Salzkammergut S-Trail section II: Hiking the Schafberg Mountain
4 lakes, 3 summits
This tour follows the early stages of the S-Trail from Lake Wolfgangsee to Lake Mondsee and Lake Fuschlsee, 3 of the region’s most popular swimming lakes. It includes an unforgettable ride on the classic, olde worlde cog-railway up the Schafberg Mountain (1,783 m), from where you will enjoy the most magnificent 360° panoramic views in the whole Salzkammergut region.
The Salzkammergut region is magnificent even by Austrian standards, with towering snow-capped peaks, wooded mountain slopes, lush green valleys and ice-blue lakes. Its defining feature has always been the dramatic visual effect created by its countless lakes framed by the immense peaks of the Northern Alps. This newly established long-distance trail links these highlights in a comprehensive way, never seen before.
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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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| 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS | From €520 per person sharing.*
*Discounts available for children (under 14) sharing their parents’ room |
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| ACCOMMODATION | 4 nights in ***hotels/inns in double room.
*Note: Twin-bedded rooms in Austrian resorts are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. These are also known as ‘Austrian Twins’ and are regarded as two beds. Separate twin beds are rare and cannot be guaranteed as available. The hotels are located close to the walking trails. |
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| AVAILABILITY | You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, from May 9th to October 8th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| OPTIONAL EXTRAS |
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| DIFFICULTY | This trip is graded easy to moderate overall, although the difficulty level varies from day to day. Day 2 is an easy walk to warm up, whereas day 3 features a long descent from the Schafberg and day 4 features quite a steep climb to Wartenfels castle ruin.
Hiking distances can be adjusted easily by public transport. A reasonable fitness level and basic hiking equipment like good hiking shoes, rucksack, rain and sun protection, functional clothing and also a warmer jacket or pullover are recommended. |
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Day 1: Arrival in St. Gilgen
Arrival in the elegant village of St. Gilgen, just 29 km from Salzburg on the northern shore of Lake Wolfgangsee. This idyllic place if famed for its wonderful scenery.
You will receive your travel documents at your accommodation.
Overnight stay in St. Gilgen.
Day 2: St. Gilgen – Falkenstein – St. Wolfgang
Distance: 9 km | Ascent: 365 m | Descent: 355 m | 3 hrs approx.
Today’s stage is part of a historic pilgrim’s trail from Regensburg to St. Wolfgang. 24 marked places of interest document the history of this pilgrimage route. In St. Wolfgang you find a pilgrim’s fountain and the pilgrimage church.
Overnight stay at St. Wolfgang.
Day 3: St. Wolfgang - Schafberg – Mondsee
Distance: 17 km | Ascent: 520 m | Descent: 1760 m | 6 hrs approx.
The most challenging but also most rewarding day of the tour. Take the cogwheel train to the 1.783 m high Mount Schafberg. The trip today starts directly at the mountain station, descending to Schafbergalm. From there you follow the European long distance trail E4 as far as Aich abbey. Take some time to visit the splendid herb gardens and sample the popular liqueurs, before continuing your hike past Lake Krottensee and Mount Almkogel to Mondsee. You can either take a bus or taxi to your hotel or walk a further 4 km along a very pleasant riverside path (GPS route provided).
Today’s route can also be shortened by taking a bus from Lake Krottensee (roughly halfway) to Mondsee.
Overnight stay in Mondsee
Day 4: Mondsee – Wartenfels – Fuschl am See
Distance: 9 km | Ascent: 478 m | Descent: 298 m | 3½ hrs approx.
You begin by either walking the additional 4 km riverside path to Mondsee village or taking a bus/taxi.
The first part of the route from Mondsee is quite a steep ascent to the former forester’s hut Wartenfels, nowadays an excellent inn and guesthouse. A short detour to the nearby castle ruins Wartenfels comes highly recommended. If you feel in the mood for more walking once you reach Lake Fuschlsee it is well worth doing the beautiful circuit of the lake (10km). Bus ride from Fuschl back to St. Gilgen (ticket included).
Overnight stay in St. Gilgen.
Day 5: Departure
Your trip comes to and end this morning, unless you have booked additional nights.
Arrival and departure info
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