TRIP DOSSIER. Alpine Splendour AUSTRIA. Walking amongst stunning alpine scenery Austria s Lake District - Salzkammergut Hike in a World Heritage area

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Self-Guided Departures Walking Grade: B/C Moderate/Demanding Trip Code: TASP

1 TRIP DOSSIER Alpine Splendour AUSTRIA Walking amongst stunning alpine scenery Austria s Lake District - Salzkammergut Hike in a World Heritage area Self-Guided Departures Walking Grade: B/C Moderate/Demanding Trip Code: TASP For dates and prices visit Date of issue: 30 March 2017

2 COUNTRY Trip Title 3 Introduction Salzkammergut is known as Austria s Lake District, packed full of a stunning mix of dramatic mountain peaks, deep blue lakes and pockets of charming spa towns. It is a storybook landscape. This superb itinerary leads you between various traditional alpine villages, across meadows and plateaux and down to the panoramic lakeshore scenery this area is so renowned for. Walking days are longer, allowing you to explore deeper into the mountains, yet invariably following waymarked trails. A particular delight is encountering wonderful, remote mountain restaurants along the way, always scenically located and always with tasty food refreshments. Charming, welcoming accommodation in traditional towns and villages along the route ensures overnight halts are a delight. This is a great way to discover Austria s Lake District on foot and will appeal to those that prefer scenic, but lengthier walks and see more of this beautiful region. Important Note Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your Final Joining Instructions approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. Before booking you should read our Types of Trip and Essential and Useful information sections on including our Important Warning. Your holiday Life on trek As this is a self-guided holiday you can of course dictate your own schedule. In general you ll usually walk from your overnight accommodation (your main baggage will be transferred to your next accommodation) for 2-3 hours in the morning and stop for a picnic lunch obtainable from your overnight accommodation, or at a mountain café en route. After lunch you will usually carry on walking for 3-4 more hours, enjoying the sights along the way to reach your next overnight halt. Walking conditions Throughout you ll be following waymarked mountain trails and backroads with good conditions underfoot. These will vary in terms of the amount of effort required, as well as their duration. Some will involve challenging sections of steep and sustained ascent and descent, whilst others will be more moderate in comparison. During the course of this holiday daily walking times are between 6-8 hours each day (although shortcuts using the option of public transport are available most days). A full explanation of the trip grading can be found online at You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip. Self-Guided Holidays As the name suggests, self-guided holidays are for those that prefer to be independent. Within reason you are able to dictate your own schedule, as well as walk at your own pace with the aid of route notes and maps. All your accommodation has been reserved in advance and unless otherwise stated within this trip dossier, your main baggage is transferred between each accommodation along the way, so there s no need to worry about carrying heavy loads and having to back pack. This means you only need to walk each day and carry your usual lightweight daypack. However, it is important that you are entirely comfortable with being independent whilst on a walking holiday. For detailed information as to what a self-guided holiday entails please read the self-guided walking holidays section at Types of Trip on walksworldwide.com before booking your self-guided walking holiday. Route Notes - Help keep them up to date Things can and do change along the routes that selfguided walking holidays follow. A sign may have been changed, or even removed, a path may have been obstructed, even re-routed, a landmark the route notes refer to may simply no longer exist. It is clearly impossible to keep track of all the changes that may occur outside the local tour operators control and knowledge. It may be the route notes translation can be improved (they are translated into several languages by the local operator after all) too. Clearly a case of last person to walk the route has the most up to date information. In the spirit of camaraderie amongst walkers and in an effort to constantly keep route notes updated and improved upon, the local operator (contact details in your final joining instructions) will always welcome notification of any changes along the way/recommendations for improvement if you would care to forward any useful and specific information to them. Alternatively, send to Walks Worldwide and we will forward accordingly.

3 Detailed itinerary Day 1 Travel to Bad Ischl Arrive at Bad Ischl. (See How to join and depart this trip section later in this Trip Dossier).

This spa resort town has an inviting selection of charming cafes, convivial bars and fine restaurants, which all help to create a perfect Alpine ambience.

You ll be heading up through the forests to reach the Schwarzensee (715m), where a refreshing dip in the cool mountain waters is possible. Perhaps also taking refreshment at the Gasthof here.

3 3 Detailed itinerary Day 1 Travel to Bad Ischl Arrive at Bad Ischl. (See How to join and depart this trip section later in this Trip Dossier). The village of Bad Ischl is ideally located to explore the Alpine Mountains, valleys and villages of the Salzkammergut region. This spa resort town has an inviting selection of charming cafes, convivial bars and fine restaurants, which all help to create a perfect Alpine ambience. 3* inn, Bad Ischl Day 2 Hike to Lake Attersee Walking from Bad Ischl you walk to Kalvarienbergkirche church and on the Elisabeth Forest Trail to Russbach. You ll be heading up through the forests to reach the Schwarzensee (715m), where a refreshing dip in the cool mountain waters is possible. Perhaps also taking refreshment at the Gasthof here. Your trail takes you Burgau at Lake Attersee from here you ll walk along the shoreline of Attersee to Weissenbach. Ascent: 584m / Descent 584m Walking duration: 7-8 hours / 24 km 3* inn, Weissenbach (breakfast) Day 3 Walk between the Attersee and Mondsee You are transferred by bus to the start of the hike at Burggrabenklamm. This spectacular trail leads through the narrow gorge to the flanks of Mount Schafberg. Initially following the Attersee Ostwanderweg between the pretty lakes of Mondsee and Attersee to reach Buchbergűtte (1015m). Taking the Karrenweg over the Scharfling Pass brings you to Lake Krottensee. It s then a steady hike over Brunnwinkel and down to St. Gilgen where you then follow the lakeside promenade to Abersee, with the option of taking a bus from St.Gilgen to Abersee instead. Ascent: 930m / Descent 870m Walking duration: 8-9 hours / 22.5 km 3* inn, Abersee (breakfast) Day 4 Lake Wolfgangsee to Strobl. Option to take the cogwheel railway to Mt Schafberg Take the ferry across Lake Wolfgangsee to St Wolfgang. Time permitting you may wish to take the cogwheel railway to Mount Schafberg (1760m). This historic steam cog wheel railway has been running since 1893! There are magnificent panoramic views from the summit, this high vantage point affords both across the Alps and down to the Wolfgangsee, now far below. Other lakes should also be visible too, including the much larger Attersee and smaller lakes like Mondsee and Fuschlsee. Whilst one side of Schafberg plunges in dramatic, vertical fashion, the other side is a moderately angled plateau. Here you can walk along several obvious trails, whilst continuing to absorb the splendour of the lakes and mountains. Meals and refreshments can be taken at the mountain café on the top of Schafberg. You then have the option to descend either by taking the mountain railway, or 1100m ascent by foot back to St.Wolfgang. From St Wolfgang you ll initially follow the lakeshore promenade to Berau and further on the Burglstein promenade to reach the village of Strobl Weissenbach at the head of the Wolfgangsee. Ascent: 164m / Descent 141m Walking duration: 7.5km / 2-3 hrs Cogwheel railway to Mt Schafberg (1760m) 3-4 hrs 3* inn Stobl Weissenbach (breakfast) Day 5 Postalm hiking trail Ascending a forest road initially a trail then climbs up to the Bärenpfad. The trail then becomes less distinct although waymarked with symbols on trees as it steeply climbs to the summit of Bärenkogel (1333m). Here your efforts are rewarded with fine views from this vantage point. Onwards to the Goiserer Weissenbach where a further 10km of walking following this mountain stream brings you back down into a valley where you then follow the Traunuferweg to Bad Goisern. Ascent: 985 m / Descent 977m Walking duration: 7-8 hours / 21km 3* inn, Bad Goisern (breakfast)

4 Day 6 Hike to Bad Aussee Today is the longest walk of the entire holiday, although there is the option to shorten the length by taking the train from either Obertraun or Koppen to Bad Aussee.

4 4 Day 6 Hike to Bad Aussee Today is the longest walk of the entire holiday, although there is the option to shorten the length by taking the train from either Obertraun or Koppen to Bad Aussee. A lot of today s walk is fairly level as you initially walk along the valley floor from Bad Goisern along the Solewanderweg and then follow the lake shoreline to the exceptionally pretty village of Hallstatt. The route continues to the far end of the lake and onto Obertraun. Here you then head into the scenic Koppental Valley, ascending to the hamlet of Sarstein to remain above the valley floor until a slight descent to Bad Aussee. Ascent: 805m / Descent 641m Walking duration: 8-9 hours / 30.5 km 3* inn, Bad Aussee (breakfast) Day 7 Final walk to Bad Ischl Leaving Bad Aussee the route follows the course of the river to Altausseer Traun, steadily rising to the village of Altaussee by yet another picturesque lake. You then head away from the village to walk between the mountains and over to the Rettenbach Valley which then descends steadily to Bad Ischl. Ascent: 517 m / descent 703m Walking duration: 8 hours / 25 km 3* inn, Bad Ischl (breakfast) Day 8 Depart Depart Bad Ischl. (breakfast) Practical Information How to join and depart this trip The joining point for this trip is Bad Ischl on day 1 of the above itinerary. Airport transfers are not provided. The nearest international airport is either Salzburg or Munich. In order to avoid unnecessary costs inflating the price of your trip, arrival airport transfers are not included, so you should make your way on arrival to the joining point (full details of the joining hotel will be sent 2-3 weeks before your trip departs). However, if you prefer, our consultants can arrange an arrival transfer for you if you request this - please contact us for prices. Alternatively, a licensed, metered taxi or local, public transport may be available from the airport. There are some very good Postbus services in this area. The departure point for this trip is our tour accommodation in Bad Ischl, and you can plan your departure anytime on day 8 of the trip itinerary. Again, in order to avoid unnecessary costs inflating the trip price, departure airport transfers are also not included. If you prefer, our consultants can arrange a departure transfer for you on request - please contact us for prices. Alternatively, a licensed, metered taxi or local, public transport may be arranged from the hotel to take you to the airport. There are some very good Postbus services in this area. Flight Inclusive We recommend that you book this trip as a 'Flight Inclusive' package. Booking your international flights through Walks Worldwide guarantees you peace of mind and provides 100% financial protection under our CAA ATOL licence. What's more, if you book your flights with us as well as your ground arrangements, we will manage these flight arrangements both before and during your trip. As an ATOL Licence holder, we are able to secure and arrange competitively-priced airfares with most major airlines from the UK (as displayed on our website), as well as the option of regional departures too. Land Only If you would prefer to arrange your own international travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package, where the price does not include international flights. Please note that if you are booking your own flights there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable and often do not provide you with any financial protection (unlike booking your flights with ourselves where you would be 100% protected under our CAA ATOL licence). For this reason we strongly advise that you check the rules of any flight booking you make, and check the limitations under any insurance policy you may have in relation to cancellation or date changes. We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or consequences of any flight bookings or related travel arrangements you have made yourself, such as if your international flights were delayed or cancelled and you could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you do not book international flights or make other travel arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making your own international travel arrangements that they enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance with the criteria specified in the How to join and depart this trip section of this Trip Dossier. Travel by Train If you would prefer to travel by train provides an online booking

5 5 service for European rail services, including Eurostar. Please do not book your International rail tickets or make any other travel arrangements until we have checked availability and confirmed your booking. Local transport The Salzkammergut region has an excellent Postbus service, which you can use on the majority of walking days if you wish to shorten any particular walk. With the exception of the ferry on Wolfgangsee (day 4), public transport is not included in the land only trip price. Accommodation Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis unless you have already requested a single room. Throughout the trip you will be staying in small, friendly 3* inns (all en-suite). Food All breakfasts are included in the Land Only trip price, which will be taken at your Pension. Breakfasts will be continental buffet style. Many of the walking routes pass through villages or mountain restaurants where you can take lunch. Refreshment opportunities are included in your route notes. Alternatively you can always obtain picnic style lunches to carry with you in your daypack. Note-on day 5 there are no refreshment opportunities, so you will need to purchase a picnic before the walk. Evening meals can be taken at your overnight accommodation or at a number of restaurants and cafes in each village along the way. Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to coincide with what should be the most suitable weather periods for walking. Dependent upon when you travel temperatures may be between 15ºC-28ºC+. Mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised weather conditions, so you should always be prepared for inclement weather conditions. For climate statistics visit Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx. 1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude. Altitude The altitudes on this trip are modest and you should not anticipate any problems. Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached. As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle a normal suitcase can be used for your main baggage. Your main baggage will be transferred each day (maximum one piece of main baggage per person) to your next night s accommodation. Vaccinations & health We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are necessary for Austria. A useful travel health online resource is Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either online or from your local post office you will need to produce this if you have to see a doctor. First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (bandaids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Security Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience anything untoward it is worth taking precautions particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and keep clear of any street disturbances. Don t wear jewellery, or leave your bags unattended, keep large amounts of money, cameras and mobile phones out of sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves, together with details of credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend too. Safeguard valuables, important documents and cash and deposit them in hotel safes, where practicable. Currency The Austrian currency is the Euro ( ). Please refer to for up to date rates. ATM machines are widely available in Salzburg as well as at Bad Ischl and several other villages along the way. Language In Austria the language is German. Although you will find that English is widely spoken, we recommend you take along a phrase book and also try to learn some simple German phrases and greetings. The local people will of course especially appreciate any attempt to speak their language and is all part of the fun. Tipping This is rarely necessary as by law hotels, restaurants, bars (even taxis) have a 15% service charge included. Maps We recommend Stanfords at Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: ) Travel Insurance

6 6 It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are nonrefundable. You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call us on for a quotation. Passports & Visas British passport holders (and other EU passport holders) do not require a visa to visit Austria for stays up to three months (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). You can obtain the latest visa information, as well as book your visa either by contacting your reservation consultant, or by following the link below to our designated visa service: Budgeting for your trip Please refer to the detailed itinerary for information on what is included in this trip. You will need to budget for meals and drinks not included in the holiday, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry. Clothing & Equipment Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding packing for your trip. The information we provide is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your trip. Extensions & Excursions Stay longer in Bad Ischl Birthplace of composer Franz Lehar and the summer retreat of Franz Josef, the spa town of Bad Ischl is a great place to spend extra time at the end of your walking. If you are still in the mood for more walking then our local representatives based in the town are always on hand to offer expert advice and assistance. Special events are held throughout the summer (see too as well as twice daily free open air concerts by the Kongresshaus. Why not take a tour of the Emperors summer residence, the Kaiservilla or visit the former residence of Franz Lehar, now a museum. There are also many wonderful cafes in Bad Ischl, where you can simply relax and soak up the atmosphere and indulge yourself in tantalisingly wicked cakes and pastries. We can book extra nights for you in Bad Ischl at the following hotels on a room and breakfast basis. 3* Hotel Stadt Salzburg: Seasonal prices upon request To end your time in Bad Ischl In Style we recommend the: 4* Villa Seilern Spa Resort: Seasonal prices upon request This luxurious 4* resort hotel is in the heart of Bad Ischl and combines both modernity and neo-classical style. The Spa and Wellness area offers a 80 m² indoor pool, massage lounges, massage jets, whirlpool, generous sauna area with sauna court, infrared cabin, steam baths, rest and relaxation area etc. Salzburg To many Salzburg is synonomous with both The Sound of Music and as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The old part of Salzburg is quite small and it s dreamy spires and narrow streets can easily be explored on foot. An elevator whisks you to the top of the Monchberg from where you can enjoy amazing panoramas of the city and to the mountains beyond whilst enjoying a Latte from a trendy café. The impressive castle of Hohensalzburg also commands superb views and is easily reached by means of a funicular railway. Needless to say there are countless restaurants and bars, as well as shops to visit too. Indeed Altstadt is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and contains much of interest to the visitor beyond The Sound of Music, which although many locations within the city (e.g. Mirabell Gardens) were used, many locals are still a little puzzled by all the fuss surrounding the film as it has never been popular in Austria. The impressive baroque cathedral of Salzburger Dom is the site of Mozarts baptism and dates back to the 17 th Century. Other places well worth a visit are the Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery, Mozart s Birthplace at No.9 Getreidegasse (look out for the puppet woman) and the Palace of Mirabell If you would like to spend time either before or at the end of your main walking holiday in the beautiful baroque city of Salzburg we can book extra nights for you at the following hotels on a room and breakfast basis. 3* Hotel Guter Hirte Seasonal prices upon request 4* Hotel Kasererbrau Seasonal prices upon request

Austria Alpine Splendour Walking amongst stunning alpine scenery Austria s Lake District - Salzkammergut Hike in a World Heritage area

Austria Alpine Splendour Walking amongst stunning alpine scenery Austria s Lake District - Salzkammergut Hike in a World Heritage area SELF-GUIDED Departures for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together