The Austrian Lakes

Austria

Holiday overview

Destination

Austria


Type

Self Guided


Difficulty

Moderate


Month

May - Oct


Price

£ 725 pp


Duration

7 nights


The Austrian Lakes have some of the finest scenery in Europe, and some parts of this region are only reachable by foot.

The landscape of the lakes in the Austrian Salzkammergut is one of the most beautiful in the country and indeed in the world (as recognised by the UNESCO status of the region of Hallstatt). Some special gems that can be reached only on foot – a treat on this self-guided walking tour. Agreeable walking distances taking 3 to 4 hours per day.

An introduction to the route will be given to you by our local representative in your hotel.

 

Price: 2023

£725 per person.   (low season: 1st May – 28th May and 18th September – 7th October)

£775 per person. (mid-season: 29th May – 18th June and 4th September – 17th September)

£850 per person (high season: 19th June to 3rd September)

Single room supplement £190.00

 

Included:

  • Accommodation for 7 nights in good 3 star hotels – see list under Additional information
  • Welcome meeting when route notes and maps and everything you need for the holiday will be handed over.
  • Breakfast
  • Boat fares on the lakes Wolfgangsee and Hallstättersee as per programme (8 day programme)
  • Train fare Hallstatt – Bad Goisern and Bad Goisern – Bad Ischl
  • Descent with the Salzberg cablecar at Hallstatt.
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel.
  • Route instructions
  • Salzkammergut Erlebnis Card (reductions for cable cars, thermal bath Bad Ischl, salt mine Hallstatt, Boat rides etc.)
  •  Welcome meeting

Not Included:

  • Airfares (or bus or train fares) to starting point of trip
  • Meals except breakfast
  • Travel insurance and gratuities
  • Bus from Stroble to Bad Ischl (4 euro approx.)
  • Transfers from Salzburg to first hotel can be arranged at additional cost

 

Departure Dates:

Self-Guided – Daily from May  to October

NOTE: This holiday is also available for 4 nights.  See Austrian Lakes short break.

Day 1: Arrival at Abersee/Wolfgangsee

Your welcome meeting will either be on the evening of your arrival or before your walk the next day.  At the meeting you will be given maps, route notes, tickets for the boats and everything you need for your holiday.

 

Day 2: St. Wolfgang-St. Gilgen

Take the boat to St. Wolfgang. The high walk to the Falkenstein wall offers a very fine view over the lake. Then the walk continues along the  idyllic Fürberg way along the lake and eventually we arrive at Mozart’s village of St. Gilgen. Return by boat.

Details: approx. 3,5 hours | 12 km | ­ ascent 260 m, descent 260 m.

 

Day 3: Wolfgangsee to Bad Ischl

Take the boat to St. Wolfgang, then continue along the Sattel (saddle) walk to lake Schwarzensee, where Madame Lore at the lake hut offers a great selection of local specialities. The walk continues down into the valley, by a  gorge and round the Bürglstein to the lake promenade in Strobl. Take the local  bus to the Emperors town of Bad Ischl. Overnight Bad Ischl.

Details: approx. 4,5 hours | 15 km | ­ ascent 290 m, descent  290 m.

 

Day 4: Rest day in Bad Ischl

Visit the Emperors villa, Café Zauner or the hotel Austria, where once upon a time the engagement of Emperor Franz Josef and Elisabeth of Bavaria (the Sissi of the famous film …) took place, and with the Thermal Baths there is plenty to do.  Overnight Bad Ischl.

 

Day 5: Bad Ischl to  Bad Goisern

Salt always has been an important raw material of the Salzkammergut. Walk the promenade alongside the river Ischl to the world cultural heritage site of Bad Goisern. Overnight Bad Goisern.

Details: approx. 3,5 hours | 12 km | ­ ascent 180 m, descent 100 m.

 

Day 6: Circular walk to  Hallstatt

Walk to the Salzberg (salt mountain) in Hallstatt. The Brine Pipeway Way rises gently and offers beautiful views over the little town of Hallstatt and the marvellous mountain massif of the Dachstein (highest mountain of Upper Austria). Cross the lake by boat and return to Bad Goisern. Overnight Bad Goisern.

Details: approx. 4,5 hours | 13 km | ­ ascent 420 m, descent 400 m.

 

Day 7: Bad Goisern to Wolfsgangsee

Take the train to Bad Ischl and walk along the Elisabeth-path to the idyllic little lake Nussensee and than along the river Ischl to back to your starting point in Wolfgangsee. Overnight Wolfgangsee.

Details: approx. 5,5 hours | 18 km | ­ ascent 260 m, descent 260 m.

 

Day 8: Departure

HOTEL:

Night 1 and 7: Hotel (example): Aberseehof

Night 2 & 3: Bad Ischl  Hotel (example): Goldenes Schiff

Night 5 & 6: Bad Goisern: Hotel (example): Goisererhof

(Sometimes we need to use another hotel if these are fully booked – hotels are of the same quality and category)

 

GETTING THERE

Salzburg is the most convenient airport to fly into and is served by airlines such as Flybe, Easyjet and Ryanair.

To get to the starting point of the holiday at Abersee/Lake Wolfgangsee there are bus connections from Salzburg bus station.  We can also arrange transfers on request.

 

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.