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 8-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 three 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. Then, from St Wolfgang, head to Mondsee for a coffee and apfelstrudel. Not to mention a trip to Salzburg itself.
You stay in unrivalled 4 star luxury, family-run hotels that are calm and relaxing places to spend time, most with 'feel-good' wellness centres, plus high levels of quality and attention to detail.
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.
Arrive at your 4 star hotel in Bad Ischl and relax before dinner in the wellness centre.
You stay at the Hotel Goldenes Schiff (breakfast included)
Today take a bus to the spectacular alpine village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest village in Austria. Take the panoramic funicular railway up the mountain and visit the historical salt mine. Use the ferry to cross the lake and follow a beautiful walk to Bad Goisern before returning to Bad Ischl by train.
You stay at the Hotel Goldenes Schiff (breakfast included)
There is plenty to do today - explore pretty Bad Ischl itself, with its riverside location. Stroll along the esplanade and have coffee and cake in the world famous Zauner cafe, take in some of the imperial history (visit the Emperor's Villa and gardens) or relax in the EurothermenResort Thermal Baths. A trip to the nearby Dachstein Ice caves and spectacular 5 Finger Lookout is also an option.
You stay at the Hotel Goldenes Schiff (breakfast included)
Walk (2km) or take the cable car from Bad Ischl to the summit of Katrin (1,393m). There are fabulous 360°ree; views of Traun and Hallstatt lakes, backed by the impressive Hollengebirge and Dachstein peaks. From here, your route takes you down the forested Katrin Pass. Tiny violet gentian flowers perfume your route as you pass Nussen Lake, a great picnic spot. Continue along the valley following the River Traun until you reach Strobl.
You stay at the Hotel Bergrose (breakfast and evening meal)
There's lots to see and do in the village of Strobl, including a summer toboggan run and a wide range of water sports; you can also join one of the many hop on, hop off lake cruisers, visit the natural beach for sunbathing or take the bus (90 minutes) to beautiful Salzburg, with its Renaissance gardens, Baroque palaces and the oldest open air theatre in Europe.
You stay at the Hotel Bergrose (breakfast and evening meal)
Today's route takes you along the north shore of Lake Wolfgang, a stunning expanse of vivid turquoise waters, popular with yacht owners, kite surfers and fellow walkers. Enjoy lunch in pretty St Wolfgang, renowned for its beautiful 15th century church and frescoed houses, before continuing along the pilgrims' path past the Falkenstein Chapel, curiously built into the cliff face.
You stay at the Gasthof Zur Post (breakfast and evening meal)
A 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. Or follow the official Mozartsteig hiking trail to Fuschl, passing between the Ellmautall and Eibenberg mountains. Heading through the heart of the nature reserve along forested paths you'll see many multi-coloured butterflies until you catch a breathtaking view of tranquil Fuschlsee - the smallest of the Salzkammergut lakes, but without doubt one of the prettiest.
You stay at the Gasthof Zur Post (breakfast and evening meal)
From Fuschl, head up on a gentle wooded trail to the remains of Wartenfels Castle, from where you catch fantastic aerial views of Fuschlsee, Irrsee and Mondsee. Take the optional walk to the summit of the Schober, at 1,320m you can gaze over to Lake Wolfgang and the Schafberg peaks. Treat yourself to a well-earned Viennese coffee and apfelstrudel in Mondsee's central square looking out over St Michael's Basilica, which was famously used in 'The Sound of Music' wedding scene.
You stay at the Hotel Leitnerbrau (breakfast included)
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
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Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
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Room upgrades: Nannerl room.
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Room upgrades: Deluxe Room.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
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.
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Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Salzburg airport at 13:55, and back to Salzburg airport at 11:45.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback and pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. Below is a small selection of reviews we've received from our satisfied customers.
Excellent. Helen was very knowledgeable and able to provide exactly what I needed in terms of airport choice and an extra night.
Excellent first class experience dealing with Headwater. They respond quickly to queries and are super helpful and efficient
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Very quick to respond to emails and helpful without being pushy.
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 8 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of hotels
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
Standard transfers at the start/end of the trip (if booking inclusive flights)
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further 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
Meals
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
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.
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Salzburg airport at 13:55, and back to Salzburg airport at 11:45.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 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 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
