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Tour Overview
Embark on a self-guided walking adventure through Austria's enchanting Lake District, where snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, and serene forest trails await. Stay in luxury at the 4-star Hotel Goldenes Schiff, nestled in the heart of Bad Ischl, offering modern comforts and a relaxing spa. Discover crystal-clear lakes, babbling streams, and picturesque waterfront villages with postcard-pretty castles and cobbled streets. Enjoy varied rest day activities, from water sports and mountain rail rides to exploring Mozart's fairytale city of Salzburg. With route notes and maps provided, choose your daily walks, whether it's a scenic trek to Kolowratshohe or a leisurely stroll around Schwarzensee. Delight in the local cuisine with included breakfasts and a welcome dinner. This unforgettable journey promises breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures, all at your own pace. ...more ...less
Highlights
Snow-capped peaks, lush green meadows, and forest trails.
Crystal-clear lakes, babbling streams, tranquil shores, and secluded bays.
Picturesque waterfront villages, postcard-pretty castles, and cobbled streets with frescoed houses.
Visit the alpine village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore Mozart's fairytale city of Salzburg.
Walk to the summits of Katrin, Hainzen, and Elferkogel for a 360° panorama.
Stroll through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve and enjoy lakeside views at Wolfgangsee.
Itinerary
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Arrive at your 4 star hotel in Bad Ischl. Before dinner your reps will outline suggested walks for your week. A typical itinerary is shown below, although you're free to pick and choose your walking each day as there are numerous options available *Staying at Hotel Goldener Ochs for 7 nights.*
Day 2
:
Kolowratshohe or Jainzenberg
Location: Bad Ischl
Accommodation Name: Hotel Goldener Ochs
Meals Included: Breakfast
Two circular walk options direct from your hotel; one to Kolowratshohe, a lesser-known peak above Bad Ischl, with spectacular views and the added bonus of a mountain restaurant at Hoisenrad. Or, a picturesque walk to the summit of Jainzenberg, rising directly behind the Kaiserpark and the Kaiservilla.* Staying at Hotel Goldener Ochs.* Optional walk to Jainzenberg: 4hr, distance 11km/7mi.
Day 3
:
Vormauerstein or Schwarzensee
Location: St Wolfgang
Accommodation Name: Hotel Goldener Ochs
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hop on a local bus to Wolfgangsee, with the option of walking up to the Vormauerstein and the breath taking views of the Schafberg and the Lake Attersee. Picnic on the shores of Monichsee. Alternatively, a leisurely route up to the stunning Schwarzensee for lunch at one of the restaurants and lake views. This option gives you more time to visit the charming village of St Wolfgang. *Staying at Hotel Goldener Ochs.* Optional walk to Schwarzensee: 2.5hrs, distance 9km/5.5mi
Day 4
:
Hallstatt Walk
Location: Hallstatt
Accommodation Name: Hotel Goldener Ochs
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today visit the spectacular alpine village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest village in Austria. Take the panoramic funicular railway up the mountain and visit the historical salt mine. 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 Goldener Ochs.*
Optional shorter walk: 3hrs, distance 8km/5mi.*
Day 5
:
Free day
Location: St Gilgen
Accommodation Name: Hotel Goldener Ochs
Meals Included: Breakfast
A bus ride brings you to the delightful village of St Gilgen. A thriving lace-making centre in the 1700s, today St Gilgen is a delightful village with a busy waterfront, lined with restaurants. Mozart's mother was born here and you can visit her house, which now includes a small museum. Or go by bus to explore the fairytale city of Salzburg, or the train and tram to the pottery town of Gmunden to visit the ceramic factories or the impressive Schloss Ort. *Staying at Hotel Goldener Ochs.*
Day 6
:
Katrin
Location: Bad Ischl
Accommodation Name: Hotel Goldener Ochs
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk (2km) or take the cable car from Bad Ischl and visit the three summits of Katrin, Hainzen and Elferkogel. Sure footedness is required, but from the peaks you are rewarded with an incredible 360° panorama as far as the snow-capped Dachsteins. Sit and take in the superb vistas from the two restaurants at the top cable car station. *Staying at Hotel Goldener Ochs.*
Today take the bus to Strobl, then you have a choice to head off on a low level lakeside walk, with views across Wolfgangsee to St Wolfgang and the Schafberg. Stroll through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve and on to a lakeside beach at Wassbad before heading to Gschwendt. The longer, more challenging route also takes you to Gschwendt but comes with some stiff climbs and descents and even more spectacular views of the lake and the Schafberg, Rinnkogel and Sparber mountains.
Day 8
:
Leave Bad Ischl
Location: Bad Ischl
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your trip ends in Bad Ischl. *Premium Hotel*
What's Included
All breakfasts and dinner on first night
All breakfasts and dinner on the first night are included in the tour package.
All accommodation
All accommodation is provided as part of the tour package.
Route notes and maps
Route notes and maps are included to guide you through your walking tour.
All baggage transport
All baggage transport is included, ensuring your luggage is taken care of during the tour.
Arrival & departure transfers
Transfers upon arrival and departure are included in the tour package.
What's Not Included
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
Single accommodation
Single accommodation is available on request and requires a compulsory single supplement.
Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately if required.
Food
All breakfasts and 1 evening meal are included. Austria is renowned for wholesome, robust food. The cuisine is a reflection of the culinary exchange that went on during the time of empires - French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Croatian cuisine have all contributed to the flavours, to name just a few. You will be set up for the day with a breakfast of cold meats and cheeses, traditional bread, jam and coffee. Austrians tend to eat heartily at lunch time and less in the evenings, but you will be well catered for at dinner. Local specialities include the ever present 'Wiener Schnitzel' (breaded veal cutlet) and various stews of beef and pork. Dumplings, potatoes or noodles are all regular accompaniments along with vegetables. Of course, the fresh fish found in the lakes like rainbow trout, brown trout and whitefish will be a feature of many menus, often grilled with butter and herbs, or stuffed with local mushrooms. Desserts are often fruit based - such as 'apfelstrudel' or cream pastries. 'Rehrucken' is a traditional chocolate and almond cream cake. 'Linzertorte' is a flaky cake lined with currant or raspberry jam, encased and covered by a lattice of cake dough. Mozart's home town's speciality is 'Salzburger Nockerln', which is a very light dessert souffle dusted with vanilla sugar and sometimes served with strawberries on the side. Plum brandy is a popular post dinner drink, or you could try one of the various types of schnapps. Austrian wine tends to be white and fairly sweet in the manner of German Mosel wines. Beer is a better known product of the country and you will find a wide variety of local brews. The best known are Gosser and Augustiner Brau and come in light or dark forms. ...more ...less
Accommodation
The Hotel Goldenes Schiff boasts a prime location in Bad Ischl's pedestrianised town centre and sits on the banks of the Traun River. Inside, it's modern and comfortable, with first-class facilities including a spa, with sauna and steam room.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes local buses to various walking destinations, a panoramic funicular railway in Hallstatt, and a ferry to cross the lake. Additionally, there are options for cable car rides and train travel for certain routes.
Check out our Q&As
What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes accommodation at the Hotel Goldenes Schiff, a luxury 4-star hotel located in Bad Ischl's pedestrianised town centre, offering modern and comfortable facilities including a spa with a sauna and steam room.
Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, all breakfasts and dinner on the first night are included in the tour package.
What are some of the optional activities available during the rest day?
On the rest day, you can choose from various activities such as exploring the village of St Gilgen, visiting Mozart's mother's house, exploring the city of Salzburg, or visiting the pottery town of Gmunden and the impressive Schloss Ort.
What are some of the highlights of the walking routes available on this tour?
The walking routes offer spectacular views, including peaks like Kolowratshohe and Jainzenberg, the breathtaking Vormauerstein, and the stunning Schwarzensee. You can also visit the alpine village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy panoramic views from the summits of Katrin, Hainzen, and Elferkogel.
...more ...less
Is there any transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes local bus rides to various starting points for walks, such as to Wolfgangsee and Strobl, and a train ride back to Bad Ischl from Bad Goisern.
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Reviews of this operator
Jane Holdaway (Google Reviewer)
Had an exceptional holiday with...
24-Mar-2025
Had an exceptional holiday with Exodus during which we travelled extensively around Sri Lanka and got a real taste of the country and the people who live there. The itinerary was packed with interesting trips and activities and all of the hotels were very comfortable. We had an excellent local guide who looked after our group brilliantly and became a friend by the end of the tour. This was not the cheapest tour we looked at but we don't regret a penny spent on it because of the quality and attention to detail. Would thoroughly recommend Exodus!
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Gergana Racheva
Very helpful and prompt service
06-Jan-2023
Very helpful and prompt service.
I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team
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Trustpilot
Tim Hardy
Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast
04-Nov-2021
This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!
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paul green (Google Reviewer)
Went on a tour of...
14-Jan-2022
Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year
Paul Green
It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.
08-Oct-2021
This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!
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Roger Wells (Google Reviewer)
We have just returned from...
12-Feb-2025
We have just returned from a 2 week Exodus trip to Egypt, Alexandria to Aswan. We had a great time, enjoyable company, with an excellent guide, Sayed. All worked out as described. The 3 day Red Sea extension was relaxing. Even the train journey, Cairo to Aswan, was a great part of the experience
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Damian Cannon (Google Reviewer)
We've been on several group...
21-Mar-2025
We've been on several group trips with Exodus to destinations such as India and Jordan where we'd rather let some one else do the organising. In all cases these trips have been excellent with wonderful guides and well designed itineraries. We have always returned with happy memories.
In cases where things have gone wrong Exodus have never disappointed us with their service. During one case our plane was diverted at the start and we joined the tour 3 days late. But despite this Exodus organised everything, including a driver, required to let us catch up. Equally during the pandemic our trip was cancelled twice and in the end we decided to take a full refund which Exodus handled properly.
Having just returned from our latest trip we're already considering where we can go next. It's possible that we wouldn't bother to use Exodus in Europe because we can organise everything ourselves but further afield we'll definitely be travelling with Exodus again.
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Mrs Y Morrison
Fabulous company and trip
06-Jan-2023
We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!
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Trustpilot
Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)
I've done 8 trips in...
17-May-2023
I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday.
The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that.
I remain a loyal customer.
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David (Google Reviewer)
Exodus are generally a good...
21-Aug-2024
Exodus are generally a good travel company. Things tend to run smoothly and trips well organised.
Their customers tend to be at retirement age. Trips are a bit overpriced. I would also avoid trips in Europe, as these often focus on more coffee stops and meals, rather than walking.
I would also recommend making sure your guide records any accidents you have, hopefully not applicable. I had one on Sierra de Aitana which the guide saw and knew about, but he and Exodus said it never happened when I followed up after the trip. I wasn’t putting in a claim, just suggested a safety improvement. They have since apologised and acknowledged this as an error.
They are a good reliable option for outside of Europe trips.
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CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of
55%
or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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