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Lakes & MountainsA relaxed discovery of dramatic mountains
Nights: 7
Starting point: Agathawirt (3*), St Agatha. The centuries-old Agathawirt is full of Austrian charm and carved wood furniture. The Schenner family offer a warm welcome and good, traditional cuisine. There is an attractive terrace and a small covered pool. Day 1: for your day at St Agatha we suggest circular walk uphill across lush alpine pastures with spectacular views of the mountains. Have lunch (pay locally) at the restaurant at Hütteneckalm, overlooking the Bad Ischl area where the emperors holidayed in the 19th century, before returning to St Agatha across more meadows. If this walk doesn't appeal (it is more strenuous than the rest of the routes on the holiday), you can enjoy our other suggested walk, a gentler option to the enchanting village of Bad Goisern. (14.5km, 5hrs or 8.5km, 2.5hrs) Day 2: with its dramatic fusion of mountain and lake, this is a splendid and thoroughly enjoyable walk. You follow the Ostuferweg, an easy path that leads alongside the edge of Hallstättersee, at the very foot of the mountains, sometimes along boardwalks. The day ends with a delightful journey across the lake on the steamer from Obertraun to historic Hallstatt (pay locally). Approaching via the lake, you get the best views of the village and can appreciate how the houses clamber up the slope, seemingly one on top of the other. (8km, 2.5hrs) Day 3: there are plenty of options for your day at Hallstatt. Choose to spend the day exploring this charming village, or take the funicular (pay locally) to the salt mines to which the village owes its prosperity. Alternatively, you can return to Obertraun and take the cable car into the high mountains for a gentle stroll through the panoramic meadows at an altitude of 2,000 metres, perhaps visiting the caves with their superb ice formations. (8km, 2.5hrs) Day 4: the day starts with a taxi transfer to Gosau, offering spectacular views of the Dachstein range. After dropping off your luggage you continue by taxi to Vorderer Gosauersee, where a scenic path leads along the lake's wooded shores and those of its neighbour. After walking round the two lakes, you can return to Gosau by bus (pay locally). (10km, 3hrs) Day 5: catch the bus back to Gosauersee and take the cable car (pay locally) up to the top of the broad ridge. From here, a fine path descends towards Gosau, offering wonderful views in clear weather back to the Dachstein Mountains. (9km, 3.5hrs) Day 6: we suggest a final walk which ascends steadily through a forest in which you may see tree-creepers, woodpeckers and squirrels. You reach a popular walkers' café in a clearing and from here descend gently back to Gosau. (9km, 4hrs) Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.
Recommendations for extra nights: Grüner Baum (Hallstatt) so that you can do all the options available to you, or Agathawirt (St Agatha) so that you can enjoy both walks there. Extensions: If you are flying via Salzburg, for some culture stay 2 nights at our 4* hotel. Alternatively, if you are flying via Salzburg or Munich, add 3 nights at the 4* Matschner in Ramsau. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. You can also read our website travel diary for a personal account of the holiday. Prices & travel 2008:
Recommended destination airports: Munich & Salzburg Extra night prices
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To the east of Salzburg, in the shadow of the mighty Dachstein (2,995 metres), dramatic mountains plunge into sparkling blue lakes, creating almost fjord-like landscapes made all the more enchanting by the idyllic villages which clamber up the slopes above the lakes. Inviting paths lead alongside the water at the foot of the mountains, and cable cars give easy access to the high mountains, for gentle walks across meadows, surrounded by dramatic peaks. Of the region's many lakes, we have chosen Hallstättersee, which forms part of the Unesco World Heritage Site and is crowned by the splendid village of Hallstatt, the jewel of the region. This is a traditional region, where the people continue to wear Lederhosen and Dirndls, and where typical Austrian fare, with an accent on fish from the lakes, is enjoyed.
The Dachstein peaks 
