Self-Guided Walking in Austria - the Salzkammergut Lakes

The holiday starts in the charming village and ancient resort of Bad Ischl. On arrival you can take a wander through the streets of this Spa town, do a little shopping or enjoy a coffee and apple strudel in one of the many cafes. Stay: Gasthof Sandwirt (Comfortable) (D)

Today you start by taking the bus to Russbach and from here you walk towards to Lake Schwarzensee (715m). In the summer, when the sun has warmed up the water, you may wish to take a dip in the clear waters. You reach the town of Moosbach, where you can stop for refreshments at one of the charming cafes. From here there is a steep ascent of the gorge, then descending to Attersee Lake. Walk along the shore to Unterach where you spend the night.

Today's 14km walk is expected to take between five and five-and-a-hlaf hours and you will ascend 400m and descend 330m. There is the option to extend the walk by 8km if you choose not to take the bus. Stay: Hotel Post Weissenbach (Comfortable) (B/D)

Today starts with a climb in the shadow of the Schafberg (1783m), start by following a series of hair pin bends which continue to cross mountain pastures up to the Buchberghütte refuge where you can refuel on some regional food and drinks. The path continues towards Scharfling, and then descends to the Krottensee Lake, where you can take a refreshing dip in the water. When you reach teh beautiful village of St Gilgen take the bus to Abersee where you spend the night.

Today's 15km walk is expected to take about 6 hours and you will ascend 700m and descend 620m. There is the option to extend the walk by 6km if you choose not to take the bus to Abersee. Stay: Hotel Carossa (Comfortable) (B/D)

You can spend the day soaking up the atmosphere and beautiful surroundings of Wolfgangsee Lake, one of the best known in the Salzkammergut region, with an easy short 4km lakeside walk to Strobl. Those wanting it easier can take a ferry! For those keen to stretch their legs there is the option to walk to the Postalm Alpine Pasture, the largest in Austria and one of the highest in Europe.

The Wolfgangsee stretches 10km and is surrounded by the Salzkammergut mountain range. You could take the cable car to the top of Schafberg where you can admire the panoramic views before walking to Strobl. For the energetic, you can hike up between the summits of Sparber (1502m) and of Bleckwand (1541m) to the Postalm Alpine Pasture. You may have the chance to catch a glimpse of a red or a roe deer that make their home here. Here you can stop off in one of the shepherds' huts to taste milk, cheese and bacon. Next descend back to Strobl along the Weissenbach stream where you spend the night.

Today's walk is 4 kms with an addition optional 12km walk, and is expected to take about 1 hour and 6 hours respectively, you will ascend 950m and descend 320m. There is the option to shorten the walk by returning by bus from the pastures. Stay: Gasthof Kleefeld (Comfortable) (B/D)

Starting from Strobl, it's not long before you find a path called the Bear Track. This is an old path leading to a pass at 1333m. There is a great panorama from here and also an optional ascent to the top of a nearby peak (1414m). This is not a well-trodden route and has very steep drops making it unsuitable for vertigo sufferers. You then descend the wide valleys and walk towards Hallstättersee Lake following streams and gorges to the attractive market town of Bad Goisern where you spend the night. The wooden village with flowered window boxes, on the lake shore, framed by the mountains makes it one of the most picturesque in the region.

Today's 21km walk is expected to take about 8 hours and you will ascend 900m and descend 970m. There is the option to shorten the walk by taking a bus or train part of the way. Stay: Landhotel Agathawirt (Comfortable) (B/D)

Hike towards Hallstatt on the E4 route, one of a network of 11 long distance paths across Europe offering marvelous views of the remarkable village of Hallstatt, jewel of the Salzkammergut region. Take the time to explore Hallstatt with its 16th century Alpine houses and alleyways, home to cafes and shops, before beginning your walk. You follow the lake banks and walk through the narrow valley of Koppental, up to Bad Aussee on the confluence of three rivers.

Today's 25km walk is expected to take about 7 hours and you will ascend 445m and descend 425m. There is the option to shorten the walk by taking the bus part way. Stay: Gasthof Staud'nwirt (Comfortable) (B/D)

Your final day walking takes you to the spa town of Altaussee nestled on the shores of a lake. From here you start climbing up to the Blaa Alm pasture. Then, you follow the Rettenbach gorges then a good forest track leads you back to Bad Ischl where you spend the night.

Today's 20km walk is expected to take about 7 hours and you will ascend 700m and descend 600m. There is the option to shorten the walk by taking the morning bus from Bad Aussee to Altaussee. Stay: Gasthof Sandwirt (Comfortable) (B/D)

After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end. (B)