Ten Lakes Trekking in the Salzkammergut
Between glittering waters and alpine expanses 💙🏔️🥾
The Salzkammergut is a landscape straight out of a picture book. Rugged peaks and rolling hills alternate, cradling deep blue and emerald green lakes that sparkle in the sunlight ✨🌊. On this trekking journey, you will discover ten of Austria’s most beautiful lakes and traverse a region that uniquely blends nature, culture, and panoramic views.
Your adventure begins in Fuschl am See, leading you through the heart of the Salzkammergut. Soon, vast views of Lake Fuschl, Lake Mondsee, and Lake Irrsee open up as the paths lead through alpine meadows, forests, and along idyllic shores 🌿🌄. It is always worth pausing to consciously take in the tranquility of this impressive world of mountains and lakes. Nature here feels pristine, powerful, and at the same time, soothingly still.
Each day, the Salzkammergut reveals a new side of itself. At Lake Wolfgang (Wolfgangsee), you’ll feel the special atmosphere surrounding the famous "White Horse Inn," while a boat trip across the glittering water offers fresh perspectives 🚤☀️. In the imperial town of Bad Ischl, you’ll encounter a breath of history where Sissi and Franz once spent their summers 👑. And then there is Hallstatt—arguably the most famous lakeside village in the world—whose picturesque backdrop of mountains, water, and historic houses is a UNESCO World Heritage site 🏘️💫.
The landscape remains diverse throughout the journey. The view from Mount Schober over the region's lakes and peaks is just as impressive as the panorama at Lake Gosau with the Dachstein glacier in the background ⛰️💙. In the Ausseerland, time seems to pass more slowly. Here, the trails lead through quiet valleys and the wildly romantic Koppen Valley, where nature still feels entirely untouched 🍃🌲.
The daily stages require good physical condition, as the route takes you not only along the shores but also up to scenic heights with climbs of up to 900 meters 👣🏔️. You will be rewarded with magnificent vistas, refreshing swimming spots, and the unique feeling of hiking from lake to lake through one of Austria’s most beautiful regions.
Ten Lakes Trekking in the Salzkammergut is a journey for everyone who loves wide-open spaces, enjoys the water, and wants to feel the spirit of the mountains. It is a combination of natural experience, cultural history, and alpine hiking that lingers long after you've returned and constantly awakens a new sense of longing ✨💚🌊.
Day 1
Arrival in Fuschl
Arrival in Fuschl
Hotel (example): Garni Haus Sonnleitn
Day 2
Round trip to little Lake Filblingsee & Fuschl castle
Short summit hike to Lake Filbilingsee and across a ridge down to Fuschl castle. This castle served as a backdrop to the well known Sissi films. A comfortable walk along the lake takes you back to Fuschl.
Hotel (example): Garni Haus Sonnleitn
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Day 3
Fuschl – Lake Mondsee
Step by step you climb to the ruin ‚Wartenfels’ with beautiful views of the lakes Mondsee and Irrsee. If you want, you can also climb the Schober peak. From here, you get a magnificent panoramic view of the lakes and mountains in the Salzkammergut region.
Hotel (example): Landhaus Meingast
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Day 4
Lake Mondsee via Lake Attersee – Lake Wolfgangsee
In the morning you go by bus to Unterach at lake Attersee. From there you follow the lakeside walk and through the Burggrabenklamm up to alpine pastures to idyllic lake Schwarzensee. Stop for some homemade pastries at Lore’s cabin on the lake. Continue downhill to lake Wolfgangsee.
Hotel (example): Aberseehof
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Day 5
Lake Wolfgangsee – Bad Ischl
Along the lake through the natural reserve Blinklingmoos with views across the lake onto St. Wolfgang and the remarkable peaks of the Schafberg mountain. After that you follow the gushing waters of river Ischl and on the Sissi trail to tiny lake Nussensee close to the Imperial summer residence Bad Ischl.
Hotel (example): Stadthotel Goldenes Schiff
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Day 6
Bad Ischl – Ausseerland
Along the historic brine pipeline trail you walk into Rettenbach valley and up to alpine pasture Blaa alp at the foot of the Loser massif into the Ausseerland.
Hotel (example): Gasthof Staudnwirt
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Day 7
Ausseerland – Hallstatt
Along the river banks of the Traun the path leads to the traditional summer holiday place Bad Aussee and then through the wild and idyllic Koppental valley where you can visit the Koppenbrueller caves. Take the boat to the world heritage town Hallstatt with its many sights.
Hotel (example): Grüner Anger
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Day 8
Hallstatt – Gosau
Take the cable car up the Salzberg, where the famous Skywalk viewing point with its breathtaking views beckons. Past the salt mine and up to the alpine pastures. Continue across the plateau to Löckermoos. The Bibelschmugglerweg trail leads you down to Lake Gosau, in whose waters the mighty Dachstein glacier is reflected. It's worth stopping for a bite to eat on the shore before taking the bus into the Gosau Valley.
Hotel (example): Cooee Alpin Hotel
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Day 9
Fuschl am See
From Gosau the route leads you along forest paths via the Iglmoos alp to the Goiserer Alpine Club Hut, located onto of a mountain ridge with fascinating views onto the Goiserer valley and Lake Hallstatt. You have the option of a summit ascent to the Hochkalmberg with its rock formation called ‚Steinerner Indianer’ (‚stoney Indian’). Descent through the Kesselgraben and along the river Schüttbach down to Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt, from there you take the bus to Fuschl am See.
Hotel (example): Garni Haus Sonnleitn
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Day 10
Departure or extension
Requirements for hikers
You mainly walk along lakes and across alpine pastures. Several low summits offer scenic views and therefore you should be surefooted. A good fitness level for ascents and longer walking stages up to 6 hours are required.
Summary
- Total approx. 131 km over 8 hiking days
- 9 nights
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Boat trip on lake Wolfgangsee
- Boat trip on Lake Hallstatt
- Mountain cable car fare Salzbergbahn Hallstatt
- Travel documents and GPS data
- Service hotline
- from 1.199,- € per person
- Transfers not included (approx. €18 per person)
Facts about the Salzkammergut
- Location: Situated in the central Alpine region of Austria, spanning parts of the federal states of Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Styria.
- Area: Approximately 6,000 square kilometers.
- Population: Around 280,000 inhabitants.
- Key Towns: Bad Ischl (14,000 inhabitants), Gmunden, Hallstatt, and St. Wolfgang.
- Major Lakes: Lake Wolfgang (Wolfgangsee), Lake Hallstatt (Hallstätter See), Lake Traun (Traunsee), and Lake Attersee.
Climate in the Salzkammergut
The weather in the Salzkammergut has a mind of its own—and that is exactly part of its charm. One moment the sun is shining from a bright blue sky, the next, mist suddenly rolls across the lake or a brief rain shower refreshes the landscape. Especially in spring and autumn, mornings can be quite crisp, while by midday you might find yourself hiking in a T-shirt. If you’re out and about here, it’s best to be prepared for everything—the "onion principle" (layering) is your best friend. And if the weather does take a turn? Don't worry—you’ll always find a cozy tavern (Wirtshaus) nearby to stop for a break.
Culinary Delights in the Salzkammergut
In the Salzkammergut, it’s not just the nature that’s a treat—the regional cuisine is too. Here, you’ll find classics like the Bad Ischl nettle sausages or the tender Almtaler "Horuck" roast, which truly melts in your mouth. Freshly poached fish from the Traun River or the savory Gmunden cabbage dumplings (Krautknödel) offer a true taste of the region. For salad lovers, there is a fresh spinach and fried chicken salad, and the "upside-down" sauerkraut (gestürztes Sauerkraut) is a rustic delicacy. For a sweet finale, you must try the Dukatenbuchteln (small yeast buns)—a true highlight! The sheer variety of dishes makes the Salzkammergut a genuine culinary experience.