Trek the Dachstein Trail

You’ll be transferred to Gosau Valley to start the holiday surrounded by heart-stirring scenery. It’s considered one of the greatest mountain areas in the Northern Alps and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. You’ll stay overnight – hopefully arriving in time to catch the sun set over the mountain peaks and lakes. 

Distance: 10km (six hours) 

Ascent: 850m 

We’ll catch the ‘Gosaukammbahn’ to the Zwieselalm, a lush mountain area used for grazing that sits at 1,475m above sea level. From here, our walk begins. We’ll head towards the ‘Bible Path’, aptly named after the Bible prints that were smuggled along this path at the time of the Counter-Reformation.  

You’ll skirt below a chain of mountains known as Gosaukamm and through idyllic alpine pastures before passing through the area of Stuhlalm. Then following the path in an arc around the most renowned peak of the Gosaukamm, the Bischofsmütze, your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. Our walk ends in Hofpürglhütte, where we’ll spend the night.  

Note: includes packed lunch for the day and luggage transport from Gosau to Steinerhaus where you’ll spend the fifth night. Luggage and sleeping bag for your overnight stay at the Hofpürglhütte, Dachstein Südwandhütte, and Guttenberghaus are to be taken along by yourself. 

Distance: 12.5km (seven hours) 

Ascent: 895m 

We’ll embark on a walk following the Salzburg Almenweg to an area called Rinderfield to find fields covered with limestone blocks and stones brought down by landslides. And running through the middle of this dreamlike landscape is a mountain stream boasting crystal waters.  

We’ll continue our walk past these huge formations and climb to the ‘Tor’, meaning ‘gate’ in German. Once we arrive at the highest point in today’s walk, we’ll cross the Salzburg – Styrian border, walking beneath the steep walls of Torstein, Mitterspitz, and Hoher Dachstein. 

Our destination for the evening is Dachstein Südwandhütte where we’ll stay in a hut that lies below the steep south walls of the impressive Dachstein itself.  

The Guttenberghaus, located at 2,147m above sea level, is our destination for today. This Alpine hut is the highest in Styria and dates back 100 years, so it’s got plenty of original rustic charm. From here, you’ll gaze out over Ramsau and the Enns Valley as well as the Lower and Higher Tauern just opposite.

Distance: 13km (seven hours) 

Ascent: 552m 

We leave the Guttenberghaus behind us today as we venture over the northern slope of the Sinabell. Along the way, we’ll walk past mountain rocks, pine forests, and gorges as we pass over the ‘Am Stein’ plateau.  

The first stage takes us through barren rocky landscapes before we reach lush meadows and verdant forests. We’ll take a breather at the Grafenbergalm to take in our surroundings and then continue to our endpoint, Stoderzinken. Here we’ll be greeted by a small collection of huts and inns, which sit below one of the most panoramic mountains in the north of Styria.  

Distance: 22km (eight hours) 

Ascent: 627m 

Take in the peaceful surroundings of a larch forest as we trail past pine trees along an ancient mule and smuggler’s path. Then we’ll wind our way up through a 30metre-high gorge in search of the UNESCO-protected ancient petroglyphs. 

Once we arrive at a hut on the Viehbergalm, we’ll take a scenic break before continuing past the Hochmuhleck with the Kemet Mountains off in the distance. Then we dip into a forest near Steinitzenalm and begin descending towards Bad Mitterndorf for the evening.

Distance: 15km (six hours) 

Ascent: 166m 

From Bad Mitterndorf we’ll take the train to Bad Aussee where our walk through the wild Koppentraun valley begins.  

You’ll get a perfect view over the Koppentraun’s unruly waters as we cross over a suspension bridge on our walk via Sarstein. Verdant forests flank the river while the sight of fly fishing in its crystal waters add to this idyllic scene. Once we get to the Koppental refuge we’ll take a well-deserved break before passing an old railway tunnel.  

Here, we’ll find the Koppenbrüllerhöhle cave, one of three famous caves in the Dachstein region. The cave offers incredible sounds of the hidden brooks that run through the interior of the mountain, particularly impressive after heavy rainfall. Our walk continues to Obertrain where we’ll hop on the ferry to our stop for the night in Hallstatt. 

Enjoy a free day to spend as you wish. We’ll be based in the charming village of Hallstatt with an abundance of activities to fill your time. Explore the old town and wander around the lake’s edge. Hallstatt is also well-known for its skywalk, a platform that perches over the houses of Hallstatt and boasts unbeatable views of the surrounding area. 

Distance: 17km (eight hours) 

Ascent: 1108m 

Tie your shoelaces tightly today as we’ll be embarking on a long and rewarding walk.  

Firstly, we’ll hop on the ferry at Hallstatt Market to cross the lake, a journey not dissimilar to the Norwegian Fjords. Then after disembarking we’ll follow the east bank trail, crossing a sky-high suspension bridge for a picture-perfect view over the deepest point of Lake Hallstatt. We’ll continue walk alongside the lake with views of the Salzkammergut mountains right beside us. 

Reaching Bad Goisern, our ascent then leads us by the Trockentannalm to the Goisererhutte at 1,592m. And after a full day of walking, you’ll get to wind down while tucking into some local delicacies and taking in the views from the hut terrace.  

Note: you’ll need to carry your own luggage and sleeping bag for the overnight stay. 

Distance: 7km (four hours) 

Ascent: 46m 

We’ll walk via Iglmoosalm taking the Bible Path over mountain pastures to Gosau. You’ll not be able to take your eyes off the jagged peaks of Gosau Ridge, formed 200 million years ago as a coral reef in warm seawater.  

Time to pack your things for departure. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight.