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Holidays

Self-Guided Austria: Dachstein Circuit Trek

Austria
1 review
Available Departures: Jul, Aug, Sep

12 days from

US$2,495

without flights
Walk & Trek
Self-Guided
MODERATE MODERATE

Complete the classic Dachstein Circuit in Austria at your own pace on this self-guided walking holiday, a great alternative Tour du Mont Blanc hike

Trip Code: SGDC
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Self-Guided Austria: Dachstein Circuit Trek

Highlights
  • Explore the stunning region of the UNESCO-listed Salzkammergut
  • Hike through magnificent alpine landscapes and experience the warm welcome of traditional Austrian mountain huts
  • Drink in breathtaking elevated views from the Dachstein Skywalk, and the famous Five Fingers viewing platform
  • Discover Hallstatt, considered the most beautiful lakeside town in the world
  • A fantastic alpine circuit trek to rival the Tour du Mont Blanc

At a Glance
  • Self-Guided
  • 8 days walking
  • 2 rest days
  • Max altitude 2700m
  • Daily departures available
  • Join In Gosau

Accommodation & Meals
  • 11 Breakfasts
  • 11 Dinners
  • 5 nights Hotel
  • 3 nights Guesthouse
  • 3 nights Mountain Hut / Refuge
Overview

In Austria, the journey really is the destination. Home to beguilingly pretty scenery formed by glacial activity over the millennia, there is a wealth of superlative walking trails on offer, just calling for you to immerse yourself into her dreamy landscapes of soaring mountains and peaceful lakes. Hiking has a long tradition here and it could be said that it is the country’s unofficial pastime. On this 12 day self-guided walking holiday, circumnavigating the impressive Dachstein massif, you can enjoy the satisfaction of completing a classic long-distance alpine trek under your own steam. This Dachstein Circuit walking holiday is a great alternative to the Tour du Mont Blanc.


Your holiday begins in Gosau, at the foot of the Dachstein mountain range. Your hike will take you through enchanting alpine pastures, across high karst plateaus, through montane forests, along sparkling lakes and perhaps most memorably, across the ancient Dachstein glacier that glistens high in the alpine terrain. On this holiday you will also delve into the world-famous Salzkammergut, recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its beautiful landscapes and rich history of salt mining dating back to the Middle Bronze Age. With strategic free days in Ramsau and in Hallstatt, plus inclusions to must-see attractions such as the Dachstein SkyWalk and the Five Fingers viewing platform, you will have the opportunity to discover the wonders this region has to offer and fall in love with Austria.

Is this holiday for you?

This holiday is perfect for you if you are an active walker looking for a long distance circuit trek in stunning alpine terrain. You will walk an average of 5-6 hours a day, with average daily distance of around 14km and average ascent/descent of 800m in a day. There are a couple of longer days with bigger climbs or descents. Your trek is interspersed with two free days to rest your legs and en …

This holiday is perfect for you if you are an active walker looking for a long distance circuit trek in stunning alpine terrain. You will walk an average of 5-6 hours a day, with average daily distance of around 14km and average ascent/descent of 800m in a day. There are a couple of longer days with bigger climbs or descents. Your trek is interspersed with two free days to rest your legs and enjoy some leisurely sightseeing. The nature of the terrain requires a good level of hill fitness. Routes are well signposted but basic map reading skills and confidence in navigation will stand you in good stead for this holiday, particularly for solo travellers. You will stay 8 nights in comfortable hotels or guesthouses, and 3 nights in mountain huts in communal dorms. Luggage transfers are provided between hotels; you will need to carry your overnight equipment for the 3 nights in mountain huts where luggage transfers are not possible.

Why KE?

If you are looking for an alternative self-guided hike to the Tour du Mont Blanc, this is a great option for you to enjoy a classic Alpine circuit trek.

Working with our partners in Austria, we plant a tree for every booking.


With half board meals and hotel-to-hotel luggage transfers included, you can simply relax and enjoy the freedom of the trails.

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Itinerary

Arrive at your charming hotel in the village of Gosau, at the foot of the Dachstein mountain range. Located within the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt-Dachstein, this region is famed for its beautiful alpine landscape and serves as a popular hub for winter sports and summer activities in Austria, as well as those looking for more leisurely pursuits and relaxation in unspoilt mountain and lake scenery. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to explore the town and soak in the atmosphere before enjoying dinner at your hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

D

After fuelling up on breakfast this morning, take a local bus or taxi for the short journey to Gosausee, from where you will take the cable car (included) to the ski resort area of the Zweiselalm (1475m). As you ascend the mountainside, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the sparkling lake and forested slopes. Today's walk is wonderful introduction and warm up for your trip, hiking steadily through the gorgeous high alpine pastures with far-reaching views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers, to reach your first mountain hut - the Hofpürgl Hut - at an altitude of 1705m. Staying at this high mountain hut tonight, you can exchange tales of your adventures with fellow hikers over dinner, and perhaps you might like to enjoy the sunset from the terrace with a glass of wine.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

850 M

Descent

860 M

Time

4-5 hours

Distance

10 KM

Waking up high in the mountains this morning, you can soak in the tranquillity of your surroundings, tuck in to breakfast, and get ready for an awesome day of walking. Your route today follows a high altitude trail beneath majestic limestone peaks, accompanied by endless panoramas of stunning alpine scenery. Your path will take you across green pastures, rocky scree fields, and beneath mighty towering summits including those of Torstein, Mitterspitz, and of course, Hoher Dachstein (2995m). You will descend to the Türlwand and on to your hotel in Ramsau am Dachstein, where you will receive your luggage tonight. Completing a superlative day of walking, you can settle in for a couple of nights in Ramsau and enjoy a well-deserved rest day tomorrow.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B D

Ascent

895 M

Descent

882 M

Time

6 hours

Distance

13 KM

Today is yours to enjoy as you please. With the included Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card offering free and discounted entry to many attractions in and around Ramsau, as well as free or discounted local travel, you will have plenty to fill your day as you wish. Alternatively you may simply prefer to take it easy and rest your legs, perhaps making use of the hotel sauna.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B D

Feeling rested and raring to go this morning, you will take the cable car to the Dachstein Glacier (one journey included with your Summer Card) at an altitude of 2700m. From the lofty position of the Skywalk viewing platform, you will gain panoramic views over the peaks of Austria, and on a clear day even as far as the Czech Republic and Slovenia. You might also choose to brave the breathtaking suspension bridge, Austria's highest, with an amazing view across the mountains and down the rock face. At the bottom of the "stairway to nothingness" you will find a vertiginous glass platform seemingly floating above the void, perfect for those exciting and jealousy-inducing selfies to send home! Setting off on your walk today, you will first cross the ski area on the Dachstein glacier - this is a short and straightforward section of snow but it can occasionally be icy, in which case micro spikes and trekking poles are highly recommended. Once across, you will track across the high plateau of the Dachstein massif, losing height over the course of the day. A short and steep final descent will take you to your overnight stop at the cosy and welcoming Guttenberg Hut (2146m). Should the weather conditions today be unsuitable for this high-level route, an alternative hike is available from Ramsau, walking along the valley and climbing steadily to reach the Guttenberg Hut. 7km / 1035m ascent / 54m descent / 4-5 hours walking

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

264 M

Descent

861 M

Time

4-5 hours

Distance

10 KM

Setting off from the mountain hut after breakfast, you will first tackle some switchbacks up a short and steep climb to reach the high plateau of Am Stein. From here the path takes you past high mountain lakes, across alpine meadows and through verdant forest to reach the Steiner Haus (1845m), your home for the evening. Sitting at the foot of the Stoderzinken (2048m), this charming family-run guesthouse has an inviting terrace offering awesome vistas; a perfect spot to soak in the surroundings with a glass in hand to toast the satisfaction of reaching the halfway point of your trek. The Stoderzinken is frequented by local adventurers from Gröbming; you may well come across harnessed and helmeted climbers who have tackled the exciting via ferrata (known in Austria as klettersteig) routes on the rocky flanks of this mountain. If you're still feeling energetic, you can hike to the summit of Stoderzinken for breathtaking 360° views, encompassing the Dachstein, its glaciers, and the stark limestone karst of Am Stein that you had crossed earlier today. Also perched on the side of the cliff face and a short distance from the guesthouse is the Friedenskirchel, a little wooden chapel only accessible by a narrow balcony path with spectacular views over the valley.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B D

Ascent

552 M

Descent

860 M

Time

6 hours

Distance

13 KM

Striking out bright and early this morning, you will walk through swathes of larch and pine, and take a turn off to the Notgasse gorge. This gorge trail is only accessible by foot, with walls up to 60m high and historical engravings on the rock faces thought to be up to 2000 years old. Following the path through the gorge, you will soon reach a forest track taking you past the rustic mountain cabins at the pastures of Viehbergalm. The route crosses the summit of Hochmühleck (1725m) and descends through verdant forest to finally reach Bad Mitterndorf where you can rest your legs and tuck in to a hearty meal at your hotel. After a long but satisfying day, you've earned that second helping of apfelstrudel tonight. Your accommodation this evening may be in Bad Mitterndorf or in Pichl-Kainisch, a nearby hamlet in the same valley.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B D

Ascent

627 M

Descent

1590 M

Time

7 hours

Distance

22 KM

You will begin your day with a train ride (included) through enchanting landscapes surrounded by soaring peaks to reach your starting point of Bad Aussee. Your undulating walk today is a gentler affair after your efforts the day before, meandering alongside the Koppentraun river, through the beautiful forested slopes of the Koppen valley. You also have an included entry and guided tour of the Koppenbrüller Cave for an insight into the underground waterways within the Dachstein mountain range. Finishing your guided tour, it's not much further to reach the pretty village of Obertraun, on the shores of the sparkling Hallstatt lake. The spectacular views of the lake hemmed in by steep cliffs cannot fail to take your breath away; you will also enjoy a ferry ride (included) across the lake and appreciate this stunning location from a new angle. Arriving at the UNESCO town of Hallstatt, you will see for yourself why many consider this to be one of the most beautiful lakeside towns in the world. Check in to your hotel and settle in for the next two nights in this village rich in history.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B D

Ascent

166 M

Descent

286 M

Time

4-5 hours

Distance

15 KM

The town of Hallstatt has been thriving from salt production from as early as 1000 BC, indeed its name means "City of Salt". Rock salt in the middle ages was known as white gold and was highly valued, as such the abundance of this natural resource in the nearby mountains attracted people from all over Europe to partake in the prosperous salt trade. Some of the mines in the area are still used today for salt production. From your ideal base here in Hallstatt, you have a free day today to explore the town, and to make use of your all-inclusive Dachstein Adventure World ticket to discover the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Salzkammergut. With your Dachstein Adventure World ticket, you will have unlimited use of all three parts of the Krippenstein cable car, giving you access to the attractions including the Five Fingers Viewing Platform, the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave and the Mammoth Cave. In this natural playground you can enjoy hiking on some of the well-established walking trails, or simply relax and drink in the stunning views perhaps from one of the cosy huts and restaurants on the mountain.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B D

Taking the ferry across the Hallstatt lake this morning, you will pick up the trail at Hallstatt train station where you left off two days ago. Your day begins with a delightful low-level walk along the right bank of Hallstattersee to reach Bad Goisern, located north of the lake. From Bad Goisern your route starts a steady ascent along the valley, following the alpine stream of the Schüttbach before the going becomes steeper. The trail follows switchbacks as you ascend the wide cirque of the mountain to reach the Goiserer Mountain Hut at an altitude of 1592m, positioned in the saddle between the peaks of Hoher Kalmberg and Sonnenwendkogel. This is your home for the night, and with elevated views out to the east and west, you can savour both the sunset and the sunrise over distant peaks from this incredible position. This is your final night in a mountain hut; be sure to raise a beer to toast your penultimate day of trekking, you've earned it!

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B D

Ascent

1108 M

Descent

52 M

Time

7 hours

Distance

17 KM

With a short day today, you might like to have a leisurely start and drink in your majestic surroundings in the peace of the morning, before setting off on your final descent back to Gosau. Tracking through montane forests of pine and larch, you may sneak glimpses through the trees of Gosau in the valley below. Arriving back to this now-familiar town, check in to your hotel and enjoy a celebratory dinner and reflect on your achievement of completing this classic trek, circumnavigating the majestic Hoher Dachstein, under your own steam.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B D

Ascent

46 M

Descent

873 M

Time

2-3 hours

Distance

7 KM

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a final stroll around Gosau before checking out of your accommodation and making your onward journey.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Point Point
Airport Airport
Direction Direction
Trek
Boat
Train
Cable_car

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • All accommodation as described
  • Meals as described in the Meal Plan
  • Self-guided information pack containing your map and route notes
  • 5 luggage transfers between hotels
  • Cable car uplift from Gosausee Lake to Zwieselalm on Day 2
  • Bus from Türlwand to Ramsau Ort on Day 3
  • Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card (for free entry and discounts to many attractions)
  • Train ticket from Bad Mitterndorf/Pichl-Kainisch to Bad Aussee on Day 8
  • Ferry ticket from Hallstatt train station to market on Day 8
  • Entrance and guided tour of Koppenbrüllerhöhle cave
  • All-inclusive ticket for the Dachstein Adventure World
  • Ferry from Hallstatt market to train station on Day 10

  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to/from Gosau
  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Luggage transfers to mountain huts (Days 2/5/10)
  • Any local transfers required not described as included
  • Tourist Taxes may apply and are usually under 5 Euros per person per night
  • Some meals as described in the Meal Plan
  • Personal equipment
  • Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional

Each self-guided holiday comes with comprehensive route notes and a map or pocket guidebook of the area you are exploring. The route notes contain information about the places you will visit and the local transport you might need, along with the detailed route notes for your daily walks or cycle rides. We even include some tips for the best places to stop for lunch.

You can expect to receive your Self-Guided Pack containing your route notes, a map or guidebook, and all your relevant documents, no later than 3 weeks before your holiday start-date. We will send your documents using a signed-for courier so that you can track your package and know that it is safely on its way to you. For bookings of more than 4 people we will send an additional Self-Guided Pack. If you do not need this additional pack please inform our Sales Team. Your pack will be sent to the lead booker, so please remind them to pack it before setting off.

Should your self-guided trip be part of a longer adventure requiring you to leave home more than three weeks before your holiday start-date, please inform our Sales Team so that we can make alternative delivery arrangements.

Our Self-Guided Holidays are perfect for your next family holiday and are suitable for children of all ages.

Our partner hotels and accommodations are able to provide cots for young children, and some offer family rooms. We can also arrange hire of children’s bikes and tag along bikes for most of our self-guided cycling trips and with trips such as Lake Constance and the Danube offering routes on designated cycle paths you can rest assured in keeping your family safe.

As a parent we trust that you know your own child’s capabilities, so please read the itinerary details to ensure the distances covered each day are suitable for your family. If this is a first time walking holiday for your family, a centre based trip is a fantastic option as it allows you to easily opt out of a days walking if a day of building sand castles, swimming in the pool or visiting museums is calling instead.

Please discuss this further with our sales team who will be happy to assist in picking the best trip for your family.

The trip starts and ends at Gosau. All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. The nearest airport for this trip is Salzburg Airport with many departures from regional UK airports.

If you are flying into Salzburg Airport you can take the public bus to Salzburg, from where you are can take the bus via Bad Ischl to Gosau. The journey takes around 3 hours and takes you through the wonderful scenery of the region. From Salzburg it is also possible to take the train to Golling, from where you can get the bus to Gosau.

Another option is to fly into Munich which allows for better regional flight options from the UK. If you are flying into Munich, the train journey from the airport to Salzburg central station adds approx two and half hours to your journey to Gosau.

It is also possible to travel flight-free from the UK by making use of the Eurostar to connect to the rail network in mainland Europe. The seat61.com website is a useful resource for rail planning.

We can also arrange private transfers from Salzburg Airport if required. Please contact our sales team for a quote.

This trip is on a half board basis, with continental breakfasts and evening meals included. Dinners are set menus from the accommodations, typically three course meals at the hotels and inns, or sometimes at the mountain huts you will have the one course hiker's meal. Lunch provisions can be purchased from the accommodations, local shops or from the huts along the way.

When in the towns and villages all tap water is drinkable. In mountain huts there is usually not a sustainable drinking water supply. Water in plastic bottles is brought in to the hut. All huts have a recycling point. If you have to purchase water in plastic bottles please buy the largest bottle you can so as to use less plastic. Please take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water if you can fill from a local stream. Bottled water is not provided. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Local authorities are working to find solutions to using plastic water bottles in huts. We monitor the situation carefully for updates.

This trip is on a half board basis for all 11 nights. As to be expected, the food available in restaurants and hotels in Austria is excellent. In huts, the food is simple and wholesome usually with a set menu which will include a vegetarian option. Continental breakfasts and evening meals are provided by your accommodation. Provisions for packed lunches are available from some of the accommodations or from shops along the way. Please ensure you pre-order your packed lunch from the hotels and mountain huts the evening before.

Food in Austria is a hearty affair with many stews, schnitzel and delicious desserts on offer to fuel all those walks in the beautiful peaks. When you think of Austrian cuisine it is hard not to think of goulash, strudel and yummy chocolate Sachertorte for which the country is famed but there is a world of history behind these national favourites along with many more.

Austrian cuisine is symbolic of the former crownlands of the monarchy with its multi-cultural history with Hungarians, Bohemians, Slovaks, Poles, Croatians and immigrants from the Dalmatia, Subcarpathia, Bukovina and Carnola all bringing their favourite recipes with them as they came to Vienna. The best of the best have become fully integrated into the Austrian menu. Take the Apfelstrudel for example, which originally came from Turkey after being adopted by Hungary. Who would have thought this national dish was actually Turkish?

On this trekking holiday you will stay 8 nights in a selection of traditional and welcoming family-run Alpine hotels or guesthouses, and 3 nights in mountain huts along the trail (on days 2, 5, and 10). All accommodations have been carefully chosen for their service and offer a warm welcome to hikers on this classic route, and many offer outdoor areas with great views of the surrounding mountains. Some hotels even offer saunas and wellness facilities, perfect for relaxing after your day's walk. Staying in remote mountain huts along the way is a wonderful part of experience, to enjoy the camaraderie with fellow hikers and to wake up in the tranquillity of the high mountains. Serving up continental breakfasts and hearty dinners (typically 3 course meals or 1 course hut specialties), you will be well-fuelled for each day's hike.

Accommodation at hotels, inns or guesthouses is on a double or twin sharing basis, some with Austrian style twin beds (two beds within one bed frame and separate bedding) as is traditional in this area.

Accommodation for the 3 nights in mountain huts will be bunk beds in shared rooms; blankets are provided but a lightweight sleeping bag liner is mandatory for these nights. For these 3 nights luggage transfers are not provided; you will need to bring your overnight items with you in your day bag. Due to their remote locations, hut facilities can be more basic and not all huts can offer running water, hot water or showers. At most huts, card payment is not possible so you should have a supply of cash for food and drinks.

Single rooms are available for the 8 nights at hotels/guesthouses at a supplementary cost, please contact our sales team for a quote. Single rooms are not available at the mountain huts.

It is possible to book additional nights accommodation in Gosau before or after your trek. Please ask our sales team for further details.

Your main luggage will be transferred between hotels while you are out on your trek. We ask that you please ensure your luggage is under 25kg per piece (max. 2 pieces per person) and that your luggage is ready for collection each morning. You will also need a daypack to carry your daily essentials with you, including your overnight items for the three nights in mountain huts where you will not have access to your main luggage.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

Severe Allergies

Please inform our KE Sales and support team of any severe allergies you may have before travel. We will always do our best to help but we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on our KE trips. We advise that you always carry your own treatment for the allergy with you such as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' if required.  We also recommend that you discuss this with your accommodation on arrival so that they can better assist you.

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

Getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. You should be aerobically fit and comfortable with walking 5 to 6 hours for consecutive days. Hill walking, with a good amount of ascent and descent, is the best training. Running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardiovascular fitness and stamina.

This trip is offered during the summer months, when you are most likely to experience good, stable weather with pleasant daytime temperatures averaging around 21°C. It can be cool in the evenings particularly at the high mountain huts, where temperatures can drop close to freezing overnight. Mountainous areas do generate their own micro climates, and rain and occasionally even stormy weather cannot be ruled out. You should be prepared for all eventualities.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Walking in Austria – Cicerone Guide

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

  • Hiking boots with good grip soles

  • Functional base layer

  • T-shirts

  • Hat

  • Windproof jacket

  • Fleece / extra layer

  • Long/short hiking trousers

  • Hiking socks

  • Waterproof jacket

  • Waterproof trousers

  • Rucksack (approx. 20 l)

  • Small first aid kit inside your rucksack

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle or hydration pack

  • Camera (batteries/memory card)

  • Mobile Phone (ensure your data package covers your destination)

  • Power bank

  • Waterproof phone cover

  • Sun glasses

  • Personal wash kit

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping to avoid the use of plastic bags

  • Tupperware for picnics

  • Walking poles

  • Headtorch & spare batteries

  • Your self-guided route notes

  • Hiking boots with good grip soles
  • Functional base layer
  • T-shirts
  • Hat
  • Windproof jacket
  • Fleece / extra layer
  • Long/short hiking trousers
  • Hiking socks
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Trousers
  • Rucksack (approx. 30 l)
  • Sleeping bag liner or lightweight sheet sleeping bag
  • Small first aid kit for your rucksack
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle or hydration pack
  • Camera (batteries/memory card)
  • Mobile Phone (ensure your data package covers your destination)
  • Power bank
  • Sun glasses
  • Personal wash kit
  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping to avoid the use of plastic bags
  • Tupperware for picnics
  • Walking poles
  • Micro spikes (in case icy conditions are encountered)
  • Your self-guided route notes

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 1 review

Varied Trekking in a Beautiful Area ★★★★★

Our family of three (youngest member 12) had a tiring but rewarding experience over the course of this holiday which we undertook in July/August.

It was easy to get to the start point from Salzburg airport using Austria’s excellent public transport. The walking each day was well signposted and pretty easy to follow using the guide we had been sent. KE’s supplementary notes were useful for alternatives in case of bad weather or if you wanted to shorten a day.

T
he walking starts high up and we enjoyed our nights in the Alpine huts. The walking was quite long over the first couple of days but the scenery was stunning. The first day was very hot whilst the second was a little wet and cloudy. These days felt like high mountain days.

We had a nice hotel for our first rest day and made use of the sauna and the pool. Our son really enjoyed walking across the Dachstein glacier when we resumed the trek and the limestone plateau thereafter was very interesting. Fortunately the early morning cloud lifted on the glacier day. Poor weather would have made navigating this stage quite tricky.

After a couple of nights in mountain huts/hotels we were glad to get cleaned up in a hotel in Bad Mitterndorf.

From here the tour entered passed through some lower terrain but remained spectacular and it provided time for cave exploration and a more relaxed day before arriving in busy yet photogenic Hallstatt.

Slightly sadly our rest day didn’t have the best weather and we got no views from the top of the cable car which was a shame as we weren’t able to experience the Five Finger viewing platform but that is the mountains for you! We did really enjoy the tour of the ice caves at the middle station which were the first we’d ever seen.

Some lakeside walking followed before the biggest ascent of the holiday to the final and very welcoming hut.

We spent some time exploring the Gosausee before returning to the starting hotel and had a few days in Salzburg to round things off.

Overall we enjoyed the accommodation, food and walking over the course of the trip. There are some tiring days but that’s what we wanted and I think my waistline decreased a little but there were often ways to shorten days if you wanted to on the amazing public transport. A great trip and quality time together with few modern distractions.
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By James from Clitheroe | 05 August 2024

Traveller Reviews
5 out of 5 from 1 review

Varied Trekking in a Beautiful Area
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Our family of three (youngest member 12) had a tiring but rewarding experience over the course of this holiday which we undertook in July/August.

It was easy to get to the start point from Salzburg airport using Austria’s excellent public transport. The walking each day was well signposted and pretty easy to follow using the guide we had been sent. KE’s supplementary notes were useful for alternatives in case of bad weather or if you wanted to shorten a day.

T
he walking starts high up and we enjoyed our nights in the Alpine huts. The walking was quite long over the first couple of days but the scenery was stunning. The first day was very hot whilst the second was a little wet and cloudy. These days felt like high mountain days.

We had a nice hotel for our first rest day and made use of the sauna and the pool. Our son really enjoyed walking across the Dachstein glacier when we resumed the trek and the limestone plateau thereafter was very interesting. Fortunately the early morning cloud lifted on the glacier day. Poor weather would have made navigating this stage quite tricky.

After a couple of nights in mountain huts/hotels we were glad to get cleaned up in a hotel in Bad Mitterndorf.

From here the tour entered passed through some lower terrain but remained spectacular and it provided time for cave exploration and a more relaxed day before arriving in busy yet photogenic Hallstatt.

Slightly sadly our rest day didn’t have the best weather and we got no views from the top of the cable car which was a shame as we weren’t able to experience the Five Finger viewing platform but that is the mountains for you! We did really enjoy the tour of the ice caves at the middle station which were the first we’d ever seen.

Some lakeside walking followed before the biggest ascent of the holiday to the final and very welcoming hut.

We spent some time exploring the Gosausee before returning to the starting hotel and had a few days in Salzburg to round things off.

Overall we enjoyed the accommodation, food and walking over the course of the trip. There are some tiring days but that’s what we wanted and I think my waistline decreased a little but there were often ways to shorten days if you wanted to on the amazing public transport. A great trip and quality time together with few modern distractions.
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By James from Clitheroe | 05 August 2024

DATES & PRICES

2025

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Land Only Information

Please note our 'from price' listed is based on 4 persons in double or twin occupancy, however we can quote for any number of travellers, including solo travellers, contact our sales team for a quote.

All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. You may even wish to make this holiday part of a bigger adventure or pair it with one of our other holidays. We can arrange additional nights accommodation before or after your self-guided trip, ask our sales team to find out more about this.

Our sales team will be happy to provide you a quote for scheduled flights or alternatively you may wish to book your own flights with a low cost carrier from your nearest regional airport.

Please DO NOT book your flights before you have received your booking confirmation and your deposit has been taken.

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BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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