On the tracks of white gold: the SalzAlpenSteig
Hiking Collection by Valerie
18
days
2-6 h
/ day
174 mi
35,050 ft
35,050 ft
A long-distance hike in search of salt, the SalzAlpenSteig is considered one of the most varied trails in Central Europe. It’s surrounded by spectacular landscapes, proud mountain peaks, wide views, mighty waterfalls and is steeped in history and culture. You’ll learn about the region’s salt mining past as you journey from Bavaria to Salzburg and Upper Austria.
Salt has always been an important source of income in these regions. ‘White gold’ was mined as early as 750 B.C. on the Dürrnberg near Hallein – a place that you’ll pass through on this hike. Salt production in Salzburg and Upper Austria definitely reached its heyday with the Celts. Among other things, they opened the world's oldest salt mine in Hallstatt, which also features on this adventure. There’s heaps to learn, so look out for the information boards along the way.
Over 200 kilometres (124 mi) and 18 daily stages, many sites of natural beauty await. Starting from Prien on Lake Chiemsee and ending on the shores of Lake Hallstättersee, you discover some of the most beautiful hiking areas in Bavaria, Salzburg and Upper Austria on this long-distance hiking trail. You'll pass countless lakes and explore the magnificent foothills of the Alps.
The Tours in this Collection end in towns or huts where you can find a bed for the night. The stages are quite demanding, but you can split it into sections if you don’t want to hike all 18 days. Most of the time, the SalzAlpenSteig follows moderate low mountain trails but you still need to have some experience and surefootedness.
Get ready for a long-distance hiking experience in a class of its own and discover the history of salt!
On The Map
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Last updated: March 20, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- Expert05:4312.2 mi2.1 mph1,525 ft1,500 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The first stage of the SalzAlpenSteig takes you from Prien am Chiemsee to Grassau and lets you enjoy magical forests and wide views in addition to the picturesque moor landscapes on Chiemsee. You can easily reach the starting point of the tour by train.
Starting from the train station in Prien am Chiemsee…
by Valerie
- Expert06:4511.3 mi1.7 mph3,600 ft1,525 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The second stage of the SalzAlpenSteig requires a good level of fitness from you: you have to master around 1,000 meters in altitude. Due to its magnificent views and picturesque alpine pastures, this section of the long-distance hiking trail is clearly one of the most beautiful.
Starting from Grassau…
by Valerie
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- Intermediate03:585.79 mi1.5 mph2,725 ft1,175 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The third stage of the SalzAlpenSteig is short, but demands your physical condition with a few meters of altitude. You hike on this section from the Brachtalm to the Hochfelln, the viewing terrace of the Chiemgau.
You start your tour by making your way through forests and moors to the Vorderalm, then…
by Valerie
- Expert05:3910.2 mi1.8 mph1,100 ft4,325 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Stage 4 of the SalzAlpenSteig is more leisurely in terms of the altitude difference to be mastered. In terms of nature, views and highlights, it is in no way inferior to its predecessors. Today we head down from the 1,664 meter high Hochfelln to charming Ruhpolding.
Starting from Bergen, you first let…
by Valerie
- Expert04:429.26 mi2.0 mph1,400 ft1,300 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
You can experience the Chiemgau Alps from their most beautiful side on stage 5 of the SalzAlpenSteig. On your way from Ruhpolding to Inzell you will meet the picturesque Taubensee at the foot of the Rauschberg, pay a visit to the Fahrriesboden Chapel and dive into some magical forests along beautiful…
by Valerie
- Expert06:4514.4 mi2.1 mph1,525 ft2,250 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Stage 6 of the SalzAlpenSteig has it all - both in terms of the route to be mastered and the wonderfully varied route. Starting from the health resort of Inzell, the tour takes you through moors and meadows to the magical Weißbach Falls. Then you hike over the idyllic area of the Höllenbachalm to the…
by Valerie
- Intermediate04:5710.3 mi2.1 mph1,625 ft1,125 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The seventh stage of the SalzAlpenSteig lets you immerse yourself in the world of salt. A wide range of information and sights on the subject await you over almost 17 kilometers. Of course, as usual, you will hike through beautiful landscapes and enjoy fantastic views again and again.
Starting from Bad…
by Valerie
- Expert05:4711.4 mi2.0 mph1,950 ft1,875 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Leisurely riverside paths and strenuous climbs: On the way from Bischofswiesen to Ramsau near Berchtesgaden, stage 8 of the SalzAlpenSteig offers you a successful potpourri of diverse hiking highlights.
Starting from Bischofswiesen you make your way in the direction of the Ache and then let it guide you…
by Valerie
- Expert06:1910.9 mi1.7 mph3,050 ft3,175 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Historical paths that lead along the Soleleitungsweg await you on stage 9 of the SalzAlpenSteig. Via the Grünsteinhütte you hike from Ramsau to one of the most beautiful places in the Berchtesgadener Land: the Königssee.
Starting from Ramsau you follow the Ache for a short distance, then the old brine…
by Valerie
- Expert05:4711.6 mi2.0 mph2,275 ft1,725 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
With stage 10 of the SalzAlpenSteig, a wonderfully promising tour awaits you, which will take you across the border to Austria for the first time. You have to master around 18 kilometers before you finally arrive in Bad Dürrnberg.
Starting from Schönau am Königsee you follow the wild waters of his Ache…
by Valerie
- Intermediate04:319.14 mi2.0 mph1,200 ft2,225 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
With stage 11 of the SalzAlpenSteig you are officially in the middle of mountainous Austria. Or more precisely: in the charming Salzburger Land, which inspires you on your way from Bad Dürrnberg to Golling with lonely forest paths and magical views of the Tennengebirge.
Starting in Bad Dürrnberg, the…
by Valerie
- Intermediate03:508.10 mi2.1 mph975 ft900 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Stage 12 awaits you with a real natural spectacle: From Golling to Scheffau, it takes you through the Hagen and Tennengebirge and lets you experience impressive landscapes with imposing mountains and deep gorges.
You start your tour in the heart of Golling. You make your way down to the Salzach and follow…
by Valerie
- Expert05:0310.5 mi2.1 mph1,900 ft1,150 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Fantastic views, lots of water and even more lush greenery await you on stage 13 of the SalzAlpenSteig. You make your way from Scheffau to beautiful Abtenau and are accompanied by impressive gorges, spectacular waterfalls and many other natural highlights.
Starting from Scheffau you follow the beautiful…
by Valerie
- Expert06:069.45 mi1.6 mph3,275 ft3,125 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On your tour from Abtenau to Annaberg in the Lammertal you will hike through parts of the Tennengebirge nature reserve. It goes high! In addition, one or the other rustic alpine pasture with delicious specialties awaits you along the way.
Starting from the center of Abtenau, you first walk to the valley…
by Valerie
- Expert04:527.11 mi1.5 mph3,575 ft1,125 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Stage 15 of the SalzAlpenSteig is short but sweet: On your way from Annaberg up to the Gablonzer Hütte you cover a good eleven kilometers and over 1,000 meters in altitude. An extremely varied landscape awaits you.
Starting from Annaberg at the foot of the western Dachstein massif, you hike up the Kopfberg…
by Valerie
- Expert02:535.81 mi2.0 mph25 ft2,575 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Stage 16 of the SalzAlpenSteig is a leisurely one: From the Gablonzer Hütte, it takes you down to Gosau via scenic and natural paths. It's actually all the time relaxed downhill. Yay!
Starting from the Gablonzer Hütte, you step straight out into the magnificent nature. Numerous boardwalks and bridges…
by Valerie
- Expert05:459.02 mi1.6 mph2,825 ft3,600 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The penultimate stage of the SalzAlpenSteig takes you high up over the Sonnenwendkogel to the terraces of one or the other rustic hut and some magnificent alpine meadows.
Let's start in the heart of Gosau. You leave the main road behind you and hike uphill on gravel paths and forest paths. After a while…
by Valerie
- Intermediate03:267.82 mi2.3 mph475 ft425 ftFerryIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
Great cinema awaits you once again on the 18th stage of the SalzAlpenSteig: You dive deep into the world of salt one last time and not only enjoy breathtaking views, but also some natural treasures, such as mighty waterfalls and finally, of course, the world-famous Lake Hallstatt . A really successful…
by Valerie
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Collection Stats
- Tours18
- Distance174 mi
- Duration92:45 h
- Elevation35,050 ft35,050 ft
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