Highlights:

• Dramatic landscape of the Dachstein Massif

• The Gosau valley and the Gosaukamm range

• Dense forest, pristine mountain streams and lakes

• The stunning lakeside village of Hallstatt

Brief:

⏱ Duration: 6 days
🗺 Distance: 90 km
⛰ Difficulty: Moderate
🗓 Best Time: July - September
🛏 Accomm: Hotels/mountain hut

Dachstein Circuit

The region south-east of Salzburg is called the Salzkammergut (salt estates). The Salzkammergut is an alpine region of lakes, mountains, steep valleys and forests. The lakes distinguish the region; there are over 70 of them and many are bordered by steep, forested mountains. The area is not particularly well-known outside Austria, but it’s cherished by Austrians as a scenically stunning outdoor playground.

It might seem odd that an area formerly known for its salt mines could be so scenically appealing. But the salt mines were underground mines, with the salt rocks extracted via shafts driven deep into the mountains, so their above-ground impact is very limited.

The southern portion of the Salzkammergut includes the Dachstein Massif and the Gosaukamm mountains. The Dachstein Massif is centred around Dachstein mountain (2,996m) and its namesake glacier. The nearby Gosaukamm is an imposing range of limestone peaks reminiscent of Chamonix’s Aiguille Rouges.

Also located in the southern portion of the Salzkammergut is the incredibly attractive village of Hallstatt. Hallstatt was established in the 1500’s as a base for the nearby salt mines. It’s perched on the edge of a lake hemmed in by towering mountains. Hallstatt was central to the whole Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut area attracting World Heritage Site status in 1997.

A circuit walk that encompasses Dachstein Massif and Hallstatt Lake, while providing close-up views of the Gosaukamm mountains is a mouth-watering proposition. The Dachstein Circuit walk does just that over a six walking day period. While the route itself does not include Hallstatt village, Hallstatt is close to two overnight locations, so can be readily added to the walk itinerary.

Hallstatt itself can be used as a base for some excellent day walks. Several of those are described in the Blog referred to below.

Assistance and further information:

• For assistance in walking all or part of the Dachstein Circuit, click the button below.

• For a Walk Travel Advisory Blog description of several day walks in the region, using Hallstatt as a base, click the button below.

• For information on other walks in Austria, click the button below.