From the Dachstein Glacier, the 35 daily stages lead across the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut, the Gesäuse, Hochsteiermark into eastern Styria and finally into the spa and volcano region of Styria.
During the first three stages, which lead from the Dachstein over the Stoderzinken to Bad Mitterndorf in the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut, bone-dry karst areas, lush alpine meadows, sparse and dense larch forests and small alpine villages determine the scenario. After another three days and just as many stages, the route then leads over the alpine pastures and lakes of the Tauplitzalm, the largest lake plateau in Central Europe, through the Tote Gebirge and the Wörschach ravine to Wörschach in the Enns Valley.
The other stages lead through the national park Gesäuse, over the Hochschwab and through the national park Mürzer Oberland with the peaks and alpine pastures of Veitsch, schneealm and Rax. A must: a visit to Admont Abbey with its numerous museums and the largest monastery library in the world. From Mürzzuschlag on the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway, the tour heads southeast over the Stuhleck and the Fischbach Alps to the historic town of Hartberg. Here, the tour flattens out noticeably.
No other region in Austria offers such a high quantity and quality of culinary products. Past vineyards and orchards as well as the 6 thermal spas of the spa and volcano region, we head to Bad Radkersburg.
Still good to know: The northern route as well as the southern route can also be hiked in sections, because thanks to public transportation, there are also so-called hiking and valley buses as well as hiking taxis - it is possible to return to the starting point from almost every final destination.