Self Guided Trail - Austria's Lake District

42½ miles. 7-11 miles with up to 2,194 feet of ascent in a day.

Day 1: Arrival day - Arrive in St Wolfgang and explore this most picturesque of villages by the side of the Wolfgangsee Lake.

Day 2: St Wolfgang lakeside walk to Strobl - Journey by boat across Lake Wolfgangsee to the Abersee pennisnsula, and enjoy a gentle walk along the shore to the Blinklingmoos nature reserve.  Cross the lake promenade in Strobl to reach “Bürglsteig” for wonderful views. Wander back along the shore to St. Wolfgang. 7 miles, level route with minimal ascent, 4hrs

Day 3: St Wolfgang to the Schwarzensee and Unterach - Today’s walk takes you from St. Wolfgang, over the “Sattlweg” to the hidden Schwarzensee Lake. A lovely walk through the alpine meadows of Eisenau, to a romantically wild gorge and waterfalls, the Burggraben Klamm. Finally, follow the shore of lake Attersee to Unterach. 11¼ miles, with 2,194 feet of ascent, 5hrs

Day 4: Unterach to Nussdorf - From Unterach, walk through the Buchwald forest up to the Egelsee nature reserve, where you can admire myriad of rare plants, including orchids. Enjoy a gentle descent to the village of Nussdorf, from where you return by boat to Unterach. 8 miles, with 1,540 feet of ascent, 4hrs

Day 5: Mondsee to Fuschl am See, via Castle Wartenfels - Travel by bus to Mondsee, explore the colourful market square, and visit the church from the scenes of the “Sound of Music”. From here, walk along the lake and through meadows, to discover the ruins of Castle Wartenfels (experienced walkers may decide to ascend the Schober peak from here). Afterwards, enjoy a gentle descent to the lakeside village of Fuschl am See. 7 miles, with 1,640 feet of ascent, 4hrs 30mins

Day 6: Free day to relax and explore Lake Fuschl - This is a free day, but if you prefer, you can choose to walk along the lovely shaded woodland paths that circumnavigate the lake. We do not provide route notes but the way marking is clear. There are many opportunities for a lakeside swim enroute.

Day 7: Fuschl to St Wolfgang - Today’s route from Fuschl into the Ellmau Valley and up to the Hochlackenhof, affords wonderful lake views, before descending to St Gilgen. Wander along lake shores to Furberg before your boat journey to St Wolfgang. Afterwards, experience a ride on the rack railway to the top of the Schafberg. 9¼ miles, with 770 feet of ascent, 5hrs

Day 8: Departure day, or spend extra nights in St Wolfgang