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 Salzkammergut Lakes Hiking Tour

6 days / 5 nights

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Discover the serene beauty of Austria’s Salzkammergut region, with easy lakeside hikes, gentle forest trails, and breathtaking views around Wolfgangsee.

Starting point

St. Wolfgang

Finish point

St. Wolfgang

Season

From May to October

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

2/5

Tour type

Center-Based

Discover the serene beauty of Austria’s Salzkammergut region, with easy lakeside hikes, gentle forest trails, and breathtaking views around Wolfgangsee.

Starting point

St. Wolfgang

Finish point

St. Wolfgang

Season

From May to October

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

2/5

Tour type

Center-Based

Explore the scenic shores of Wolfgangsee with relaxing lakeside walks
Experience the serene beauty of Lake Schwarzensee
Ascend Vormauerstein for panoramic views of the Salzkammergut region
Discover the charming villages of Strobl and Sankt Gilgen
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of St. Wolfgang
Enjoy the comfort of well-located alpine hotels in the tranquil lakeside atmosphere

Itinerary of the trip

Upon arrival in St. Wolfgang, you will be greeted by a charming village set on the northern shores of Lake Wolfgangsee in the heart of the Salzkammergut region, known for its well-preserved historic buildings and alpine scenery. It is famous for the Pfarrkirche St. Wolfgang, a striking Gothic pilgrimage church dating back to the 14th century. St. Wolfgang is also known for the Schafbergbahn, a historic cog railway that runs up to the summit of Mt. Schafberg. After checking into your accommodation, you will have time to explore the cobbled streets lined with traditional wooden houses, restaurants, and cafés.

Accommodation

Hotel Weisser Bär

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

Gallery

The first section of today's hike follows a well-paved path along the lake's northern shore. Continuing towards Strobl, the path takes you through sections of forest and fields, transitioning to a mix of paved and dirt trails. The gentle elevation change ensures a relaxing hike, while the vibrant green meadows and scattered lakeside views provide an idyllic atmosphere. Upon reaching Strobl, a lakeside village known for its serene promenade, you continue on a mostly flat trail along the southern shore. The trail concludes as you get to the opposite side of the lake, where you'll board a ferry back to St. Wolfgang.

Hiking

11.5 km and 50 m of elevation gain / 70 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Weisser Bär

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

Gallery

Starting from St. Wolfgang, today's trail initially ascends through wooded areas with a steady climb. As you gain elevation, views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Wolfgangsee emerge. The path continues eastward towards Schwarzensee. Once you reach the lake, the trail takes you on a loop around it. The path is relatively flat, making it a relaxing walk after the initial ascent. After completing the loop around Schwarzensee, you'll retrace your steps back to St. Wolfgang, descending through the same forest paths with a pleasant downhill stretch.

Hiking

13.5 km and 420 m of elevation gain/loss

Accommodation

Hotel Weisser Bär

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

Gallery

Today, you'll venture on a scenic loop around Lake Wolfgangsee again, this time in the other direction. You will walk along the shores of the lake, making your way towards the picturesque village of Sankt Gilgen. The trail combines paved and dirt paths, passing through lush forests, meadows, and idyllic lakeside views. Approaching Sankt Gilgen, the route ascends, offering panoramic vistas over the lake and the distant mountain peaks. From here, the trail continues towards the lake's shoreline, taking you along the tranquil waters until you reach the point where you'll board a ferry across the lake to St. Wolfgang again.

Hiking

17 km and 280 m of elevation gain / 290 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Weisser Bär

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

Gallery

Beginning from your hotel in St. Wolfgang, you will initially follow a gentle incline out of the town, heading into a forested area along well-maintained trails. As the path begins to climb more steeply, you will gradually ascend through mixed forests and open meadows, gaining panoramic views as you progress. At the summit of Vormauerstein, the reward for your efforts is a spectacular view of Lake Wolfgangsee and the Salzkammergut region. The descent takes you along a different path, looping around. You will eventually rejoin a lower trail to Lake Schwarzensee leading back to St. Wolfgang.

Hiking

12 km and 920 m of elevation gain/loss

Accommodation

Hotel Weisser Bär

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

Gallery

On your departure day from St. Wolfgang, any private transport can be arranged if required. Depending on your itinerary, you can either head directly to your next destination or take some time to enjoy a final stroll by Wolfgangsee or through the village. St. Wolfgang offers a convenient location for reaching major transport links, including Salzburg. If you plan to continue your journey within the Salzkammergut region or to nearby destinations, local transportation options are available to connect you to larger towns such as Bad Ischl or Hallstatt.

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FREE ITINERARY

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

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

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 35-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings

Shade hat/cap
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Toiletries

The Salzkammergut region, renowned for its lakes, charming villages, and gentle alpine scenery, provides an ideal setting for a hiking holiday that combines natural beauty with cultural richness.

This tour introduces you to the beautiful alpine surroundings in a way that suits hikers who prefer a comfortable pace, with daily routes providing plenty of time to soak in the scenery and enjoy leisurely stops.

The highlights include gentle lakeside walks past picturesque villages like Strobl and Sankt Gilgen, scenic loops around Lake Schwarzensee, and the rewarding ascent to Vormauerstein, offering breathtaking vistas of the Salzkammergut region.

St. Wolfgang, your base, is a delightful village on the shores of Wolfgangsee, known for its historic charm and panoramic views. The easy-to-moderate trails take you through lakeside paths, rolling meadows, and gentle forests, all while showcasing the vibrant landscapes of the Salzkammergut.

The tour’s combination of shorter, more manageable hikes, paired with the option to relax in traditional alpine hotels and enjoy the lakeside charm of St. Wolfgang, makes it a perfectly balanced adventure for those seeking nature and comfort.

Our services ensure you’re well-supported, offering route guidance, pre-booked accommodations in cozy, well-located inns, and customer support during your hike. Should you wish to extend your journey, we can help plan additional days or transitions to other destinations within the scenic Salzkammergut region.

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!