HIKING IN HALLSTATT-DACHSTEIN    8 DAYS

A special hiking adventure in the historical oldest part of the Salzkammergut region! On your way through the breathtaking landscape of the Dachstein Mountains you discover treasures of a 2500 year old culture, influenced by salt - the "white gold".

Hike among fairy-tale lakes and mountains of Hallstatt-Dachstein, a UNESCO World Culture and Natural Heritage site in the heart of the Austrian Alps. The unique nature of the surrounding landscape, combined with a wide range of cultural experiences, makes this trip especially exciting. You will hike across lush green pastures and craggy mountains, enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of Alpine mountain ranges and valleys, and swim in crystal clear lakes. You will visit Hallstatt, ‘the most beautiful lakeside town in the world’, with its enchanted paths and 4,500 years of history. You will admire unique underground palaces of the Giant Ice Caves in Dachstein, and look into the deep blue still waters of the Gosau lakes. It’s no wonder that in the end of the trip many feel like they have experienced the best of Alpine hiking in Europe.    

Note: The following description is an additional help to use with your walking map, which has the hiking ways marked in different colours. You will receive a detailed walking map on Day 1 of the tour. The notes below are designed to give you an idea of each hiking day. The hiking pathways are mostly easy to find with signposts and white-red-white marks. Please note that the walking times indicated are from our walking guides, with 25 per cent added for our guests. Hiking on all the pathways is possible even on rainy days. However, we give options for rainy weather.

Day 1 - Arrival at Hallstatt

Today you can explore the UNESCO world heritage town of Hallstatt-Dachstein and the local points of interest.

Day 2 - On the foot of the Dachstein Massif through the Koppen Valley

You walk along the lake Hallstätter See to the wild, idyllic Koppen Valley. You will see the Dachstein from upside, downside and inside.  Take the chance to visit the "Koppenbrüllerhöhle" (= cave).  By train to the health resort Bad Mitterndorf.

Distance: 15,2 km – up 432 m – down 245 m – walking time approx. 3.5 hours

Day 3 – From the reservoir Salzastausee up to Viehbergalm and through the Öfen gorge down to Gröbming

Relaxed walk through meadows to the reservoir Salzastausee. Afterwards you follow the forest road to the alpine pasture Viehbergalm where you have lunch and enjoy the view. Descent through the Öfen gorge to the little town of Gröbming.

Distance: 25,6 km – up 698 m – down 715 m – walking time approx. 6.5 hours

Day 4 – Up to the mount Stoderzinken and further on to Ramsau

By bus  to the Steiner Hut where your ascent to the mount Stoderzinken starts. On you walk to the lake Grafenbergersee and through Karst to the next hut. Downhill to the village Ramsau where native horses like Noriker, Haflinger, Tekkiner, Huzulen and ponies are grazing.

Distance: 17,2 km – up 565 m – down 1.245 m – walking time approx. 6 hours

Day 5 – Resting day on the Ramsau High Plateau

We recommend taking the cable car to the Dachstein glacier. Alpine schools in Ramsau offer tours and rent equipment, if you wish to participate in a glacier or climbing tour.

Day 6 - Through the Dachsteinsüdwand to the Bischofsmütze (Bishops Cap)

Travel by bus to the base station of the Dachstein cable car. You walk on the High Altitude Walking Path from the Südwand (rock walls on the southern face of the Dachstein massif – popular climbing area). From mountain lake to lake you walk, in front of you the famous peak of the Bischofsmütze, a climbing area of highest level. Overnight stay in a hut or an alpine lodge.

Distance: 12,8 km – up 803 m – down 626 m – walking time approx. 4 hours

Day 7 - Austriaweg along the Gosau ridge brings us to the lake Gosausee

The high-alpine path along the Gosau ridge is named Austriaweg and native huts tempt us to take refreshments. Descent by cable car. The view on the lake Gosausee with the summit of the Dachstein mirroring in the deep blue surface is the highlight of the day. By bus back to Hallstatt.

Distance: 10,5 km – up 376 m – down 578 m – walking time approx. 3 hours

Day 8 – Hallstatt and Departure

SUMMARY

Inclusions:

Start and Finish: Hallstatt

Accommodation: Comfortable accommodation with private facilities, 1 night in an alpine hut

Trip Grade: Demanding

This is a very demanding hiking tour. There will be a lot of small up and downs.

Getting from Vienna to Hallstatt: by train, changing trains in Attnang-Puchheim

Note: Please note that all itineraries and prices are subject to change.