Hiking & Cycling in the Salzkammergut
The Salzkammergut is a hiking paradise with over 1,000 km of marked trails of all difficulty levels — from leisurely lakeside promenades to alpine via ferratas. The network is excellently signposted (marked red-white-red), the huts are serviced, and the views are legendary.
For cyclists, the region also offers excellent conditions: The Salzkammergut Cycle Path (345 km) connects all the major lakes on low-traffic roads and paved bike paths. E-bike rentals are now available at every lake.
The Best Hikes
★★★ Five-Lake Long-Distance Hiking Trail (BergeSeen Trail)
The BergeSeen Trail (350 km, 35 stages) is the great long-distance hiking trail of the Salzkammergut — from Fuschl via Wolfgangsee, Hallstätter See, Traunsee to Attersee. Individual stages can be done as day tours. The most popular: Stage 18 (Hallstatt–Obertraun, 4 hours) and Stage 24 (Ebensee–Feuerkogel, 5 hours).
★★★ Three-Lake View from Schafberg
With the cog railway to Schafberg (1,783 m), then a circular hike on the summit ridge (2 hours, easy). View of seven lakes simultaneously. Stop at the Schafbergspitze Hotel at the top of the summit.
★★ Soleleitung Hallstatt–Bad Ischl
The historic Soleleitungsweg — along the oldest pipeline in the world (built in 1607 to transport brine from Hallstatt to Bad Ischl). 42 km, easy, mostly flat, with fantastic lake views. Also doable in sections (Hallstatt–Bad Goisern, 3 hours).
★★ Dachstein Circular Hiking Trail
8 stages (approx. 121 km) around the Dachstein massif. Alpine experience required! Highlights: Passage through the Gosauseen, view of the Dachstein Glacier, overnight stays in serviced huts (18–30€ for ÖAV/DAV members).
★ Ridge Trail Zwölferhorn (St. Gilgen)
With the cable car to Zwölferhorn, then a ridge hike over gentle alpine pastures (3 hours, easy). Ideal for families. Stop at the Zwölferhornhütte (Kasnocken 12.50€).
💡 Tipp
The SalzkammergutCard (from €4.90/day) offers discounts on cable cars, boat trips, and museums throughout the region. It quickly pays off for longer stays. Available at all tourist offices and online.
Cycling Tours
★★★ Salzkammergut Cycle Path (R2)
The great circuit: 345 km through the entire Salzkammergut, mostly on paved cycle paths away from the road. From Salzburg via Fuschlsee, Wolfgangsee, Bad Ischl, Hallstatt, Traunsee, Attersee, and Mondsee back. Achievable in 5–7 stages. Elevation profile: mostly flat along the lakes, with moderate ascents in between.
Rental bikes from 20€/day, e-bikes from 35€/day. Luggage transport organized by companies like Eurobike (from 65€/stage).
★★ Traunsee Cycle Path
Completely around Lake Traunsee: 41 km, mostly flat, paved. From Gmunden via Altmünster, Traunkirchen, and Ebensee. Especially beautiful is the stretch between Traunkirchen and Ebensee with views of the Traunstein.
★★ Attersee Cycle Path
Around the largest inland lake: 48 km, predominantly flat. From Attersee via Weyregg, Steinbach, Unterach, Nußdorf. Numerous bathing spots for refreshing stops.
★ Wolfgangsee Cycle Path
From St. Gilgen via Strobl to St. Wolfgang: 28 km. Varied with forest, lake, and alpine passages. Return by ship possible (bicycle transport 5€).
💡 Tipp
In the Salzkammergut, there is a dense network of charging stations for e-bikes — marked on the official cycling map. Most inns charge for free. For classic bikes: The routes between the lakes have moderate inclines (100–300 meters in altitude), which are easily manageable with a regular touring bike.
