Lake Walking in the Salzkammergut, Austria 8 Day Holiday

The itinerary for this holiday is eight days, seven nights.  It is available with charm using 5***** hotels and as a five day, four night tour.

Day 1 - Arrive at Lake Wolfgangsee

Take the time to relax in your accommodation or explore the local area to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings.

Day 2 - Enjoy a circular walking route visiting St Wolfgang and St Gilgen.

Take the boat to St. Wolfgang and set off along a walking trail to Falkenstein rock wall where you can enjoy beautiful views of the lake. Continue beside the lake along an idyllic path into Mozart Village of St. Gilgen. Return to your accommodation location by boat. 

Approx. 3.5 hours -  6 miles (10 km) - ↑820ft m (250 m)  ↓820ft (250 m).

Hotel example: Aberseehof

Day 3 - Head from Wolfgangsee to Bad Ischl.

Walk from Wolfgang to Lake Schwarzensee along Saddle walk. It’s worth taking a break at the Lore lake cabin for its delicious homemade snacks. Then walk via the Wirer Gorge into the valley and around Bürglstein to the Lake promenade in Strobl.  Then hop onto a coach to the old Imperial summer residence Bad Ischl. 

Details: approx. 4.5 hours - 7.5 miles (12 km) ↑984ft (300m) ↓984ft (300m).

Hotel example: Goldenes Schiff

Day 4 - Day off in Bad Ischl  

Use your free time to explore the many places of interest in Bad Ischl ‘Kaiservilla’ Emperor Franz Josef’s summer residence, Café Zauner with famous Austrian delicacies or take some time out to enjoy the Salzkammergut Thermal Spa.

Hotel example: Goldenes Schiff

Day 5 - Walk from Bad Ischi to Bad Goisern.

Salt always has been an important source of income in Salzkammergut. The oldest brine pipeline of the world leads from Hallstatt’s salt mine to the salt works in Bad Ischl. Walk along the promenade into Kaltenbachau, a site of Imperial pleasures as horse races, picnics and rendezvous. On brine pipeline trail to Bad Goisern, the gateway to UNESCO heritage Hallstatt. If you want to walk a little higher, you can hike on the spectacular mountain trail of the “Eternal Wall”.

Approx. 3 to 5 hours - 7miles (11 km) - ↑164ft (50m) ↓164ft (50m).

Hotel example: Pension Maria Theresia

Day 6 - Enjoy a circular walking route around Hallstatt.

Continue along the brine pipeline trail to the salt mountain in Hallstatt where the salt mine dates back to Celtic times. Here you can enjoy a scenic view of the lake and Dachstein Massif. Plan a visit to the salt mine, enjoy the views from the top of Rudolf’s tower and visit the local excavation sites. Take a ferry ride across the lake to Bad Goisern.

Approx. 4.5 hours - 7.5 miles (12 km) ↑1312ft (400 m) ↓328ft (100 m).

Hotel example: Pension Maria Theresia

Day 7 - Walk from Bad Goisern to Wolfgangsee.

Head to Bad Ischl by train and then walk to the tiny lake Nussensee along the romantic Sissi-Path before following River Ischl back to Lake Wolfgangsee. Continue beside the Lake through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve back to today’s stop-over.  

Approx. 5.5 hours - 11 miles (18 km) ↑984ft (300 m) ↓656ft (200 m).

Hotel example: Aberseehof

Day 8 - Depart. or Extension

Itinerary for Salzkammergut with Charm

Key Details:

• The itinerary for this holiday is eight days, seven nights - Extra nights are available on request at Lake Wolfgangsee, Bad Ischl and Bad Goisern. Please contact us by email: info@compass-holidays.com or phone us on: +44 (0) 1242 250 692 for more information.
• This tour will start and end in Lake Wolfgangsee.
• The distance of this walking holiday is approximately 70km / 43 miles.

Essential Information:

• Bring good quality walking boots/shoes, a day pack and a water bottle
• Walking with a Dog - You can bring your dog by arrangement. When  booking, simply let us know the breed and size of your dog.  This may incur an additional charges which are payable locally.
• For a stress-free start to your travel, arriving at the start point by early evening the day before is recommended. The individual return journey takes place on the last day of travel.
• The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.
• This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
• Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended.

There are lots of attractions and places to explore during your walking holiday in Austria including:

• Walking around lovely Austrian Lakes
• Salzkammergut Thermal Spa
• Salt Mines
• World famous lake towns St. Wolfgang & Hallstatt
• Emperor city of Bad Ischl
• Dachstein & Salzkammergut
• Hiking amongst beautiful mountains

Getting to Austria:

By Rail/Bus – By train to Salzburg, by bus to Wolfgangsee (approx. 1 hour). Or by train to Bad Ischl and by bus to Wolfgangsee (approx. 30 min). Pick up service from the bus stop by the hotel.

By Car – Parking: mostly free hotel car park available, partly public car park, approx. EUR 30 per week. No reservation required.

By Air – There are a number of flights available to Salzburg Airport then bus to Wolfgangsee.

For more information on getting to Austria please visit the Austrian Travel website.