The Kitzbuhel Alps and Peaks of Salzburg

During the day arrive to Maishofen which can easily be reached by train to the holiday resort of Zell am See and by a short bus ride to your hotel.

Today will be a wonderful start to your weeklong walking tour. You shall start walking over the Kammereggalm to Schwalbenwand part of the Pinzgau meadow mountains. Now impressive views greet you of differently shaped peaks, the views are likely to be remembered long after the holiday. Now you follow a path through the forest of Hofer Plattl which leads you to the Hinterreit where you can take a deserved break. Then you continue past the chapel of peace to Maria Alm, an idyllic pilgrimage destination and farming village for overnight.

Today you first follow a trail that pilgrims followed centuries ago. Soon you shall hike up to a wonderful moorland region towards the rugged Steinerne Meer mountain tops. Now with lovely views around you as you follow some high altitude paths to Steinalm which is a cabin for refreshments situated on a sunny upland pasture. Now you descend passing a hermitage and via Lichtenberg the Knights castle and onto the historic town of Saalfelden.

Today you first hike up the ravine called the Vorderkaser outside Weissbach, beside a rushing stream towards Hochkaser a stunning hill pasture. Now, this isolated path traverses the steep mountain tops of the Leogang and Lofer mountains.  Now you hike passing Niederkaseralm and through the Griesel valley, the path goes along a wild and romantic riverbed into the wonderful valley of Pillersee with the backdrop of the Lofer mountains.

Today with the view of the Kitzbuhel Alps you follow a path through lush meadows into a deep valley. Above you are some cable cars of the Magnesitenbergwerk (a mine). The path will lead you to the Burgeralm. An ‘Alm’ is normally a hut offering simple refreshments. Here you can try the local speciality a desert call Buchteln. There are sweet rolls made of dough, normally filled with plum jam, and baked in a large pan so that they stick together. Now maybe feeling a little full you walk downhill on a beautiful forest path before climbing back to the famous holiday resort of Saalbach-Hinterglem.

Today you have a few options. You could take a day off altogether and just relax and maybe explore the shops. You could also take a circular walk to the end of the valley. This walk leads you past the Forsthof Alp to the Saal Alp and then onto Lindling Alp. Here you will find the suspension bridge that leads to the Baumzipfelweg. Enjoy the panoramic views over the valley.

Some will day the best has been left to the last. Indeed today you shall enjoy one of the most beautiful high altitude routes of the Alps. From Saalbach you shall take the cable car to the Schattenberg, where you start your tour on the Pinzgauer Spaziergang. Now at an altitude of around 2000m and with marvellous views of the surrounding mountain tops, you continue to hike towards Schmittenhöhe. Here you shall be amazed by the 360 degree views of more than 30 mountains with an altitude of more than 3000m. At the end of your walk take the cable car down into Zell am See and the bus back to Maishofen.

NOTE: Cable car Schmittenhohebahn runs only from mid-June to end September, outside that time there is an alternative walk.