Current as of: July 4, 2019 - 14:29 Valid for departures: From April 10, 2018 to December 31, 2019 Self-Guided Walking in Mozart's Lake District Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Self-Guided 11 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Min age: 8 Leisurely / Moderate Program: Walking & Trekking W10SZ Trip Overview The Salzkammergut area (Austria's Lake District) is one of the most impressive regions in the heart of the country. Boasting 76 lakes and with a beautiful mountain backdrop, it's a perfect place to relax and let the calming atmosphere envelop you. At a Glance 10 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation 5 Days walking Continental breakfast and 6 evening meals Services of your local Headwater Representative Route directions and maps Luggage transfers between hotels Countries visited: Trip Highlights Relaxed walking through 'chocolate box' villages, with snow-capped peaks as a backdrop Crystal-clear lakes, babbling streams, tranquil shores, secluded bays Luxury **** hotels throughout; swimming opportunities every day Picturesque waterfront villages, postcard-pretty castles and cobbled streets crammed with attractive frescoed houses Varied rest day choices: Mozart's fairytale city of Salzburg, lake cruises, water sports and mountain rail rides Is This Trip for You? Classification: Self-Guided Average daily distance on move on days: 15.4km (8.8miles). No. of days Walking: 5 Terrain: These walks are mainly easy and follow well marked routes, however there are some forested sections where the terrain is inclined and loose under foot. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. This 10-night self-guided walking holiday offers a selection of activities, where you'll enjoy a mix of spectacular scenic views, gentle shoreline routes, wooded forest trails and 'chocolate' box villages. There are also some great spots to stop off for a swim or dip your toes after a day's walking. The walks are relaxed, following mainly well-marked routes, and you can extend them on most days. You'll spend three nights in the wonderful riverside spa town of Bad Ischl - a favourite summer holiday retreat of Emperor Franz Joseph. Although it's almost 100 years since the emperor was last there, his presence is still felt in the region, and you can explore the Kaiservilla, his former holiday home. Other highlights include walking via the UNESCO village of Halstatt for picture-postcard views, the imperial spa, salt mines, ice cave, the Katrin cable car and the Siriuskogl viewing platform. Stop off at the town of St Wolfgang, renowned for its beautiful C15 church (you can sit in the arched windows and enjoy your lunch al fresco from here), and hop on the antique cog railway up to the summit of the Schafberg for unrivalled Alpine views. Visit St Wolfgang's Pfarrkirche with its outstanding Baroque altar created by Michael Pacher and, at St Gilgen, enjoy a decadent coffee and Apfelstrudel. Not to mention a trip to Salzburg itself. Group As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date. Adult min age: 18 Child min age: 8 Child max age: 17 Itinerary Land Only Start City: Bad Ischl End City: Mondsee Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Bad Ischl Arrive at your 4-star hotel in the centre of Bad Ischl. (Staying at Hotel Goldens Schiff, Breakfast) Meals included: Breakfast Day 2 At Bad Ischl - Hallstatt Walk Today take a bus to the spectacular alpine village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest village in Austria. Take the panorama funicular railway up the mountain and visit the historical saltmine. Use the ferry to cross the lake and follow a beautiful walk to Bad Goisern before returning to Bad Ischl by train. (Staying at Hotel Goldens Schiff, Breakfast) Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 11 km / 7 miles Activity (hours): 3 Day 3 At Bad Ischl There is plenty to do today - explore pretty Bad Ischl itself, with its riverside location. Stroll along the esplanade and have coffee and cake in the world famous Zauner cafe, take in some of the imperial history (visit the Emperor's Villa and gardens) or relax in the EurothermenResort Thermal Baths. A trip to the nearby Dachstein Ice caves and spectacular 5 Finger Lookout is also an option. (Staying at Hotel Goldens Schiff, Breakfast) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Bad Ischl to Strobl Today you can either walk (2km) or take the cable car from Bad Ischl to the summit of Katrin (1,393m). You'll enjoy fabulous 360 degree views of Traun and Hallstatter lakes, backed by the impressive Hollengebirge and Dachstein peaks. From here, your route takes you down the forested Katrin Pass. Tiny violet gentian flowers perfume your route as you pass Nussen Lake, a great picnic spot. Continue along the valley following the River Traun until you reach Strobl. Here you'll stay as guests of Frau Zopf and family at the elegant 4 star Hotel Bergrose. (Breakfast and evening meal) Optional shorter walk: 4hrs, distance 16km/10mi Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 20 km / 13 miles Activity (hours): 6 Day 5 At Strobl The village of Strobl is fun-packed - there's a summer toboggan run, a wide range of water sports, cable car rides and a popular animal park. Take the cog railway to the top of Schafberg (lots of optional walks) or join one of the many hop-on, hop-off lake cruisers. There's also a natural beach for sunbathing. (Staying at Hotel Bergrose, Breakfast and evening meal) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 6 Strobl to St Wolfgang Today you'll take a path up into woodland before emerging to marvel at superb valley and mountain views. Continue to Schwarzensee in time for lunch at one of the restaurants, with panoramic views over the lake, or for a picnic on the lake shore. From here, head down along the Sattlweg via verdant meadows and pretty hamlets with a superb panorama, to Lake Wolfgang and your 4 star hotel with a private swimming area on the lake. (Staying at Strandhotel Margaretha, Breakfast and evening meal) Optional shorter walk: 4hrs, distance 15km/9.5mi Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 18 km / 12 miles Activity (hours): 5 Day 7 At St Wolfgang Explore the pretty town of St Wolfgang and the lake, with its stunning turquoise waters. The town is renowned for its beautiful 15th century church and frescoed houses, and you can also take the cog railway to the top of Schafberg. (Staying at Strandhotel Margaretha, Breakfast and evening meal) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 8 St Wolfgang to St Gilgen Take The Pilgrim's Way to the Falkenstein Chapel, built into the cliff face, then head on to the pretty hamlet of Winkl. Continue through archetypal Austrian meadow vistas and forest trails to St Gilgen. (Staying at Hotel Zur Post, Breakfast and evening meal) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Distance covered: 13 km / 8 miles Activity (hours): 3.5 Day 9 At St Gilgen Discover the delights of St Gilgen with its busy waterfront. Alternatively, follow the Mozartsteg to Fuschl, passing between the Ellmautall and Eibenberg mountains. Continue on to tranquil Fuschlsee, before getting the bus back to St Gilgen. (Staying at Hotel Zur Post, Breakfast and evening meal) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 10 St Gilgen (Fuschl) to Mondsee From Fuschl, head up to the remains of Wartenfels Castle - from here the aerial views of Fuschlsee, Irrsee and Mondsee are fantastic. Climb the Schober (1,320m) for marvellous views to Lake Wolfgang and the Schafberg peaks. (Staying Hotel Leitnerbrau, Breakfast only) Optional shorter walk: 3hrs, distance 11km/7mi Meals included: Breakfast Distance covered: 15 km / 10 miles Activity (hours): 4 Day 11 Leave Mondsee Meals included: Breakfast All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders. Please note that different GPS measuring devices can give differing results dependent on the barometric pressures at the time. Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Accommodation Hotels You stay in unrivalled **** luxury, family-run hotels that are calm and relaxing places to spend time, with 'feel good' wellness centres, plus high levels of quality and attention to detail.