Austria | The Heart of Austria
Hike to the most beautiful lakeside village in Europe.
Trip Highlights:
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A legendary blend of first-class Austrian inn keeping and great hiking.
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Views of more than 100 peaks in the Dachstein mountain range.
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Two nights in Hallstatt, one of the prettiest lakeside villages in Europe.
This is an exploration of the Lake District found around Salzburg, one of Europe’s most amazing cities. The Dachstein is the northernmost high limestone range in the Alps. It is characterized by beautiful verdant valleys, brilliant blue lakes, and towering peaks with cascading glaciers. These attributes earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The villages have been inhabited, in some cases, for up to 7000 years. The history is incredible. Also known as the Salzkammergut, this region has been the playground and vacation destination for Monarchs and Noblemen for centuries, if not millennia.
Austrian innkeeping is legendary and you stay in truly charismatic accommodations in the mountain town of Bad Goisern, the mythical lakeside hamlet of Hallstatt, and the lush meadowlands of Gosau.
Ryder-Walker recommends that you finish the trip with a night or two in Salzburg. This is one of Europe’s most engaging “pedestrian” cities. Incredible architecture and people-watching make this a wonderful city to explore.
Trip Itinerary
Choose from our standard itinerary or customize the trek by adding or subtracting days.
Arrive in Bad Goisern, an historic market and spa town recognized by UNESCO for its culture and rural treasures.
You will spend the day following the scenic Panoramaweg, an idyllic lakeside trail running along the Hallstättersee, leading to the picturesque town of Hallstatt. Be sure to bring your swimsuits—if the weather is warm, you can take a refreshing dip in the lake! For those looking to extend the hike, there’s an option to continue on to Obertraun. Alternatively, there is a choice for a shorter route by catching a ferry across the lake to Hallstatt. Spend the night at a lakeside hotel in Hallstatt.
Distance: up to 8.5 miles. Elevation gain/loss: none.
Today begins with a transfer on the Krippenstein cable car up to the high karst terrain beneath the Hoher Dachstein, where the largest caves in the Alps are found. Your hike traverses the stunning plateau on a well-marked trail with synoptic informative stations, making your way to the Wiesberghaus. Be sure to try their delicious homemade dumplings (Knödel)—a must! There is an option to return via the same route or descend on foot back to your hotel in Hallstatt.
Distance: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: none with lift. By foot is a descent of 4000 ft.
Today, you set off for a scenic wander up the Echern Valley, surrounded by stunning limestone peaks and cascading waterfalls. After returning to town, ascend via a series of informative switchbacks to visit the historic Hallstatt Salt Mine, the oldest in the world, with a history spanning 7,000 years. The day ends with a transfer to your hotel in Gosau for the evening.
Distance: up to 9 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1850 ft.
Begin today with a transfer by van to the nearby village of Rußbach, located at the foot of the Gamsfeld, which you will hike today. It’s an impressive yet accessible summit. For those seeking a more moderate outing, you have the option to hike along the flanks of the peak. The Gamsfeld is renowned for its well-preserved and diverse fossil beds, considered the best in the Alps. Return to the hotel in Gosau.
Distance: up to 6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1600/3500 ft.
Today’s departure is directly from your hotel, where you’ll head to the end of the valley, and explore the picturesque area around Gosausee, the region’s most famous lake. After a scenic walk along the lake and a delicious lunch by the water, return to your hotel in Gosau.
Distance: up to 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1150 ft.
Today, you’ll hike through lush mountain pastures and enchanting forests, eventually reaching the Goisererhütte, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the distant Dachstein peaks and Hallstättersee. Afterward, descend back to the starting point and return to your charming hotel in Bad Goisern.
Distance: up to 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2600 ft.
Depart.