Salzkammergut MountainLakes Trail

Tour III - World heritage route with Goiserer hut in Bad Goisern and Gosau
3 lakes / 3 peaks
  • + pleasure: delicious discoveries, farm products on the ross alm
  • with luggage transfer
  • Overnight stays in 4x ***hotels/inns, 1x in a hut
  • Daily arrival possible

"When there are mountains, I know that I can go up there to get a new perspective of life from above."

Hubert von Goisern, Austrian musician

The summer retreat and the magnificent mountain scenery of the Salzkammergut mountains - once enjoyed in the Salzkammergut by Emperor Franz and the nobility - still inspires active mountain hikers during this spectacular hiking tour. Relaxation comes all by itself. The BergeSeenTrail is a path that does not miss any sight in the Salzkammergut and at the same time leads to the lonely and quiet places of this Alpine region in the middle of Austria, which has been awarded an extraordinary wealth of lakes in drinking water quality. The starting point and destination of the journey is Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt - the centre of the Inner Salzkammergut. The hiking program, including an overnight stay in a hut, enchants with lush green alpine meadows, fairytale forests, high alpine views and culinary delights.

Highlights

  1. Globally unique hiking combination to lakes and mountains
  2. Boat trip across Lake Hallstatt
  3. Experience "Long-distance hiking trail – follow your own rhythm"
  4. Overnight stay in the UNESCO natural and cultural heritage site of Hallstatt
  5. Relaxation at the Löckernmoos high moor

The course of your hiking tour:

Day 1: Individual arrival in the climatic health resort of Bad Goisern

Arrival in the sun-drenched Bad Goisern. 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).

Day 2: To the Goisererhütte on the Kalmberg massif

From Bad Goisern, the path goes steadily uphill past the Obermuth farmstead. You can take a break at the Pramesbergerrast and continue strengthened through the wooded northwest slopes of the Sonnenwendkogel. Shortly before you reach today's destination, you cross the meadow of the Schartenalm. The location of the Goiserer hut at the foot of the Hoher Kalmberg is overwhelming. It is also worth taking a detour to the 1,833 m high summit, one of the most beautiful lookout points in the area. On the way you pass the small Kalmoos church. It is completely hidden in a rock cave and was a place for Protestants during the time of the Counter-Reformation where they secretly celebrated church services. Enjoy the end of the day at almost 1,600 m in the Salzkammergut mountains (luggage transport from Bad Goisern to Gosau, where you will spend the night the following day. Luggage and hut sleeping bag for the night at the Goiserer hut are to be brought along!). (1 night at the Goiserer hut).

Hiking: 4-5 hours (approx. 10 km, ascent: 1,204 m in height / descent: 126 m in height)

Day 3: Panorama trail in front of the Gosaukamm

Today's hike leads very close to the high mountains, is very long and extremely promising.  Via the Schartenalm with its many old hay barns and huts, the descent to the Iglmoosalm follows. Here you walk on historical paths, the so-called Bible Trail: during the prohibition of the Protestant faith, the people of Ramsau went on secret smugglers' paths to Gosau with a Bible in their luggage. Whichever path you choose from Gosau - there are several variants possible - the Gosaukamm is always prominently in view, enclosed in the west by the Tennengebirge and in the east by the Hoher Dachstein. The Salzkammergut Trail leads via the hospitable Zwieselalm to the front Lake Gosau - called "the eye of God" by the locals - through the entire Gosau Valley (1 night in Gosau).

Hiking: 7-8 hours (approx. 22 km, ascent: 950 m in height / descent: 1,771 m in height)

Day 4: To the Löckernmoos – a rarity among the moors

wonderful high forest first takes you to a place steeped in history in the Gosau Valley, the grinding stone quarries that have been in operation for 400 years. The well-signposted path continues up to the edge of the blanket high moor, which is unique in Austria. Take your time here to walk over the wooden walkways, because due to the moor floor, the path would be too swampy to the quiet Löckernmooslake.  Let's continue by shanks’ mare and the next

highlight is already waiting - with a rest at the Ross mountain pasture. Your +enjoyment is a traditional alpine snack with products from our own farm. Some time later you will reach a saddle, the so-called dam meadow, where salt was mined over 2,000 years ago. Via the Hallstatt Salt Mountain, you reach the popular viewing platform "World Heritage View". From here, there is a magnificent view of Lake Hallstatt, 300 meters below, and the market town of Hallstatt, today's stage destination (overnight stay in Hallstatt).Hiking: 6-7 hours (approx. 16,5 km, ascent: 1,020 m in height / descent: 1,254 m in height)

Day 5: At the mystical Lake 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. Look forward to a morning boat trip from Hallstatt Marked to Hallstatt Railway Station. The following section of the trail 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 and the climbing system floating above the water gives the impression of walking above the water. We continue to Bad Goisern. Depending on the time of arrival, a visit to the handicraft house is worthwhile, where traditional, old craftsmanship is vividly conveyed (1 night in Bad Goisern)

Hiking: 3 hours (approx. 11 km, ascent: 131 m in height / descent: 156 m in height)

Day 6: Individual departure or extension option

If you have the opportunity to extend your stay in sun-drenched Bad Goisern, the repertoire of discoveries is far from exhausted and additional nights can be booked. Otherwise, the return journey will take place in the morning.

General information:

Daily stages are moderate to challenging; hiking distances in the valley 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

5x
Overnight stay with breakfast (4 x ***inns/hotel, 1 x in hut – double rooms or communal bunks, hut sleeping bags* mandatory)
1x
welcome video with explanations and information that you need for the tour
1x
ferry on Lake Hallstättersee
1x
S-Trail hiking booklet (1x per room)
1x
Hiking map of the Salzkammergut area + detailed routing (1x per room)
1x
traditional walker’s lunch with regional products at Ross Alm (open: beginning of June – end of September)
1x
Salzkammergut Adventure Card – Reductions on 120 attractions in the region
3x
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 €:

  01.06. – 01.07.25
01.09. – 15.10.25
01.07. – 01.09.25
***hotels/inns in double room (communal bunks in the huts) 585,00 595,00
Supplement half board (minimum 2 course dinner) 165,00 165,00
Supplement for single room 165,00 165,00
Additional night in double room/with breakfast 72,00 72,00
Additional night double room in Hallstatt with breakfast 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

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.

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)

 

Notes on staying at an Alpine lodge:

  • *Hut sleeping bag: blankets are available in the huts; necessary but mandatory is only a lightweight cotton/silk sleeping bag liner
  • Due to their location, not all huts can offer running water, hot water or showers. In some cases there is also no flushing system in the toilets.
  • On most huts, card payment is not possible. Take enough cash with you for food and drinks.

Become a sponsor of Austrian mountain rescue and enjoy the comprehensive rescue protection: www.bergrettung-ooe.at/en/foerderer-werden

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.

Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail

he defining feature of the Salzkammergut has always been the visual drama between the countless small and large lakes nestling in the abruptly rising mountains of the Northern Alps. The long distance trail links these hotspots in a never seen before, comprehensive way. Discover lush Alpine meadows, fairy-tale forests and invigorating waters in a cultural landscape of outstanding authenticity.

Level of difficulty
Daily stages with up to 1800 metres of ascent - Ø 8-18 hours walking time - extremely difficult terrain: Trails with very large obstacles. Only for trained hikers.

For questions we are available.

Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH

Götzstraße 12

4820 Bad Ischl


Tel.: 0043 (0)6132 24000-51

office@salzkammergut.co.at