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Bachlalm to Neustattalm Hike, Dachstein, Austria

This blissfully easy trail wanders through forest and across dreamy pastureland along the foot of the Dachstein South Face in Salzburg and Styria, Austria. It’s a lovely half-day excursion, perfect for those staying in Filzmoos, Ramsau am Dachstein, or Schladming.

This is a particularly lovely walk in autumn, when the larches turn golden-tangerine. Aim for mid-late October to see the fall colors. By the very end of October, many of the larches will have lost their needles, but certainly not all. 

This walk passes several alpine pasture huts, including the managed Bachlalm and Glösalm. The huts of Neustattalm (also spelled Neustadtalm) are privately-owned.

Much of the hike follows various alpine pasture access roads, including the private road to Bachlalm. In high season, it’s possible to take the Marmot Express shuttle to Bachlalm. This will effectively shave off 368 meters of elevation. 

Attention dog owners: Dogs aren’t allowed on the trail between Bachlalm and Neustattalm.

Neustattalm, Dachstein, Austria
  • Trailhead: Bachlalm Car Park | Google Maps
  • Distance: 10.4 km circuit
  • Time Needed: 3:45 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 588 meters
  • Minimum Elevation: 1121 meters
  • Maximum Elevation: 1561 meters
  • Route: Bachlalm Car Park – Schaidlalm – Bachlalm – Neustattalm – Glösalm – Bachlalm Car Park
  • When to Hike: June – October, depending on weather/snow conditions.
  • Where to Stay in Filzmoos: Bauernhof Krahlehenhof (midrange), Das Anja Alt Filzmoos (midrange), or meiZeit Lodge (luxury)
  • Recommended Trail MapDachstein WK 0281 1:50000 (Freytag & Berndt)

Bachlalm Trail Map


Where to Start the Bachlalm Hike


Bachlalm Car Park / Dachsteinruhe Car Park 

This hike starts at the Bachlalm car park or the nearby Dachsteinruhe car park along the Filzmooser Straße between Filzmoos (Salzburg) and Ramsau am Dachstein (Styria).

Bachlalm Car Park Location | Google Maps

Dachsteinruhe Car Park Location | Google Maps 


Bachlalm 

It’s also possible to start the hike at Bachlalm, which is accessible by a shuttle bus

The shuttle pick-up location is on the Bachlalm access road, just off the Filzmooser Straße. Wait under the large green sign: Einstieg – Shuttlebus Ausflugsziel Bachlalm 4 km, which means Entry – Shuttle Bus Excursion destination Bachlalm.

Operating Times | The shuttle runs from 8:30 am – 11:30 am and again from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. 

One-Way Fares | 6 EUR for adults, 3 EUR for children (ages 0-14)


Bachlalm – Neustattalm – Glösalm Trail Description


Bachlalm Car Park – Schaidlalm – Bachlalm (40 minutes)

Bachlalm Access Road, Dachstein, Austria

From the car park, cross the Filzmooser Strasse Road to reach the Bachlalm access road. Pass by the barrier gate and follow the paved road all the way up to Schaidlalm mountain pasture (30 minutes). 

The road cuts through forest, but views open up to the Dachstein and Rötelstein along the way.

At the cattle grid, note the alpine pasture rules of conduct before carrying on to Schaidlalm pasture.

Soon, you’ll arrive at a trail junction. Our circuit continues right in the direction of Neustattalm and Glösalm.

 However, feel free to detour to Bachlalm (10 minutes). 

Bachlalm Hut, Dachstein, Austria

Bachlalm is open from early June until mid-October (closed on Tuesdays). They serve cold and warm meals from 11 am until 4:30 pm. 

Bachlalm is a popular destination for seeing marmots. In summer, they are active in the morning and the early evening, when temperatures are cooler. 


Bachlalm –  Schaidlalm – Martinsbrücke – Neustattalm (1 hour)

Bachlalm -  Schaidlalm - Martinsbrücke - Neustattalm hiking trail, Dachstein, Austria

Head back down the road to the trail junction and follow the wide gravel track to Neustattalm. This level track leads east through the Brandwald forest to the Martinsbrücke bridge (15 minutes). 

Continue following signs to Glösalm. After crossing another bridge, you’ll arrive at a beautiful meadow rimmed with larch. The mighty south face of the Dachstein is the backdrop. 

At the trail junction, turn right in the direction of Glösalm, signed 45 minutes (Trail 671). 

The wide gravel track leads south. When the track intersects with another wide road, turn left (direction: Türlwald) and follow this road through the larch belt. 

Cross the footbridge over the Scharfensteinbach stream and walk a few more minutes up to Neustattalm. 

Neustattalm, Dachstein Mountains, Austria

Though there are no managed huts here, Neustattalm is nonetheless one of the loveliest scenes in the area. For the best photo motif, walk through the cluster of huts to the perfectly-positioned bench on the hillside. 


Neustattalm to Glösalm (10 minutes)

Glösalm, Dachstein, Austria

Continue up to the Dachsteinstraße, which is the paved toll road that leads to the Dachstein-Gletscherbahn cable car valley station. 

Walk down the road for 170 meters (2 minutes) and then turn right onto the trail to Glösalm, signed 5 minutes.

Glösalm is usually open from late May/early June until late October (closed on Wednesdays). They specialize in variations of Knödel (dumplings).


Glösalm to Bachlalm Car Park (40 minutes)

Glösalm to Bachlalm hiking trail, Dachstein, Austria

Follow the Dureggrundweg trail to Dachsteinruhe (Trail 8), signed 1 hour. 

At the first divide, take the right trail, following the “Duregg-Runde 8” sign. At the second divide, take the left path down, following the sign to Dachsteinruhe. 

The trail descends to another gorgeous meadow with views of the Dachstein. Follow the stream along the pasture fence. 

Follow the yellow-green painted waymarks into the spruce forest. 

A stile leads you into another pasture area. Cross the meadow and then descend the forest. The path twists down rather steeply, which is a bit surprising after so much carefree walking. 

When you reach the valley floor, turn left. Follow the road along the Kalte Mandling stream to the Filzmooser Strasse (8 minutes) and the Dachteinruhe and Bachlalm car parks.


Where to Stay in Filzmoos

Midrange | Bauernhof Krahlehenhof is a traditional farm with double rooms, family rooms, and apartments. Set in an idyllic location, this lovely accommodation offers a wonderful breakfast, a welcoming and authentic atmosphere, and cozy interiors. We ate a delicious dinner here during our last visit to Filzmoos. 

Midrange | Das Anja Alt Filzmoos offers rooms and apartments in the heart of Filzmoos. Stay here for the intimate setting, excellent location, and lovely rooms. Guests receive the Filzmoos Sommer Card

Top Choice – Luxury | meiZeit Lodge is a tastefully-furnished boutique hotel in the town center of Filzmoos. Stay here for the generous breakfast buffet (included in rate) and relaxing wellness facilities (Finnish pine sauna, bio herbal sauna, infrared relaxation loungers, relaxation zone, and vital drink bar). This charming accommodation also serves a complimentary afternoon cake selection between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. 

Luxury | Hotel Neubergerhof is located on a plateau in the Ski Amadé Ski Area, 6 km from the town center (10-minute drive). The room rate includes breakfast & dinner (half board). Stay here for the quiet surroundings, mountain surroundings, rich breakfast buffet and outstanding multi-course dinner, and friendly staff. Guests have access to an indoor swimming pool, family sauna, and adults-only wellness area (Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath, relaxation room). 

More accommodations in Filzmoos: Haus Ratgeb (budget),  B&B Landhaus Vierthaler (midrange)

Look for accommodation in Filzmoos


Schladming-Dachstein Hiking Trails

Filzmoos:

Ramsau am Dachstein:

Schladming:



Austria Trip Planning Essentials

Use our Austria Travel Guide and Austria blog archive to plan a unique and memorable trip to Austria. 


When to Visit Austria 

Summer and early Fall are our favorite seasons in Austria. 


Getting around Austria

Austria has an excellent public transit system. We’ve used it extensively to travel throughout the country. We highly recommend using transit if you’re visiting cities (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, etc…), and/or doing hut-to-hut hikes. 

Some areas like Mayrhofen, Schladming and Lech am Arlberg have wonderful seasonal transit systems in place (e.g. summer hiking buses). However, if you’re not visiting during the high season, bus frequencies are significantly reduced and it’s far easier to get around with your own vehicle. 

If you’re planning on visiting multiple destinations across  Austria, we recommend renting a car. 

Use these road trip itineraries for trip planning inspiration:

Car Rental 

We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.

Check car rental rates here

If you’re driving into Austria from a neighboring country, don’t forget to purchase a vignette at/near the border. 


Hiking in Austria

Where to Hike in Austria

Read Austrian Alps Hiking Destinations for an overview of where to hike in Austria, with tips on specific trails and where to stay. Also check out Best Day Hikes in Austria and these region-specific hiking guides:

Hut to Hut Hiking Austria 

Austria is a premier hut-to-hut and long-distance hiking destination. The quality of the mountain huts are superb. We particularly love the high-alpine trails, which are called Höhenwege in German. We’ve summarized our favorite multi-day hikes in Trekking Austria. If you’re new to hut hiking, read this in-depth guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria.

Hiking Essentials


What to See & Do in Austria

Sabrina Brett

Hello! I’m a spirited traveler on a quest to hike in the most picturesque alpine and coastal destinations across Europe. In 2016, I left my home and job in San Francisco, California, to move to Germany, and later Austria. The following year, I created this blog to help like-minded travelers experience new and exciting ways to travel authentically. I travel to hike, and I hope to inspire your next adventure.

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