Austria - Dachstein Hiking Tour

12 days, Self-guided, Minimum 2 People, Daily July to September

Part of the Halstatt and Salzkammergut Natural and Cultural World Heritage region, the Dachstein Alps contain dozens of peaks above 2500 metres. The mighty Dachstein (2995 metres) is the second highest mountain in the northern limestone Alps, dominated by glaciers and rocky peaks. The Dachstein Hiking Tour takes you into the realms of these jagged peaks and glaciers and is perfect for those walkers looking to venture onto more challenging high level routes.

This cleverly structured itinerary alternates charming lakeside town hotels with intermittent nights spent high in the mountains in comfortable alpine lodges. It follows well sign-posted paths starting from Gosau, on the shores of the turquoise Gosausee, one of the most spectacular sights on the trail, where the vertical walls of the Dachstein drop virtually straight to the valley floor. On most days only a day pack is required with your luggage being transferred for you although there are three occasions where you will have to carry overnight personal gear.

Day 1. Outbound to Gosau

Fly to Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich where you will be met and transferred to the tranquil and picturesque town of Gosau.

Days 2 and 3. Dachstein

Zigzag up the Stuhlalm (1461 metres) where the dramatic sight of the northern glacier fields greet you. Follow the Austria Way to your first mountain lodge, situated in a stunning location beneath the walls of the soaring Bischofsm??tze (2545 metres). Spend the following day in the realm of the majestic Dachstein with its mighty glaciers as you traverse a breathtaking route culminating in an ascent of Sulzenschneid (1990 metres). Descend through meadows of vanilla-scented orchids and marmots to your alpine hotel, superbly positioned to enjoy the sunset over the towering peaks of the Gosausteins and the Sudwand.

Days 4 and 5. Alpine High-level Routes

Ascend Gjaidestein (2794 metres) for far-reaching views over the Hallstatt and Schladming glaciers. Rocky terrain takes you along a high-level route through karst scenery and down between Eselstein and Schiechen to a further mountain lodge (2146 metres) with gorgeous views of the green Feisterscharte valley below. Continue past the tiny emerald-coloured Grafenbergsee, idyllically enclosed by green pastures and deeply forested hillocks. This is the region of traditional alpine dairy farming and you will come across ancient stone shepherd dwellings still in use today. The flora here is wonderful, alpine rose-filled fields leading you to deep ravines and eventually down to your hotel at Stoderzinken (1872 metres).

Days 6 and 7. Valley Low-level Routes

Descend through larch forests to the valley floor along an easy graded track to Bad Mitterndorf (809 metres). A lower level forested day in the valley follows, passing streams and lakes with plenty of opportunities for swimming eventually bringing you to Bad Aussee and its spectacular ice caves.

Days 8 and 9. Hallstatt

Follow the Salzkammer Way via Obertraun and take the ferry to the picturesque village of Hallstatt (a World Heritage Site). Named by Alexander von Humboldt as the prettiest lakeside village in the world, you will spend two nights here. Visit the saltmines and the mammoth cave and take a ride in the Krippenstein cable car to the Dachstein plateau.

Days 10 and 11. Brine Trail

Walk along the historically famous "Brine trail" to the charming village of Bad Goisern. A final stiff ascent to Hochmut (898 metres) and on up to the Goiserer Lodge (1592 metres) for your last night in the mountains. The lodge is situated at the apex of four ridges, close to Hoch Kalmberg (1833 metres) so the views are magnificent. Descend through green pastures along the long distance route E4 back to Gosau.

Day 12. Homeward

Transfer back to your departure city for your flight home.

Dachstein Alps Trek - Five Day Special

The above trip is also available as a 'long weekend'. You will need to catch an early flight to Austria where you will be met and transferred to Gosau to start your walk immediately following the route of Days 2 and 3 as above. From Obertraun you will be transferred back to Gosau to overnight after four days of walking. The next day you transfer back to the airport for your flight home after a brief but exhilarating break in the stunning World Heritage Site that is Dachstein.

Price: £445 per person land only

Click here for Dachstein Hiking Weekend Dossier