Foto wandern in den Bergen

Obertraun

The neighboring village of Obertraun is a starting point for some wonderful excursions and hikes. The Dachstein cable car gets you safe and quick up the mountain. The mountain landscape of the Dachstein is impressive and unique. Some of the main attractions and excursions are:

  • Dachstein-caves (Eis- und Mamuthöle)
  • 5 Fingers-viewing platform on top of Krippenstein - at 2100m above sea level
  • Krippenstein Heilbronner Rundweg - a beautiful hiking trail
  • Gjaid Alm (alpine pasture) - after your walk take a rest in the mountain hut
  • Wiesberghaus and Simonyhütte - two mountain huts and guesthouses - each an ideal destination for a day-trip in the mountains. From the Simonyhütte you have a marvelous view to the glacier and Hoher Dachstein, the easternmost 3,000 m peak of the Alps.
The walking trail along the Koppen-vally also starts in Obertraun. From August to October you can take part in one of the guided tours. These tours are part of the "Wanderherbst".

Bad Ischl

The nearby town of Bad Ischl is known for its Thermal Spa, as holiday residence of the late emporer of Austria (Kaiser) and as favourite town and inspiration of the composer Franz Lehar. It is definitely worth taking a day trip to this lovely town. You can visit:

  • the Emporers Villa (Kaiervilla)
  • the Konditorei Zauner - a fantastic coffee house with delicious cakes
  • a classical concert
  • an Operetta - for example at the Lehar Festival in the summer months
  • the thermal swimming pool - Eurotherme
Or just take a walk around the town center and look around the numerous shops.

Salzburg

If you have a passion for music and cultural events I recommend a visit to Salzburg. From Hallstatt it only takes approximately 50 minutes by car to get there. Below is just a short list of attractions which the birth place of Mozart has to offer:

  • Salzburg Easter Festival
  • Salzburg Whitesun Festival and the Salzburg Festival (July, August)
  • Jedermannspiele - most famous play (Everyman) of the Salzburg festival in Summer; it takes place in front of the Cathedral
  • Museum of Modern Art at the Mönchsberg
  • Museum of Natural History (Haus der Natur) - interesting for everyone
  • Fortress Hohensalzburg
  • Getreidegasse - Salzburgs most famous shopping lane with its narrow houses tightly nested together
  • The Sound of Music - tour to the shooting locations; musical-evening
When your legs are getting tired, take a break in the famous coffee house Tomaselli. Don't order a simple coffee but choose from a large coffee menu (e.g: Einspaenner, kleiner Brauner, Kapuziener). Chocolate lovers should not leave Salzburg without a few Mozartkugeln in their bag, or at least having tried one. This round confect is filled with marzipan and nougat and covered in finest chocolate. It is just delicious and hard to resist.

Region of Bad Aussee, Altausse, and Grundlsee - the Styrian Salzkammergut

Recommended is a relaxing afternoon walk along the shores of Grundlsee or lake Altaussee. This area is a popular holiday destination for Austrian/Viennese actors and artists. If you are lucky you might bump into one of them on your walk.

The "Trachten", traditional Austrian costumes, are an expression of living tradition in the region of Aussee. They are popular with the locals and regular visitors alike.

St. Wolfgang

The church of St. Wolfgang possesses the famous high altar carved by Michael Pacher. It is a unique masterpiece of gothic art. This magnificent folding altar consists of a central section, as well as two moving outer wings and two moving inner wings.

Gosausee

At lake Gosau you can witness a natural spectacle that attracts visitors from all over the world. In the lake you can see a fantastic reflection of the Dachstein, the most magnificent mountain in the region.