast 1359,00 1419,00
Surcharge single room / per week 450,00 450,00
Extra charge half board/ per week 305,00 305,00
Arrival daily daily

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.

Children’s discounts on request.

 

Information for arrivals by car:

Car parking is not always possible at specific locations, but on public parking lots (costs to be paid locally).

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.

The European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024 brought the diversity of historically rooted and contemporary art and culture to the forefront and raised it to an international level.

Level of difficulty
Daily stages with up to 400 metres ascent - Ø 3-6 hours walking time - easy terrain: Paths without major obstacles, suitable for families.

For questions we are available.

Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH

Götzstraße 12

4820 Bad Ischl


Tel.: 0043 (0)6132 24000-51

office@salzkammergut.co.at