Self-Guided Walking
Austria: Salzburg
Walking in Austria’s Lake District
Trip code: W07SZ
Average customer rating 4.8 / 5(23 verified reviews)
- Self-Guided Walking
- 7 nights single centre
- Demanding
- CO₂ rating 1/5
- Headwater Navigation app
Trip highlights
Trip details
The Salzkammergut area (Austria’s Lake District) is one of the most impressive regions in the heart of the country. Boasting 76 lakes and with a beautiful mountain backdrop, it’s a perfect place to relax and let the calming atmosphere envelop you.
What's included
Included
- 7 nights in 4-star accommodation
- All breakfasts and 1 evening meals
- Briefing at the start of your holiday
- Headwater navigation app
Not included
- Flights
- Local taxes/fees
- Travel insurance
Travel options
Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099
Itinerary
Day 1 · —Arrive at Bad Ischl
Arrive at your 4 star hotel in Bad Ischl. A typical itinerary is shown below, although you’re free to pick and choose your walking each day as there are numerous options available.
You stay at Hotel Goldenes Schiff
Hotel Goldenes Schiff
Bad Ischl
- ATM
- Bank
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Tea & coffee
- Television
- Wifi access
The Hotel Goldenes Schiff boasts a prime location in Bad Ischl’s pedestrianised town centre and sits on the banks of the Traun River. Inside, it’s modern and comfortable, with first-class facilities including a spa, with sauna and steam room.
Day 2 · 14km/8.7mi or 11km/6.8miKolowratshohe or Jainzenberg
Two circular walk options direct from your hotel; one to Kolowratshohe, a lesser-known peak above Bad Ischl, with spectacular views and the added bonus of a mountain restaurant at Hoisnrad. Or, a picturesque walk to the summit of Jainzenberg, rising directly behind the Kaiserpark and the Kaiservilla.
Elevation
Day 3 · 12km/7.5mi or 8km/5.0miVormauerstein or Schwarzensee
Take a local bus to Wolfgangsee (payable locally), where you have the option of walking up to Vormauerstein for breathtaking views of the Schafberg and Lake Attersee. Picnic on the shores of Monichsee. Alternatively, take a route up through an impressive gorge to the stunning Schwarzensee for lunch at one of the restaurants and lake views. This option gives you more time to visit the charming village of St Wolfgang.
Elevation
Day 4 · 11km/6.8mi or 12km/7.5mi or 18km/11.2miHallstatt/Schneidkogel Summit walk
Today you have the opportunity to visit the spectacular alpine village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with around 7,000 years of history, as well as the chance to visit its historical salt mine. Travel by train and ferry, or by bus, to Hallstatt (payable locally), then choose from three route options around the village.
You can walk up towards the Skywalk or take the panoramic funicular railway, then continue up to Schneidkogel Summit (1551m) for a longer, more challenging walk. Alternatively, follow the shorter route back down to Hallstatt on a beautiful trail which takes you through the Glacier Garden and past some impressive waterfalls.
Elevation
Day 5 · —Free day
Options today include spending time in Bad Ischl itself, visiting the Kaiservilla and Kaiserpark, wandering through the Kurpark and riverside streets, or taking the short walk up to Siriuskogl for views over the town and surrounding hills. Alternatively, take the bus to St Gilgen, a delightful village on Wolfgangsee and a thriving lace-making centre in the 1700s. Mozart’s mother, Anna Maria Pertl, was born here, and the Mozart House explores the village’s links with the family. The Zwolferhorn cable car also goes from here, offering wide mountain views. Alternatively go by bus to explore Salzburg, or take the train and tram to the pottery town of Gmunden to visit the ceramic factories or the impressive Schloss Ort.
Day 6 · 15km/9.3mi or 19km/11.8miKatrin
Walk or take the cable car from Bad Ischl and visit the three summits of Katrin, Hainzen and Elferkogel. Sure-footedness is required, but from the peaks you are rewarded with an incredible 360-degree panorama as far as the snow-capped Dachsteins. Sit and take in the superb vistas from the two restaurants at the top cable car station.
Elevation
Day 7 · 12km/7.5mi or 15km/9.3miGschwendt or Sparber
Today take the bus to Strobl (payable locally), then choose between a low-level lakeside walk with views across Wolfgangsee to St Wolfgang and the Schafberg, or the longer, more challenging route around Sparber. The gentler option strolls through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve and on towards Gschwendt, while the hillier route has some stiff climbs and descents, with rewarding views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Elevation
Day 8 · —Leave Bad Ischl
Extending your holiday
Markus Sittikus
Salzburg
- Bank
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Other email access
- Shops
- Television
The 4 star Markus Sittikus is a beautifully presented hotel, based in an 18th century building with a mustard facade located in a quiet side street not far from the Mirabell palace, just a 15 minute walk from the old city.
Inside the hotel the decor is attractive and individual, with bold colours like mustard yellow and red tartan in the comfortable bar area, and some colourful murals painted on the walls throughout the building. Public rooms have period furniture and the upbeat interior, combined with the personal attention you receive from the friendly staff, make a stay here particularly memorable.
The hotel has 39 rooms though it feels smaller, with television (CNN/BBC), direct dial phones and hairdryers. Each one is individually decorated with attractive colour combinations and solid wooden furniture, in keeping with the age and status of the building.
It is also one of the few hotels in Salzburg to have a garden to relax in, if you are looking for some respite after doing the sights.
Villa Carlton
Salzburg
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
A 15-minute walk from Getreidegasse shopping street, this upscale hotel is 14 minutes from Mozart’s Birthplace.
Featuring elegant modern decor, the polished rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and desks. Some upgraded rooms have balconies and/or in-room tubs, while suites have living areas.
What our travellers say
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Positive impact
Carbon score for this trip
8.0
Kg CO₂e
per person, per night
Relative to other Headwater trips
We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more
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