Mountains Lakes Rivers: Alpine vacation for families in Austria

Day 1: Arrival in Bad Ischl

Travel by train or car to the Salzkammergut. We will inform you about your destination hotel in time before departure. The travel documents are waiting for you at the hotel.

Circular hike Bad Ischl, 4 km, 130 m ↑↓, ~ 2 h

You start your hiking trip in the Salzkammergut quite comfortably. After a hearty breakfast, it’s off to the Siriuskogel, the popular viewing mountain in the middle of Bad Ischl. You will hike with all your senses, because along the sensory wonder trail you will find 15 eventful stations all the way to the top. More adventures await you at the summit: an adventure playground, a petting zoo and a walk-in lookout tower right next to a cozy inn.

In the afternoon there is enough time to let off steam in the Salzkammergut-Therme or to swim in the Parkbad Ischl.

Hike Bad Ischl – Bad Goisern, 10 km, 100 m ↑, 50 m ↓, ~ 4 h

It is not for nothing that the Salzkammergut bears its name – salt has always been an important component of the region. Thus, the oldest “brine pipeline” in the world is also located in the Salzkammergut! Today you follow this historic brine path to Bad Goisern. On easy paths you walk from the Ischl promenade always along the Traun into the Kaltenbachau.

Past rapids and rushing waves, the route leads to Lauffen and on to Bad Goisern. Information boards will always give you an insight into the life of the region. If you want to cut the distance in half, take the train to/from Lauffen.

Hike Bad Goisern – Altaussee, 15 km, 50 m ↑↓, ~ 4 h

Your day begins with a comfortable train ride to Bad Aussee and you will then hike to Altaussse. There it lies, nestled in the mountains of the Tote Gebirge – Lake Altaussee. Crystal clear water and a unique shimmering color make the lake perhaps the most beautiful alpine lake of all.

Unforgettable views of the mighty rock faces of the Trislwand and the Loser peak are there to be marveled at. The beautifully laid out hiking trail always leads along the lakeshore. Numerous bathing places offer you again and again the possibility to stay. Definitely one of the most beautiful circular routes in the Salzkammergut.

Hike Ausseerland – Hallstatt, 15 km, 150 m ↑ 300 m ↓, ~ 4 h

Today you leave the Ausseerland again. You follow the living Traun to the jetty. There the wilderness of the Koppental awaits you. Over an imposing suspension bridge you cross the rushing river and hike on a former railroad line next to the crystal clear Koppentraun, which roars along your way, to the snack station Koppental.

After a short rest you continue your way strengthened to the entrance of the Koppenbrüllerhöhle, which you can still visit with pleasure. Then it’s down to Obertraun, where you hike to your accommodation or take the boat to Hallstatt.

Circular hike Hallstatt, approx. 3 km, 0 m ↑ 300 m ↓, ~ 4 h

Depending on where you stay overnight, you’ll take a boat across Lake Hallstatt to the World Heritage site of Hallstatt. You roll up to the Skywalk on the Salzberg cable car and enjoy the “World Heritage View” – you can’t get enough of the view from the 360-meter-high, free-floating observation deck. Nevertheless, your hiking adventure continues.

Afterwards, be sure to visit the salt mine. Only there you can experience the breath of days gone by up close and personal and whiz down fun wooden slides just like the miners did back then! Back you hike on the brine path downhill, past the thundering waterfall with beautiful views of Hallstatt to your accommodation or cross the lake back to Obertraun.

Hallstatt – Bad Ischl, approx. 30 km, approx. 3 km, 0 m ↑ 300 m ↓, ~ 4 h

On perhaps the most beautiful hiking trail in the Salzkammergut, the Ostuferwanderweg, we head to Untersee today. You hike through the fjord-like lake landscape and once again enjoy the picturesque view of Hallstatt, but this time from the opposite side.

At the suspension bridge to the weir ditch you look into the greatest depth of the blue glittering lake. On the way through funny forest parts, on gravel paths over meadows and on easy hiking trails you must not forget your swimming things – again and again the wonderfully fresh lake invites you to take a break and swim. From Untersee or Steeg take the train back to Bad Ischl.

Departure or extension

Today it’s time to say goodbye to Bavaria’s hospitality and laid-back attitude.
Would you like to stay one day longer? Please ask when booking; we will try to find extra nights for you.