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Walking in Austria's Lake District

1-800-267-3347

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  • Holiday code
    W07SZ
  • Holiday type
    Self-guided walking
  • Duration
    7 nights
  • Accommodation
    single-centre
  • Activity level
  • From $2079per person, tour only
  • Departures
    Every Saturday from 2 May '23 to 23 Sep '23
  • What your holiday price includes
  • 7 nights single-centre accommodation in a hotel
  • All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal
  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
  • Route directions and maps
  • Standard transfers to/from your hotel (if booking inclusive flights)
  • Optional Upgrades
  • Room upgrades and extra nights at selected hotels
  • City break add-ons in Salzburg
  • Suitable for
  • Couples
  • Excellent choice for
  • Flora & fauna, art & history, swimming opportunities, vegetarian meals, high peaks, lake & river routes
      from 8 reviews

Ms Nicolson says...
Austria is a hidden gem! Locals could not have been friendlier. Be prepared for mixed weather. Scenery spectacular. Walking could be challenging ...
Read reviews »

Austria: Salzburg

Walking in Austria's Lake District

  • Snow-capped peaks, lush green meadows and forest trails
  • Luxury 4 star hotel.
  • Crystal-clear lakes, babbling streams, tranquil shores, secluded bays
  • Picturesque waterfront villages, postcard-pretty castles and cobbled streets crammed with attractive frescoed houses
  • Varied rest day choices: water sports, mountain rail rides, lake cruisers and Mozart's fairytale city of Salzburg

The Salzkammergut area (Austria's Lake District) is one of the most impressive regions in the heart of the country. Boasting 76 lakes and with a beautiful mountain backdrop, it's a perfect place to relax and let the calming atmosphere envelop you.

This 7-night self-guided walking holiday offers a selection of activities, where you'll enjoy a mix of spectacular scenic views, gentle shoreline routes, wooded forest trails and 'chocolate box' villages. There are also some great spots to stop off for a swim or dip your toes after a day's walking. The walks are relaxed, following mainly well-marked routes, and you can extend them on most days.

You'll spend seven nights in the wonderful riverside spa town of Bad Ischl - a favourite summer holiday retreat of Emperor Franz Joseph. Although it's almost 100 years since the emperor was last there, his presence is still felt in the region, and you can explore the Kaiservilla, his former holiday home. Other highlights include walking via the UNESCO village of Halstatt for picture-postcard views, the imperial spa, salt mines, ice cave, the Katrin cable car and the Siriuskogl viewing platform.

Stop off at the town of St Wolfgang, renowned for its beautiful 15th century church (you can sit in the arched windows and enjoy your lunch al fresco from here), and hop on the antique cog railway up to the summit of the Schafberg for unrivalled Alpine views. Visit St Wolfgang's Pfarrkirche with its outstanding Baroque altar created by Michael Pacher.



We're here to help

If you have any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com

Day-by-day itinerary

Walking information

These walks are mainly easy and follow well marked routes, however there are some forested sections where the terrain is inclined and loose under foot. Walking boots are recommended.




We're here to help

If you've any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 , or email usa@exodustravels.com

Day 1: Arrive at Bad Ischl

Arrive at your 4 star hotel in Bad Ischl. Before dinner your reps will outline suggested walks for your week. A typical itinerary is shown below, although you're free to pick and choose your walking each day as there are numerous options available.
You stay at the Hotel Goldener Ochs for 7 nights (Your evening meal is included on the first night)

Day 2: Kolowratshohe or Jainzenberg 15km/9.5mi/5hr or 12km/7.5mi/4hr

Two circular walk options direct from your hotel; one to Kolowratshohe, a lesser-known peak above Bad Ischl, with spectacular views and the added bonus of a mountain restaurant at Hoisenrad. Or, a picturesque walk to the summit of Jainzenberg, rising directly behind the Kaiserpark and the Kaiservilla.

Day 3: Vormauerstein 12km/7.5mi/5hr or 10km/6mi/4.5hr or Schwarzensee 12km/7.5mi/3.5hr

Hop on a local bus to Wolfgangsee, with the option of walking up to the Vormauerstein and the breathtaking views of the Schafberg and Lake Attersee. Picnic on the shores of Monichsee. Alternatively, take a route up, through an impressive gorge, to the stunning Schwarzensee for lunch at one of the restaurants and lake views. This option gives you more time to visit the charming village of St Wolfgang.

Day 4: Hallstatt/Schneidkogel Summit walk 12.5km/8mi/4.5hr or 15km/9mi/6hr

Today you have the opportunity to visit the spectacular alpine village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest inhabited village in Austria as well as the chance to visit the historical salt mine. Take the panoramic funicular railway up the mountain (payable local) to the Skywalk viewing platform. Then either continue up to the Schneidkogel summit (1551m) or walk down to Hallstatt on a beautiful trail which takes you through the Glacier Garden and past some impressive waterfalls.

Day 5: Free day

Options today include a bus ride to the delightful village of St Gilgen. This thriving lace-making centre in the 1700s, today St Gilgen is a delightful village with a busy waterfront, lined with restaurants. Mozart's mother was born here and you can visit her house, which now includes a small museum. The Zwolferhorn cable car also goes from here, if you wanted some spectacular views and a variety of walks. Alternatively go, by bus, to explore the fairytale city of Salzburg, or take the train and tram to the pottery town of Gmunden to visit the ceramic factories or the impressive Schloss Ort.

Day 6: Katrin 14km/9mi/4.25hrs or 18km/11mi/7.5hr

Walk (2km) or take the cable car from Bad Ischl and visit the three summits of Katrin, Hainzen and Elferkogel. Sure footedness is required, but from the peaks you are rewarded with an incredible 360-degree panorama as far as the snow-capped Dachsteins. Sit and take in the superb vistas from the two restaurants at the top cable car station.

Day 7: Gschwendt 14km/8.5mi/4hr or Sparber 19km/12mi/6hr

Today take the bus to Strobl, then you have a choice to head off on a low level lakeside walk, with views across Wolfgangsee to St Wolfgang and the Schafberg. Stroll through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve and on to a lakeside beach at Wassbad before heading to Gschwendt. The longer, more challenging route also takes you to Gschwendt but comes with some stiff climbs and descents and even more spectacular views of the lake and the Schafberg, Rinnkogel and Sparber mountains.

Day 8: Leave Bad Ischl


Where you stay

This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.

To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or email usa@exodustravels.com


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Hotel Goldenes Schiff, Bad Ischl

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The Hotel Goldenes Schiff boasts a prime location in Bad Ischl's pedestrianised town centre and sits on the banks of the Traun River. Inside, it's modern and comfortable, with first-class facilities including a spa, with sauna and steam room.


Room upgrades: Classic Plus Room or Superior Room.
Classic plus rooms are larger. Superior rooms are larger still with a sitting area. They have either a south facing balcony or a panorama window facing the River Traun.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Extending your stay

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Villa Carlton, Salzburg

Hair dryer iconNEARBY:

A 15-minute walk from Getreidegasse shopping street, this upscale hotel is 14 minutes from Mozart's Birthplace. Featuring elegant modern decor, the polished rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and desks. Some upgraded rooms have balconies and/or in-room tubs, while suites have living areas.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Markus Sittikus, Salzburg

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The 4 star Markus Sittikus is a beautifully presented hotel, based in an 18th century building with a mustard facade located in a quiet side street not far from the Mirabell palace, just a 15 minute walk from the old city.

Inside the hotel the decor is attractive and individual, with bold colours like mustard yellow and red tartan in the comfortable bar area, and some colourful murals painted on the walls throughout the building. Public rooms have period furniture and the upbeat interior, combined with the personal attention you receive from the friendly staff, make a stay here particularly memorable.

The hotel has 39 rooms though it feels smaller, with television (CNN/BBC), direct dial phones and hairdryers. Each one is individually decorated with attractive colour combinations and solid wooden furniture, in keeping with the age and status of the building.

It is also one of the few hotels in Salzburg to have a garden to relax in, if you are looking for some respite after doing the sights.


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Travel

Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Salzburg airport 10:25 out and 08:15 on the return

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

Reviews

Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.

Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.


Ms Nicolson, 09/06/2022

Austria is a hidden gem! Locals could not have been friendlier. Be prepared for mixed weather. Scenery spectacular. Walking could be challenging especially in damp/wet conditions


Mr Fletcher, 26/11/2019

The walks gave an excellent taste of the area and coming in October we saw the autumn colours at their best yet were able to enjoy warm sunshine!

The walk instructions and timings were spot on for us. We had a really enjoyable and relaxing time

Headwater response:
Dear Mr Fletcher
Thank you for taking the time to post your review. We're so pleased that you enjoyed your holiday and managed to relax and enjoy the warm autumnal sunshine in Austria.
We do hope that we will be able to welcome you on another Headwater holiday in the not too distant future.
Kind regards
Customer Services


Mrs Higgins, 26/09/2019

We had a wonderful holiday which more than lived up to expectations. We loved the location. The lakes and mountains, towns and villages in Austria, were really picturesque and were fortunate to see them in amazingly good weather.

Our holiday Reps, Jill and Colin were exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Their knowledge of the area and advice on walk routes were the basis we used to planning what turned out to be a wonderful week of walking.


Dr Barrett, 22/09/2019

Excellent from start to end, great base for walking holiday. Glad we could fly from local airport. Team in Austria - very friendly and knowledgeable.


Mrs Parry, 27/07/2019

Excellent hotel in Bad Ischl with very good transport connections to various walks just 10 minutes walk from hotel. All walks suggested were within the grade with some being a little more challenging than others. All with outstanding views. If there weren't so many other places to visit in the world I wouldn't hesitate to return. A friend and I found the walk descriptions easy to follow and going at your own pace gave you the options to take as long as you liked at various places of Interest. Would definitely recommend this holiday to anyone who enjoys walking with a little challenge and stunning views .


Mr Plumridge, 17/07/2019

Good location, great walks, brilliant food.


Mrs Rodgers, 24/06/2019

We have had a number of cycling holidays with Headwater but It is our first walking holiday. We were pleased to have chosen a single centre holiday in Bad Ischl and appreciated all the support that the reps Gill and Colin gave us which extended beyond their remit. Even though we happily sort our own walking routes in the UK we thoroughly enjoyed the range of walks available - some of which would have been difficult for us to find ourselves and the updates giving us information about which areas to avoid because of snow cover (unusual at this time of year) were invaluable. Overall, we had an excellent time.


Mr Ancell, 12/06/2019

We had a excellent walking holiday in the magnificent Austrian Lake District. The weather was kind and we walked every day up into the hills and mountains and were rewarded with spectacular views of the lakes,forests and snow capped mountains. Must give a special mention to our guides Colin and Jill who’s briefings and tips about the walks were excellent, went out of their way to keep in contact via text and helped to make this holiday special.



Dates and prices

You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.

This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:

Single-centre accommodation in a hotel

All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal

Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

Route directions and maps

Standard transfers to/from your hotel (if booking inclusive flights)


How to book:

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button below.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' button below.

  • May 2023
  • Jun 2023
  • Jul 2023
  • Aug 2023
  • Sep 2023
DepartingTour only Prices   Single supplement
2nd May 2023 US$2349 US$246 Tour only: US$2349
Single supp: US$246
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6th May 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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13th May 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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20th May 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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23rd May 2023 US$2149 US$246 Tour only: US$2149
Single supp: US$246
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27th May 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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DepartingTour only Prices   Single supplement
3rd Jun 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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10th Jun 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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17th Jun 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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24th Jun 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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DepartingTour only Prices   Single supplement
1st Jul 2023 US$2279 US$272 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$272
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8th Jul 2023 US$2279 US$272 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$272
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15th Jul 2023 US$2279 US$272 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$272
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22nd Jul 2023 US$2279 US$272 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$272
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29th Jul 2023 US$2279 US$272 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$272
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DepartingTour only Prices   Single supplement
5th Aug 2023 US$2279 US$272 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$272
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12th Aug 2023 US$2299 US$291 Tour only: US$2299
Single supp: US$291
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19th Aug 2023 US$2279 US$291 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$291
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26th Aug 2023 US$2279 US$272 Tour only: US$2279
Single supp: US$272
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DepartingTour only Prices   Single supplement
2nd Sep 2023 US$2079 US$272 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$272
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9th Sep 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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16th Sep 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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23rd Sep 2023 US$2079 US$246 Tour only: US$2079
Single supp: US$246
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.

Holiday details

Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices

Children
Please contact us for child prices.

Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.

Departures
Every Saturday from 2nd May 2023 to 23rd Sep 2023, for 7 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.

Meals
All continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal

Other details
There are direct flights with British Airways from Gatwick to Salzburg Mondays to Saturdays which we can arrange, please call for details.
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.

Tailor-made travel

Tour only

Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Salzburg airport 10:25 out and 08:15 on the return

How to book

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.

If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' button below.

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