Are there food options for vegetarians and vegans?

If you'd like to eat a vegetarian meal, it's usually available at most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to find in huts, but we'll let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.

We do not demand that you have insurance before booking, but it is advisable to do. Joining the Austrian Alpine Club gets you covered in case anything unexpected happens to you on your way.

What kind of accommodation do the mountain huts provide?

Mountain huts are not luxurious, but they are cozy and comfortable. You will not lack a warm bed, delicious meals, and toilets. They offer private rooms and dormitories, so you should be prepared to book enough time in advance if you do not want to share a room with other people. Read more about the Austrian mountain huts .

Comfort Salzburger Almenweg: Werfen to Bad Gastein

10 days / 9 nights

1/9

Show all 9 photos

Explore the first section of the Salzburger Almenweg, hiking from Werfen to Bad Gastein through picturesque mountain villages and their luxurious hotels.

Starting point

Werfen

Finish point

Bad Gastein

Season

From June to September

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Explore the first section of the Salzburger Almenweg, hiking from Werfen to Bad Gastein through picturesque mountain villages and their luxurious hotels.

Starting point

Werfen

Finish point

Bad Gastein

Season

From June to September

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Hike through the heart of the Salzburg Alps, from Werfen’s valley to high alpine meadows
Enjoy alpine pastures and traditional huts, experiencing the rustic charm of the local mountain life
Challenge yourself with varied terrains, from forested trails to grassy ridges and peaks
Relax in comfortable high-end accommodations, staying in alpine towns
Discover historic and cultural landmarks in the quaint alpine villages like Werfen and Bad Gastein
Capture breathtaking vistas over alpine valleys and lakes of the land surrounding Salzburg

Itinerary of the trip

Upon arrival in Werfen, your journey will begin in this small yet picturesque town, best known for its towering Hohenwerfen Castle and proximity to the stunning Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves. Located in the Salzach Valley, Werfen is easily accessible by train or car, offering a convenient gateway to the Salzburger Almenweg trail. Once settled in, you will have access to local amenities and dining options to prepare for your trek. The town itself provides opportunities to explore its natural and historic landmarks before embarking on the hike.

Accommodation

Werfenerhof

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

The first stage of the Salzburger Almenweg starts in Werfen, following a path along the Salzach River towards Pfarrwerfen. After crossing the river, the trail ascends through Schwabegg with stunning views of the Tennengebirge mountains. Through the peaceful Hölln Valley, the route passes by forested areas and the picturesque Grünmaißalm, with views of the Werfener Hochthron. Further along, the landscape opens up, revealing alpine meadows near the Stegalm. A final stretch brings hikers to the Mitterfeldalm, nestled at the foot of the Hochkönig. From there, the journey continues to the scenic Arthurhaus.

Hiking

14 km and 1170 m of elevation gain / 210 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Berghotel Arthurhaus

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

The day’s hike follows a steady altitude, showcasing stunning views of the rocky faces of the Hochkönig and the peaks of the Hohe Tauern. Passing several alpine pastures, including the Windraucheggalm and the Riedingalm, you can take breaks to enjoy local specialties. The route then winds through the picturesque Rieding Valley, crossing the dry bed of the Schrammbach and leading to the Brandstätthütte. The trail continues westward, maintaining a consistent altitude until reaching the Erichhütte. From here, the trail descends through meadows and past local farms before arriving at the stage’s end in Dienten.

Hiking

15 km and 340 m of elevation gain / 800 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Oberdachebenhof Dienten

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

From Dienten, the trail leads uphill to the Bürglalm, a traditional Hochkönig herb pasture. From here, the route continues across alpine meadows, steadily climbing toward the Wastlhöhe. The trail then passes peaks like Kollmannsegg and Klausalmkreuz, eventually reaching the Schneebergkreuz at 1938 meters. The descent follows the ridge past small lakes, through a forest path, and down to the Hochegg. The final section includes a hike over the Gamskögerl, followed by a descent to the Meislsteinalm. The hike concludes at the peaceful Böndlsee after a short walk along a well-maintained road.

Hiking

19.5 km and 1350 m of elevation gain / 1550 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Panoramaplatzl

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

The hike begins at Böndlsee, following a small road southward. After about an hour of walking downhill through scenic paths, the route crosses the railway and Salzach River near Lend. Continuing along the main road the trail leads towards Höhenwart, with beautiful views over the Salzach Valley. The forest path ascends to the Kögerlalm and then heads east toward the Three Waller Chapel before branching off to the Amoseralm. This managed hut is another great stop before descending through the Bärenweg trail to the hamlet of Unterberg. The route then follows the Gasteiner Ache River into Dorfgastein.

Hiking

17 km and 1000 m of elevation gain / 1000 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Landhotel Steindlwirt

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

From Dorfgastein, the path leads uphill through the Dorferwald forest. The route continues through dense woods, offering scenic views of the Hochkönig, before arriving at the Heinreichalm. There, the trail ascends gently past the Heinreich Chapel and Kokaseralm, leading to a peaceful saddle between Tagkopf and Mooseckhöhe. The path crosses extensive alpine pastures and streams, eventually joining the Jagahäusl junction. The final stretch rises steeply to the Hohe Scharte and Wetterkreuz, where stunning views of the Gastein Valley unfold, followed by a descent to the Biberalm.

Hiking

17.5 km and 1600 m of elevation gain / 700 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Brandebengut

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

The hike from Biberalm starts with a descent offering sweeping views of the Hohe Tauern peaks. After crossing a stream, the trail leads through dense forest to the Kerscherhütte. It continues downhill on the Hytonga-Steig, passing through a secluded valley before reaching the Fundner Heimalm. The trail then climbs alongside the Leidalmbach stream, passing through mixed forests to the Brandner Hochalm. From there, the path narrows, leading toward the Kleine Scharte. Entering the Schlossalm ski area, the final descent via the Hofgasteinerhaus begins, ending at Angertal.

Hiking

17.5 km and 850 m of elevation gain / 1360 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Herzwies

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

Starting at the historic Angertal, known for its mining history, the route follows a forest path alongside the stream deeper into the valley. Passing the Waldgasthof Angertal, hikers ascend toward the Schattbachalm, nestled at 1683 meters. The ascent continues through a rugged cirque to the highest point, the Miesbichlscharte (2237 meters). From here, the descent begins toward Untere Bockhartsee, passing the dam wall to reach the Bockhartseehütte. The final stretch descends via a historic mining path into the valley of Sportgastein, ending at the Alpen Restaurant Valeriehaus.

Hiking

11.5 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 750 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Valeriehaus

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

This stage of the Salzburger Almenweg follows the old Nassfeldstraße along the Nassfelder Ache towards Böckstein. The path descends through a gorge-like valley, passing waterfalls like the Kesselfall and historical remnants of the mining era, including the Russian Bridge. The trail passes the two Astenalmen huts. Continuing on an alpine road, it leads into the historic center of Altböckstein, known for its rich mining history. The route then follows the Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Promenade, ending in Bad Gastein.

Hiking

10 km and 10 m of elevation gain / 600 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Romantikpension Villa Anna

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

After completing the Salzburger Almenweg, departure from Bad Gastein is simple and well-connected. If you require a private transfer, we can arrange transport to your next destination. Bad Gastein, known for its thermal waters and stunning Belle Époque architecture, offers easy access to major roads and train services. The town's location in the Gastein Valley ensures smooth travel routes whether you're heading to Salzburg or beyond. Should you need assistance with transportation or logistics for your departure, we are here to help.

Gallery

FREE ITINERARY

Get Your Travel Itinerary

Loved the itinerary? Enter your email below, and we'll send a copy straight to your inbox.

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

3 nights in mountain huts with half-board

6 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Luggage transfer

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

The Salzburger Almenweg is an epic journey through the heart of the Salzburg Alps, offering a picturesque blend of alpine meadows, peaceful forests, and towering mountain landscapes.

This first section from Werfen to Bad Gastein is designed for well-prepared hikers. It's demanding due to long distances and significant elevation changes but free of technical obstacles. The hiking involves significant effort, with an average distance of 15-20 km and mostly reaching over 1000 meters of elevation gain daily.

It provides a comfortable inn-to-inn hiking experience, featuring cozy B&Bs and alpine hotels in charming towns while introducing hikers to the region's rustic charm with a few well-equipped mountain huts along the way.

This part of the trail starts in the scenic town of Werfen, beneath the towering Hohenwerfen Castle, and ventures deep into the alpine countryside. The path gradually ascends through rolling meadows, past pristine pastures and clear streams, offering sweeping views of the Tennengebirge and Hochkönig mountains.

Although the hike rarely exceeds 2000 meters in altitude, the experience captures the essence of the Salzburg Alps – verdant valleys, forested slopes, and untouched alpine beauty.

Whether the majestic views from the Wastlhöhe or the peacefulness of the Böndlsee's serene waters, each stage of the hike reveals a new side of this picturesque region. After long days on the trail, hikers retreat to comfortable accommodations in small alpine villages like Dienten and Dorfgastein, where they can relax and enjoy regional cuisine.

Additionally, the well-marked paths and excellent trail infrastructure ensure a smooth journey, and public transport options are readily available at key locations for added convenience.

Our services include securing comfortable accommodations, offering detailed maps and GPS navigation, and providing customer support during your hike. Additionally, we assist in planning your journey, from managing logistics like luggage transfer to providing advice on extending or combining multiple sections of the Almenweg.

Frequently Asked Questions

The hiking season usually lasts from mid-June to late September. It depends on the snow conditions in the higher sections of the Alps, as lots of hiking routes go over high mountain passes. You should check the current situation if you are visiting in early summer, especially for Stubai High Trail, as large parts of the route run above 2000 meters of elevation.

The huts close their doors once the season ends as well, so you cannot plan any multi-day tours outside this time window.

You can read more about the hiking season in Austria here.

We've rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

You should book your tour as soon as possible, as many accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

In case of an injury, it is best to call the local emergency services. You might find yourself in the wilderness, unable to continue without worsening your situation.

Do not worry too much, though. You will be hiking along popular trails, so you will not get stranded even if something happens.

On the other hand, if you feel too tired to continue hiking, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to where you want to be in Austria.

Most huts along our hut-to-hut hikes are equipped with showers, but they might be a matter of whether there has been any rainfall lately. Do not expect too much, as mountain huts are not luxurious hotels.

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+15

Birgit Kindler

Verified customer · 1 year ago

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

Show all 3 photos

Claudia Ossa

Verified customer · 2 years ago

9 day hiking trip including rafting and mountain biking. Sadly the weather didn’t help, we had a lot of rain, but Klemen modified our plans, making it a great experience after all. Klemen is an excellent guide and I highly recommend him!!!

Show all 5 photos

Ann Swainson

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.

Show all 3 photos

Robert Backlund

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Our Guide Luka was amazing! And the three-day hike was a Memory for life, really beautiful. Cant recommend it enough.

Show all 4 photos

Rebecca Lawson

Verified customer · 10 months ago

Our 3 day hike had to be rearranged 2/2 weather, so a one day hike was arranged for us. We appreciated the concern about weather and conditions. Our hike was with Matevz, who was a great guide. Very helpful and knowledgable. Would definitely recommend and will be back for a longer hike one day!

Nicole Cocks

Verified customer · 10 months ago

This trip was organized with every detail considered. Our accommodation, most meals and routes were planned each day which is perfect when the region is unknown and you have not completed a multi-day hike before. We had a great time!