Walking tour of Austria – 05N/06Days

Arrival in St Agatha 

Arrival Day:- Arrive at  Agatha (the first of two nights here).
As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.

St Agatha: Approx 8.5km or 17.5km

Circular walk via Ewige Wand (recommended option): 17.5km, 5hrs
More strenuous than the rest of the routes on the holiday, this is nevertheless a rewarding circular walk that takes you uphill through woodland and flower-filled meadows. You might like to pause for lunch at the Rathlucken before continuing to the breathtakingly panoramic balcony of the Ewige Wand, which commands spectacular views of the mountains and valley below. You may walk back along the river or in return could hop on the bus if you prefer.

Circular walk via Bad Goisern: 8.5km, 2.5hrs
For something more gentle, follow the River Traun through woodland to the enchanting village of Bad Goisern, then return to St Agatha crossing the meadows.

Recommended option: 7.5km, 2.5hrs
With its dramatic fusion of mountains and lake, this is a splendid and thoroughly enjoyable walk. You follow the Ostuferweg, an easy path that leads alongside the edge of Hallstättersee, at the very foot of the mountains, sometimes along boardwalks. The day ends with a delightful journey across the lake on the steamer to historic Hallstatt (pay locally). Approaching via the lake, you get the best views of the village and can appreciate how the houses clamber up the slope, seemingly one on top of the other. 

Longer option via Obertraun: 9.5km, 3hrs
For a slightly longer walk, continue to Obertraun and catch the ferry (to be paid locally) over the lake from there. 

Once in Hallstatt, you stay in the Heritage Hotel for two nights.

Linear walk from the salt mines: 8.5km, 3hrs
Take the funicular (to be paid locally) to the salt mines to which the village owes its prosperity. After your visit, you return to Hallstatt along forest tracks. (Or you may return by funicular.)

Circular route from Obertraun: 8km, 2.5hrs
Return to Obertraun and take the cable car (to be paid locally) into the high mountains for a gentle stroll through the panoramic meadows at an altitude of 2,000 meters, perhaps visiting the caves with their superb ice formations.

Vorderer Gosauersee to Gosau: 12.5km, 3hrs; shorter option with bus: 7km, 1hr
The day starts with a taxi transfer to Gosau, offering spectacular views of the Dachstein range. You drop off your luggage before continuing by taxi to Vorderer Gosauersee, where a scenic path leads along the lake’s wooded shores and those of its neighbor. After walking around this beautiful lake, you can choose to return to Gosau by bus (pay locally) or descend beside the river to the Gosauerhof, your base for your final three nights.

Catch the bus back to Gosauersee and take the cable car (to be paid locally) up to the top of the broad ridge. From here, a fine path descends towards Gosau, offering wonderful views back to the Dachstein Mountains.

As a final walk, we suggest a gentle circuit around Gosau, which affords far-reaching views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Stop for refreshments, perhaps, at the secluded Gasthaus Echo, before returning to the hotel via a quiet riverside path.