Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee

Dragons await you on this trek through and around the mountain. It’s possible to find a direct train on this popular route that leads to Halstatt, and the trains run often and late. No need to worry over a late arrival. Linger.

Start at the Bad Goisern train station. The train ride will already have had you gasping at the mountain scenery. You will walk through the town, passing gracious homes, a river, a bakery and Eurospar. This is your invitation to pick up food for the hike. From there, you cross the road and walk along paved streets up and up to the trail. It’s poorly marked so turn on the Navi. There are some signs warding off cyclists and cars but they aren’t for you because you are a hiker. You’ll understand why when you reach the one and only hut. The place is swarming with mountain bikers. The food and portion size are above average. I had the Kaiserschmarrn. Big enough for 3 people. Leaving the hut, your hike begins in earnest. Carved wooden statues greet you - including a dragon - for the great wurm visited destruction upon the king after being awakened by a party. The stone caves you pass through are short lived. Next the trail climbs for the next hour. The view from the summit reaches clear across the valley to lake Halstatt and the Dachstein Glacier. Take it in then start the descent, which transitions back to a road. A man flew by me with his magic hiking sticks. I have no idea how they work. That’s it for this dispatch. Enjoy!

STATS
Getting there: Use the ÖBB Scotty App with destination Bad Goisern Bahnhof.
3.5 hours from Vienna.

Food: One hut is located near the beginning of the hike. Cash only.

Loop trail
5 hours, 8 miles, 2,500 ft elevation gain
1 hut, no water