BergeSeen Trail 11: Strobl - Bad Ischl

The 11th stage leads through the valley of the Ischler Ache, also simply called Ischl, which flows into the Traun in the famous spa town bearing its name. On the way there, the Salzkammergut Berge Seen Trail makes a small detour to the Nussensee.

In the town center of Strobl, follow Bürglstraße north to the bridge under which the Ischler Ache flows out of the Wolfgangsee. Just before that, go down a metal staircase on the right to the narrow Ache path that runs alongside the riverbank and passes under a road bridge after 800 m. After another 700 m, it ends at the next bridge. From there continue right on the driveway until you turn left onto the signposted Roman Road. This leads into Schwarzenseestraße, where you go left over the Ischler Ache (and thus over the state border to Upper Austria). On the other side, turn right after a building onto trail number 32 towards Bad Ischl, which now runs along the north bank of the Ischl. After the diversion of the mill stream, continue right, cross the street at the next bridge, and pass by a fish ladder. In the village of Windhag, turn right towards Aigen-Voglhub (sign "Nussensee – Bad Ischl"), cross the river on a pedestrian bridge, and there – back in Salzburg state – continue left on the brook trail number 18 (straight ahead would take you to a bus stop). Partly on a gravel track, partly on asphalt through a settlement, and finally right to the nearby federal road (bus stop). Behind the underpass is the Gasthof Zur Wacht (542 m) in the hamlet of Ramsau. 1:15 h.

On Schneiderwirtstraße over the Schöffaubach. At the junction of the Nussensee access road and also at the following fork, continue straight ahead. Only after the bridge over the Nussenbach do you turn right and hike up the old, gravel road through a gorge-like forest ravine to the Nussensee (604 m). Once there, you have the option to turn right and walk around the forest-surrounded mountain lake on its south side.

A shorter route leads left, initially also asphalted, where the lake circuit soon merges near a house. From there, in any case, follow the wide, uphill gravel path crossing a small forest ridge to Lindau (566 m). There, walk a few steps left on the asphalted Lindau street before turning right onto Auerbachweg. Now march about 1 km north through forest and a settlement. 100 m after the junction with Ahornstraße, turn right onto the flat Elisabeth Forest Path.

This themed trail, designed in memory of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, murdered in 1898, leads through the slopes above the valley to the Kalvarienberg Church (532 m), which is 1.5 km away. From there, you can already see the town center of Bad Ischl (470 m), which you descend briefly on the Kalvarienberg Path. On Leitenbergstraße and the Wirerstraße turning right, you reach the Empress Elisabeth Bridge. In front, the parish alley leads to the parish church and the drinking hall (guesthouse) opened in 1831, which houses the tourist office. From there you reach the station or bus station via Bahnhofstraße. 1:15 h

Note: Bus connection (line 150) from Strobl (bus station in the area of Bahnstraße) to Bad Ischl.

• In alpine terrain, be aware of the danger of falling rocks.


• Until early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn channels – especially if icy, there is acute risk of falling and thus danger to life!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work, or construction measures, individual sections of the path may be temporarily difficult or impossible to pass.


• Cows on the alp are often curious. Because of cow-calf rearing, they have a strong instinct to protect their calves. Move calmly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance from the animals, and never pet calves! If they show threatening behavior (scraping, stamping), slowly step backwards (do not turn your back). Dogs must be on a leash; they are not allowed to bark at or chase cows. In case of an attack, you must definitely let them off the leash.

For all stages, you need hiking or mountain boots with profiled rubber soles as well as wind- and rainproof clothing.

Spare clothes for changing and a small emergency first aid kit should also be in your backpack. How much provisions you pack depends on the number of refreshment options. In any case, you should take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

Text kindly provided by the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

Further information at trail.salzkammergut.at