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Walking around the lakes of Salzburg

8 Days

41,3 miles | 66,5 Km

St. Gilgen - Bad Goisern

From

8 Days

41,3 miles | 66,5 Km

St. Gilgen - Bad Goisern

From

Walking around the lakes of Salzburg

8 Days

41,3 miles | 66,5 Km

St. Gilgen - Bad Goisern

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This itinerary explores the spectacular lakes of Salzburg, combining crystal-clear waters, gentle Alpine hills, lush forests, and traditional villages. You’ll walk along scenic lakeside trails by lakes such as Wolfgangsee and Hallstättersee, enjoying open mountain views and the unmistakable Alpine charm of the region.

Start in St. Gilgen, a picturesque village on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee, with time to stroll through its center before beginning your first stages.
Pass by Lake Schwarzensee and continue on to Bad Ischl, a historic imperial town known for its cafés and traditional architecture.
Enjoy stages with spectacular views, including mountain sections toward Siriuskogel and Elferkogel, where the Alpine landscapes unfold in all their splendour.
Visit the iconic lakeside town of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with time to wander among its colourful houses by the water.
At each stage you can savour Austrian local cuisine, from schnitzel and apfelstrudel to regional specialties and cosy cafés.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in St. Gilgen

The first day begins with your arrival in Salzburg. From there, you should take a bus on your own to St. Gilgen, an idyllic village on the lakeshore, surrounded by mountains and emerald-colored waters like those of Fuschlsee, where motorboats are not allowed.

Fuschl: If there is no availability in St. Gilgen, you will be accommodated in this village. Please keep this in mind when using public transport to reach the start of the route and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in St. Gilgen

Hotel Gasthof zur Post

Built in 1330, its foundations and part of the façade date back to the Middle Ages, giving it a special charm. It has been recently renovated and expanded to offer comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.

The property features a restaurant as well as a spectacular terrace with views.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 2 - Enjoy your day at Lake Wolfgangsee 5,5 miles | 8,8 km

Today marks the beginning of your walking adventure, with a short bus ride followed by a pleasant walk to Lake Wolfgangsee. The trail crosses the peaceful Ellmautal Valley until reaching the Mozartblick viewpoint (824 m), a natural balcony offering spectacular views of the lake and the impressive Schafberg.

After a break to enjoy the Alpine scenery, you will descend back to St. Gilgen, a charming lakeside village closely linked to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as it is where his mother was born.

To complete the day, you can choose one of its traditional restaurants and savour local specialties accompanied by a refreshing Austrian beer in a cozy lakeside atmosphere.

Fuschl: If there is no availability in St. Gilgen, you will be accommodated in this village. Please keep this in mind when using public transport to reach the start of the route and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in St. Gilgen

Hotel Gasthof zur Post

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 3 - From St. Gilgen to Strobl 5,6 miles | 9 km

You will leave behind the traditional buildings of St. Gilgen as you head toward the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee. The hike ascends to Faulkenstein, where the 14th-century pilgrimage church dedicated to St. Wolfgang is located. From this point, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The route continues along the local pilgrimage trail, with informational panels detailing the saint’s history. After descending, you will reach the picturesque village of St. Wolfgang, where you can stroll through its charming streets before heading to the idyllic Strobl, where you will spend the night.

To reach Strobl, you can take bus line 546. More information is available on the ÖBB-Postbus GmbH website.

Bad Ischl: If there is no availability in Strobl, you will be accommodated in this town. Please keep this in mind when using public transport to reach the start of the route and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Strobl

Hotel Strobler Hof

Surrounded by a beautiful garden, this accommodation offers comfortable, fully equipped rooms with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.

It also features a restaurant where you can taste typical local dishes.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 4 - Enjoy your day at Lake Schwarzensee 8,3 miles | 13,4 km

Start with a delicious breakfast before embarking on the Bürgl panoramic route from Strobl to Schwarzensee. After climbing some wooden stairs and completing a short but steep ascent, the idyllic lake invites you for a refreshing swim.

You can take a walk around the lake and continue to St. Wolfgang, where you can enjoy a drink at one of its charming lakeside outdoor breweries.

Finally, you should return to Strobl using public transport on your own, completing a relaxing day surrounded by Alpine landscapes. To reach Strobl, you can take bus line 546. More information is available on the ÖBB-Postbus GmbH website.

Bad Ischl: If there is no availability in Strobl, you will be accommodated in this town. Please keep this in mind when using public transport to reach the start of the route and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Strobl

Hotel Strobler Hof

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 5 - From Strobl to Bad Ischl 9,3 miles | 15 km

At the start of the day, you will walk along the banks of the Ache and Ischl rivers heading toward the imperial town of Bad Ischl. Along the way, you will pass Lake Nussensee, one of the favorite spots of Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Joseph I.

You will continue along a peaceful forest trail, built in memory of Sisi, until you reach Bad Ischl, a charming spa town that served as the summer retreat for the Austrian Empire’s aristocracy.

In the afternoon, you can explore the historic center and, if you wish, visit the impressive Villa Kaiser, the former 19th-century Habsburg residence that Franz Joseph I described as "paradise on earth."

Bad Goisern: If there is no availability in Bad Ischl, you will be accommodated in this town. Please keep this in mind when using public transport to reach the start of the route and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Bad Ischl

Villa Seilern

Located in a classic villa built in 1881, it offers modern and elegant rooms with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.

In addition to a large garden, the property also features numerous common areas and a restaurant.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 6 - Enjoy your day around Katrin Alm 5,5 miles | 8,8 km

Today’s route takes you to Siriuskogel, located in Bad Ischl at about 600 meters above sea level. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of the town from the observation tower.

To continue the route, you should take the cable car on your own to Katrin Alm, at 1,400 meters altitude. More information about the cable car is available on the Katrin Seilbahn website.

From there, ascend to Katrinkogel (1,544 m) and Elferkogel (1,603 m), enjoying panoramic views of the stunning Salzkammergut landscapes. At the Katrin Alm mountain refuge, you can savor a traditional homemade Kaiserschmarrn, fluffy hot pancakes served with homemade jam and powdered sugar.

After this stop, you will descend back to Bad Ischl, completing an intense but highly rewarding mountain day.

Bad Goisern: If there is no availability in Bad Ischl, you will be accommodated in this town. Please keep this in mind when using public transport to reach the start of the route and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Bad Ischl

Villa Seilern

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 7 - From Bad Ischl to Bad Goisern 7,1 miles | 11,5 km

Today’s route begins with a train and ferry journey to Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Bad Ischl, you will reach Hallstatt by taking the Regional Express train and then the ferry to Hallstatt Markt. More information about the train journey is available on the ÖBB website, and ferry details on the Hallstättersee Schifffahrt website.

This picturesque village, which even has a replica in China, looks straight out of a fairytale: cobblestone streets, traditional houses, and green mountains rising sharply from the crystal-clear lake waters. Take some time to explore Hallstatt before taking the ferry back to the eastern shore of the lake.

From there, the route continues with spectacular views of the lake and the Dachstein Glacier, advancing toward Bad Goisern, a charming village where you can enjoy a relaxed and authentic end to the day amid Alpine landscapes.

Bad Ischl: If there is no availability in Bad Goisern, you will be accommodated in this town. Please keep this in mind when using public transport to reach the start of the route and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Bad Goisern

Hotel Moserwirt

Surrounded by the Austrian Alps, it offers spacious, fully equipped rooms with free Wi-Fi.

In addition, the property features a beautiful garden and a restaurant where you can try local cuisine.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 8 - Bad Goisern

After a delicious breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and return to your place of origin.

End of our services.

Itinerary Map

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Services

Included

Accommodation in en suite rooms
Daily Breakfasts
Luggage transfers between accommodations
Transfers as specified in the itinerary
Information dossier with maps and routes
24-hour telephone support
Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO₂ emissions of your trip
Taxes

Extras

Travel insurance
Cancellation insurance
Additional nights

Accomodation

General information

The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.

Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.

The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.

We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.

The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.

Room types

It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.

All rooms have private bathrooms.

Travel & Transfers

To reach the starting point of this walking route, we recommend flying to Salzburg Airport. First, you should get to the city center by taking bus lines 180 or 181. Once there, take bus line 150 to reach St. Gilgen.

More information is available on the Salzburg Public Transport website.

To return to your home city from Bad Goisern, we recommend flying from Salzburg Airport. To get to the airport, take bus line 541 to Bad Ischl Bahnhof, then bus line 150 to the Salzburg city center, and finally bus line 2 to the airport.

More information is available on the Salzburg Public Transport website.

FAQs

What is the best time of year to do this trip?

The trip can be taken between May and October, the ideal period to enjoy the trails and landscapes. This Alpine region usually offers warm and sunny summers, perfect for walking along its lakes and rolling hills. However, weather in the Alps can change quickly, especially at higher altitudes, so it’s important to be prepared for sudden weather changes, including the possibility of occasional snowfall in mountain areas, regardless of the time of year.

What should my physical preparation be?

This route has a medium difficulty, making it ideal for those looking for 4 to 6 hours of walking per day, with ascents that can be steeper and longer.It is recommended that you are in good physical condition and in good health. Some sections of the hike feature uneven terrain, including rocky areas

Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?

Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations. It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:

Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).

The approximate luggage delivery time will be at 4:00 PM.

How far in advance should I book my trip?

We suggest you make your booking as soon as possible, as soon as you have decided on your travel dates, since accommodation in this destination tends to sell out quickly.

What equipment do I need to bring?

Since the walks will be along rocky coastal trails with ascents and descents, it is essential to have walking boots. Our information dossier provides detailed advice and a recommended kit, including waterproof gear, a hat, sunscreen, and other items that may be useful.

What if I'm not able to finish one of the stages?

You can take public transport or taxis to your next accommodation. Please check with the accommodation providers or our local partner, as they are the best qualified to give you advice.