Altaussee invites you to explore a variety of attractions: the Via Salis is a circular hiking trail around the Dietrichskogel, the Altaussee Literature Museum presents historical exhibits as well as text and image materials, and Salzwelten Altaussee is Austria’s largest active salt mine. Lake Altaussee lies at the foot of the Loser amid mountain scenery; on the Loser Plateau, various trails lead to peaks and viewpoints in the Salzkammergut. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether cultural history, a signposted circular route or mountain tours will shape your stay.
Cultural history: literature, church and salt mine
The Via Salis is a circular hiking trail around the Dietrichskogel, with 21 signposted stations. Its circular route and signage give this hiking option two specific features: the trail loops around a named mountain, and stations are signposted along the way. This makes it possible to regard the Via Salis as a distinct type of outing, without equating it with the tours on the Loser Plateau.
The Altaussee Literature Museum presents historical exhibits as well as text and image materials. The museum also organises literary walks through the village for groups. The two formats have different focuses: the museum centres on exhibits, texts and images, while the walk explores the village through its literary connections. If you are travelling as a group, you can include this walk as a separate option in your cultural itinerary.
The history of the parish church of St. Aegidius in Altaussee also comes with a qualification about its date. Records first written down in the 18th century suggest that the church was built towards the end of the 12th century. This possible construction date should therefore be distinguished from a confirmed date.
The exhibition “The Good Fortune of Art” in the Altaussee salt mine shows how miners saved priceless works of art from destruction in the final days of the Second World War. The exhibition may change; check the latest information if you are planning this visit. Taken together, the historical topics range from the possible construction date at the end of the 12th century to the rescue of works of art in the final days of the Second World War.
Lake, Loser and trails in the Salzkammergut
Lake Altaussee lies at the foot of the Loser amid mountain scenery. On the Loser Plateau, numerous walking paths, hiking routes and mountain tours of varying difficulty lead to some of the most significant peaks and finest viewpoints in the Salzkammergut. Your choice will depend on whether you are looking for a walking path, a hiking route or a mountain tour; the levels of difficulty also vary.
The hiking options differ considerably: the Via Salis is a circular route around the Dietrichskogel with 21 signposted stations, while the Loser Plateau offers several types of trails and varying levels of difficulty. The Loser Panoramic Cable Car ascends to an altitude of 1,600 metres. From its middle station, the approach to the Loser climbing garden takes ten minutes. As lift access and approach details may change, check them before planning your visit.
The Altaussee solar catamaran offers transfer trips to Seewiese. Check the current sailing times if you are planning this transfer. This highlights the difference between the options on the water and in the mountains: a transfer to Seewiese on the one hand, and trails and tours on the Loser Plateau on the other.
Find hotels for your stay in Altaussee
There are separate practical details to check for visiting the exhibition, approaching the climbing garden and travelling to Seewiese.
Discover more destinations: Liezen, Gaishorn Am See, Stein An Der Enns, Wildalpen, Strimitzen, Bad Aussee, Weng Im Gesäuse, Pichl-Kainisch
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