Hiking & strolling

Favourite tours

The Ewige Wand is a landmark of Goisern — a rock ledge with views over the Hallstättersee that you can see from many points in the valley.

But the locals’ favourite tours are two others: the Predigtstuhl, climbed in 1 to 1.5 hours and with a panorama all the way to the Dachstein, and the Goiserer Hütte on the Hoher Kalmberg — a bit more demanding, but one of the classic day tours of the region.

With children

The Soleweg, the Vordere Gosausee (one-hour loop, stroller-friendly) and the Figuren-Sagenweg are perfect for relaxed family outings. When the children are older, the ascent to the Hütteneck is worth it — with a mountain hut to stop at the end.

Our tip for relaxed days: the eastern shore trail along the Hallstättersee. From the lakeside parking lot in Obersee (or by train to the Obersee stop), it’s about 11 km flat along the water to Obertraun — a leisurely 3 hours. Along the way you cross a suspension bridge at the deepest point of the lake, and from the eastern shore you keep getting wonderful views across to Hallstatt with its houses at the water’s edge.

Halfway along, the Seeraunzn awaits: a worthwhile inn with a beautiful lakeside garden, good cuisine and ice cream, coffee and cake for a break. By train you’re back from Obertraun in fifteen minutes.

For long-distance hikers: the BergeSeen Trail

If you fancy more than a day tour: the BergeSeen Trail is Austria's long-distance hiking trail right across the Salzkammergut — 23 stages over about 370 km and more than 14,000 metres of elevation. Several stages pass through Bad Goisern. Hike one stage as a day tour and come back to Villa Salzweg in the evening, completely relaxed.

Hut seasons and stop-ins

Most mountain huts around Goisern are open from May/June to October — depending on weather and snow conditions. The Hütteneckalm at 1,242 m can be reached from Bad Goisern in about two hours; the hosts serve hearty alpine fare and homemade pastries.

If you fancy something more comfortable: the newly opened Berghotel Predigstuhl on the Wurmstein (at the start of the Predigtstuhl ascent) is open all year round — breakfast buffet, small lunch menu, hearty evening cuisine and above all a sun terrace with a dream view into the Goisern valley. Reservation recommended.

A bit more demanding but a true classic: the Goiserer Hütte at 1,592 m in the Ramsaugebirge. The ascent starts at the Trockentann parking lot (not at the Nordic Centre!) and leads in about three hours up forest roads and through larch woods — a good 1,300 metres of elevation, with sure-footedness and stamina required. At the top, views and honest hut food await.

If you still have energy, continue in about one hour to the summit of the Hoher Kalmberg at 1,833 m. Just below the summit cross stands a rock formation that resembles the profile of a Native American’s head — the “Kalmberg Indian” watches silently over the Goiserer valley. On clear days the view reaches from the Gosaukamm and Dachstein all the way to the Großglockner. Along the way you also pass the Kalmooskirche, a rock cave where, during the Counter-Reformation, Protestants secretly held religious services.

For these tours: sturdy footwear is a must, and a glance at the weather forecast the evening before is part of the deal — mountain weather can change quickly even in summer. Current opening hours of the huts can be found on the tourism board’s website or directly with the hut owners.