Travel, experience, conserve with
Walks Worldwide Jump to main menu

This one-week trip features atmospheric walking amidst the grandiose scenery of Austria's lakes and Alps, combined with accommodation in 4 star hotels,

  • Panoramic views from the ‘5 Fingers of Krippen’
  • Delightful lakeshore walks
  • Relax in superb 4* hotels
  • Discover charming Austrian villages
  • Explore Salzwelten Hallstatt salt mines
  • Marvel at the ice caves in the Dachstein

Stunning walks, together with charming, traditional, small towns and villages, impressive mountains, glittering lakes, wildflower meadows, great food and welcoming hospitality, make this the perfect trip for a summer walking holiday.

Walk through the wondrous alpine Lake District, with overnight halts at idyllic locations in the best hotels in the area. From the utterly charming lakeside village of St Wolfgang, you journey along tranquil, scenic lakeshores and up high too, including the outrageous ‘Five Fingers of Krippen’ viewing platform and superlative panoramas from the mighty Dachstein plateau, with an option to explore the ice caves and salt mines of Salzwelten Hallstatt.

Two nights are spent at picture-postcard lakeside Hallstatt village (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), before returning to Bad Ischl, the favourite summer spa resort of the former Hapsburg emperors.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Travel to St Wolfgang

    Fly from the UK to Munich or Salzburg, and make your way (by train/bus) to Lake Wolfgangsee.

  2. Day 2: Cog railway to Schafberg summit & hike on Schafberg plateau

    A short trip by boat on the Wolfgangsee takes you to the Schafbergbahn, from where you'll use the mountain railway to ascend to the summit of Schafberg. Here you can walk along several obvious trails, whilst continuing to absorb the splendour of the lakes and mountains.

    Walking distance: 8 km | Descent: 1,250 m

  3. Day 3: Along the lakeshore to Strobl; Elisabethwaldweg to Bad Ischl

    Walking directly from your hotel in St.Wolfgang, you’ll initially follow the lakeshore promenade to reach the village of Strobl at the head of the Wolfgangsee. Follow the Ischl river along the waymarked trail known as the ’Elisabethwaldweg’ to Bad Ischl.

    Walking distance: 16 km | Ascent: 234 m | Descent: 296 m

  4. Day 4: Mount Katrin & Seven Lakes Walk

    The River Traun flows crescent like around Bad Ischl. Take a cable car to Mount Katrin and circuit the plateau on the Seven Lakes walk.

    Walking distance: 4 km | Ascent: 290 m | Descent: 245 m

  5. Day 5: Bad Gosiern to Hallstat Lake; visit the Salzwelten Hallstatt

    Take a scenic train ride to Bad Gosiern and walk along the western shore of Lake Hallstattersee to the stunningly beautiful lakeside village of Hallstatt. Visit the salt mines of Salzwelten Hallstatt.

    Walking distance: 11 km | Ascent: 668 m | Descent: 327 m

  6. Day 6: Krippenstein cable car to the ‘5 Fingers’ viewpoint

    Take Krippenstein cable car to the outrageous ‘5 Fingers’ viewpoint. The cable car begins at the next village, Obertraun, reached by way of an easy walk along the shores of Lake Hallstat. The viewpoint offers the most spectacular views in the entire Alps extending like a hand over a 400 metre sheer rock face. One ‘finger’ is glass bottomed, another has a hole in it allowing for uninterrupted (and breathtaking) views all the way to the valley floor. Today there is also an opportunity to visit the ice caves.

    Walking distance: 15 km

  7. Day 7: Light circular in Echerntal Valley

    A final, relaxing but equally beautiful walk through the romantic Echerntal Valley. Walking though stunning scenery you will make your way to the impressive Waldbachstrub waterfalls.

    Walking distance: 10 km | Ascent: 105 m | Descent: 106 m

  8. Day 8: Depart Bad Ischl & travel back to the UK

    Depart Bad Ischl and travel back to Munich or Salzburg for your return flight to the UK.

Price and Other Information

  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 days from £1,569 per person
  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 8 days from £1,799 per person
  • Single room supplement: From £515
  • Walking grade: Moderate
  • Guiding: Self-Guided
  • Max alt: 2,300m
  • When to go: View Dates & Prices
    • A
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O
  • Route map:
    Route map for
  • What’s included
    • Hotel x 7 nights
    • 7 breakfasts
    • Luggage transfers

Next Steps

View All Austria Trips

Dates & Prices

Choose your preferred departure date from the 3 options below, then make a no obligation booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.

Self-Guided Dates and Prices
Year Daily Departures Price From (Exc. Flights) Options
All prices are per person. Daily departures subject to availability.
2024 From 28 Apr to 30 Jun £1,569 Book or Enquire
2024 From 1 Jul to 31 Aug £1,645 Book or Enquire
2024 From 1 Sep to 18 Oct £1,569 Book or Enquire

If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.