Arrive in the romantic lakeside town of Fuschl and check into your hotel for the evening. This tranquil lake is surrounded by deep green pine dressed hills and with less than 1500 people calling the town home, it is the perfect place to relax into 'holiday mode'. Depending on the time of your arrival you may wish to take a stroll along the lakeshore, enjoy a dip in the inviting turquoise waters or join one of the boat trips around the lake. The town is also home to Fuschlseebad, a fantastic public pool and spa facility; a popular feature in alpine towns and perfect for those travelling with children, or prefer the pool to the lake waters.

Your first day walking in this fantastic area will take you to neighbouring Lake Mondsee, known as the moon lake. Legend has it has Duke Odilo was hunting in the area with his entourage when he became lost on the rocky Cliffside and nightfall set in. It is said the moon suddenly appeared from behind the clouds and the duke could see the reflection on the lake. He vowed to build an abbey beside the lake, which he named Mondsee (Moon Lake). The lake is in fact the warmest in the region, reaching temperatures of 27 degrees in the summer, making it a popular weekend get away with families and watersports lovers from Salzburg.

Leaving Fuschl your route will take you out of town to begin your ascent over the western shoulder of Schober peak. Before long, you will reach the Wartenfels ruins which date back to 1259 and provide a fantastic view point over the lakes of Mondsee and Irrsee. The castle once held the court for the districts of Thalgau, Fuschl, Faistenau and Abersee. From here you begin your descent towards your final goal of the day, Mondsee. You will have time to enjoy a coffee and explore the town and the beautiful Basilica Minor St Michael, with its lemon-yellow baroque façade. You may recognise the Basilica from the emotional von Trapp wedding in the film The Sound of Music.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION: For experienced, sure-footed walkers today's route also provides the option to ascend Schober peak. You require a head for heights for this extension as you follow a section of grade 1 via ferrata on steep rocky ground to the peak. Please see 'important notice' on the holiday information tab for more details

Today begins with a short bus journey to the pretty town of Unterach on the southern shores of Lake Attersee, which was previously known as 'Little Venice' because of the many villas that were built here during the town's heyday. Leaving Unterach your walk begins with a gentle walk along the lakeshore to Burggrabenklamm, from here, you begin your ascent to the idyllic Lake Schwarzensee. On the lakeshore, you will find Zur Lore mountain hut; the perfect spot to stop for lunch or a slice of tasty apfelstudel. Fuelled on tasty treats you continue on your walk to tackle your final ascent of the day before dropping down to your home for the evening in St Wolfgang.

Your route today commences by taking you through the natural reserve of Blinklingmoos, a 100 hectare reserve which was originally a stilted area of Wolfgangsee, however, over time the clay and peat have built up to provide the perfect environment for alpine flowers to flourish, forming a carpet of colour through the spring. Declared a nature reserve in 1973 the area is home to over 40 species of plants, some of which are endangered. As you walk through the flower filled pastures you are accompanied by fantastic views across the lake to the remarkable peaks of the Schafberg mountains. Reaching the end of the lake you begin to follow the gushing waters of the river Ischl to join the romantic Sissi-Path, named after Franz Joseph's beloved wife Elizabeth (Sissi) of Bavaria. This well-established path with lead you past the tiny Lake Nussensee to Bad Ischl, famed for its old Imperial Villa where Emperor Franz joseph spent his summers with his wife Sissi.

In the evening, you can enjoy a stroll along the lake shore before dinner in on of the many restaurants. Exploring the town you will soon discover why this lovely spa town was given the royal approval!

Feeling refreshed, today your route will take you first along a section of the well-known Brine Trail before heading through the Rettenbach valley to the open alpine pastures leading you to Ausseerland; a place where time seems to have stood still, to create a unique ambience. Salt mining was big business and is referred to as the region's 'white gold'. The Brine Trail was originally part of this lucrative industry when the 34 km wooden brine pipeline was used to transport the salt water from Hallstatt's UNESCO salt mine to the salt works in Bad Ischl. Now the former pipeline provides a picturesque walking trail for you to enjoy. After just a short distance on the trail you break off to enter the Rettenbach valley, walking between soaring mountainsides and past quaint alpine huts, leading you to the start of today's ascent. Your efforts are rewarded as you reach open pastures and the welcoming Blaa Alm at the foot of the Loser massif. Here you can reward your efforts with a coffee and perhaps one of the regions tasty treats before taking the final descent to your hotel in Altaussee.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Altausee, the town of the same name has a history much like that of neighbouring Hallstatt; rising to fruition thanks to the rich salt deposits which provided the lucrative salt industry and development of the spa town, with many coming to enjoy the healing benefits of the mineral rich waters. You can explore the town and perhaps enjoy a swim in the lake before dinner.

Today provides the longest walk of the week, however with little ascent along the way you will have time to enjoy the contrasting scenery as you go. Your route begins on a well-established path leading you along the riverbank of the River Traun. Before long you will arrive in the traditional holiday resort of Bad Aussee, home to the Narzissenfest (Daffodil Festival) each May when the slopes of the Dachstein, Loser and Toten Gebirge become a sea of white, yellow and green. The festival is a celebration of the beautiful wild-growing daffodils including a magnificent floating parade. You will have time to enjoy a morning coffee stop before heading into the wild and idyllic Koppental valley where you can often spot courageous kayakers tackling the bouncing waters of the river.

The valley will lead you to the Koppenbrueller caves; the youngest of the Dashstein ice caves and one of the natural wonders of the Alps. If you listen, you will be able to hear the roar of the ice and water moving within the caves. Having discovered the natural beauty of the caves, you continue on a lovely high path leading you to the lakeshore and your boat across the lake to Hallstatt, allowing you to see the town from a different perspective before you explore the UNESCO town on foot. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner in one of the many inviting restaurants.

Your final walk of the week starts with a boat journey across Hallstatter See to pick up where your walk ended yesterday. Stepping on to dry land, you follow the lakeshore north to the head of the lake and the village of Bad Goisern. Arriving in Bad Goisern you will have opportunity to explore the quaint streets and perhaps enjoy lunch in one of the many cafes in the beautiful village centre. Feeling refreshed your route continues following first the river Traun to join the historic Brine Trail through meadows and rural farmlands to return to Bad Ischl. Here you will have a second opportunity to explore this colourful royal town, and perhaps raise a glass to a great week of walking, before taking the bus to Fuschl, where you will spend your final evening.

Enjoy an easy paced morning with breakfast and a final stroll through Fuschl before your onward journey.