The Salzkammergut region is a famous resort area in Austria stretching from Salzburg to Dachstein mountains. It houses 76 lakes, some of them well-known for towns like St. Wolfgang, Mondsee and Gmunden on their shores while others are solitary and hidden. The name of Salzkammergutmeans "Estate of the Salt Chamber" and derives from the Imperial Salt Chamber, the authority charged with running the precious salt mines in the Habsburg empire. Your route takes you over mountains and across lakes, past natural spectacles and famous places. The trip starts in St. Wolfgang, perched on the northern edge of lake Aber- or Wolfgangsee, where you will have a boat trip and a round walk along the lake shores with vews towards the Schafberg mountains. During the next days you will explore also the idyllic lake Schwarzensee, Burggraben Klamm – a wild-romantic gorge with waterfalls, the nature reserve Eglsee (famous for its orchids diversity in summer), Mondsee lake, the Wartenfels castle, Fuschlsee lake (said to be the clearest and cleanest of the Salzkammergut lakes, offering great and untouched beaches perfect for swimming) and not the least one of the local attractions – the funicular, leading to the top of Schafberg mountains, which is probably the best place to enjoy the lakes in the region.
Tour highlights: „Burggraben Klamm“ – a wild-romantic gorge with waterfalls; nature reserve Eglsee - rare plants and different types of orchids; the historical rack railway leading to the top of the mountain Schafberg;
Trip plan:
Day 1. Arrival in St. Wolfgang Individual arrival, Check-In, handing over of travel documents. /approx. 4 hours walking time, approx. 11 km, up/down approx. 10 m/
Day 2. Wolfgang By ferry you cross lake Wolfgangsee and admire the wonderful panorama of St. Wolfgang and the Schafberg mountain. You reach the peninsula Abersee and walk along the shore into the nature reserve Blinklingmoos. Crossing the lake promenade in Strobl you reach the path „Bürglsteig“ and arrive back in St. Wolfgang. /approx. 5 hours walking time, approx. 18 km, up/down approx. 225 m/
Day 3. Today’s stage leads you on the path „Sattlweg“ to the idyllic lake Schwarzensee high above St. Wolfgang where you can make a rest at a nice inn. After a break you walk over the alpine pasture region of Eisenau and to the nature spectacle „Burggraben Klamm“ – a wild-romantic gorge with waterfalls. Then you follow the east shore of lake Attersee to Unterach. /approx. 5 hours walking time, approx. 18 km, up/down approx. 225 m/
Day 4. You hike through the forest Buchwald to the nature reserve Eglsee where you can admire rare plants and different types of orchids. From the forest you glimpse the blue lake again and again. Along the west shore you hike to Nussdorf where you take the boat back to Unterach. /approx. 4.5 hours walking time, approx. 13 km, up/down approx. 130 m/
Day 5. After breakfast you take the bus to Mondsee where you can visit the colourful market place with the wonderful collegiate church which was used as a setting in „Sound of Music“. You walk along the lake shore and over meadows to the remains of “Wartenfels” castle, situated on a cliffy rock above the lake. In the afternoon you arrive at Lake Fuschlsee. / approx. 4 hours walking time, approx. 13 km, up/down approx. 130 m/
Day 6. Round tour lake Fuschlsee. Mostly through the forest you hike around lake Fuschlsee on a path at the lake shore. On the terrace of the castle you can take a cup of coffee. After half the distance you reach a bathing area where you can have a swim if you like. /approx. 3.5 hours walking time, approx. 12 km, up/down approx. 15 m/
Day 7. Via St. Gilgen along the lake shore to Fürberg where you take the ship to St. Wolfgang. The historical rack railway leads you on top of the mountain Schafberg. You have an overnight stay at a height of 1.780 meters above sea level and enjoy a splendid view over the wonderful Salzkammergut lakes region. / approx 4.5 hours walking time, approx. 15 km, up/down approx. 105 m/
Day 8. Downhill by rack railway and departure or additional nights.
Included in the price: accommodation in family-run pensions and hotels 2-3*** with en-suite facilities on bed and breakfast basis(breakfast included); detailed roadbook and map in English; luggage transfers; boat/ferry tickets; funicular tickets; bus transfer from Unterach to Mondsee; phone assistance during weekends
The price does not include: flight tickets; tickets for the public transport; transfers different than mentioned in the "included in the price" section; alcohol drinks; personal expenses.
Accomodation and food: As per program.
Luggage transport: As per program. Note: Day 7 - luggage transfer is only possible as far as the base terminal of the rack railway.
Practical information: - No sunday arrivals; - The daily walks range between 11 and 18km with uphill/downhill walks up to 400m;
Group Size: Min. 2
