BergeSeen Trail Stage 10
From Bad Ischl to the Katrinalm (3 hours)
From the tourism office of Bad Ischl (located in the landmarked Trinkhalle building immediately south of the parish church), the trail heads upstream along the Traun River. The route first arrives at the Elisabeth Bridge and then continues along the promenade passing Café Zauner. The trail continues along the Traun past the trotting track to the Traun Bridge. From there, the route veers right to the Rinden Chapel and right again along a narrow path which leads directly to the valley station of the Katrin Cable Car.
Hikers can either use the cable car to reach the Katrinalm or go on foot along the following route: The trail ascends through a meadow to the left of the cable car station. The path goes left above the AV-Kletterhalle (climbing hall) to a fork. Bearing right, the route continues to another junction. The trail heads uphill to the left to a new intersection. From here, hikers can go left and reach the Wildenstein Castle Ruins in a short amount of time.
Our route continues to the right along a flat forest road until reaching a new junction after 400 metres. The trail continues to the left along the so-called ‘Bilderweg’ through the forest until arriving at the ski run. The trail follows the ski run until reaching a forest road. The route ascends moderately steeply to the left along the Windengraben Forest Road. Soon the road curves can be shortened by way of narrow cut-through paths, and the trail finally reaches the end of the forest road.
The ascent to the mountain ridge is even steeper, and then along the southern side of the mountain, the terrain flattens as the trail leads to the Katrinalm (alpine meadow). From here, hikers have spectacular views of Lake Hallstatt and the Dachstein Mountain.
From the Katrinalm to Weißenbach (2 hours)
From the alpine hut, the trail heads to the south, first descending straight down and then making a sharp left turn through the beautiful mountain forest. As the route descends, the path becomes wider and continues through a beech forest to a junction. The trail heads right in the direction of Weißenbach. Passing through the leafy forest along a beautiful path, the trail arrives at the first houses and then reaches a street which continues downhill into the Weißenbach community.
From Weißenbach to Goiserer Hütte (4 hours)
The trail follows the Soleweg path in the direction of Bad Goisern. After a few metres, the path comes to a salt house (Solestube) and turns right to ascend through the forest. The trail continues to ascend above the vertical cliffs of the Jochwand and then descends to a viewing platform with amazing views of Lake Hallstatt.
The trail continues right along a road to the houses of Obermuth and then heads left to a fork in the road. Keeping right along the access road, the trail quickly reaches the Hochmuth farmstead and then heads straight ahead uphill to the forest’s edge. The route begins the ascent of the mountain ridge. After an initially flat terrain, the trail starts to climb more steeply upward to the Pramesbergerrast peak (approx. 1330 metres, shelter available). The trail continues to moderately ascend along a beautiful path in a sparse forest eventually reaching the first huts of the Schartenalm alpine meadow. It then continues to the left over flat mountain meadows to the Goiserer Hütte alpine hut, which provides spectacular vistas.
News for hikerson the
historical Brine Trail (Salzkammergut Soleweg)
Section Hallstatt - Bad Goisern locked
Section Bad Goisern - Bad Ischl open
Section Bad Ischl - Ebensee locked
Dear hiking friends, good news from the Salzkammergut Soleweg. The section between the Bad Goisern district of Steeg and Bad Ischl has been hikeable again since mid-July 2021. The rest of the trail in the direction of Ebensee will be reopened in 2022. The section from Hallstatt to Steeg (Bad Goisern) will then take place in 2024 - just in time for the Capital of Culture Year.
If you still don't want to wait that long and want to hike from Hallstatt to Bad Ischl, we can recommend the following alternative:
From Hallstatt by ferry to the station, on the “Ostuferwanderweg” (east shore hiking trail) to Steeg and then on the Salzkammergut Soleweg via Bad Goisern and Lauffen to Bad Ischl. The walking time for this alternative is about 6 hours. Refreshment stops: Weißenbachwirt, Steegwirt or Seeraunzn. We wish you a pleasant hike!
Another note for hikers in Hallstatt: The ascent via the Soleweg from Hallstatt to the Salzberg remains closed and parts of the World Heritage Hiking Trail in Hallstatt are also not accessible at the moment. Thank you for your understanding. Your editorial team.
Up-to-date information for hikers on the Salzkammergut “Soleweg” Rock clearance work and forest maintenance along the “Soleweg” (brine pipeline path) - observe closures!
The annual rock clearance and forest maintenance work will be carried out along the “Soleweg” from 3rd April until probably 5th May 2023. The section from the Kaiser hunting statue, in Bad Ischl, to Steeg is affected. During the work, the path will be temporarily closed to protect the population from falling trees and rockfall.
For your own safety, please observe and respect the closures along the brine pipeline path and the instructions of the ground staff! After acceptance of the path by the responsible regional geologist, the entire path from Steeg to Ebensee will be opened for general use by mid-May at the lates
Many prominent figures have explored this region: nobles like Archduke Johann and Empress Elisabeth, scientists such as Friedrich Simony, poets and authors like Nikolaus Lenau, painters like Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, musicians and composers such as Johannes Brahms. Did they ever think that hiking in the Salzkammergut might have no end? That they could tramp from one lake to the next and then onward to yet another? Day by day along the shores of crystal-clear waters? Week-long excursions through quiet valley forests, over sunny alpine meadows and up mountains fuelled by the anticipation of the next destination? Further information…
Tips: Hiking in autumn
Autumn is here! Hooray! The most beautiful hiking season of the year! However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when hiking, especially at this time of year.
- Plan tours properly.
- Start early. Especially for high alpine hikes.
- Attention: It gets dark early!
- If you are staying overnight in a hut, register in good time by telephone.
- Do not miss the last cable car ride down the mountain when on mountain tours.
- Information on the current operating times of the cable cars in connection with a hike can be found below under "Information at a Glance".
- Check snow conditions. Because at this time of the year the first snow can already fall in the high mountains.
- We have summarised further important safety tips below.
- We wish you an unforgettable hiking autumn in the Salzkammergut.
Your editorial team
Safety Tips for Hikers
Admittedly, the landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut is the absolute pinnacle for hiking fans, mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers—unforgettable tours to incredibly beautiful mountain lodges and meadows, panorama views as far as the eye can see and cherished moments that will last a lifetime! However, you should remember that while hiking you might find yourself in high-alpine terrain. We’ve put together some resources to assist you: how to best prepare for your tour, recommended items for your backpack and steps to take in an emergency situation. Remember to always play it safe and enjoy your hiking adventure in the Salzkammergut!
The katrin alpine cabin in Bad Isch
The cabin is located a few steps below the sum-mit station and looks back on a long tradition. It is easily accessible via a short descent and offers both, hikers in summer and ski touring lovers in winter, a cozy resting place to stay.
The Emperor City of Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl offers not only a great diversity of spa facilities but there is also the Katrin railway, which takes you to numerous hiking paths in the picturesque Salzkammergut area.
The Katrin mountain Inn
Der Katrin Berggasthof befindet sich bei der Seilbahn-Bergstation auf rund 1.400 Metern Seehöhe. Was unsere Küche „hinter den Kulissen“ kreiert, überzeugt durch erstklassige Qualität und vielseitigen Geschmack aus der Region.
Goisererhütte / Goiserer hut
Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt | Goisererhütte: Here you will find tranquillity to dream, reflect and cuddle - time for partners, children or good friends in the middle of unspoiled nature, with the Goisern valley at your feet.
Five Lakes Via Ferrata on the Katrin near Bad Ischl
See five Salzkammergut lakes - only the "intermediate" via ferrata on Bad Ischl's Katrin excursion mountain can offer this. The tour covers about 150 metres in altitude and takes about two hours. The ascent is by cable car.
The ”Katrin Cable Car” in Bad Ischl
Enjoy a charming 15-minute drive to more than 1, 400 m above sea-level with spectacular views. Starting point for the magic 7-Lakes-View Hike or the impressive 3-Summits-Tour across the mountains.
