Bad Ischl, Bad Aussee, Hallstatt…what are we talking about? Of course the Salzkammergut. Along the clear rivers and blue-green lakes you experience the treasures of region with all your senses. Gorgeous natural landscapes, historic backdrops and picturesque villages line this hiking paradise.
In a good mood, big and little hikers explore nature’s beauty. Numerous activities off the beaten track offer the opportunity to treat both the kids and mum and dad to a break. Be it bathing in the lake, a boat trip over the blue beauties or visiting well-known sights. Time to recover is never too short on this hiking trip!
Details about the hiking holiday in the Salzkammergut
The holiday starts in the heart of the Salzkammergut – in the beautiful imperial city of Bad Ischl. After the comfortable journey you will trek on day two to the Siriuskogel with a wonderful mountain view. But that’s not all, there’s even more enjoyment for all ages in the Salzkammergut-Therme, which invites you to kick back and relax.
After a good sleep, on day three you take the train to Bad Aussee. The hike to the Altausseer lake will make you happy. In between, numerous bathing spots line the shore. A jump into the beautiful lake and a well-deserved snack will bring a smile to your face.
On the trail of the salt you walk towards the picturesque Hallstatt. The Salzbergbahn, the salt mine and the village itself provide insights into the history. The feet of little hikers need a break? Enjoy the incredible charm of Hallstatt over coffee and cake before returning to Bad Ischl in the final stage.
Highlights of the hiking trip for families at a glance
Siriuskogel/Bad Ischl: With the aid of 15 exciting stations, the ascent to the Siriuskogel is made easy for little hikers. The adventure is far from over! While mum and dad relax, the petting zoo, adventure playground and observation tower await little summiteers.
Skywalk/Hallstatt: Going up with the Salzbergbahn, that’s how they do it in Hallstatt. Once at the top, you can enjoy the ‘world heritage view’ with the whole family. Heights? A breathtaking and unforgettable view awaits you on the 360m high, floating observation deck!
Useful information about the tour
Entertainment and fun are the focus of the hiking holiday. Little guests should definitely have basic condition and hiking experience. The minimum age is six.
Your week of walking in the Salzkammergut starts very leisurely. After a hearty breakfast you gleefully ascend onto the Siriuskogel, the popular viewpoint in the middle of Bad Ischl, where you use all your senses, since as you ascend on the ‚Adventure for the Senses‘-trail as 15 exciting stations await. At the top further adventures are in store: an adventure playground, a petting zoo and a accessible observation tower situated right next to the comfortable inn. For the afternoon plenty of time remains to either run riot in the Salzkammergut-thermal springs or enjoy a swim in the public pool ‚Parkbad Ischl‘.
There is a reason why the word ‚Salzkammergut‘ contains the word ‚salt‘ (Salz) – salt has always played an important part in this region. Hence the oldest ‚brine-pipeline‘ in the world can be found in the Salzkammergut! Today you walk along the historic ‚brine-path‘ as far as Bad Goisern. You walk along easy trails from the promenade in Bad Ischl continuously along the river Traun into the Kaltenbachau-area. Past rapids and roaring waves you proceed to Lauffen and onwards to Bad Goisern. Info boards frequently give you an insight into life in this region. If you want to cut the route in half, you take the train to/from Lauffen.
Your day starts with a comfortable train ride to Bad Aussee followed by a walk to Altaussse. This is the location of Lake Altausseer See, nestling in the mountain world of the ‚Dead Mountains‘ (Totes Gebirge). Crystal clear water and a uniquely shimmering colour turn this lake perhaps into the most stunning Alpine lake ever. Marvel at unforgettable views onto the mighty rock faces of the ‚Trislwand‘ and the peak of Mount Loser. The marvellously designed walking path leads you continuously along the lakeside. Numerous spots for swimming always offer an opportunity to take a break. For sure one of the most beautiful circular walks of the Salzkammergut region.
Today you leave the Ausseerland region. You follow the lively river Traun to the ‚Austeg‘. There the wilderness of the Koppental-valley awaits you. You walk across an impressive suspension bridge over the roaring river and you proceed along a former railway track next to the crystal clear river Koppentraun, accompanying your route roaring noisily all the way to the inn ‚Koppental‘. After a short break you continue with renewed energy to the entrance of the cave ‚Koppenbrüllerhöhle‘, which is well worth a visit. Then you descend to Obertraun, where you walk to your accommodation or take the boat ride across to Hallstatt.
Depending on the location of your accommodation you take the boat across Lake Hallstätter See into the World Heritage Site Hallstatt. By salt mine train you roll up to the Skywalk and enjoy the ‚World Heritage View‘ – on the 360-metre high, free-floating viewing-platform it is hard to get enough of the view. Nevertheless your hiking adventure continues. Afterwards we strongly recommend you visit the salt mine. Only there will you experience the air and touch of days gone by up close and get to slide down fun wooden slides just like the miners used to do! You walk back along the ‚brine-path‘ downhill past the roaring waterfall with stunning views onto Hallstatt headed to your accommodation or cross the lake again back to Obertraun.
Today you walk along probably the most beautiful hiking path in the im Salzkammergut region called the ‚Ostuferwanderweg‘ along the eastern shores to Untersee. You walk through fjord-like lake scenery and enjoy one more time the picturesque view onto Hallstatt, however this time from the opposite side. At the suspension bridge towards the defensive ditch you get to look down into the deepest part of the lake glistening in blue. En route you walk through jolly wooded areas, along gravel paths across meadows and along easy walking paths it is vital that you pack your swimming things – the marvellous, fresh lake invites again and again to take a break and have a swim. From either Untersee or Steeg you take the train back to Bad Ischl.
Ice cave, ‚Five Fingers‘ on Mount Krippenstein, waterfall ‚Wildbachstrub‘ with glacier-educational trail... there would be so much more to discover in the Salzkammergut – perhaps you decide to stay one or two extra nights in one of the pretty villages of the Salzkammergut region.
Tour character
Minimum age 6 years old. Requirements: basic fitness level and hiking experience. Children should be used to walking a couple of hours at a time. Walking tours mostly on well-maintained hiking paths along rivers and lakes. All hiking tours remain easy and entertaining with each day being completely different to the next. Some routes can be comfortably managed by bus or train.
1 Salzkammergut Erlebnis Card (reductions for cable cars, thermal bath Bad Ischl, salt mine Hallstatt, Boat rides, etc.)
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
App for Navigation and GPS-data available
Service hotline
Infos
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
Arrival by train in Salzburg and then by bus in approx. 1,5 hours to Bad Ischl. Or arrival by train in Bad Ischl.
Salzburg or Munich airports.
Parking: limited number of hotel parking spaces available free of charge, no reservation possible. Public car park near the hotel, cost approx. EUR 35 per week, no reservation possible, payable on site.
Things to note:
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
Train journey to/from Lauffen on Day 3, approx. EUR 3 per person
Journey from Bad Aussee to Altaussee, approx. EUR 5 per person
Visit of salt mine world ‚Salzbergwelt‘ Hallstatt, approx. EUR 24 per adult and approx. EUR 17 per child
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!