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 .

The Dachstein Circuit

10 days / 9 nights

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Circumnavigate the stunning Dachstein massif, passing glacial lakes, ancient salt mines, and UNESCO World Heritage sites upon unforgettable high-altitude trails.

Starting point

Gosau

Finish point

Gosau

Season

From July to September

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Circumnavigate the stunning Dachstein massif, passing glacial lakes, ancient salt mines, and UNESCO World Heritage sites upon unforgettable high-altitude trails.

Starting point

Gosau

Finish point

Gosau

Season

From July to September

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Hike beneath the towering peaks of the Dachstein massif in the south of the Salzkammergut region
Traverse diverse landscapes of a UNESCO World Heritage region
Stay in a mix of traditional huts and comfortable hotels, feeling the Austrian hospitality
Enjoy breathtaking viewpoints such as from the Rinderfeld or Hofpürglhütte
Encounter natural wonders, including turquoise lakes and expansive glaciers
Discover hidden gems like Hallstatt, the ancient lakeside village with UNESCO recognition

Itinerary of the trip

Upon arriving in Gosau, located in the scenic Salzkammergut region, you'll be at the foot of the Dachstein massif, ready to begin your adventure on the Dachstein Circuit. The village, known for its proximity to the crystal-clear Lake Gosausee and stunning views of the Dachstein Glacier, offers a peaceful alpine setting. Historically a farming village, Gosau now serves as a popular hub for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether arriving by regional bus or arranged private transfer, you'll have time to check into your accommodation and prepare for the trek.

Accommodation

COOEE alpin Hotel Dachstein

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

Gallery

A short bus ride will bring you to Gosausee Lake, where you can catch the first reflection of the Dachstein peaks in the water. From the lake's shore, a cable car ride brings you to the Zwieselalm and the Gablonzer Hütte. The high-altitude trail offers panoramic views, with the Gosau-Torstein and Schneeloch glaciers forming a stunning backdrop. The route follows the historical "Bibelweg," once used during the Counter-Reformation to smuggle religious materials. Along the way, the striking Gosaukamm ridge and the towering Torstein gradually come into view, and the Hofpürglhütte soon appears in the distance.

Hiking

10.5 km and 630 m of elevation gain / 410 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hofpürglhütte

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

Gallery

Leaving the Hofpürglhütte, the trail climbs steeply, reaching altitudes of over 2300 meters. The route initially leads to the Rinderfeld, a vast alpine pasture dotted with limestone boulders and sweeping views of the Hohe Tauern peaks. The climb continues towards the "Tor," the highest point of the day, crossing into Styria from Salzburg. The dramatic cliffs of Gosaustein and Hochkesselkopf will dominate the alpine scenery. After a scenic pause at the Südwandhütte, the trail winds down towards Ramsau. A final descent takes you through meadows and beneath the towering rock formations to the Türlwand.

Hiking

19 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 1700 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Bergkristallhaus

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

Gallery

Starting from your hotel, the day's hike begins with a walk across the Ramsau plateau, offering a continuous view of the majestic Dachstein massif. Following trail 616, the path gradually ascends through a sparse forest, transitioning into open alpine terrain. As you gain elevation, views of the Ramsau region and the distant Enns Valley become more striking, while the peaks of the Lower and Higher Tauern form a dramatic backdrop. After a steady climb, you will reach the Guttenberghaus, perched at 2147 meters on a grassy hilltop.

Hiking

8 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 70 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Guttenberghaus

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

Gallery

Today's hike takes you across the high plateau of "Am Stein," a blend of rocky terrain, alpine meadows, and serene forest sections. The initial part of the trail leads you over open meadows before the path ascends through a forest to Grafenbergalm at 1783 meters. This peaceful alpine pasture is surrounded by pine trees and offers a beautiful spot to take in the Dachstein Glacier from a distance. From here, the route continues, descending through forest paths and passing by small mountain lakes before rising again to the Stoderzinken slopes.

Hiking

14 km and 650 m of elevation gain / 970 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Stoderhütte

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

Gallery

Today takes you from the Stoderzinken down through the historic Notgasse, a narrow gorge once used as a merchant passage, where rock walls soar up to 60 meters and feature ancient carvings dating back nearly 2000 years. After passing through the larch forest, the trail opens to the expansive alpine pastures of Viehbergalm, where you can sample local alpine produce. Continuing along the path, you ascend to the summit of Hochmühleck at 1731 meters. From the peak, the trail descends steeply through forest paths towards Steinitzenalm and eventually leads to the spa town of Bad Mitterndorf.

Hiking

19 km and 680 m of elevation gain / 1700 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel-Restaurant Grimmingblick

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

Gallery

This day's journey begins with a short train ride from Bad Mitterndorf to Bad Aussee. From there, a gentle walk takes you through the Koppen Valley, following the turquoise waters of the Traun River. As you stroll downhill through this picturesque landscape, you'll encounter the Koppenbrüllerhöhle Cave. You can visit the cave and continue to Obertraun's train station to board the ferry across Lake Hallstatt. The ferry takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt, known for its ancient salt mines and 16th-century architecture.

Hiking

14.5 km and 210 m of elevation gain / 350 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Seehotel Grüner Baum

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

Gallery

You'll take the ferry back across the lake to Hallstatt station. From there, the hike begins along the scenic eastern shore of Lake Hallstättersee, passing through Au on the way to Bad Goisern. A suspension bridge along the route spans the lake's deepest section. From Bad Goisern, the trail leads steeply upwards past the Trockentannalm to the Goisererhütte, which sits at 1592 meters. The ascent is rewarded with impressive panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, including the Tote Gebirge range and views stretching down to Bad Goisern.

Hiking

17 km and 1170 m of elevation gain / 100 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Goisererhütte

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

Gallery

After departing from Goisererhütte, the descent leads through beautiful alpine terrain, with dwarf pines, alpine roses, and old larch trees accompanying the trail. Along the way, you’ll pass small, stone-walled alpine huts that add to the charm of the scenery. Continuing through the forest, the route takes you down to Iglmoosalm. The final stretch of the descent brings you back to the village of Gosau, where the mountain views remain a striking feature of the landscape.

Hiking

6.5 km and 30 m of elevation gain / 870 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

COOEE alpin Hotel Dachstein

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

Gallery

After completing the Dachstein Circuit, departure from Gosau is straightforward. Private transfers can be arranged directly from your accommodation in Gosau to your next destination or nearby transport hubs such as Hallstatt or Salzburg, depending on your onward travel plans. If using public transportation, Gosau is connected by regional buses, with routes to major towns like Bad Goisern or Golling, where train connections are available.

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

4 nights in mountain huts with half-board

5 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

Additional transfers

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Luggage transfer

Private rooms

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

Circumnavigating the stunning Dachstein massif, the Dachstein Circuit leads hikers through a UNESCO World Heritage region known for its jagged peaks, expansive glaciers, and charming alpine towns like Hallstatt.

Each day of the hike presents a new facet of the mountains, from the reflective waters of Lake Gosausee to the towering cliffs of Gosaustein and Hochkesselkopf. It is a perfect combination of challenging alpine terrain, scenic mountain views, and historic cultural experiences.

The Dachstein Circuit offers a mix of technical terrain and panoramic views over the Dachstein Glacier, the Hohe Tauern peaks, and tranquil alpine meadows. Paths are well-marked, with steep climbs and descents along the way.

Despite the altitude and long hiking days, cable cars and funiculars help to make some of the more challenging ascents accessible, allowing hikers to fully appreciate the high-altitude trails.

Hikers are welcomed into cozy mountain lodges like the Hofpürglhütte and Goisererhütte, where a warm meal and cold beer await, while lower-level hotels provide more comfort in picturesque towns.

Highlights include the historical Notgasse Gorge, ancient caves, and the breathtaking views from the summit of Hochmühleck. The hike is perfect for experienced hikers looking for an immersive alpine adventure, with the convenience of luggage transfers and comfortable accommodations to ease the journey.

Our services for the Dachstein Circuit include detailed trail maps, booking accommodations in both rustic huts and inns, the possibility of luggage transfers, and customer support.

We also help with logistics and transportation from start to finish, ensuring a seamless and memorable hiking experience in one of Austria’s most scenic regions.

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 :)

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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!!!

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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.

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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.

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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!