Walking Tours in northern-europe

The Dachstein Alps

*  Peaks, Passes and Lakeside Walking

*  Historic Hallstatt

*  Views of the Hoher Dachstein

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 and across mountain sides 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 day the very fit can scale the Hoher Sarstein to the east of the lake but most will take the Soleweg route just above the lakeshore to Bad Goisern, with the possibility of a swim along the way.

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