Extending across the States of Salzburg, Upper Austria, and Styria in Austria, the alpine region of Salzkammergut is defined by its many lakes as well as its history of salt production.
The most well-known lakes in Salzkammergut are Wolfgangsee, Traunsee, Mondsee, Fuschlsee, and Hallstätter See. In addition to these large holiday lakes, there are numerous alpine lakes embedded in the mountains.
Kati and I crafted this autumn-inspired road trip, which we followed in late October, to see the fall colors and take advantage of a warm spell of weather at the end of the hiking season. This route is also suitable for summer travel.
Driving from Vienna, we started our trip in Tauplitzalm and then continued to Ausseerland in Styria to explore Bad Aussee, Grundlsee, and Altausseer See. Next, we visited Hallstatt on our way to Gosau Lakes in the Dachstein-Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria. We drove back to Vienna via Bad Ischl and Traunsee.
If starting the trip in Salzburg, I suggest detouring to Filzmoos and/or Ramsau am Dachstein on your way to Tauplitzalm. Though neither destination is situated in Salzkammergut, these alpine villages are well worth visiting if you love dramatic mountain scenery and stunning hiking trails. At the end of the trip, drive back to Salzburg via Lake Wolfgangsee and Lake Fuschlsee.
- Optional detour to Filzmoos, or Ramsau am Dachstein
- Day 1: Tauplitzalm
- Day 2: Lake Grundlsee
- Day 3: Lake Altausseer See and Hallstatt
- Day 4: Gosau Lakes
- Day 5: Gosaukamm Circuit Trail
- Optional: 2 Nights in Filzmoos, or Ramsau am Dachstein
- 2 Nights in Ausseerland
- 3 Nights in Gosau Valley
- Optional: 1-2 Nights around Wolfgangsee
Salzkammergut Road Trip Map
DESTINATIONS
Grundlsee
Altausseer See
Hallstatt
Bad Ischl
Wolfgangsee
Filzmoos / Ramsau am Dachstein
Where to Stay
How to Book This Salzkammergut Itinerary
Accommodation
Optional – Book 2 Nights in Filzmoos, or Ramsau am Dachstein | Das Anja Alt Filzmoos (midrange), meiZeit Lodge (midrange-luxury), or Bauernhof Krahlehenhof (midrange), Hotel Annelies (4-star hotel), or Hotel Lindenhof (4-star hotel).
Book 2 Nights in Ausseerland | Podenhaus (midrange), Hofer Haus – Bad Aussee (apartments), Die Wasnerin (adults-only luxury hotel), Seehotel Grundlsee (lakefront hotel), or Narzissendorf Zloam (2-3 bedroom chalets).
Book 3 Nights in Gosau Valley | Frühstückspension Pachler (B&B), Haus Friedrich (guesthouse), Hotel Sommerhof (4-star hotel)
Optional – Book 1-2 Nights at Wolfgangsee | Das Franzl (B&B), Cortisen am See (adults only), Weisser Hirsch Wolfgangsee (4-star lakefront hotel), Hotel Peter (4-star hotel), Landhaus zu Appesbach (4-star lakefront hotel), or Landhaus Leopoldhof (hotel with spa).
Rental Car
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Optional: Visit Filzmoos and Ramsau am Dachstein
If you’re starting your trip in Salzburg city, I recommend detouring to Filzmoos and Ramsau am Dachstein on your way to Tauplitzalm.
These attractive villages set at the southern foot of the Dachstein massif boast stunning trails, mesmerizing mountain views, and lovingly-run accommodations.
During your stay, check out these wonderful trails: Hofpürglhütte – Sulzenalm Circuit Hike (moderate-moderately difficult), Rötelstein Peak Hike (difficult), Bachlalm – Neustadtalm (Neustattalm) Hike (easy), and the 5 Huts Trail (easy-moderate).
In Filzmoos, stay in Das Anja Alt Filzmoos (midrange), meiZeit Lodge (midrange-luxury), or Bauernhof Krahlehenhof (midrange).
In Ramsau am Dachstein, Pension Glöshof (budget), Alpin Residenz Dachsteinperle (apartments), Chalet Village by Apart4you (apartments), Hotel Annelies (4-star hotel), Hotel Lindenhof (4-star hotel), or Aktivhotel Pehab (luxury).
Day 1: Tauplitzalm Lake Plateau
Tauplitzalm is an alpine lake plateau in Totes Gebirge (Dead Mountains) in Styria, accessible by the Tauplitzalm Alpine Road. The car park at the top of the toll road is the starting point for an easy walk across Tauplitzalm plateau to the exceedingly charming Lake Steirersee, Lake Schwarzensee, and Lake Großsee
The plateau is studded with huts, both private and public (managed). Overlooking Lake Steirersee, Almrauschhütte is particularly inviting.
During our shoulder-season trip, most huts were closed. We ate dinner at Steirerhütte in Bad Mitterndorf (Google Maps).
Tonight, you have a few options. You can stay the night on the plateau at Schermer Hütte or 3-star Hotel Alpenrose, or continue to Bad Ausssee.
Bad Aussee is a small town in the heart of Ausseerland. There are three notable accommodations in the town center: Podenhaus (midrange), Spa Hotel Erzherzog Johann (midrange-luxury), and Hofer Haus – Bad Aussee (apartments). Outside of the town center, Die Wasnerin (4-star adults-only hotel) impresses with its spa facilities, idyllic surroundings, and half board offering.
In summer, I recommend staying around Lake Grundlsee, or Lake Altausseer See: 4-star lakefront Seehotel Grundlsee, or 4-star lakefront Hotel Seevilla Altaussee.
Day 2: Lake Grundlsee
Located at the foot of Totes Gebirge, Lake Grundlsee is the largest lake in Styria. In summer, take advantage of the many free swimming spots around the lake. Those that fancy a boat ride can join a 3-Lakes Tour.
We hiked up to Vorderer Lahngangsee in the afternoon. With better planning, we could have continued our hike to Pühringer Hütte. Next time!
We ate dinner at the lakeside Dorfwirtshaus Stöckl (Google Maps), a traditional and cozy restaurant serving up hearty Styrian fare.
Stay a second night around Bad Aussee.
Budget | Stangl (apartments), Haus Egglmeier (apartment), and Ecologie Grundlsee (1-2 bedroom apartments)
Midrange | Podenhaus (rooms and apartments), Hofer Haus – Bad Aussee (apartments), and DAS JOHANN Apartments im Ausseerland (apartments)
Luxury | Spa Hotel Erzherzog Johann (town center hotel), Die Wasnerin (4-star adults-only hotel), Seehotel Grundlsee (lakefront hotel), and Hotel Seevilla Altaussee (lakefront hotel)
Chalets | Narzissendorf Zloam (2-3 bedrooms) and MONDI Chalets am Grundlsee (1-2 bedrooms)
Day 3: Lake Altausseer See
Sunrise-motivated photographers may want to start the day by driving the Loser Panorama Road (toll fee applies) to the car park near Loserhütte to capture the soft sun-drenched Ausseerland landscape.
After taking in the views, drive to Lake Altausseer See. We parked at Parkplatz See (Google Maps). Follow the lake path all the way around the lake (6.9 km circuit, 1:45 hours), enjoying the views of Trisselwand. At the halfway point, take a break at the lakeside Seewiese Altaussee restaurant for lunch.
Our Salzkammergut itinerary continues to Lake Hallstätter See and the lakeside village of Hallstatt. As one of Austria’s most photographed and visited attractions, Hallstatt is overwhelmingly busy and suffering from mass tourism.
Park in the P2 car park (Google Maps), walk through the village, and visit the Hallstatt Charnel House, or Bone House.
If you’d like to extend your time in Hallstatt, stay in the lakeside Polreich (B&B), Pension Leopoldine (guesthouse), or Boutiquehotel Strand Hallstatt (adults-only lakeside hotel).
Otherise, continue your journey to Gosau Valley, gateway to the western Dachstein mountains. Stay in Frühstückspension Pachler (B&B), Haus Friedrich (guesthouse), or Hotel Sommerhof (4-star hotel).
Day 4: Gosau Lakes
Gosau Lakes are three glacial lakes in the Dachstein mountains: Vorderer Gosausee (front Gosau Lake), Gosaulacke, and Hinterer Gosausee (Back Gosau Lake).
Start the day with the Laserer Alpin Klettersteig (Via Ferrata Grade C), or a walk to Hinterer Gosausee and eat lunch at Holzmeister Alm am Hinteren Gosausee (12.6 km out-and-back, 3 hours).
Experienced via ferrata climbers can also tackle the Intersport Klettersteig Donnerkogel (Grade C/D).
Stay a second night in Gosau Valley.
Day 5: Gosaukamm Circuit Trail
Today, we hiked the Gosaukamm Circuit Trail around the westernmost subgroup of the Dachstein. This is a demanding alpine trail that is often hiked in 2 days with an overnight in Hofpürglhütte. It’s important to only hike this path when the trail is snow-free.
Start the hike at the Gosaukammbahn cableway mountain station in order to trim off 611 meters of elevation gain and 3 km. With the cableway ascent, the Gosaukamm loop hike is 18.7 km and 7:15 hours long without breaks. We needed 9 hours.
Alternatively, hikers can follow the easy Gosauer Herrenweg from Kalvarienbergkirche in Gosau to Sommerau Alm and Zwieselalmhöhe. Hike out-and-back, or ride the Gosaukammbahn cableway down to Vorderer Gosausee and return to Gosau by bus.
Stay a 3rd Night in Gosau Valley.
The next day, return to Vienna via Bad Ischl and Traunsee. Or, return to Salzburg via Bad Ischl, Wolfgangsee, and Fuschlsee.
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