№12 Hallstatt
"Around Hallstatt" – the bizarre little town nestled between an Alpine lake and mountains is considered one of the most original scenic sights in Europe. Old wooden houses, the mostly mirror-smooth Lake Hallstatt and the imposing mountain backdrop of the Dachstein massif are not without reason part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is all the more understandable as, following finds in an extensive burial ground above the town, a period of the early Iron Age (800 to 450 BC) is referred to as the Hallstatt period. The mountainous region, which is rather hostile to settlement, may have been visited as early as the Neolithic period. The reason for this is the rich natural salt deposits, which have been mined for thousands of years. The oldest finds date from around 5000 BC. Today, around 800 residents face more than a million visitors a year, so it is recommended to take a tour of the town before 9 a.m. In addition to strolling through the narrow, steep streets, this should also include the market square with its unique backdrop, as well as the cemetery with the ossuary in the Michaelskapelle. The best place to enjoy a spectacular bird's eye view of Hallstatt is from the "Welterbeblick" viewing platform. At this time of year, you can only get there on foot. A hiking trail winds its way up from the old town near the market square. For this route (a good 300 meters in altitude) you should plan on walking for about 45 to 60 minutes.
A real insider tip is a beautiful path on the opposite side of the lake, where you can enjoy great views of Hallstatt time and time again. The "East Bank Hiking Trail" takes you on an easy route from Obertraun to Steeg/Bad Goisern, almost 11 kilometers along the shore of Lake Hallstatt. In winter there are hardly any people here, so you can really have some peace and quiet. This path also offers pleasant relaxation in summer.
Tip for a stop: The historic Seehotel Grüner Baum, a pearl in the heart of Hallstatt for 500 years.
This is all the more understandable as, following finds in an extensive burial ground above the town, a period of the early Iron Age (800 to 450 BC) is referred to as the Hallstatt period. The mountainous region, which is rather hostile to settlement, may have been visited as early as the Neolithic period. The reason for this is the rich natural salt deposits, which have been mined for thousands of years. The oldest finds date from around 5000 BC. Today, around 800 residents face more than a million visitors a year, so it is recommended to take a tour of the town before 9 a.m. In addition to strolling through the narrow, steep streets, this should also include the market square with its unique backdrop, as well as the cemetery with the ossuary in the Michaelskapelle. The best place to enjoy a spectacular bird's eye view of Hallstatt is from the "Welterbeblick" viewing platform. At this time of year, you can only get there on foot. A hiking trail winds its way up from the old town near the market square. For this route (a good 300 meters in altitude) you should plan on walking for about 45 to 60 minutes.
A real insider tip is a beautiful path on the opposite side of the lake, where you can enjoy great views of Hallstatt time and time again. The "East Bank Hiking Trail" takes you on an easy route from Obertraun to Steeg/Bad Goisern, almost 11 kilometers along the shore of Lake Hallstatt. In winter there are hardly any people here, so you can really have some peace and quiet. This path also offers pleasant relaxation in summer.
Tip for a stop: The historic Seehotel Grüner Baum, a pearl in the heart of Hallstatt for 500 years.
ossuary in the Michaelskapelle
Kirchenweg 40, Hallstatt
Seehotel Grüner Baum
Marktplatz 104, Hallstatt
market town of Hallstatt
