Travel Guides

Walking in the Salzkammergut: the Austrian Lake District : 30 walks in Salzburg's lakes and mountains, including the Dachstein

by Rudolf Abraham

By award-winning author Rudolf Abraham Nestled between Salzburg and the UNESCO-listed Dachstein massif, the Salzkammergut is Austria's lake district — a landscape of shimmering alpine lakes, wooded limestone peaks, ancient salt mines and picturesque lakeside villages that has inspired artists and travellers for centuries. Easily reached from Salzburg, it remains one of the most beautiful and accessible walking regions in the Eastern Alps. This Cicerone guidebook features 30 day walks ranging from 5 to 20km (3 to 12 miles), mostly graded easy to moderate and perfectly suited to less experienced walkers and families. Covering four distinct areas — from the Fuschlsee, Wolfgangsee and Mondsee in the west, through the Traunsee and Ausseerland lakes, to the dramatic Dachstein massif with its glaciated limestone peaks — the walks include iconic routes such as the Dachstein Nature Trail, Hallstätter See East Shore Trail and the Gosausee circuit. Many routes explore the mountains and ancient salt mines surrounding Hallstatt, one of Austria's most visited and photographed lakeside towns. Every walk comes with 1:50,000 mapping, downloadable GPX files, and practical information on public transport and refreshments. Beyond route descriptions, this guide is rich with cultural and practical context, including history, geology, wildlife, accommodation and food recommendations, plus gateway city information for Salzburg and Linz. Whether you're looking for gentle lakeside strolls with famous views or longer mountain routes above the tree line, the Salzkammergut rewards walkers at every level, making this the ideal companion for exploring one of Austria's most captivating walking regions.

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