Circular hiking trail

Ischl became a holiday home of European standing from the middle of the 19th century when Emperor Franz Joseph began to spend his holidays in his Ischl summer residence. Bad Ischl – a health resort since 1906 – is located in the heart of the Salzkammergut and offers itself as a starting point for this extraordinarily varied hiking trip. Leisure and relaxation can be found, for example, in the spa park, the spacious thermal bath or by a visit to the famous Café Zauner. At the hotel you will receive your detailed travel documents. (1 night)

With the Elisabeth Forest Trail, which was already laid out in 1899 and is named after Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), you start your hiking tour from Bad Ischl. Continue via Pfandl, where salt was already boiled in the 12th century. From Rußbach you ascent to the quiet heights of the Schwarzensee. Now the hike continues past wet meadows. You’ll reach the Attersee in Burgau. Following the lakeside path you’ll arrive in Weißenbach or Steinbach. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 7-8 hours (24 km, ascent 584 m, descent 584 m) 

The hiking bus takes you to the entrance of the wildromatic gorge ‘Burggraben’. It is considered an impressive natural jewel in the Salzkammergut and ends immediately before the thunderously falling masses of water. Over the alpine pasture ‘Eisenau’, at the same time the highest point of today's hiking day, a path winds along the heights of the Mondsee with various wayside crosses, which encourage you to pause. From Scharfling you walk past the Krottensee down to St. Gilgen at Lake Wolfgang. Along the lake promenade you reach the little town Abersee (alternatively you also have the possibility to travel from St. Gilgen to Abersee by bus; 1 night in Abersee or St. Gilgen)

Hiking: approx. 7-8 hours (23 km, ascent 700 m, descent 650 m)

Today it could be nice to take the ferry to St. Wolfgang. From there, the steepest steam rack railway in Austria takes you in 35 minutes to the 1,782-meter-high Schafberg. There is a scenic hike on the Schafberg plateau with views over seven lakes of the Salzkammergut. Back in St. Wolfgang follow the lakeside path to Berau. A wonderful panoramic path, which runs directly along the water and leads you around the Bürglstein. Via Strobl it goes to the overnight stay to Weißenbach. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 2-3 hours (7,5 km, ascent 164 m / descent 141 m)

Alternatively, a circular hike to the Postalm is recommended. This largest alpine plateau in Austria extends in the south of Lake Wolfgang at an altitude between 1000 and 2000 meters and is known as an extraordinary beautiful hiking area.

Hiking: approx. 10 hours (24,5 km, ascent 1’243 m / descent 1’216 m)

A walkable connection from Weißenbach to Bad Goisern, the so-called bear trail, leads into a rather primeval landscape formed by the water. Gorges, deep ponds and gurgling, splashing streams characterize the path. Past the cabin ‘Kammersbach’ you climb up to the Bärenpfadsattel. Halfway down, you may be interested in the ‘Chorinsky Klause’, an industrial monument built at the beginning of the 19th century for the wood drift. Following the Goiserer Weißenbach you reach Bad Goisern. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 8 hours (21 km, ascent 895 m / descent 977 m)

On the way to Lake Hallstatt, you will cross the Traun River several times. It is the lifeline of the Salzkammergut region and originates in the Totes Gebirge mountains in Styria. The following section on the eastern shore of Lake Hallstatt is unspoiled, with a fantastic view of the Dachstein Mountains and a spectacular route. The flank of the Sarstein plunges almost vertically into the lake here, and the footbridge suspended above the water gives the impression of walking above the water. The views of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt, nestled against the rocks on the opposite side of the lake, are also unique. The route continues to Obertraun, where the Koppentraun flows into Lake Hallstatt. This is also where the hike through the gorge-like, wildly romantic valley of the mountain river begins. A series of well-signposted adventure stations, where you can learn interesting facts about natural features, prehistoric traces, or the daring 19th-century railway line, can be explored. Special attractions include the water-filled Koppenbrüller stalactite cave, an old railway tunnel, the enormous avalanche channels descending from the Hoher Sarstein (1,975 m), and the suspension bridge over the wild Koppentraun. In Sarstein, the gorge opens up again and Bad Aussee comes into view. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 7 hours (23 km, ascent 280 m / descent 470 m)

From Bad Aussee in Styria, you will hike today along the promenade of the Altausseer Traun to the health resort Altaussee. Located peacefully on the western shore of Lake Altaussee, it boasts charming wooden houses and beautiful gardens. The dark blue lake reflects the mountain scenery of the mountains “Loser” and “Trisselwand”, and farther away, the Dachstein - what a panorama!
A few kilometers later, follow the Via Salis hiking trail, which reminds you that this region is inextricably linked to salt mining. From the forest, one enters the sunny Blaa-Alm with many alpine huts and a restaurant that invites one to linger. Now it goes downhill to the wildly romantic Rettenbach gorge. The Rettenbach valley then opens up, revealing one of the largest low-lying alpine pastures in Europe. Regional dishes are also offered here and are worth a visit. Refreshed, you can now begin the journey back to Bad Ischl, which also marks the end of the circular hike. (1 night)

Hiking: approx. 7 hours (23.5 km, ascent 279 m / descent 465 m) 

or additional nights