The loveliest mountain tours in the Dachstein hiking area

Tranquil lakes, rugged mountain ranges and rustic huts are world-renowned characteristics of our beautiful hiking region in the heart of the Austrian alps. The Dachstein is king of all the mountains and is reflected in the crystal clear lakes. The most famous example of this is the Gosau Lake at the head of the Gosau valley.

In the summer months it takes about an hour and a half to walk around this mountain lake. The trail along the eastern shore of nearby Lake Hallstatt is also lovely. It takes around three hours to walk from Obertraun along the shore of this fjord-like lake to Bad Goisern.

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

Take a break from your hike at the Zwieselam and enjoy the view on the Dachstein (photo: Christopher Unterberger)

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

Path to the Löckensee in Gosau (Photo: Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut)

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

For those seeking something a little more challenging in the Bad Goisern area, there is a lovely high mountain pasture walk at approx. 1000 m above sea level to the „Hütteneck“ mountain hut. In full view of the almost „three thousander“, the trail passes through areas of high mountain pasture with rustic wooden huts and via the stone quarry to the alpine catered hut. From the Krippenstein plateau it seems you could reach out and touch the Dachstein glacier, and all along the Heilbronn Circular Trail there are unimaginable views of snow capped mountains. It takes three to four hours to complete this trail which is one of the most beautiful and highest situated hiking paths in the Dachstein region.

An example of the unique characteristics of the mountains of the Salzkammergut is the „Indian“ on the Kalmberg. You can hike up to the „Indian“ from either Bad Goisern or Gosau via the Goisern Hut or the Iglmoosalm. He gazes down over the Goisern Valley, and it is well worth stopping off for a while to admire this amazing rock formation. Austria is a popular destination for walking holidays, and hiking against the back drop of the Dachstein will ensure you take home some very special memories.