Salzburg & St James’s Way

Salzburg, Austria

Holiday overview

Destination

Austria


Type

Self Guided


Difficulty

Moderate


Month

Apr - Oct


Price

£ 650 pp


Duration

7 nights


This seven-night holiday is a magical thousand-year-old route upon quiet trails in Austria.  From border to border you follow the St. Jacob’s pilgrims’ trail through Salzburg’s foothills of the Alps, Bavarian Rupertiwinkl and past impressive mountain scenery into the Tyrol. Salzburg with its long clerical history of Archbishops still welcomes pilgrims most cordially. Visit historic churches, walk through beautiful countryside and impressive trails and find your inner tranquillity.

A magical thousand-year old route. From boundary mark to boundary mark through the foothills of the Alps you walk on Salzburg’s Jacob’s Trail (St. James’s Way), Rupert’s Winkl and past high mountains into the Alps. The former clerical state of Salzburg always welcomed pilgrims and treated them very well. Interesting ecclesiastical sites, charming countryside and impressive walks contribute to a relaxing and reviving self-guided walking holiday.

 

Price:

£650.00 per person based on 2 people sharing (29 April – May 14 and September 18th – 7th October 2023)

£725.00 per person (May 15 – June 18 and August 28 – September 17th)

£770.00 per person June 19 – August 27th)

Single room supplement – £130.00

 

Included:

  • Accommodation for 7 nights (5 nights in 3 star country hotels and 2 nights in guesthouses with private bathrooms) with breakfast
  • Train fare Seekirchen – Oberhofen
  • Route instructions
  • Luggage transport
  • Local back-up
  • 4 star hotels possible in some places – please ask if you wish to upgrade.

 

Not Included:

  • Airfares (or bus or train fares) to starting point of trip
  • Meals except breakfast
  • Drinks
  • Travel insurance and gratuities.

 

Departure Dates:

29th April – 7th October 2023

Day 1: Arrival at Seekirchen on Lake Wallersee

Orientation meeting in the early evening when the route will be explained and you will be given everything you need for the walking tour.

 

Day 2: Train to Oberhofen – Eugendorf

Transfer to the border in Oberofen on Irrsee, where the Salzburg’s Jacobs Trail starts.  First you walk past soft green hills down to Lake Wallersee and then follow the path through a nature reserve to Eugendorf.

23 kms/14.4 miles Approx. 6 hours walking time  Ascent 340m, descent 360m

 

Day 3: Eugendorf – Salzburg

Enjoy the mountains in the distance as you walk  downhill to Salzburg, where a wealth of churches and ecclesiastical monuments wait to be discovered.  A detour to Maria Plain, a baroque pilgrim church towering high over Salzburg is worth the effort.

13 kms/8.15 miles Approx. 4 hours walking time  Ascent 130m/descent 250m

 

Day 4: Salzburg – Bad Reichenhall

Walk across the city in the direction of the Untersberg massif.   Cross the German border at Schloss Marzoll (castle) in the little town of Großgmain.  The day ends in the Bavarian salt mining town of Bad Reichenhall.  Take time to visit the new thermal spa.

17kms/11.25 miles Approx. 5.5 hours walking time ascent 190m/descent 140m

 

Day 5: Bad Reichenhall – Unken

Today you follow the river Saalach back into the area of Salzburg. When you have passed Lake Salzachsee the route penetrates into stunning mountain scenery through the wild and idyllic Saalach Valley.

18 kms/11 miles Approx. 5.5 hours walking time ascent 180m/ descent 140m

 

Day 6: Unken – Waidring

The route continue along the river Saalach into the widening valley around Lofer.  This mountain village has been able to retain much of its quaintness and original charm. In front of you the steep Loferer Steinberge mountain range seems to scrape the sky. Cross via the Strubpass into Tyrol.

21 kms/13.1 miles Approx. 6 hours walking time. ascent 380m/descent 160m

 

Day 7: Waidring/St. Ulrich – St. Johann

The route takes you past Lake Pillersee with its glittering waters and St Jacob’s church , to St. Johann.  There are great views of the Alps of Kitzbühel and the crags of the mountain range Wilder Kaiser.

26 kms/16.25 miles Approx. 4.5 or 6.5 hours walking time depending on the route chosen.

 

Day 8: Departure

ACCOMMODATION:

Accommodation in traditional 3* and 4* hotels.  All rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

 

GETTING THERE

Salzburg is the nearest airport or train station.  Take  bus from outside the station – journey about 45 minutes.  Ask for details.

Return journey from St Johan to Salzburg takes approx. 2.5 hours.  We can arrange a private transfer for approx. €85 per person (min 2 people).

 

LEVEL OF WALKING

The walking is relatively easy with two longer segments to master. However these can be shortened by bus, if required.  Mainly along asphalted roads, forest paths and mountain trails. You walk in valleys therefore there is little change in altitude.

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,
  • 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.