Austria – land of towering Alps, shimmering lakes and picture perfect villages – is a dream destination for any walking enthusiast. But amidst all this beauty, one region reigns supreme when it comes to the ultimate walking holiday destination: the Salzkammergut. If you can’t quite pronounce the word, just call it Austria’s lake region.
Nestled amidst snow-capped peaks and dotted with turquoise lakes, this fairytale-like region boasts a staggering variety of trails, breathtaking scenery, and unparalleled accessibility, making it the perfect choice for walkers of all levels. We hiked this region in 2017 entirely on our own and we’re going to tell you how easy it is to explore Salzkammergut and why it should be your next walking destination.
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Why Salzkammergut is a Hiking Paradise
Beyond the variety of trails, the Salzkammergut’s true magic lies in its crystal-clear lakes and alpine landscapes, combined with towns that all look like they’ve been untouched by the modern world. Walking here is like being in a Disney movie, only it’s real!
More reasons to love this region:
- Easily accessible by public transport from Salzburg and within the region – car free vacation!
- Well-marked trails and readily available maps – Austrians love to hike!
- Great selection of hiking tour operators covering this region and hiker-friendly inns happy to assist
- All-season destination with excellent winter hiking
Best Towns for Hiking Base in Salzkammergut
The best hiking base in the Salzkammergut depends on your individual priorities and whether or not you have a car. Each town offers advantages and disadvantages for hiking, so the best choice depends on what factors are most important to you. Here are our recommendations:
Bad Ischl
Central location, access to trails in different directions, spa town with lots of amenities
Once the summer retreat of Austrian emperors, Bad Ischl retains its regal air with elegant architecture, landscaped parks and thermal spas. Wander through the Kaiserpark, visit the museum and treat yourself to luxurious pastries at Cafe Zauner (where I felt like royalty).
Fuschl am See
Lakeside setting, easy access to trails, quieter atmosphere, closest to Salzburg
Located on the shores of the turquoise Fuschlsee (lake), this picturesque village offers a perfect blend of natural beauty in a quiet atmosphere. Enjoy water activities on the lake, explore the surrounding forests on walking or cycling trails, or relax in the cafes.
Obertraun
Hidden gem, quiet town with hiking trails nearby, fewer amenities but less tourists
Obertraun is where we based ourselves when we hiked Salzkammergut and we LOVED it! It’s a quiet town that is perfectly located across the lake from Hallstatt and at the base of Dachstein Krippenstein. We were able to use public transport the entire time but this location does require a bit more walking and buses.
St. Gilgen
Good mix of easy and challenging hikes, lively atmosphere, good public transport
Situated on the north shore of Wolfgangsee 40min by bus from Salzburg, St. Gilgen boasts a vibrant atmosphere with colorful houses, lively cafes and boat tours. Visit the birthplace of Mozart’s mother and take a ride on the Zwölferhorn cable car for stunning panoramic views.
Strobl
Relaxed, less crowded lakeside village with excellent public transport options
Strobl sits on the southern shore of Wolfgangsee, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakeside scenery. The area around Strobl offers a variety of moderate hikes, including trails along the lake, up hills, and into the nearby mountains. It has great public transport with buses and ferries connecting it to St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, Bad Ischl and Salzburg.
Our Favorite Hiking Trails in Salzkammergut
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker seeking challenging ascents or a leisure walker enjoying lakeside paths, the Salzkammergut caters to everyone. Salzburg itself is a delightful city to explore on foot, with mountain trails just a quick bus ride away. We spent 2 days walking the city and still didn’t see everything. It’s impossible to list every trail worth hiking so we’re highlighting our personal favorites and the trails most easily accessible without a car. You’ll find more fabulous trails in the links below or in Abraham’s guidebook (see Resources at end of post).
Day Hikes near Salzburg
- Nockstein & Gaisberg: On the outskirts of Salzburg, you can reach the trailhead for these two mountains via local bus. A beautiful and popular hike for visitors and locals alike.
Day Hikes near Bad Ischl
All of the hikes below are accessible directly from town or a quick bus/train ride. Find details and maps of these trails and more at Bad Ischl Hiking.
- Dammweg Round: This 6.6mi (10.6km) loop is perfect for a leisurely stroll along River Traun, offering beautiful scenery and glimpses of local wildlife. It begins and ends in town center.
- Nussansee Round: A lovely 9.6mi (15.5km) loop through forest, lake and river. Trail begins in town.
- Hainzen-Elferkogel-Katrin “7 Lake-View”: Take cable car up Mt. Katrin for a 1.7mi (2.7km) circular route to several summits for panoramic views of the Dachstein massif and surrounding landscapes. Bus from Bad Ischl to Cable Car.
- Bad Ischl to Ebensee/Traunsee: This one-way 11.8mi (19km) route follows the River Traun and old salt pipeline (Soleweg), connecting Bad Ischl to the lovely Ebensee. Easy train ride connects starting and end points.
Day Hikes near Fuschl am See
Hiking near Fuschl am See is an excellent way to experience traditional mountain huts, as there are several around this lake. For details and maps of the following routes and more hikes near Fuschl am See, visit Outdooractive’s Fuschlsee Hiking Routes.
- Fuschlsee Loop: This 6.8mi (11km) trail circles Lake Fuschl, offering serene lakeside views, charming villages and historical landmarks.
- Faistenau via Filbling: A one-way 6.8mi (11km) trail that climbs through forests and over the Filbling mountains, with a hidden mountain lake and ending in the town of Faistenau. Return to Fuschl am See by bus. (there are several variations through the Filblings)
- Eibensee Lake: A 5mi (8km) one-way trail that begins with a short bus from Fuschl am See to St. Gilgen Pöllach Station, walking to Lake Eibensee and back to Fuschl.
Day Hikes near St. Gilgen and Strobl
Find hiking details and maps for the following and more at Wolfgangsee Hiking Trails.
- Plombergstein from St Gilgen: Out-and-back 2.5mi (4km) hike from town to the summit of Plombergstein and back.
- Bürgl Panorama Trail: Easy 3mi (4.8km) circular stroll along Wolfgang Lake and the Bürgl Panoramweg, beginning and ending in Strobl.
- Pilgrim’s Path, St. Gilgen to St. Wolfgang: A pilgrimage walk, this 5.5mi (8.9km) trail connects the towns via the Falkenstein, offering prehistoric and Christian points of interest. Return to St. Gilgen by bus or boat.
- Lakeside, St. Gilgen to Strobl: Begin this easy 8.3mi (13.4km) walk along the southern shores of Wolfgang from either town and return by bus.
- Zwölferhorn: There are many options for hiking this mountain, either walking from St. Gilgen or using the cable car and spending more time at the top. Find those routes HERE.
Day Hikes near Obertraun and Bad Goisern
We’re listing the hikes we love for non-winter, but the Dachstein region near Obertraun and Bad Goisern are also great for winter hiking! You’ll find all the trail details at Dachstein Hiking.
- Lake Hallstatt East Bank: The prettiest views of Hallstatt can be found on this 6mi (9.7km) trail from Obertraun to Steeg. An easy one-way walk and return by train.
- Heilbronner Circular: This 6mi (9.7km) trail is a great way to experience Dachstein, with gorgeous views and varying terrain. The walk from Obertraun to Dachstein Cable Car is lovely even by itself. While you’re on the summit, explore more trails for a full day of hiking.
- Koppenvalley, Bad Aussen to Obertraun: Begin with a train from Obertraun to Bad Aussee then walk 5.5mi (8.8km) back along the river through Koppen Valley.
- Koppenwinkel: A circular version of the Koppenvalley hike, this 5.2mi (8.3km) route begins and ends in Obertraun. Beautiful trail with rushing rivers and quiet forest.
- Gosau Lake Loop: An easy 2.6mi (4.2km) walk around Lake Gosau with spectacular alpine meadows and views of snow-capped mountains.
Long Distance Trails in Salzkammergut
The Salzkammergut region is so serious about hiking they even have their own long-distance trail. The BergeSeen Trail is an impressive 230mi (370km) trail connecting lakes and mountain peaks. It begins and ends in Gmunden on Traunsee, with 23 stages and stops in all the lovely towns we’ve mentioned.
Villages to Visit but not Stay
Bad Aussee
The beautiful spa town of Bad Aussee boasts historical highlights like the Kammerhof castle and picturesque churches. Walks along its two rivers are lined with beautiful flower boxes and decadent pastry shops. Great day trip from Obertraun or Bad Ischl.
Hallstatt
Nestled alongside the shimmering Hallstätter See, Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its history and fairytale-like beauty. With such beauty and fame comes overcrowding, which is why we don’t recommend staying here. That being said, the best way to get a photo without people is to stay here at least one night…but even then, no promises.
Mondsee
Surrounded by rolling hills and forests, Mondsee offers a good balance of amenities and charm without being overly touristy. Explore its historic market square, visit Mondsee Abbey, or relax by the serene lake. It’s truly a lovely town, so if you have a car then you may want to consider staying here. Just know it’s not as centrally located to all the best hikes.
St. Wolfgang
Situated on the eastern shores of Wolfgangsee, St. Wolfgang is enchanting with its cobbled streets and colorful houses. The iconic pilgrimage church with its altar is a must-see, and the cogwheel railway up the Schafberg mountain offers stunning views. Several tour companies include stays here, so it is worth considering. We just don’t recommend it for DIY travelers relying on public transport.
Honestly, all the towns in Salzkammergut are worth visiting. Bad Goisern, Gosau, Ebensee, Attersee and Abtenau are just a sampling more of what beauty awaits you here in Austria.
Our Favorite Salzkammergut Walking Holidays
While we believe it’s an easy destination to plan on your own, we understand that not everyone has time or enjoys planning trips, so below you will find what we consider the best tours and what we would recommend to our families and friends.
EuroHike
EuroHike offers the best mix of hiking tours in Salzkammergut, including center-based, inn to inn and the BergeSeen Trail. They are our top choice for most travelers because their tours are original and often include more authentic lodging/experiences, the company is based in this region, and they offer better prices (especially if you choose early June or September). We especially like their 8-day High Altitude Paths and their center-based 7-day Lake Wolfgangsee with Charm.
Haus Hepi
Haus Hepi is our favorite hiking base for Salzkammergut, with friendly hosts who offer hiking packages for all seasons and you’re guaranteed the most delicious breakfast and dinner from a trained chef! They also provide winter packages and bikes for rent.
HF Holidays
HF Holidays offers a 10-day guided hut-to-hut trek on the Dachstein Trail, hostel-type lodgings with no luggage transport. Good option for UK travelers who want flights included or those seeking guided trekking in Salzkammergut.
WAIT, DON'T BOOK YET!
PLUS, I design the rest of your trip, including flights, extra travel day accommodations, activities, & more!
Inntravel
Inntravel offers an 8-day self-guided Lakes and Mountains tour that includes 2 nights in Hallstatt (which we don’t particularly like but understand the appeal for others). We also like their 5-day Salzburg and Königssee as an add-on tour (allowing you to visit Austria and Germany in one trip, like we did).
Macs Adventure
Macs Adventure offers an 8-day inn to inn Salzburg Lakes tour that we love because it showcases a larger area within the region. Price is higher than most on this list but it includes choice hotels, great hikes and a well-designed itinerary.
Wild Rover Travel
Wild Rover Travel is a strong contender for our 2nd overall choice, for backpackers and those who find mountain huts appealing. They offer a great selection of hiking tours in and around Salzkammergut, including The BergeSeen Trail (they call it the S-Trail). Their 8-day Alps Salt Trail offers a unique approach to this region.
Salzkammergut Tourism offers a multi-day hiking tour around Fuschlsee, Wolfgangsee and Mondsee that you can book directly from their site and customize days and lodging. Great way to keep your travel $ local and get a good price! Recommended for first-time hikers or those who travel light because they provide a hiking pack and trekking poles.
Another local option is ASI Reisen, an Austrian owned platform for hiking tours with a huge offering for Austria, but only recommended for those who speak German.
Useful Websites
Whether you choose to DIY like we did or simply want to know more before booking with a tour company, these are good resources for hiking Austria’s Salzkammergut.
- Salzkammergut Tourist Board: everything you need to plan your own trip, including accommodations, hiking trails, transportation info and more.
- Walking in the Salzkammergut: excellent Cicerone guidebook by Rudolf Abraham
- Austrian National Tourist Office: useful if you’re combining Salzburg, Vienna or other regions
- Austria Trains and Buses
Want personal stories and photos to persuade you to visit this region? Read about our trip at Why I Love Salzkammergut.
