A journey to the origins of salt production in this beautiful corner of the Alps.
Walk stunning mountain trails along the ancient salt routes.
Discover the rugged peaks and stunning alpine lakes of the Salzkammergut region.
Enjoy stunning views over the UNESCO village of Hallstatt from the Hallstatt Skywalk.
Enjoy a guided tour of the world’s oldest salt mine in Hallstatt.
Self-guided walking on the SalzAlpenSteig: Part II, Austria’s Salzburg region
The SalzAlpenSteig (Alpine Salt Trail) is a long-distance hiking route that runs all the way from the “Bavarian Sea”, Lake Chiemsee, to the world’s oldest salt mine in Hallstatt, Austria, where salt was mined as long as7,000 years ago. The route passes several historical salt mining spots along the way, and reveals a wealth of historical treasures and cultural heritage in the regions that became rich thanks to the “white gold”.
On this second section of the Salt Trail, you will walk the historic salt paths through Austria’s Salzburg region, from Hallein to Hallstatt.
The SalzAlpenSteig combines previously existing trails into a multi-region network, and, as such, also unites areas of outstanding natural beauty as well as historic salt mining communities. The central theme for this wonderful walking trail is “Mountains and Salt”. Beginning in the pleasant salt town of Hallein, on the Salzach river, you will pass many historical sites related to salt production as you make your way through the Alpine foothills to the Dachstein-Salzkammergut World Heritage region. You will follow incredibly scenic high-altitude trails that link the ancient celtic salt harvesting site in Bad Dürrnberg with the pre-historic salt mine in Hallstatt. You can rest and take in the breathtaking views at pretty alpine huts along the way, enjoying an authentic Austrian welcome at every stop.
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A tree for your booking
Respect for our planet’s limited resources and climate-friendly mobility are two major challenges of the 21st Century. We are therefore delighted to cooperate with the Austrian Federal Forest Authority on the “tree for your booking” project; a new tree planted for each hiking tour booked through us in the Salzkammergut region! Along with your travel documents, you will receive a photo of “your” tree, which you will even have the chance to visit during your trip. |
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| 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS | From €820 per person sharing*
*A high season supplement of €20 per person will apply during July and August. |
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| ACCOMMODATION | You will be staying in new accommodation every day, consisting of 6 nights in private rooms in 3*standard hotels and 1 night in dormitory-style accommodation in a mountain lodge.
The night in the mountain lodge is in a shared room with communal bunks. A lightweight sleeping bag liner is mandatory for this night (blankets are provided). Please note that double/twin rooms in this region typically consist of a double bed frame with two separate mattresses. |
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| MEALS | Breakfast is included in the price.
Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch. This should be requested on arrival. Alternatively, on some stages, you can buy lunch along the way in a local village or inn. For dinner, you can either pay yourself at the accommodation (generally cash only) or you can pre-book a half board supplement to include dinner on each night. Please let us know in the comments box on the booking page if you would like to do this. |
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| AVAILABILITY | You can start your trip on any day of the week (subject to availability) from May 17th to October 10th. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DIFFICULTY / TERRAIN | The tour mainly covers alpine terrain. You will need appropriate mountain equipment and basic stamina. Necessary mountain equipment: ankle-high boots, functional clothes, rucksack, food and water, rain and sun protection, first-aid kit, mobile phone, possibly hiking sticks if you are used to using these. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Day 1: Arrival in Hallein
Arrive at your hotel in Hallein and collect your travel documents.
Hallein is situated south of Salzburg on the Salzach River. The town has a rich heritage related to its once thriving salt mine industry and maintains strong connections to its Celtic past. Nowadays, Hallein is a charming town that offers a wide range of sights and attractions. The breathtaking Alpine scenery that envelops Hallein is truly awe-inspiring and presents excellent hiking opportunities.
Overnight: Hallein
Day 2: From Bad Dürrnberg to Golling
Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 500 m | Descent: 700 m | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.
Your first day begins with a short bus ride (8 mins) to Bad Dürrnberg, just south of Hallein.
This stage of the SalzAlpenSteig enchants with fantastic forest paths and views of the majestic Tennengebirge mountains.
Salt was mined in Bad Dürrnberg from prehistoric times. The town is also very proud of its Celtic past, and Celtic graves can still be found dotted around the town. The Hallein Salt Mine one of the world’s oldest and is well worth a visit to learn about the history of mining in the area and explore the network of mining tunnels before setting off on your hike.
From Bad Dürrnberg, todays hiking route leads you first upwards to the Truckenthannalm, where you can take a well-earned rest. You then descend steeply into the valley, passing the impressive Schleierfall waterfall on your way to Kuchl. Here, you can refresh yourself at the beautiful lake Bürgerausee. Finally, you wander through the beautiful wetlands of the Salzach River flood plain to Golling.
Overnight: Golling.
Day 3: Golling to Abtenau
Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 559 m | Descent: 339 m | Walking time: 5½ hrs approx.
30 km if you walk all the way from Golling to Abtenau
The distance from Golling to Abtenau is long, so we recommend that you begin by taking a short bus ride from Golling to Unterscheffau (11 mins, payable on the spot). Cross the bridge over the Lammer river and follow the river until Oberscheffau.
From Scheffau, the path takes you through the beautiful Lammer Valley, across pretty meadows and through sparse forests, then following the course of the Schwarzenbach river. This section is especially scenic and dramatic, with impressive waterfalls and plunging gorges. As you emerge from the forest, you will have a wonderful panoramic view of the Scheiblingskogel (2289m), the Großer Traunstein (1943m) and the Taborberg (1618m). You circle the Arlstein (913m) and come to the two breathtaking waterfalls Tricklfall and Dachserfall.
Overnight: Abtenau.
Day 4: Abtenau to Annaberg
Distance: 9 km | Ascent: 645 m | Descent: 993 m | Walking time 4-5 hrs approx.
You begin this morning with a panoramic cable car ride to the Karkogel hut. The landmark mountain of Abtenau offers amazing views in all directions. From the Karkogel summit station, you walk through the serene forests and flower-covered alpine meadows of the Tennengebirge nature reserve to the idyllic Gsengalm. Here, you can sample typical alpine farm produce at the quaint wooden chalets. The path then ascends between Großer Traunstein (1,943 m) and Schober (1,810 m) to the highest point of the stage, at an altitude of approx. 1,600 m. You then descend back down into the Lammer valley to the pretty mountain village of Annaberg.
Overnight: Annaberg.
Day 5: Annaberg to Gosau (Gablonzer Hütte)
Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 1,269 m | Descent: 514 m | Walking time: 7 hrs approx.
Today’s walk is relatively short in terms of distance, but with a lot of ascending to reach the Gablonzer Hütte. You begin by following the trail of legends through a dense coniferous forest to the Kopfberg mountain. You pass some alpine pastures before beginning the winding ascent to the colourful flower meadows of the Stuhlalm. This is an excellent place for a rest, and both Stuhlalm and the adjacent Theodor-Körner hut offer welcome refreshments. You are then ready for the final ascent along the mountain flanks of the Gosaukamm to the Gablonzerhut. This welcoming mountain hut offers an impressive panorama that takes in sights such as Lake Gosausee and the Dachstein Glacier.
Overnight stay at the Gablonzer Hütte mountain lodge.
The Gablonzerhut is only accessible by foot, so your luggage will be transferred today from Annaberg to Bad Goisern where you spend the following night (you will need to carry an overnight backpack and lightweight sleeping bag liner for the night at the Gablonzerhut lodge).
Day 6: Gosau to Bad Goisern
Distance: 16.5 km | Ascent: 958 m | Descent: 1,838 m | Walking time: 7-8 hrs approx.
You begin this morning by either walking or taking the cable car (payable on the spot) down to Lake Gosausee. From there, a bus ride is included to take you to the start of today’s stage in Gosau-Ramsau.
You then begin your ascent on a beautiful forest path to Iglmoosalm, where you can stop for refreshment before continuing upwards to the Goiserer hut. This alpine lodge is spectacularly located on a mountain ridge beneath the summit of Mount Kalmberg. You can enjoy a well-deserved break to take in the stunning views of the Traun valley and Lake Hallstattersee, before descending to the town of Bad Goisern on the banks of the Traun River.
Overnight: Bad Goisern.
Day 7: Bad Goisern to Hallstatt
Distance: 19 km | Ascent: 127 m | Descent: 102 m | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.
Spectacular waterfalls and breathtaking views between Bad Goisern and Hallstatt characterize the final stage of the SalzAlpenSteig.
From Bad Goisern you walk in the direction of Lake Hallstättersee and then follow a path along its eastern shore. On this leisurely walk you will enjoy magnificent views of the picture-perfect lakeside village of Hallstatt and the mighty Dachstein Glacier. Take the furnicular up to Salzwelten Hallstatt, the world’s oldest salt mine, and enjoy the amazing views over the lake and village from the Hallstatt Skywalk.
It’s possible to shorten today’s route by taking the ferry from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt market (payable on the spot). This saves about 8 km and allows more time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt and its historic salt mine.
Overnight: Hallstatt.
Day 8: Departure from Hallstatt
Your walking holiday on the SalzAlpenSteig comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us.
Arrival in Hallein
Departure from Hallstatt
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