The Austrian Lakes – Salzkammergut & Ausseerland in luxury

Salzburg, Austria

Holiday overview

Destination

Austria


Type

Self Guided, Wine Tours


Difficulty

Moderate


Month

May - Oct


Price

£ 1475 pp


Duration

7 nights


Discover the highlights of the Salzkammergut, from the alpine pastures above lake Wolfgangsee to the venerable Ausseerland, embraced by the mountain tops of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage ‚Dachstein’ region. The Salzkammergut is characterised by rugged peaks and small lakes dotted at the foot of the mountains.

Stay in delightful atmospheric luxury hotels and enjoy a relaxed active holiday in the Austrian Lakes.

Discover the highlights of the Salzkammergut, from the alpine pastures above lake Wolfgangsee to the venerable Ausseerland, embraced by the mountain tops of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage‚ Dachstein’ region. The Salzkammergut is characterised by rugged peaks and small lakes dotted at the foot of the mountains.

This is a moderate walking tour where you stay in high level hotels in some of the most beautiful countryside..  The highest altitude gain is 490m and the average daily altitude gain is 250 with the same descent.

 

Price: 2023 

7 night tour

£1475 (1st May – 28th May and 19th September – 7th October

£1525 (29th May – 

18th June and 4th September to 17th September

£1650 (19th June to 3rd September)

Single Room Supplement  £380.00

4 night holiday – (first four nights of tour)

£985 (1st May – 28th May and 19th September – 7th October

£1050 (29th May – 18th June and 4th September to 17th September

£1090 (19th June to 3rd September)

Single Room Supplement  £240.00

Transfer from Salzburg to the first hotel possible on request.

Included:

  • Welcome meeting when maps and route notes and everything else you need for the holiday will be handed over.
  • 7 nights accommodation in luxury hotels/ or 4 nights if the short break chosen
  •  luggage transfers,  ferry tickets Wolfgansee and Hallstättersee
  •  Cruise Wolfgangsee,
  •  Valley cable car fare Salzbergbahn Hallstatt
  • Train fare from Hallstatt to Bad Goisern, from Bad Goisern to Bad Ischl
  • Salzkammergut Erlebnis Card (reductions for cable cars, thermal bath Bad Ischl, salt mine Hallstatt, )

 

 

Day 1:  Arrive  Lake Wolfgangsee

At the welcome meeting, you will be given the maps and route notes, boat tickets etc. and everything else you need for the holiday.

 

Day 2:  Circular walk St. Wolfgang & St. Gilgen  

Take the boat to St. Wolfgang. Enjoy beautiful views of the lake as you walk along a walking trail to Falkenstein rock wall, this idyllic path along the lake takes you into Mozart village St. Gilgen. Return journey by boat.

Walking time: approx. 3.5 hrs   11km / 7 miles

 

Day 3:  From Wolfgangsee to Bad Ischl

Walk from St. Wolfgang to lake Schwarzensee.   Take a welcome break at the lake cabin of Lore and enjoy the delicious homemade snacks here.  The walk continues along the  Via Wirer gorge into the valley and around Bürglstein to the lake promenade of Strobl.   From here take a bus / 14kmto the old Imperial summer residence Bad Ischl.

Walking time: approx. 3 to 4 hrs / 14km/ 9 miles

 

Day 4: Free Day to enjoy Bad Ischl

There are many places of interest in Bad Ischl, Kaiservilla of the Emperor Franz Josef’s summer residence, Café Zauner with famous delicacies or a visit to the Salzkammergut thermal spa.

 

Day 5: From Bad Ischl to Bad Goisern

Salt always has been an important source of income in the 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 amusements such as horse races, picnics and rendezvous.  Walk then on the brine pipeline trail to Bad Goisern, the gateway to UNESCO heritage Hallstatt.

Walking time: approx: 3.5 hrs  12 km / 7.5 miles

 

Day 6:  Circular walk World Cultural Heritage Hallstatt

The walk continues on the brine pipeline trail to the salt mountain in Hallstatt (salt mine dates back to Celtic times).  Here you enjoy a scenic view of the lake and Dachstein massif. Plan a visit of the salt mine, enjoy the views from the top of Rudolf’s tower and visit the excavation sites. A boat ride takes you across the lake back to Bad Goisern.

Walking time: approx. 4.5 hrs / 13 km 8 miles

 

Day 7:  From Bad Goisern to Wolfgangsee

Take the train to Bad Ischl and from there walk along the romantic Sissi-Path to the tiny lake Nussensee and from there continue along the river Ischl , through the nature reserve Blinklingmoos back to St Wolfgansee.

Walking time: approx: 5.5 hrs  18 km / 11.5 miles

 

Day 8: Departure

 

HOTEL:

St. Wolfgang: Weisses Rössl 4****

Internationally renowned is this hotel on Lake Wolfgangsee because of Ralph Benatzky’s operetta. However this traditional hotel does not rest on the laurels of its glittering past. On the contrary: this family-led business is a legend, never growing tired of defining itself anew. Located directly at the lake complete with spa area and heated pool in the lake a hotel with all amenities awaits. Feel completely at ease at the

www.weissesroessl.at

Bad Ischl: Villa Seilern 4****S

Located in the picturesque spa town of Bad Ischl, Villa Seilern consists of a classical villa built in 1881 and its modern and stylish annex building. The spa area comprises a sauna, a steam bath, a hot tub and an indoor pool. Each of the bright and modern rooms at Villa Seilern comes with a balcony with views of local mountain and are fitted with furniture made of natural materials like wood. In the restaurant you enjoy fine Austrian and international cuisine. www.villaseilern.at

Hallstatt: Heritage Hotel Hallstatt 4****

Wedged between the mountain and the lake, in the middle of the UNESCO world cultural heritage you can really feel the unique ‘Hallstatt’-feeling. The Hotel ‘Heritage’ unifies three historic town houses into one very special hotel: in the heritage-protected buildings no hotel room looks like the other, every room enchants with its own story and decor. You will be fascinated by this unique flair and the stylish furniture in the most amazing lake-town in the world. www.hotel-hallstatt.com

 

GETTING THERE

Salzburg is the most convenient airport to fly into and is served by many airlines.

We can arrange a transfer from the airport or station to the hotel – please ask for cost at time of booking.

 

LEVEL OF WALKING

Moderate.

What to take:

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sunblock/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit.

 

Insurance:

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
Contact us now to book this walk or make an enquiry.