The Alpine walking in Austria’s Dachstein Alps is arguably
some of the best and most varied in Europe. The towering peaks of
the Hoher Dachstein, high mountain passes, alpine meadows and
lakeside walks are all combined in a surprisingly compact area.
There
are certainly no compromises when it comes to impressive views.
The pinnacles of Hoher Dachstein are surrounded by glacial tongues
and the big walls of the Gosaukamm Mountains rise almost
vertically from the valley floor. Then there are all the lakes and
glacial tarns, more modest summits to scale and caves to visit.
There is a fairytale quality about the fjord like landscapes of
mountains diving into the diamante lakes, dense forests and
idyllic villages as well as the more usual Alpine features of lush
pastures beneath craggy and icy peaks. The 2995m high peak of
Hoher Dachstein and the Hallstattersee forms a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Attractive paths trace their way between villages,
over cols, across mountainsides and around lakes.
There
is a good deal of flexibility on this holiday as spending a couple
of nights in each of our hotels provides a choice of route on most
days. From Bad Goisern, the suggested walk is up the rocky peak
called Predigstuhl (1278m) for great views from the summit and
during the descent. An easier alternative is available. The route
to Gosau involves a big climb to the Goiserer Hutte and an
optional extra to the summit cross of Hoher Kalmberg (1833m). This
is rewarded with fantastic views into the Gosau valley and to the
mountains beyond. From the flower strewn meadows around Gosau you
can have an easier day's hiking around the Gosau Lakes, or take
the cable car up to the Gablonzer Hutte and stroll through the
mountain pastures back to Gosau. The energetic can always do both!
The walk onto Hallstatt involves a stiff climb but then traverses
under the rugged Mount Plassen. There are steep sections on the
descent but you can take your time and admire the surroundings or
even descend the last 300m by funicular to the lakeside ‘honey
pot’ that is Hallstatt - claimed by some to be the most
beautiful lakeside town in the world. Spend time in Halstatt,
visit the salt mines, enjoy a boat cruise or take the cable car up
Mount Krippenstein. The cable car gives access to massive caves,
ice caves and a high altitude walk with far reaching views down
the Hallstatter See and to the Dachstein Mountains and glaciers.
On the last walking day the very fit can scale the Hoher Sarstein to the
east of the lake but most will takes the Soleweg just above the
lakeshore to Bad Goisern, following the ancient brine pipeline -
you can even take a swim along the way!
7
nights/8 days - All our hotels are 3* and have
comfortable ensuite rooms. The first, second and seventh nights are
spent in Bad Goisern, The hotel has generous sized rooms and
is within easy walking distance of the town centre and railway
station. There is an outdoor terrace/beer garden for summer dinning and a
friendly bar and restaurant inside. Nights three and four are spent
in Gosau, an expansive mountain village, where our hotel
offers excellent hospitality in a family run establishment with
fantastic views of the Gosaukamm mountains; try the homemade
gateaux. Our hotel in Hallstatt, for nights five and six, has
been in the hands of the same family for generations and is situated
in the corner of the old town square. It is not far from the sights
or the lake shore. Here the fish from the lake are of particularly
good quality, and the chef serves the day's catch with buttersauce
or garlic butter, parsley potatoes and lemon.
Sherpa Notes
Waymarking
Standard Alpine red/white paint waymarks, usually like the Austrian
flag.
Accommodation
and Meals Bed and breakfast for 7 nights in 3* hotels. 3 evening meals
included.
Arrival Vienna, shuttle bus to Wien Westbahnhof (the central station)
and then trains to Bad Goisern leave nearly every hour and take 3.5 - 4
hours
Trains and buses also run from Salzburg, journey time 1.5 - 2 hours.
End
of Tour
Train from Bad Goisern to departure airport for your return journey.
