Walking the Salzburg Lakes, Austria

8 Days & 7 Nights

4.7

Walking the Salzburg Lakes

Hike Austria's Salzburg Lakes, made famous by the 'Sound of Music'
Enjoy views of crystal-clear lakes and wild rivers surrounded by dramatic mountains
Discover the picture-book village of Hallstatt and the historical town of Bad Ischl
Walk through flower-filled meadows, along lake side paths and on well-built mountain trails
Indulge in typical Austrian delicacies like delicious Schnitzel and rich Apfelstrudel

Austria’s Salzburg Lakes region (Salzkammergut) boasts over 70 beautiful lakes, impressive Alpine backdrops and traditional towns and villages. Enjoy easy to moderate walks along the banks of the Fuschl, Wolfgang and Hallstätter Lakes. Discover world famous towns like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt, a lake-side village brimming with pastel-coloured buildings, and St. Gilgen, a charming town on Wolfgangsee with a Mozart connection. Short hikes mean you can spend your afternoons soaking up the relaxed atmosphere while exploring the towns by way of their cafés, beer gardens and restaurants, sampling Austrian classics like Kasnocken (dumplings with cheese and onions) and of course, the ubiquitous apple strudel. This itinerary is the perfect balance of activity, discovery and relaxation, the best way to take in this beguiling region.

From $1,515.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Fuschl am See Day 2 Walk to St. Gilgen 5 miles / 8 km Day 3 Walk to St. Wolfgang, bus/ferry to Strobl 6 miles / 10 km Day 4 Walk to Schwarzensee 10 miles / 16 km Day 5 Walk to Bad Ischl 9 miles / 15 km

Walk along the banks of the Ache and Ischl rivers to reach the imperial town of Bad Ischl. En route you’ll find the small and tranquil Nussensee lake, a beloved destination of Empress Elisabeth (known endearingly as Sisi) and Emperor Franz Josef I. Continue on a peaceful forest path which was built in Sisi’s memory before finally reaching Bad Ischl. A lovely spa town which was the preferred summer getaway of the upper echelons of the Austrian Empire. Spend the afternoon exploring this historical town. Why not visit the spectacular Kaiser Villa? The former residence of the Habsburgs in the 1800’s, Franz Josef once described it as 'heaven on Earth'.

Ascent/Descent: 200m/295m

During high season due to availability you may be accomodated in Bad Goisern. With Public transport you will reach the start of the hike and get back to the hotel. All information will be provided in your documentation.

Overnight Bad Ischl

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Goldenes Schiff | Hotel

The family-run Hotel Goldenes Schiff is located on the banks of the river Traun in the heart of Bad Ischl. Facilities include an on-site restaurant and a spa which includes a sauna, a steam bath, a hydro-massage bath and a relaxation area.

Boutiquehotel Hubertushof | 4 Star

UPGRADE

This traditional Salzkammergut hotel manges to blend the contemporary with the the regions heritage. This family-run hotel has been welcoming guests for almost 150 years. It's surrounded by mountain landscapes, forests and lakes, making it the perfect place for nature lovers and walkers.

Villa Seilern

Upgrade

Located in the picturesque spa town of Bad Ischl, Villa Seilern Vital Resort consists of a classical villa built in 1881 and its modern and stylish annex building. You can unwind in the spa area and enjoy Austrian cuisine in the on-site restaurant.

Day 6 Walk to Siriuskogel and Elferkogel 9 miles / 15 km Day 7 Train and Boat to Hallstatt, walk to Bad Goisern 7 miles / 11 km

After breakfast, take a short train and ferry to Hallstatt, a world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, that interestingly has its own replica town in China. The village is very popular with visitors and it’s easy to see why. It looks as if it’s straight from a fairy-tale, with pretty cobbled streets and green mountains that rise up steeply from the crystal waters of Lake Hallstatter. Spend some time exploring the village before taking the ferry back to the east side of the lake. Follow a walking trail with beautiful views of Hallstatt and the Dachstein Glacier. Continue to Bad Goisern, another charming village but without the hustle and bustle of Hallstatt.

Ascent/Descent: 70m/85m

During high season due to availability you may be accomodated in Bad Ischl. With Public transport you will reach the start of the hike and get back to the hotel. All information will be provided in your documentation.

Overnight Bad Goisern

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Moserwirt | Hotel

This fantastic 3* hotel benefits from a peaceful location surrounded by beautiful mountains and only a few minutes walk from Bad Goisern’s small but charming pedestrianised centre. Enjoy a cocktail or local beer at the traditional bar.

Landhotel Agathawirt

In the heart of the Salzkammergut on the outskirts of the tranquil village of Bad Goisern, the Landhotel Agathawirt is a small, family-run hotel with a beautiful garden. The main building dates from the early 16^th century and has restored frescos, renaissance windows and marble doorways. The comfortable en suite rooms are situated in the modern section of the property. The restaurant serves local traditional cuisine.

There is a swimming pool and all rooms have TV’s. Wifi is available throughout the property.

Hotel Goldenes Schiff | Hotel

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our greenest trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals

Accommodations

Due to a minimum stay in the hotels during peak season, your itinerary will be affected by this and we will book The region has a very good public transport network with many buses, regional trains and ferries, so your walks can be easily reached.

You will spend 7 nights in comfortable 3 & 4* hotels and guesthouses. The hotels have been hand-picked and all offer a warm welcome to hikers. The accommodation we normally use is indicated in the itinerary, however, is subject to availability. We will always try our best to accommodate you in the hotels and locations described, however, the Salzkammergut region is very popular and it may not always be possible. In these cases, we will accommodate you in nearby towns that can easily be reached by the region's excellent public transport network. You can add on extra nights in any of the overnight locations on this tour.

Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Austria (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.

Single Rooms and Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers but a solo walker supplement is payable. Single rooms are also available should someone in your party prefer to have their own room. Again, a supplement is payable.

Meals

7 Breakfasts are included in the cost of your trip. Breakfast is always buffet-style with various options available. Expect a continental breakfast with bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli available. Usually there are also local meats and cheeses, eggs and fruit on offer. Dinners and lunches are not included so you have the freedom to choose from what’s on offer each day. You may be able to order a packed lunch at your accommodation for the following day, or you can find bakeries and shops in each town to stock up on food for your hikes. There are plenty of options for dinner each night, either at your hotel or in nearby restaurants. Food in Austria is hearty and traditional, with meat and cheese being some of the dominant ingredients! If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at the time of booking.