On arrival in Bad Ischl make your way to the hotel. Ischl became a holiday home of European standing from the middle of the 19th century when Emperor Franz Joseph started spending time at his summer residence here. Bad Ischl, a health resort since 1906, is located in the heart of the Salzkammergut and is the starting point for this extraordinarily varied hike. You can visit the spacious thermal bath or visit the famous Café Zauner.

Meals:  Nil

From Bad Ischl you will walk to Kalvarienberg church and along the 'Elisabeth Forest trail', named for Empress Elisabeth of Austria's (Sisi's) former riding paths. Continue via Pfandl, where salt was already boiled in the 12th century. The trail leads via Russbach to Schwarzensee and through meadows to Burgau at Lake Attersee. Following the lakeside path, arrive at your hotel in Weissenbach or Steinbach. Note: At times 3km of the morning's trail must be by bus as the trail can be affected if there is heavy rain or storms. In this instance a bus ticket is included. Walking: 24km/14.9.mi, ascent/descent 584m/1916ft The walk can be shortened by taking a bus from Bad Ischl to Russbach or Pfandl to Russbach (walk 12km less)

Meals:  B

This morning you take the hiking bus to the entrance of Burggraben gorge (included) to start your walk. Over the alpine pasture ‘Eisenau’, the highest point of today's walk, a path winds along the heights of the Mondsee with various wayside crosses, which encourage you to pause. From Scharfling you walk past the Krottensee down to St Gilgen at Lake Wolfgang. Overnight here or further along the lake at the small town of Abersee (you can walk along the promenade or take the bus from St Gilgen to Abersee). Walking: 23km/14.5mi or 16.6km/10.3mi, ascent 700m/2296ft, descent 650m/2132ft

Meals:  B

A change of pace this morning as your day begins with a boat trip on Lake Wolfgangsee, the most famous lake of the Salzkammergut region, to St Wolfgang. Here you can visit the church or take the cogwheel train to the summit of Schafberg (1782m) for magnificent panoramic views of the region*. Back in St Wolfgang follow the lakeside path to Berau. It's a wonderful panoramic path, which runs directly along the water and leads you around the Bürglstein (Bürgl Panoramic Walk) to Strobl. Named after a family of merchants, Strobl was a centre for pilgrims and carters in the 17th century. Continue to Weissenbach for overnight. Alternatively, a hike to the Postalm is recommended. The largest alpine plateau in Austria, it extends in the south of Lake Wolfgang at an altitude between 1000 and 2000m and is known as a beautiful hiking area. *the cogwheel train is open from late April to late October (subject to change) and may also be closed due to inclement weather. Walking: 7.5km/4.6mi, ascent 164m/538ft, descent 141m/463ft or 24,5 km, ascent 1243m/4078ft, descent 1216m/3989ft

Meals:  B

The path from Weissenbach to Bad Goisern, the so-called Bear trail (Bärenpfad), leads into a rather primeval landscape formed by the water. Gorges, deep ponds and gurgling streams characterise the path. Walking past the ‘Kammersbach’ hut you will climb up to the Bärenpfadsattel. Halfway down, you may be interested in the ‘Chorinsky Klause’, an industrial monument (a lock) built at the beginning of the 19th century to move logged timber downstream for milling. Continue to Bad Goisern and your accommodation. Walking: 21km/13.4mi, ascent 895m/2936ft, descent 977m/3205ft Note: if you would like to avoid today's steep descent, you can take a bus to Bad Ischl and walk an alternate route to Bad Goisern (10km/6mi)

Meals:  B

On your way to Lake Hallstatt you will cross the river Traun several times. It is the lifeline of the Salzkammergut and rises in the Totes Gebirge in Styria. The next section on the eastern shore of Lake Hallstatt is unobstructed. It's a spectacular route with fabulous views of the Dachstein mountains. Hanging bridges give the impression of walking above the water. Continue to Obertraun and spend the night in Hallstatt. The almost perfect ensemble of narrow streets, historical houses, lake panorama and the cultural heritage from the Hallstatt era make this place world-famous. Walking: 19km/12mi, ascent 127m/416ft, descent 102m/334ft You can shorten today's walk by approx 8km/5mi by taking the ferry from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt town (payable locally).

Meals:  B

Today’s walk takes you to the lovely town of Bad Aussee. From Hallstatt return to Obertraun, where the Koppentraun flows into Lake Hallstatt then enter the romantic Koppen valley. A number of well-signposted adventure stations can be found along the way, with special attractions being the water-bearing Koppenbrüller stalactite cave, an old railway tunnel, the huge avalanche channels descending from the Hohe Sarstein (1975m) and the suspension bridge over the wild Koppentraun. In Sarstein, the gorge opens up again and Bad Aussee comes into sight. Surrounded by a lake, mountains, and woods, Bad Aussee is an old market town in the “green heart” of the Salzkammergut. Walking: 17km/12.4mi, ascent 414m/1358ft, descent 277m/909ft You can shorten the route by taking a ferry to the other side of the lake (Hallstatt stop) (10mins, approx EUR4), then walk to Bad Aussee, or shorten the walk further by taking the train between Hallstatt Stop and Bad Aussee (25mins, approx. EUR10).

Meals:  B

From Bad Aussee in Styria you hike on the old salt path. Here is the last place in Austria where salt is still mined as rock salt. Worth seeing is the Alpine Garden, where about 2000 species of alpine plants as well as plant rarities from all over the world thrive. In themed gardens, medicinal plants, aromatic herbs and much more are presented. The lookout tower of the Pflindsberg ruins from 1250 AD offers a fantastic view. The theme trail now merges into the so-called Römerweg; thus, the beginnings of the settlement Michelhallberg, which you cross, are documented from Roman times. On arrival in Bad Goisern you have returned to the province of Upper Austria. To return to the starting point of your trip you will take public transport to Bad Ischl (payable locally). Your luggage will be available for collection or if have booked an extra night with us, it will be delivered to the hotel. Walking 19km/12 mi, ascent 500m/1640ft, descent 660m/2165ft *trip concludes on arrival in Bad Ischl. If you'd like to stay an extra night please ask for our rates.

Meals:  B