Hiking in Austria is such a pleasurable pastime

The Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut is home to the most beautiful and most challenging mountain summits in the whole of Austria, and attracts hiking enthusiasts over and over again. Bearing in mind that “the journey is the reward”, you can take a gentle stroll with your family along the shores of Lake Hallstatt or take the cable car and then a more challenging walk to the 5fingers wiewing platform on the Dachstein Krippenstein. Those who are more experienced hikers and have lots of stamina might choose to climb to the summit of the Dachstein. A visit to Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt, Obertraun, Hallstatt and Gosau at Dachstein will quicken the pulse of any keen walker!

In keeping with the Austrian saying, walking is not just “the miller’s delight”

Hiking appeals to lovers of the great outdoors big and small, young and more experienced. Simply BEING in natural surroundings, experiencing the mountains, and enjoying the views, all make hiking the most popular form of sport. The Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut has the perfect ingredients for a hiking holiday: lakes and mountains. If you collect hiking badges we recommend the SummitLynx app which allows you to collect digital walking badges and then claim your reward from one of our tourist information offices.

Plan your hiking tour carefully so that you enjoy it and remain safe

Before you set out on a hiking tour it is essential that you find out how difficult it is, what equipment you will need, how long it takes, and where the route will take you. We have joined the 3D Outdoor “Fatmap” cooperation to make it easier for you and all other mountain enthusiasts in the area to plan and prepare for your expedition. Take a look at the Dachstein Salzkammergut fatmap and start planning your next adventure. You will love it, and you can also download the Fatmap App.

The following photo gallery can be navigated with the arrow keys (left, right).

Hike with a nice stop at the Hütteneckalm in Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt. (photo: Sven Posch / www.viewnect.com)

Enjoy the view by a hike to the "Löckernsee" in Gosau at Dachstein. (Photo: OOE Tourismus Röbl)

Enjoy a hike with panorama to the 5 Fingers on the Krippenstein in Obertraun. (photo: Sven Posch / www.viewnect.com)

Essential items for all hiking expeditions

When planning your mountain adventures, always make sure you know what equipment you will need. Depending on the nature of your hike, make sure you pack any special things you will need such as climbing ropes, harness, crampons etc. If you have forgotten something or want to try out new models from backpack to hiking boots, the "Best of Wandern" test center in the tourist office in Gosau at Dachstein is at your disposal. There you can rent the latest hiking equipment for your hiking tour in the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut free of charge.

7 things you must always take with you when you go hiking:

First aid kit
Head torch
Bivouack sack
Alarm/warning devices
Mobile phone and power pack
Map
Sufficient food and water to last you throughout your tour

When out in the mountains, the unexpected can happen, so it’s best to think about every possible eventuality in advance. Whether you are responsible for a group, hiking with friends or family, you must make sure you pack sufficient emergency items for everyone.

Hiking with children

Hiking is most enjoyable when you take your family. Take the opportunity to explore your natural surroundings and enjoy the views from mountain summits together. Children love the opportunity to explore. Bearing this in mind, you will need to allow extra time, make sure you don’t take on anything too difficult, and make sure your walks are not too long either. Children need to get used to walking, and if you expect too much of them, they won’t want to go again!

Tips for hiking with children:

Correct equipment for the whole family: Layers of clothing that can be added/taken off as required, waterproofs, protection from the sun
Small, light child’s rucksack, just for personal things such as their favourite toy, sweets .....
Snacks and drinking water to last throughout your excursion
Children should enjoy their walk, so allow then to set the pace
Allow several breaks and enjoy your natural surroundings together
Hiking with a group of friends is more fun for children
The aim is not necessarily to reach the summit, but to enjoy the route. Make sure your children enjoy going walking and do not expect too much of them!

Get more information about hiking with kids. Hiking trails for children and with strollers, via ferrats for kids,....

Long distance hikes, magical sites, Obertraun Mountain Experiences

There are many recommended long distance hikes to help you make the most of our Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut. Throughout the area you will come across many “places of happiness” which are said to help you “restore your energy”. Take part in one of our “Obertraun Mountain Moments” and discover the Dachstein Krippenstein from a different perspective: by sunrise.

Discover our World Heritage on foot

The Dachstein Salzkammergut Holiday Region is all about Cultural and Natural Heritage. Our Nature Trail is a great way to discover the natural heritage of the Dachstein massif. The trail begins at the Gjaidalm and continues via the Wiesberghaus Hut and ends at the Simonyhütte Hut. This is a spectacular mountain tour during which you can discover the ever-changing flora and fauna of the region and there are views of the Dachstein throughout. The route takes approx. 5 to 8 hours, so when following the Nature Trail, allow 2 days and 1 overnight stay in 1 of the 3 mountain huts.