Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Individual arrival at Seekirchen on Lake Wallersee. Receive your pretour info pack, maps etc.

Day 2:   By train to Oberhofen, then hike to Eugendorf

By train you reach the German border, where Salzburg’s St Jame's Route starts. First you walk past gentle green hills down to Lake Wallersee, then follow the lakeside trail to Eugendorf.

Day 3:   Eugendorf – Salzburg

A comfortable walk brings you downhill into Salzburg, where a wealth of churches and ecclesiastical monuments wait to be discovered. A detour to Maria Plain, a baroque pilgrim church towering high over Salzburg, is worth the effort.

Day 4:   Salzburg – Großgmain/Bad Reichenhall

This morning you walk across the city in the direction of Mt Untersberg. At the little town Großgmain you cross the German border to Rupert’s Winkl and afterwards you reach the Bavarian salt metropolis of Bad Reichenhall.

Day 5:   Bad Reichenhall – Unken

Today you follow the river Saalach back into the Province of Salzburg. Past Lake Salzachsee you walk deeper and deeper into the mountains. The hiking path generally follows the river, which sometimes gushes wildly through steep rock walls.

Day 6:   Unken – Waidring/St. Ulrich

At first you follow the river Saalach into the widening valley around Lofer, which retains much of the original charm of a small alpine village. In front of you the steep rocks of the mountain range Loferer Steinberge seem to scrape the sky. You cross over the Strubpass into the province of Tyrol.

Day 7:   Waidring/St. Ulrich – St. Johann

According to the route you walk on the dyke path to St. Johann or bypass past Lake Pillersee and St. Jacob’s church, to St. Johann in Tirol. This lovely ski resort town lies at the foot of the Kitzbuheler Horn.

Day 8:  Individual depature or extend your stay in Austria.

Tour Rating- moderate

Route of medium difficulty on good trails and paths. Daily distance up to 6 hours. A good level of fitness is required as you walk up to 20 km in a day.

Salzburg

Day to Day Itinerary

1st day:   Individual arrival at Abersee/Wolfgangsee

Day 2:   St. Wolfgang-St. Gilgen

By boat to St. Wolfgang. Along the high walk to the Falkenstein wall – we enjoy the view of the lake. The idyllic Fürberg walk along the lake brings us to the Mozart village of St. Gilgen. Return transfer by boat.

Day 3:   Schwarzensee and Strobl

By boat to St. Wolfgang. Walk along the Sattel (saddle) to Lake Schwarzensee, where Madame Lore of the lake hut waits to treat you with local specialities. Down into the valley via a gorge and around the Bürglstein mountain to the lake promenade in Strobl. Transfer by bus to the Emperors town of Bad Ischl.

Day 4:   Rest day in Bad Ischl

Visit the Emperors villa, Café Zauner or the hotel Austria, where the engagement of Emperor Franz Josef and Elisabeth of Bavaria (the Sissi of the famous film …) took place.

Day 5:   Brine-pipeline walk to Bad Goisern

Salt always has been an important raw material of the Salzkammergut. We hike along the promenade of the river Ischl on the brine-pipeline walk to the world cultural heritage site of Bad Goisern.

Day 6:   Brine-pipeline walk to Hallstatt

On the brine-pipeline walk to the Salzberg (salt mountain) in Hallstatt (old salt mine – since the Celtic times). The route is slightly uphill and offers beautiful views of the little town of Hallstatt and the marvellous mountain massive of the Dachstein (highest mountain in Upper Austria). By boat we cross the lake and return to Bad Goisern.

Day 7:   On Lake Abersee

This morning we transfer by bus to Bad Ischl. Along the Elisabeth-walking path to the idyllic little Lake Nussensee and than along the river Ischl to Strobl. On the lake through the Blinkling moor to Abersee (beautiful views of St. Wolfgang, Schafberg and the lake)

Day 8: Depart today or extend your stay in Europe.

NOTE: A similar itinerary is also available for Nordic Walkers. A good level of fitness is required for this active tour.

Tour Rating - Easy

Relaxed walking on good walking trails. Daily distances of up to 5 hours and gentle hills only. We presume that you are in good health and have enough endurance for distances of up to 15 km.

Hallstatt

Bad Ischl

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Individual journey to Neukirchen/Salzburg

Meet your guide and reeive tour information. Overnight in a country hotel.

Day 2:   Transfer to Finkau – climb to Zittauer Hut (2329 m)

Overnight in a mountain cabin, no luggage transfer available, walking time is approx. 2.5 to 3 hrs.

Transfer from Neukirchen into Finkau Valley. Now a superb hut-to-hut walk follows – a perfect way to start your tour. You walk up through Wildgerlos-valley, a roaring mountain stream keeps you company with water falls and fascinating views of the surrounding mountains. The mountain cabin is idyllicly situated on Wildgerlos Lake. On calm days the mountains Gabler and Reichenspitze are mirrored in the lake.

Day 3:   Rainbach gap – Krimmler Tauernhaus mountain cabin (1622 m)

Overnight in Tauernhaus mountain cabin, luggage transfer, walking time approx. 3 to 4 hrs.

Past lower and upper Gerlos Lake you climb the Rainbach Gap. On a secure path through Rainbachkar you walk to the lake of the same name. Through bushes, creeping pines and mountain forests the trail winds up to Krimmler Tauernhouse mountain cabin. This cabin was first mentioned in 1389. The long tradition is perfectly paired with modern comfort – ideally suited for relaxing and recuperation.

Day 4:   Warnsdorfer mountain cabin (2336m)

Overnight in a mountain cabin, luggage transfer, walking time approx. 3 hrs.

Early in the morning, before the average tourist gets up, you start with a tour to the unspoilt Krimmler Ache valley. The alpine pastures traditionally are used by South-Tyrolean farmers from Ahrntal valley. When the cattle is brought to the high alpine pastures is a great event for the locals. In the afternoon we start preparing our glacier gear for the highlight of the tour – Groß Venediger.

Day 5:   Walk to Kürsingerhütte mountain cabin (2549m)

Overnight in a mountain cabin, luggage transfer, walking time approx. 4 to 5 hrs.

At first we walk across rocks, ground smooth by receding glaciers, to the summit of Gamsspitzl (2888m). Here we put on the glacier gear. Crossing gently sloped glacier fields we walk down into Obersulzbach Valley. From here a short ascent to Kürsinger hut finishes the day. Above mighty Groß Venediger towers – promising an exciting hiking day tomorrow.

Day 6:   Großvenediger summit tour (3674m)

Overnight in a hotel in Neukirchen, luggage transfer, walking time approx. 6 to 7 hrs.

The last day certainly is the highlight of the tour. From Kürsingerhütte mountain cabin we have to make a very early start. Roped together and with crampons we tackle the 3 to 4 hour climb of Salzburg Province's highest summit. The effort is rewarded with an unsurpassed view of the Alps: the summits of the Dolomites, Großglockner, Northern Alps with Dachstein, Hochkönig and Wild Kaiser, the list is endless. Back to Kürsingerhütte mountain cabin, we reward ourselves with delicious homemade cakes and then we have to bid farewell. An easy and uncomplicated walk downhill to the meeting point with our taxi does not take long. Transfer back to Neukirchen.

Day 7: Depart this morning or extend your stay in Austria.

Tour Rating - intermediate

Stamina for daily walking times of 5 – 7 hours, sure footedness, walking with a lightweight day pack. Glacier gear for the 5th and 6th day is provided. No experience in glacier hiking or walking with crampons required. On all days (except the 2nd) your luggage is transferred to the mountain cabins, only a day pack has to be carried! Please take into consideration that you are walking in an altitude of 2000 m+ and the effort required is substantially higher than walking in the valley.

Zittauer Hut

Großvenediger Summit

Kürsingerhütte

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Arrival at Freistadt

Visit the historic town which is proud of its almost fully maintained fortification walls. With numerous towers and ports it is an interesting sight indeed. Collect your tour information kit at the hotel this evening.

Day 2:   Freistadt – Gutau

Walk the castle and fortress road to the village of Lasberg, awarded the prize of the most beautiful village of Upper Austria. Past the ruin of Dornach, along the little river Feldaist to Kefermarkt. Visit of the late gothic winged altar. Past castle Tannbach, you then proceed to Gutau.

Day 3:   Gutau – St. Leonhard

Via Wimmer Heights, Erdmannsdorf, and Nußbaumerbrückl to the valley of Stampfenbach and past the fortress Herzogreith to the stone-oil stones. In the late afternoon you reach the Susi-Wallner scenic point and the mountain village St. Leonhard near Freistadt.

Day 4:   St. Leonhard – Pierbach

Round trip over the Preachers Mountain. Afterwards through the beautiful Waldaist Valley to the ruin Prandegg, once the 2nd biggest fortification of Upper Austria. Beautiful view from the tower. On you walk to Oberndorf and Schönau with its ruin Ruttenstein, then to Pierbach.

Day 5:   Pierbach – Bad Kreuzen

You walk through an idyllic valley past the infamous gypsy wall to the caves Schätzl, then onwards to St. Thomas upon Blasenstein. Well known for the “Bucklwehluckn” (a narrow gap in the rocks), as well as the “air-dried priest” (mummified canon). Bus transfer from St. Thomas to Bad Kreuzen.

Day 6:   Bad Kreuzen – Grein

From the fortress of Burg Kreuzen with its view of the Danube, the walking tour leads to Klam and through the Klam gorge to Saxen. On forest tracks to Grein where we spend the night.

Day 7: Depart today or extend your stay in Europe.        

Tour Rating- moderate

Route of medium difficulty on good trails and paths. Daily distance up to 6 hours. A good level of fitness is required as you walk up to 20 km in a day.

Historic Freistadt

Grein

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Individual arrival at Leibnitz

Tour introduction meeting this eveing at your hotel.

Day 2: Leibnitz, Seggau, Women's Hill, Gamlitz

The central square of Leibnitz is the beginning and end of your circle tour. To begin you walk on holy terrain to the Seggauer, and Women’s hill with its Roman excavation sites. In the early afternoon you arrive at a typical little rural inn, called “Buschenschank”, where you can relax and taste the excellent food. The speciality about a “Buschenschank” is that the farmers are permitted to sell everything he produces himself directly to the public. Therefore the quality is excellent and the prices are very reasonable. Afterwards descend to the wine-town of Gamlitz.

Day 3: Circle tour - Gamlitz

Through the vineyards you walk in the direction of the Slovenian boarder, where the well known South-Styrian Wine Road is located. Along the road many little inns are inviting you to have a refreshment. At the last station you can take the taxi back to Gamlitz

Day 4: To Leutschach

Today you walk the vineyards! Enjoy the special scent in the air when you walk past the vines. Many beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards and the first “Klapotetz” accompany you. A “Klapotetz” is a kind of wooden scarecrow that makes clip-clap sounds in the wind. Tonight you stay in Leutschach.

Day 5: Leutschach

Today y ou walk through the Heiligengeistklamm and up to the 'Grenzkamm'. Wonderful views of the vineyards, farms and countryside.

Day 6: View point Kreuzberg - Kitzeck

First you walk to the scenic view point on the low Mount Kreuzberg, where you have an overview over your tour course. Down in the valley you can visit the Celtic Hallstatt Museum and stop for some refreshments. Kitzeck – today’s destination – is the highest wine town of Europe. Overnight in Kitzeck.

Day 7: Seggauer hill, Sulm valley, Leibnitz

Crossing two mountain ridges you walk back to Leibnitz. Enjoy the quietness along the vineyards and take a look back at Kitzeck – simply marvellous. You can either cross the Seggauer Hill again back to Leibnitz or walk along the small river Sulm..

Day 8: Individual Departure
      

Tour Rating - Easy

Relaxed Nordic Walking on good walking trails. Daily distances of from 10 to 20 km and gentle hills only. This tour is an excellent opportunity to build up endurance, as you are walking at a quick pace, however the distances were chosen to include enough time for relaxing and sightseeing.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Arrival at the romantic city of Baden near Vienna

Baden is a small but lively spa resort with a good program of concerts and events during the summer season. You can reach Baden by train or with the Baden tramway from the city centre of Vienna.

Day 2:   Wine and water trail

Firts you take the train to Mödling, a town of the Austrian Biedermeier. You start your walking tour along the balcony path to the famous wine town of Gumpoldskirchen. You should visit a local wine tavern (Heurigen), where the wine and food is excellent. In the afternoon you'll follow the Vienna water pipeline through the vineyards to Baden.

Day 3:   Baden – Semmering – Payerbach/Prein

Take the world’s first mountain-train to the well known high altitude town of Semmering. The Gega-Railway was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and at the same time the surrounding mountains were included. The railway track offers an ideal insight into viaduct construction along the difficult route. Overnight in Payerbach or Prein.

Day 4:   Payerbach/Prein

Have a rest day or walk along the water pipeline to Kaiserbrunn, where you can visit an informative local museum. The Holl Valley is marvellous and you'll certainly enjoy the walk.

Day 5:   High alpine walking tour on the Rax mountain plateau

Fast and easy climb up by cable car to the Rax plateau at 1.500m altitude. Excellent trails lead from hut to hut and on sunny days you will even see as far as the Alps. A little bit more demanding will be the crossing of the plateau starting in Prein but the views are spectacular.

Day 6:   Up to the alpine pasture of “Bodenwiese”

Climb to Waldburg-Anger cabin where the high alpine pasture land of Bodenwiese starts. You will cross the alpine pasture and walk over a little pass to the village of Puchberg. Enjoy stunning views to Snowy Mountain massif, which is easily accessible by train.

Day 7:   By Salamander train up to the Snowy Mountain

Today you take the famous Snowy Mountain railway to more than 2.000 m above sea level. The summit is not far away and the view of the Alps is breathtaking.

Day 8:   Puchberg – Baden

Take a last walk around Puchberg or visit Wiener Neustadt. Return to Baden by train before your individual departure or perhaps a few extra days in Austria.

Tour Rating- moderate

Route of medium difficulty on good trails and paths. Daily distance up to 6 hours. A good level of fitness is required as you walk up to 20 km in a day.