Gastein Walking Holiday – Austrian Alps

After a warm welcome, relax and settle in. Your Walk Pack will be waiting for you. Join our Walks Team at Office Hour in the early evening and get your walk planning off to the perfect start. Enjoy dinner with everything sorted for the following day. Wednesday is a day-off for our Walks Team, so anyone arriving on a Wednesday can meet the team on Thursday morning.   

7 km | Walking Time: 3-4 hours |Ascent: 790 m / Descent: 40 m | Linear
Starting slowly in pine-scented woodland you’ll quickly be drawn into high-alpine beauty, diverse flower species, and rustic mountain lodges (known as huts or alms) as you make your way up to the Schloßalm lift. The drama intensifies as you get higher, opening up some inspirational panoramas. At the top, you can sit by a tranquil mountain lake to take in the magic.

8.6 km | Walking Time: 3-4 hours | Ascent / Descent: 520 m  | Circular
A classic walk through spellbinding pine forest to a peak-fringed alpine lake. Two enchanting chairlift rides carry you to the start of the walk, allowing you to soak up the smell of the forest and the singing of the birds.  At the end of the walk, drop in on the hospitable Graukogelhütte and treat yourselves to well-earned refreshment.

11 km | Walking Time: 4½-5½ hrs | Ascent 500 m / Descent 500-1000 m | Circular
Marvel at the 360 degree view of the surrounding valleys from the ridge of the Fulseck before descending towards the Liechtensteinkopf. Following a pit-stop in the Aualm (maybe to sample a local speciality, such as Kaiserschmarren?) ascend back towards the start with a mesmerising view up to the towering Schuhflicker peak. On clear days you can see the mighty Großglockner (3798m), Austria’s highest summit, as well the heavily glaciated Ankogel.

10.5 km | Walking Time: 4-5 hrs | Ascent/Descent: 775m | Circular
The Bockhart Lakes lie above the flat valley bottom of Sport Gastein. This walk gives sweeping panoramic views over the impressive mountains in the vast Hohe Tauern National Park. It also features a series of both man-made and natural mountain lakes. Keep an eye out for cheeky marmots watching from the natural rock gardens between the lakes, if their high-pitched whistles have not already given them away. A delightful day out in the mountains.

13.9 km | Walking Time:  5-6 hours| Ascent / Descent: 730 m | Circular
Gently ascending lush flower-strewn meadows to an ancient mountain pass, you arrive at the wonderfully quaint ‘Drei Waller Kapelle’ or ‘Three Pilgrims Chapel.’ This pass was a key entry point to the Gastein Valley before the 11^th century and today serves as a pilgrimage site. It boasts spectacular views across both the Hochkönig range and the Gastein Valley.

11.1 km | Walking Time: 4½ – 5½ hrs | Ascent: 675m | Linear
Starting in the eerie Kötschach Valley and walking through its famously abandoned resort complex – the Grüner Baum – this walk rises quite steeply up to a rewarding and delightful hut (look out for the gnomes!) with a stellar view over Bad Gastein.

Independent onward travel. Staying longer than 7 nights? Just keep enjoying the walks by working through your Walk Pack and joining the Walks Team at Office Hour.

After a warm welcome, relax and settle in. Your Walk Pack will be waiting for you. Join our Walks Team at Office Hour in the early evening and get your walk planning off to the perfect start. Enjoy dinner with everything sorted for the following day. Wednesday is a day-off for our Walks Team, so anyone arriving on a Wednesday can meet the team on Thursday morning.   

8.5 km | Ascent and Descent 650 m | Walking Time 3.5-4.5 hours | Out & Back
For a short, introductory challenge, hike to this standalone peak and marvel at fabulous views. It includes a cable car ascent from Bad Hofgastein, on which you quickly get a feel for the size of the Gastein Valley.

8.5 km | Ascent & Descent 630 m |Walking Time 3.5-4.5 hours | Circular
A chance to bag two impressive peaks assisted by two charmingly relaxing chairlifts. Get off the beaten track and marvel at sweeping views right down the Gastein Valley. Indulge in the challenge of a proper alpine ridge walk. This is an authentic mountain day with plenty of feel-good factor!

Distance: 8.8 km | Walking time: 4.5-5 hrs | Ascent: 900m Descent: 350m | Linear
Dorfgastein’s own mountain, the Schuhflicker sits proudly above the village and is easily seen from the hotel. At the top, breathtaking views await. The final rocky ascent to the summit is just the right amount of challenge and provides an exhilarating perch, from which you can absorb yourself in the craggy terrain that surrounds you, before descending to one of the nearby mountain huts for well-earned Kaiserschmarren or Gröstl.

8.8 km | Ascent 980 m , Descent 330 m |Walking Time 4-5 hours | Linear
This alpine ridge walk is a real winner, taking you high along the Miesbichl ridge over dramatic peaks and through rocky moonscape before ending with a descent to the impressive Lower Bockhart Lake. Throughout this walk, the mighty Großglockner keeps sentinel in the distance.

11,1 km | Ascent 1300 m, Descent 400 m |Walking Time 6-7 hours | Linear
A classic high alpine walk with all the trimmings: rocky landscapes, abundant alpine flowers, and crystal-clear lakes. The wonderful Reedsee feels removed from civilisation, surrounded only by pine trees and framed by towering peaks. The Graukogel Hut combines with a welcome chairlift descent to reward you at the end of this genuine high-level classic.

15.3 km | Ascent & Descent 1100 m | Walking Time 6-7 hours | Out & Back
Looking up the valley from Sport Gastein, you see a single building perched impossibly on the ridge above you. This is today’s destination! The incredibly photogenic Niedersachsen Haus will leave you in awe, set against the rugged, snowy peaks of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Grab a wheat beer (non-alcoholic available) and soak it all in.

Independent onward travel. Staying longer than 7 nights? Just keep enjoying the walks by working through your Walk Pack and joining the Walks Team at Office Hour.