BergeSeen Trail 23 stages

The 23-stage long long-distance hiking trail was implemented as a joint project of the tourism associations of the Salzkammergut region and Salzkammergut Tourism Marketing GmbH with the Austrian Alpine Association and the Salzkammergut Friends of Nature.

On continuously marked trails with the Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail signage, it connects no fewer than 35 lakes. Via ferratas do not need to be overcome, but there are some short, exposed rock passages that require sure-footedness, a head for heights, and suitably sturdy footwear. Most stages end in towns with excellent tourist infrastructure and good accommodation options; however, some routes also lead to remote guesthouses or alpine huts that guarantee mountain romance.

Thanks to its well-thought-out routing, the Salzkammergut BergeSeen Trail makes the dream of many people who love the Salzkammergut come true: being on the move for twenty-three (or more) days, on a circular route from Gmunden over Lake Attersee to St. Wolfgang, across the Mondsee region and into the Salzburg state to Lake Fuschl, past Lake Hintersee and through the Osterhorn group, over the high pastures of the Postalm back to Lake Wolfgang and then on to Bad Ischl, to the Katrin and the Goiserer hut, high above Gosau towards the Dachstein, down from the Salzberg to Hallstatt, and from Lake Hallstatt through the Koppental valley to the Styrian Ausseerland, past Lake Öden and via the Hinterberg valley to the Tauplitzalm, in a wide arc to Lake Grundlsee, up into the Dead Mountains, through its northern cliffs to Lake Offensee, onward to Lake Almsee, through the Almtal valley and finally back over Lake Laudach to the starting point. If you are already a bit out of breath reading this list, consider that using the bus and train, boat or cable car can save a sweat drop or two.

Detailed information on the individual stages at trail.salzkammergut.at.

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


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


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


• Cows on the pasture are often curious. Due to mother cow husbandry, they have a strong instinct to protect their calves. Move calmly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance from the animals, and definitely do not pet calves! In case of threatening behavior (scraping, stomping), slowly walk backwards (do not turn your back). Keep dogs on a leash; they must not bark at or chase cows. In an attack, you must absolutely release them from the leash.

For all stages, you need hiking or mountain shoes with profiled rubber soles as well as wind- and waterproof 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. 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.

More information at trail.salzkammergut.at