Hiking the BergeSeen Trail | Eurohike Hiking Blog

On the Trail of the White Gold

Anyone following the historic salt trails will inevitably arrive in Hallstatt, a town rich with history in the Dachstein Salzkammergut region. It's no wonder this remarkable place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tucked into a stunning landscape of towering mountains and the deep green shimmer of Lake Hallstatt –stretching fjord-like into the Dachstein massif – Hallstatt radiates an unmistakable charm. With just 740 residents, this quaint town is the archaeological heart of the World Heritage region and home to the world’s oldest salt mine. People have lived in Hallstatt for over 7,000 years, drawn here by one simple thing: salt. Once a prized commodity, salt brought wealth and prosperity to those who controlled it.

Beautiful flower meadow in front of the Gosaukamm

Visitors from around the world come to immerse themselves in the stories, legends, and timeless allure of salt. A visit or hike up to the salt mountain is a must for anyone eager to discover the secrets of "white gold" in a fun and engaging way. Here, an interactive journey through salt’s fascinating cycle awaits.

The Salt Worlds (Salzwelten) promise adventure and enjoyment for the whole family. After a thrilling ride on the mine train, you'll travel through time, from the Baroque period to the Middle Ages and all the way back to the Celtic era. Take the Salzbergbahn up to the Skywalk, where breathtaking panoramic views await. From here, you’ll experience Lake Hallstatt from a bird’s-eye perspective. On the impressive 12-meter-long observation platform, visitors float 360 meters above the rooftops of Hallstatt.

Skywalk in Hallstatt on the Salzberg while hiking with the family in the Salzkammergut

The Salt 101: A tiny treasure with a Big Story

Salt is essential for our bodies

With the help of the electrolyte’s sodium and chloride, salt regulates the body's water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. It also plays a crucial role in bone structure, digestion, nerves, and muscle function.

Why was salt once so valuable?

Salt is essential for human life, which is why civilizations have long settled near salt sources and traded this precious resource. Additionally, salt was vital for preserving food, a practice especially important before the advent of refrigeration. In some cultures, salt was even used as currency.

Salt as the Inspiration for Numerous Places

Have you ever wondered where places like Hallstatt, Schwäbisch Hall, Hallein, or Hall in Tirol got their names? You’ve probably guessed the answer. The Celts called salt "hala," and many places tied to salt production still carry this name today.

The Salzkammergut’s Historic Privileges

During the Habsburg monarchy, the Salzkammergut held a special status, enjoying numerous privileges and exemptions from taxes and duties. Emperor Franz Joseph I spent more than eighty summers in Bad Ischl, and to this day, the Kaiservilla remains a popular attraction for visitors.

Salt as a Resource in Plentiful Supply

Salt is a precious natural resource and fortunately, there’s no shortage in sight. The deposits in underground salt mines alone are enough to last for generations. And with the immense quantities found in the world’s oceans, scientists agree that salt will remain abundantly available for human use well into the future.

The BergeSeen Trail

For those looking to explore the Salzkammergut on foot, we highly recommend the BergeSeen Trail. This unique long-distance hiking trail connects numerous paths throughout the Salzkammergut, leading hikers from lake to lake across this picturesque region. A total of 35 lakes, including Attersee, Traunsee, Mondsee, Fuschlsee, Offensee, and Lake Hallstatt, can be admired along the way. This gives the BergeSeen Trail a distinctive global appeal.

Hiking Vacations on the BergeSeen Trail

Active Getaway Between Mountains and Lakes

Over 370 kilometers (230 miles) and 14,000 meters (45,930 feet) of elevation offer hikers a journey through diverse landscapes, spectacular panoramic trails, and countless opportunities for a refreshing dip in the shimmering waters. The BergeSeen Trail starts in Gmunden on Lake Traunsee in Upper Austria, winding its way through Attersee to St. Wolfgang, then heading into Salzburg’s Fuschlsee region. It crosses the Osterhorn Group, travels through lush alpine meadows, and returns to the other shore of Lake Wolfgang. From the imperial town of Bad Ischl, the trail leads towards Dachstein, through Styria’s Salzkammergut, and up to the Tauplitzalm. It then ascends to the Dead Mountains (Totes Gebirge), descends to Offensee, passes through the Almtal, and finishes at Lake Laudachsee before returning to Gmunden. The BergeSeen Trail truly takes you through the crème de la crème of the Salzkammergut.

Our recommendation: Select your favorite regions along the BergeSeen Trail, slip into your hiking boots, and explore the stunning corners of the Salzkammergut at your own pace with just the essentials.

The Most Beautiful Hiking Tours on the BergeSeen Trail

To help you decide, here are several tour recommendations along the BergeSeen Trail, with detours to other must-see highlights in the Salzkammergut, all well worth a visit. The individual stages of the trail offer an easy entry point, making both day hikes and multi-day hiking tours perfectly manageable.

We’ve packed several beautiful stages of the long-distance trail into diverse hiking tours. Let yourself be inspired and start planning your active getaway in the stunning Salzkammergut. Here, we present three tours for you to consider.

The Dachstein High Loop Trail

The UNESCO World Heritage region of Dachstein Salzkammergut offers unforgettable hiking experiences for seasoned mountain hikers. On this trekking journey around Dachstein, you'll hike from Raumsau to the Hofpürglhütte at the base of the Bischofsmütze, spending the night nestled in the mountains and savoring the region's most stunning view over a hearty alpine breakfast. In the days that follow, you'll embark on a breathtaking high-altitude hike beneath the jagged spires of the Gosaukamm, a loop hike through the iconic town of Hallstatt, and scale the rugged peak of Stoderzinken.

Hiker with travel documents looking towards Bischofsmütze

Dachstein High Altitude Circular Path

8 Days

13 ratings

Hiker on the Dachstein High Altitude Circular Path

Alpine Hiking in the Salzkammergut

Attention, food lovers and mountain fans! On an alpine hike through the Salzkammergut, you’ll enjoy lush meadows dotted with colorful alpine flowers, countless panoramic views of the surrounding lakes, and numerous opportunities to sample regional delicacies from the alpine kitchen. Along the huts on the trail, you’ll find typical Salzkammergut specialties: from Pofesen and apple strudel to Kaiserschmarrn and hearty platters of charcuterie.

Hiking couple with dog on the Genneralm with alpine hut in the background

Alpine Pasture Hike in the Salzkammergut

8 Days

15 ratings

Salzkammergut Lakes & Dachstein Glacier

Starting at Lake Traunsee, the official beginning of the BergeSeen Trail, your journey takes you to Ebensee, where the Feuerkogel cable car transports you to the high plateau of the Höllengebirge. From there, continue to the charming spa town of Bad Ischl. The trail then leads you to Lake Wolfgang, winding through scenic alpine meadows towards the Postalm. With the majestic Dachstein Glacier in sight, you’ll cross the Gosaukamm before descending by cable car back to the valley, where you can unwind and reflect on your adventure.