Self-Guided Walking in Austria's Lake District

Experience Overview

The Austrian Lakes area offers a glorious mix of spectacular views, forest trails, picture-perfect villages and swimming opportunities galore! The walks are relaxed, following mainly well-marked routes, with stunning lake views every day. Every stop brings new discoveries such as St Wolfgang's antique cog railway, the summit of Schafberg and Mozart's museum in St. Gilgen.
Profile
— 7 nights in a 4 star hotel, all rooms en suite — 5 days centre based walking — Choice of walks each day — Managed by your local Headwater-appointed agent — Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
At a Glance
— 7 nights in a 4 star hotel, all rooms en suite — 5 days centre based walking — Choice of walks each day — Managed by your local Headwater-appointed agent — Self-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
Trip For You
The relaxed walking for this trip follows mainly well-marked routes with opportunities to extend each day. The walks are generally classed as easy but there are some forested sections where the terrain is inclined and loose underfoot. 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. You are provided with route directions for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route directions contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotel is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference: http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf
Group Description
Although the minimum age of clients on this trip is 12 years, younger children may also be accepted on request; please enquire for details and child prices. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local agent is on hand to assist you and route directions and maps are provided. The route directions contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Eating Drinking
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.
Transportation
The local agent is often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it in an emergency, but may wish to charge you for this service.
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Bad Ischl in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Arrival/departure transfers from/to Salzburg airport (approx. 60 mins) are included for flight inclusive bookings clients at standard times (usually approximately 13:35 on arrival, and 11:30 on departure) subject to prior arrangement.* If you are arriving/departing at different times then we can also arrange private transfers by car from Salzburg (at additional cost - please enquire at the time of booking for prices). Please note all transfers prices are based on 2 people travelling therefore for single travellers supplements may apply. Flights:We can also book flights for you if you wish. The standard flights we usually use are with Lufthansa from London Heathrow to Salzburg via Frankfurt 08:30/13:35, (transfer to hotel, 60 mins, provided). Return: Salzburg to London Heathrow via Frankfurt 14:25/17:40.* Full details of how to reach the start point (including local emergency numbers) will be sent to you as part of your Final Joining Instructions approximately two weeks before departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. *Please note that standard flight and transfer times are subject to change throughout the season so please enquire for up-to-date details.
Transfer Details
For flight inclusive bookings transfers are included from Salzburg airport at 13:35, and back to Salzburg airport at 11:30. For land only bookings transfers are available for a supplement.
Weather Information
Salzburg and the surrounding area is at the Northern edge of the Austrian Alps and as such has a typical Central European climate with hot summers and cold winters. However, Salzburg actually experiences relatively moderate weather making it a good year round destination. Being in the mountains, it can rain at any time in this area so be prepared for this at any point!
Spending Money
— You will need money for the lunches, snacks, drinks, evening meals, some transport and entry for any sites you wish to visit. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy produce from local markets or shops and make up a picnic. However, if you stop at a café you can easily spend €15. We would recommend budgeting for €5-15 for lunches, €25-45 for evening meals and allow an additional €10 a day for any extras. On day 4 the cable car will cost around €3 per person, payable locally. An additional €25 per person will cover trains and ferries required on your itinerary.

Highlights