Salzkammergut Lakes Walk
Start: St Wolfgang Finish: St Wolfgang
Duration: 7 Nights
Physical rating: Leisurely
Special diets catered: Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour Operator: Exodus
Age range: 12 to 99
Tour operated in: English
Prices From: $1961
Tour Overview
The Salzkammergut lake district boasts 76 lakes and a beautiful mountain backdrop and is the perfect place to relax and let the calming atmosphere envelop you. You'll enjoy a mix of spectacular scenic views on this 7 night self-guided tour combining gentle walking with places of interest. You'll follow lakeside paths and woodland trails and have time to explore some of the cultural and historical highlights of the region. Starting from St Wolfgang, renowned for its beautiful 15th century church, follow the lake to St Gilgen, birthplace of Mozart's mother. You'll then spend 2 nights at the wonderful riverside spa town of Bad Ischl, leaving you time to explore the summer holiday retreat of Emperor Franz Joseph. Although it's almost 100 years since the emperor was last there, his presence is still felt in the region, and you can explore the Kaiservilla, his former holiday home. Next stop is the UNESCO village of Hallstatt, a fairytale village of 16th-century Alpine houses and alleyways where you will also spend 2 nights. Visit the salt mines which are amongst the oldest in the world and which gave this region it's name. You stay in 4 star luxury, family-run hotels, most with 'feel-good' wellness centres, plus high levels of quality and attention to detail, making them calm and relaxing places to spend time.
Highlights
Hiking amongst fascinating mountains and around lovely lakes- Imperial city of Bad Ischl
- Picturesque waterfront villages and cobbled streets crammed with attractive frescoed houses
- UNESCO village of Hallstatt
Places You'll See
Countries:
Itinerary
Day 1
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Arrive at St Wolfgang
Arrive at your lakeside hotel in St Wolfgang
Day 2
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Round trip St Wolfgang & St Gilgen
Meals: breakfast
Take The Pilgrim's Way to the Falkenstein Chapel, built into the cliff face. An idyllic path continues along the lake to take you into St. Gilgen, birthplace of Mozart's mother. Return to St Wolfgang by boat.
Day 3
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From Wolgangsee to Bad Ischl
Meals: breakfast
Today's walk takes you from St. Wolfgang to lake Schwarzensee. The lake cabin of Lore is worth a break with its delicious homemade snacks. Follow the Wirer gorge into the valley and around Burglstein to the lake promenade of Strobl from where you travel by bus to Bad Ischl.
Day 4
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At Bad Ischl
Meals: breakfast
Enjoy a leisurely day exploring Bad Ischl. Visit the Imperial Villa, the Hotel Austria, where the engagement of Emperor Franz Josef and Elisabeth of Bavaria once took place, or enjoy a coffee break in the famous Cafe Zauner with delicious cakes and pastries or visit the warm brine swimming pools in the Salzkammergut thermal baths.
Day 5
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From Bad Ischl to Hallstatt
Meals: breakfast
From Bad Ischl walk along the riverside promenade into Kaltenbachau, a site of Imperial amusements such as horse races, picnics and rendezvous. Then, follow the oldest brine pipeline of the world to Bad Goisern, the gateway to UNESCO heritage Hallstatt.
Day 6
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Round Trip Hallstatt
Meals: breakfast
From Hallstatt enjoy a scenic view of the lake and the Dachstein massif. Plan a visit of the salt mine, enjoy the views from the top of Rudolf's tower and visit the excavation sites.
Day 7
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From Hallstatt to St Wolfgang
Meals: breakfast
After a train journey to Bad Ischl follow the romantic Sissi-Path to the tiny lake Nussensee. Continue along the river Ischl and through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve along the lake back to St Wolfgang.
Day 8
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Leave St Wolfgang
Meals: breakfast
Depart after breakfast
What's Included
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Luggage transfers between hotels
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Valley cable car fare Salzbergbahn Hallstatt
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Salzkammergut Erlebnis Card
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7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 4 star hotels
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Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
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Route directions and maps
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Breakfasts daily
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Ferry fare Wolfgangsee, Hallstättersee
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas and vaccinations
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Transfers for Land only (available on request at additional cost)
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Single accommodation (available on request, compulsory supplement)
Food
All breakfasts are included Austria is renowned for its wholesome, robust food. Austrians tend to eat heartily at lunchtime and less in the evenings. Local specialities include Wiener schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet) and various stews of beef and pork. Dumplings, potatoes or noodles are all regular accompaniments along with vegetables in a style similar to English cooking. Desserts are often fruit based - such as Apfelstrudel - or cream pastries. Rehrucken is a traditional chocolate and almond cream cake. On average Austrians, drink twice as much coffee as beer. There are many different types to choose from, particularly in the larger towns and cities and are often drunk in specialist coffee houses, known locally as a Kaffeehaus. It is often served in large cups and finished off with a healthy dose of whipped cream. Austrian wines tend to be sweet white varieties, similar to German Mosel wines. The three best-known areas for producing white wines are Krems, Klosterneuburg and Gumpoldskirchen. The main red wine producing area is Voslau. Of course Austria is better known for its beer and you will find a wide variety of local brews. The best known are Gosser and Augustiner Brau and come in light or dark forms.
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a deposit of 20% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 70 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.