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Hiking to the "Waldbach" origin in Hallstatt

The origin of the water

We must again walk along the Malerweg to the junction at the former Gasthof `Dachsteinwarte' in Echerntal. From there we take the forest road. Just beyond the barrier we see the Simony Memorial which was erected in honour of the famous Dachstein explorer Prof. Friedrich Simony. We cross the Dürrenbach, close to the Wiesberghaus's supply cable-car, and pass the famous Gletschergarten, which we should take the time to visit. The road takes on a romantic aspect at the tunnel through the `Mitterwand' (Middle Wall - 898 m). We find ourselves high on a rockface. Soon we reach a stone bridge which was constructed by forestry workers shortly after the Second World War.

The route is the goal

We do not cross the bridge, however, for the road veers to the left and after about a 100 metres the Dachsteinweg turns up to the left. We will remain on this path for the next half-hour. A signpost points us a little later to the turn-off to the right, where we then reach the Waldbachursprung (lit. Forest Stream Source) within a few minutes. We are now standing at the giant source of the Waldbach. lt carries glacier water which indirectly feeds Hallstatt's domestic water supply. Another natural wonder which we should not miss.

Heavenly Perspective

Lace up your hiking boots, load up your backpack and hit the trail! Enjoy gorgeous natural surroundings, charming architecture and friendly people as you wander down idyllic lanes and paths. The daily grind gets left behind and your head becomes as clear as the air in the high alpine landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage Region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut. Along the well-marked paths, you will find the ideal conditions for escaping the monotony of everyday life. Whether you’re a passionate mountain hiker or a nature enthusiast, traveling alone or with the entire family, you’ll enjoy scaling our regional peaks. In our comprehensive route planner, you’ll discover a variety of suggestions for creating your ideal hike. You can pick up a detailed hiking map at one of the four tourist offices of the Dachstein Salzkammergut holiday region. Each map describes favourite routes for exploring Hallstatt, Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt, Gosau and Obertraun. We hope you’ll have a wonderful time discovering the wonders between our mountains and lakes!


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!

Warning: Closed trails
Better to know before you go

Hiking trails in the Salzkammergut can be closed for various reasons. To help you prepare for your hike, we have set up a page with current road closures in the region. This will help you get to your destination without any detours or stress. Click here to visit the page...

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Waldbachstrub Waterfall

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Available accommodation for your hiking holiday in the Salzkammergut

Hotels and accommodation providers in Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Gosau and Obertraun offer the ideal room or apartment for your holidays, no matter what your tastes. Aside from establishments rated according to the international "star" scale, you will also find around Lake Hallstatt in Austria businesses that have been awarded two to four "edelweiss". The more flowers, the greater comforts you can expect. Whether you eventually find your cozy nest in an elegant 5-star luxury hotel, at comfortable guesthouse, a family-friendly apartment, or on a traditional farm, the choice is always entirely up to you.