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Hiker with blue backpack walking on grassy path through meadow in Salzkammergut. Turquoise lake and mountains visible in background under blue sky.

Lake Walking in Austria’s Salzkammergut with Charm

White Horse Inn, Imperial Summer Residence and UNESCO Heritage

123  kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
123  kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
123  kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
Hiker with blue backpack walking on grassy path through meadow in Salzkammergut. Turquoise lake and mountains visible in background under blue sky.

The essentials at a glance

Explore Austria's Salzkammergut on this moderate 5-day self-guided walking tour. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt-Dachstein, stroll along Lake Wolfgangsee, and visit the Imperial town of Bad Ischl. Walk along the world's oldest brine pipeline and through scenic gorges. Daily distances average 12-18 km with minimal elevation changes. Includes luggage transfer, train and ferry rides, and the Salzkammergut Erlebnis Card for local attractions.

Do you have questions about this tour?

‘Most beautiful country in all time’ an old folk song claims and this quote truly applies to the Austrian Salzkammergut. Mountains, lakes and picturesque places belong to one of the most beautiful treasures of the world. Enchanting lakes invite you to swim or take a boat trip, while living traditions take you back to times long past. Just like Empress Sissi, you too should savour the tempting cakes and pastries in stylish patisseries and sample the culinary delights of the region.

Take it easy on the first day at Lake Wolfgang. Swim in the lake, stroll through the old town or hike on the Schafberg with a breathtaking view as a reward. Alternatively ride on the Schafbergbahn, it’s a highlight.

The first hiking stage takes you a leisurely 12km (and by bus) to Bad Ischl. Be sure to stop by the rustic Lore at the Schwarzensee and try your hand at Kaspressknödel, Surbratl, fish and Kaiserschmarrn. On days 3 and 4, the historic salt path to Bad Goisern, the world-famous Hallstatt, the romantic Nussensee and the natural Blinklingmoos await you.

  • World famous lakeside towns of St. Wolfgang and Hallstatt: The two places seem almost kitsch when you stroll along the promenades and squares in the sunshine.  The architecture steeped in history, the traditional customs and the customs and wonderful traditional dress make these gems seem very special.
  • Imperial City of Bad Ischl: Taste the traditional pastry shops, walk in the footsteps of the Empress and visit the imperial locations around the Imperial Villa. Let yourself take in the Imperial flair.
  • World Cultural Heritage Hallstatt-Dachstein: Rugged rock faces and narrow valleys characterise the region as much as the historical salt mine and charming architecture. Humans and nature have lived here in constant symbiosis for around 3,000 years.
  • Hiking in the midst of a fascinating mountain and lake landscape: The alpine views are fascinating from all angles, but you can still hike here in a cosy atmosphere. Beauty as far as the eye can see, whether on the Schafberg, the Katrin Alm or the Eternal Wall.

The hiking tour is perfect for leisurely hikers, the route is almost exclusively flat and only in a few places hills or characterised by short inclines. The compressed stages are supplemented by trips by bus, train and tram in order to be able to offer you a multitude of wonderful sights of the region. Thanks to the included Salzkammergut Adventure Card, you receive many discounts on surrounding attractions.

On our ‘Hiking Tours with Charm’ you can enjoy the full service of our individual active holidays while staying in very special accommodation with that extra something in the best location. That means you can look forward to luxury furnishings and decor in the local style, as well as cuisine at the highest level. Many of our hotels with charm also offer large pools and a wellness area where you can relax after a lovely day of hiking.

Itinerary at a glance

At Lake Wolfgangsee, stroll through the famous town, take a dip or ride the cogwheel train up the Schafberg. The historical salt mining has left its mark on people to this day, as evidenced by the Hallstatt-Dachstein World Heritage Site.
Day
01

Arrival at Lake Wolfgangsee

From St. Wolfgang on Saddle walk to lake Schwarzensee. Here the lake cabin of Lore is worth a stop for the delicious home made snacks. Via Wirer gorge into the valley and around Bürglstein to the lake promenade of Strobl. By coach into the ancient Imperial summer residence Bad Ischl.

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. By train to Hallstatt. If you want to walk a little higher, you can hike on the spectacular mountain trail of the “Eternal Wall”.

By train to Bad Ischl. Along the romantic Sissi-Path you walk to the tiny Lake Nussensee then along river Ischl back to Lake Wolfgangsee. Through the nature reserve Blinklingmoos along the lake to Gschwendt. Back to today’s stop-over by ship.

Day
05

Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

At Lake Wolfgangsee, you stroll through the famous town St. Wolfgang, take a dip or ride the cogwheel train up the Schafberg. The historical salt mining has left its mark on people to this day, as evidenced by the Hallstatt-Dachstein World Heritage Site.

Once you’ve arrived at the picturesque Lake Wolfgangsee, you’ll have time to explore the area and take a stroll along the lakeshore. Why not take the opportunity to drive up to the Schafberg with Austria’s steepest cog railway for a breathtaking view of the Salzkammergut’s stunning mountain and lake scenery?

From St. Wolfgang on saddle walk to Lake Schwarzensee. Here the lake cabin of Lore is worth a stop for the delicious home made snacks. Via Wirer Gorge into the valley and around Bürglstein to the lake promenade of Strobl. By coach into the ancient Imperial summer residence Bad Ischl.

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. By train to Hallstatt. If you want to walk a little higher, you can hike on the spectacular mountain trail of the 'Eternal Wall'.

By train to Bad Ischl. Along the romantic Sissi path you walk to the tiny Lake Nussensee then along river Ischl back to Lake Wolfgangsee. If you wish, you can also follow the lakeside path through the nature reserve Blinklingmoos and along the lake to Gschwendt. Take the boat to get back to your stage finish.

Day
05

Departure or extension

Difficulty level

Moderate Walking

This tour combines pleasant walking with culture and places of interest. The walking paths are good, there are just some short ascents on smaller serpentine paths. We can recommend this tour for families.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in hotels with charm
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 Train ride Bad Goisern to Hallstatt
  • 1 Train ride Hallstatt - Bad Ischl
  • 2 ferry fare at lake Hallstättersee
  • 1 Salzkammergut Erlebnis Card (reductions for cable cars, thermal bath Bad Ischl, salt mine Hallstatt, Boat rides etc.)
  • Welcome briefing
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Printed route book, per room EUR 20
  • Transfers from/to airport/station Salzburg upon request.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train to Salzburg and in approx. 1 hour by bus to Wolfgangsee. Or travel by train to Bad Ischl and in approx. 30 minutes to Wolfgangsee
  • Salzburg airport and by bus to Wolfgangsee, duration approx. 1 hour
  • Munich airport and by train to the train station Salzburg and by bus to Wolfgangsee, duration approx. 3 hours
    (www.salzburg-verkehr.at, www.oebb.at)
  • Parking: Hotel parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 10 per day

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Bus ride Strobl – Bad Ischl, approx. EUR 8 per person
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in hotels with charm
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Boat and ferry rides Lake Wolfgangsee and Lake Hallstatt
  • Train rides Bad Goisern – Hallstatt and Hallstatt – Bad Ischl
  • 1 Salzkammergut Card (reductions for popular attractions, sights and leisure activities in the Salzkammergut)
  • Welcome briefing
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Printed route book, per person EUR 20
  • Transfers from/to Salzburg airport/main station upon request

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train to Salzburg and by bus to Lake Wolfgangsee, duration approx. 1 hour. Or travel by train to Bad Ischl and by bus to Lake Wolfgangsee, duration approx. 30 minutes (www.salzburg-verkehr.at, www.oebb.at)
  • Salzburg airport and by bus to Lake Wolfgangsee, duration approx. 1.5 hours (www.salzburg-verkehr.at)
  • Munich airport, by train to Salzburg main station and by bus to Lake Wolfgangsee, duration approx. 3 hours (www.bahn.de, www.salzburg-verkehr.at)
  • Parking: hotel parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 10 per day

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
  • Bus ride Strobl – Bad Ischl, costs approx. EUR 5 per person (free with the Guest Mobility Ticket, www.guestmobilityticket.at)
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Our hotels

Relax in our charming accommodations along your walking tour

Travel stories for this tour

Personally on site for you

Bianca Hirnböck

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Bianca Hirnboeck
Travel Specialist
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Monday - Friday: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM
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Sustainably on the go

Our contribution to climate protection

  • Active vacations are among the most environmentally friendly and healthiest ways to travel. Traveling on foot means moving in a climate-conscious way while conserving resources.

  • Our carefully selected accommodations, like us, are committed to lived sustainability. They are deeply rooted in their regions, work with local suppliers, provide attractive employment opportunities for local residents, and thereby strengthen local value creation.

  • With the Eurohike On Tour app, we offer a digital version of our travel documents, allowing you to navigate confidently while on the road. By moving to digital formats, we help conserve valuable natural resources.

  • Eurohike has been certified as a sustainable tour operator with the internationally recognized Travelife certification. To achieve this, more than 261 requirements were carefully met.

  • Even though hiking vacations (and cycling vacations with Eurobike) are among the most climate-friendly forms of travel, they still generate CO₂ emissions. These are carefully measured using the “Carmacal” calculator. Through our commitment to selected climate protection projects, we aim to give something back to the environment.

    123 kg
    CO₂-Emissions are offset
    CO₂ distribution:

    Accommodation (72%)

    Meals (16%)

    Transport (12%)

    123 kg
    CO₂-Emissions are offset
    CO₂ distribution:

    Accommodation (72%)

    Meals (16%)

    Transport (12%)

    123 kg
    CO₂-Emissions are offset
    CO₂ distribution:

    Accommodation (72%)

    Meals (16%)

    Transport (12%)

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