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Lakeside Trails of Austria's Lake District - 8 days
AustriaAustrian Lake District

Lakeside Trails of Austria's Lake District - 8 days

8 Days
Easy

Lakeside Trails of Austria's Lake District - 8 days

from £1,000 / person

Overview

Immerse yourself in the enchanting landscapes of Austria’s Salzkammergut region, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled among majestic mountains and tranquil lakes. This carefully designed self-guided itinerary leads you through the charming towns of Hallstatt, Bad Ischl, and St. Wolfgang, where culture meets nature. Wander along picturesque trails that unveil breathtaking views, indulge in regional culinary delights, and discover the area's rich history. With comfortable accommodations and inspiring walking routes, experience the beauty of this stunning location at your own pace, making it an unforgettable journey for walkers of all levels.

Highlights

  • Explore the charming village of Hallstatt, known for its stunning lake views and rich mining history.
  • Stroll along the serene shores of Wolfgangsee, soaking in the captivating scenery.
  • Visit the Imperial Villa in Bad Ischl, a historic summer residence of Austrian royalty.
  • Savour local delicacies in quaint cafes, including delicious cakes at Café Zauner.
  • Walk through lush landscapes on the paths of the Sissi Trail, connecting to serene lakes and nature reserves.
  • Discover the salt mines of Hallstatt, a fascinating glimpse into ancient mining practices.

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (7 nights)

Meals

6 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Boat Ride
  • Train
  • Ferry transfer
  • Cable Car

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

1

Stroll Walking Grade

Easy

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Flat, easy paths with minimal exertion. Perfect for those who prefer a relaxed pace with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

View Fitness Guide

5

Days on the trail

10-19 km

Daily distance range

156-565 m

Daily ascent range

1/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Unwind in three-star hotels and traditional country inns chosen as much for their character as their comfort. Each has been selected to offer a proper base from which to explore the region on foot. Some occupy historic buildings with a long tradition of hospitality, while others overlook the lakes and mountains that define this beautiful corner of Austria. Warm welcomes and restful surroundings await at the end of each day’s walk.

What You'll Eat

Fuel each walking day with a scrumptious Austrian breakfast, included on all seven mornings of the holiday. Beyond that, lunch and dinner are yours to discover, and the towns and villages along the route reward those who take the time to look around.

Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in smaller lakeside villages.

More About This Trip

The walk begins and ends at Wolfgangsee (St. Wolfgang), Austria. The closest and most convenient airport is Salzburg, from where a scenic bus connection reaches Wolfgangsee in around 1 hour. Those flying into Munich can travel by train to Salzburg and continue by bus, with a total journey time of approximately 3 hours. Transfers from Salzburg Airport to your starting hotel can also be arranged on request. As the walk concludes at Wolfgangsee, returning to Salzburg is straightforward by bus, taking around 1 hour, with onward train connections available from Salzburg to major destinations across Austria and Germany.


This walk is available from 2 May to 4 October. Early May is a lovely time to be here: the trails are quiet, prices are lower than the summer peak, and the valleys are coming to life with fresh green and wildflowers in the meadows. Summer brings lush greenery and warm temperatures, though July and August see more visitors around the lakes. Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular feature of summer days, so plan to be off the hills by early afternoon. September is many walkers' favourite month: the crowds thin, the light turns golden, and the beech, birch and maple begin to turn, their colours reflected in the still surfaces of the lakes. The weather is famously changeable throughout the season, so pack a layer and a waterproof whatever the forecast says.

This walk is graded easy, with daily distances of up to 18 km and walks of 3 to 5.5 hours. Trails follow lakeside paths, historic brine pipeline tracks, and well-maintained mountain trails through the UNESCO-listed Salzkammergut region. Paths are generally comfortable and clearly defined, though some sections include short climbs and uneven terrain requiring surefootedness. A good basic level of fitness is recommended, with regular walking three to four times per week beforehand, including some hilly terrain. Mountain and lakeside weather can change quickly, so at least one member of your party should be comfortable with basic navigation skills. Sturdy footwear is advised. Walk notes, maps, GPX tracks, and navigation app access are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on our self-guided European Alps walking trips. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

If you stay overnight in Abersee: In the morning you will take a small boat of the Greinz-Schifffahrt to the opposite shore of the lake to St. Wolfgang. From there you hike along the pilgrims' path to St. Gilgen. A scheduled boat then takes you back to Gschwendt, from where you walk back to Abersee for about 15 minutes.

Overnight stay in St. Wolfgang: You start directly from your hotel. From there you walk along the pilgrims' path to St. Gilgen. A scheduled boat will take you to St. Wolfgang.

Overnight stay in Strobl: In the morning you take bus 546 to the start of the hike in St. Wolfgang. After the hike along the Pilgrims' Path to St. Gilgen, a scheduled boat will take you back to Strobl.

If you stay overnight in St. Gilgen: You start with the liner across to St. Wolfgang. From there you hike back to St. Gilgen along the pilgrims' path.

The bus journeys cannot be pre-booked and are therefore at own cost. Bus fares cost a total of approximately EUR 5 pp.

Each morning it will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 9.00 am. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. Please consult your hosts if any details. The number of bags is not limited but they must be less than 20kg.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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1Out of season
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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Austrian Lake District reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

The walking season runs from May through October, though the exact window varies by itinerary. The Lakeside Trails and Alpine Trails of Austria's Lake District are available from early May to early October — prime time for wildflowers, open alpine huts, and long evening light. The Crossing the Austrian Alps has a shorter window, mid-June to late September, when the high passes are reliably clear and the mountains are at their most dramatic.

Solo walkers are not accepted on any of the Austrian itineraries. Some sections of the trail pass through remote alpine terrain with limited mobile coverage, and the safety risk of walking alone in those areas is genuine. These walks are best done with a companion or small group.

Your main luggage travels ahead each day while you walk with just a daypack. Leave your bag at hotel reception each morning and it will be waiting at your next stop by the time you arrive. On the Crossing the Austrian Alps, bags must be ready by 8:00am, must be soft-sided (no hard cases), and weigh no more than 15kg. On the Lakeside Trails and Alpine Trails, the cut-off is 9:00am with a 20kg limit per bag. Keep your bag manageable — occasionally you may need to carry it a short distance from a bus stop or up a flight of stairs.

Across all three itineraries, you'll stay in a mix of 3 and 4-star hotels, country inns, and guesthouses, all handpicked for their comfort and local character. Ensuite bathrooms and a hearty local breakfast are standard. Lunch and dinner are your own to explore — and that's genuinely part of the appeal. Alpine huts serving homemade pastries, lakeside beer gardens, and village restaurants are all part of the experience.

A well-fitted daypack is all you need on the trail. Pack your rain jacket, a warm layer, one to two litres of water, lunch and snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, a basic first aid kit, and some cash. Walking poles are worth bringing, particularly for the rocky descents on the Alps crossing. Most daypacks are not fully waterproof, so line yours with a heavy-duty plastic bag or use a waterproof cover — afternoon storms in the mountains are not uncommon.

Alpine weather moves fast. A clear morning can turn into an afternoon storm with little warning, and visibility can drop quickly at altitude. Pack for sunshine and rain in equal measure. At least one person in your group should be comfortable reading a map and compass if conditions deteriorate on more remote sections of the trail.

Austria uses the Euro. Cards are widely accepted in hotels and larger towns, but you will need cash for local bus fares along the trail — these run between roughly EUR 5 and EUR 22 per person, cannot be pre-booked, and must be paid on the day. It's worth carrying a decent amount before heading out each morning.

Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up the bill at a cafe or restaurant is standard practice and always warmly received.

Only breakfast is included in the trip package, which gives you flexibility to eat around most dietary needs at lunch and dinner. Austrian cuisine leans heavily on meat and dairy, so strict vegans may need to plan ahead and seek out specific restaurants in larger towns. If your requirements are complex, stock up on supplementary snacks in the city before heading out on the trail.

Yes, and it is a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, cancellation, luggage loss, and medical evacuation. These are self-guided walks through genuine alpine terrain — adequate insurance is not optional.

Coverage is reliable in towns and most settled areas, but can be patchy on more remote sections of the alpine tracks. Carry your phone fully charged, bring a backup power bank for longer days, and know that most accommodations have WiFi.

Want to Know More?

The Austrian Lake District experience

Wonder
Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Salzkammergut, one of Europe's great lake regions
Stroll the romantic Sissi-Path through meadows and forest to the tranquil Nussensee Lake
Visit Hallstatt's Skywalk viewpoint for a sweeping aerial perspective over the entire valley
Wellness
Eight days of self-guided walking at your own pace through mountain and lakeside terrain
Unwind each evening with regional Austrian cuisine in comfortable country inns
Luggage is transferred daily, letting you walk with only a light daypack through every stage
Nature
Views of the Dachstein glacier reflected in the still waters of Lake Gosau
Walk the narrow Soleweg path across the Gosauzwang bridge, with near-vertical drops below
The Dachstein massif looms over every valley and lake throughout the entire walk