BergeSeen Trail 16: Hallstatt - Bad Aussee

The 16th stage consists of three very different sections. After the boat trip over the Hallstätter See, you hike along the east shore path to Obertraun, where the theme trail "Through Limestone and Karst" connects. Under the mountain slopes above the Koppenwinkel, the world or the Traun valley seems to end – but the Koppentraun has carved a narrow valley between the Dachstein range and the Hoher Sarstein. The "path through the wilderness" uses this romantic pass through to Bad Aussee in the heart of the Styrian Salzkammergut.

From Hallstatt you take the scheduled ship across the Hallstätter See to Hallstatt train station. Magnificent view back to the mining town! From there you hike to the right on the east shore path. The wide track goes up and down past Grub castle. One of its owners, Christoph Eyssl, stipulated in 1668 that after his death his coffin should be rowed across the lake every 50 years – this wish was fulfilled until the 19th century. After a 45-minute walk, you arrive at Obertraun (513 m).

Shortly before the town, the theme trail "Through Limestone and Karst" branches off to the left. It leads under the railway line and up to the "Lichtstein". From there, it follows the ridge trail no. 1 to the right and briefly a road. To the left, a few steps up to the cemetery and then sharply right again to the ridge trail. Now about 3 km somewhat above the houses and through the Sarstein forest at the foot of the 1,975 m high Sarstein massif to the road, where you continue to the nearby Obertraun Koppenbrüller cave train station and to the bridge over the Traun. Across, the Gasthaus Koppenrast (531 m) is recommended for a first refreshment stop. 1:15 h

On the opposite side of the road you find an information board about the trail that leads into the narrow Koppental valley and to the impressive rock portal of the Koppenbrüller cave (visit possible, https://dachstein-salzkammergut.com). Before that, go left down to the Koppentraun, which you reach at the railway bridge and a suspension bridge for pedestrians. Continue right and through a tunnel of the old railway line (which was moved higher due to flood risk).

At the following fork, stay left next to the wildly foaming Koppentraun and pass a chapel at the Styrian state border. After the hospitable Koppental shelter, you pass a large avalanche protection dam, which shows how dangerous this area is in winter. Shortly afterwards, you cross another suspension bridge to the northern valley side, over which the path climbs in switchbacks to a forest road. On the right, you reach – finally on asphalt – the scattered houses of the village Sarstein (707 m). At the junctions near the Sarsteinrast cider tavern, stay on Sarstein street, which leads over meadows to Sommersbergsee street. Turn left here, past Hotel Wasnerin, then right onto the soon-to-be-graveled Roseggerweg. Here you enjoy a wonderful view – from the Totes Gebirge with the castle-like Loser and the Trisselwand, over Hoher Sarstein to the Hallstätter glacier on the Hoher Dachstein. After a barn, turn right at the signpost "Bad Aussee" to the parking lot in front of the Narcissus Bath. Past the neighboring hotel, then right on a meadow path to the (permanently closed) Teichwirt.

On Teich street and the left continuing Wilhelm-Kienzl street to the usually busy Pötschen pass street, which is crossed near the ÖAMTC. Continue shortly on Marktleiten street. After the Red Cross, turn left (signpost "Bad Aussee") onto a stairway leading down to the valley of the Altaussee Traun. At the bottom, continue right on Rudolf street, past the Parkschlössl and on Elisabeth promenade to a bridge, over which you go left into the nearby center of Bad Aussee (659 m). The tourist office is located to the right in the post office building. 3:00 h

Note: Train connection from Hallstatt station via Obertraun and Obertraun-Koppenbrüller cave to Bad Aussee. From the station, it is a 15-minute walk to the center.

• In alpine terrain, be alert to danger from falling rocks.


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


• Due to storm damage, forestry work, or construction measures, some trail sections may be temporarily difficult or impossible to pass.


• Cows on the alpine pasture are often curious. Due to mother-cow rearing, they develop a strong instinct to protect their calves. So move calmly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance from the animals, and never pet calves! In case of threatening gestures (scraping, stamping), slowly walk backwards away (do not turn your back). Keep dogs on a leash; they must not 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 places to stop for refreshment. In any case, you should bring enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

Courtesy of the text provided by the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

More information at trail.salzkammergut.at