BergeSeen Trail 12: Bad Ischl - Bad Goisern

On the way from Bad Ischl to the south, you approach the “halfway point” of the Salzkammergut Mountains-Lakes Trail. It leads to the local mountain of Ischl, the Katrin at 1,542 m, from which there is a particularly beautiful view over to the glaciated Dachstein. Since beyond it a long descent into the Traun valley must be managed, the ride with the cable car appears as a convincing option.

From Schröpferplatz in front of the Kaiserin-Elisabeth Bridge in the center of Bad Ischl, you walk on the beautiful esplanade next to the Traun river upstream, past the Zauner patisserie to the adjoining Hasnerallee. Soon turn left following the sign “Lauffen” into the park-like Kaltenbachau, passing the harness racing track, the tennis courts, and a Traun bridge. At the small bark chapel turn right, cross the Kaltenbach and pass a pond. Then right to Katrinstraße, which leads to Kaltenbachstraße. On this one turn left to the nearby valley station of the Katrin cable car (475 m). 30 minutes

Next to the cable car station, climb a few steps over the ski slope, turn left above a tall building and then walk on a forest road below the Wildenstein ruin back right to the ski slope. 50 m further up continue right on the driveway, past a water reservoir and to a crossroads. A few steps right to the junction of the “Bilderweg” route no. 895 (signpost “Katrinalm, mountain station”). It leads left in a zigzag through forest slopes uphill. After about 30 minutes you reach the ski slope again, on which you ascend to a forest road. Now turn left uphill on it, go under the cable car and into the Windengraben. There some bends are shortened on a path.

Pass through slightly flatter forest terrain and soon right to a viewpoint (1,362 m). Staying left on a new, only gently ascending path through the southern slopes of the Feuerkogel to the rustic alpine hut on the Katrinalm (1,396 m), which stands just below the cable car mountain station. Wonderful view to the south to Hallstätter See and the Dachstein mountain range! 3:00 h

Descent on path no. 899, which runs down through the southern slopes of the Katrin massif into the Traun valley. Further down you reach a forest road on which you walk down to a transversely running street. From there continue on the hiking trail, from which you soon turn right. This leads – crossing further forest roads – down to the first houses of Weißenbach (490 m). 2:00 h

After the bridge over the Weißenbach and the further crossing of the bridge over the Traun, turn onto the Traunreiterweg towards Bad Goisern. Along the Traun you walk to the Sophienbrücke (currently closed) and then turn left into Sophienbrückenstraße into the town center of Bad Goisern am Hallstätter See (502 m). 45 minutes

Summit detour: To the Katrin (1,542 m) – see route G6, page 250.

Note: Train and bus connection (line 542) between Bad Ischl and Bad Goisern.

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


• Until early summer, you may encounter steep snowfields or firn rills there – especially with icing there is acute danger of falling and therefore life danger!


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


• Cows on the alpine pasture are often curious. Due to mother cow husbandry, they develop a pronounced 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 behavior (scraping, stamping) walk slowly backwards (do not turn your back). Dogs must be on a leash; they must not bark at or chase cows. In case of an attack, they must definitely be let 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 first aid kit should also be in the backpack. How much provision you pack depends on the number of catering options. In any case, you should take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when walking downhill.

With kind permission to use the text from the KOMPASS publishing house and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

More information at trail.salzkammergut.at