The Salzburg 10 Lakes Walking Holiday offers everything you could wish for. Experience stunning ascents and descents, wander through lush wild meadows and follow enchanting forest trails. The welcoming Austrian hospitality and picture-postcard villages add to the charm too! However, the true magic of this holiday lies in the breathtaking lakes. Read on to discover more about my top picks...

This beautiful, crystal clear lake was the perfect start to our adventure. Nestled beside the charming town of Fuschl am See, its turquoise blue waters and breathtaking mountainous backdrop set the scene for the wonderful week ahead. This picturesque lake attracts both those seeking a leisurely lakeside retreat and adventurers heading for the hills. We began and ended our trip here so were able to enjoy everything it had to offer; we swam in the pristine water, relaxed on the lakeside beach, enjoyed traditional hospitality and of course, embarked on a breathtaking trek over the western shoulder of Schober peak. A short ascent brought us to the Wartenfels ruins where we were rewarded with a panoramic view of Mondsee and Irrsee lakes. Returning here on our final day felt like coming home after a wonderful week of walking and exploration.

Our walk from Fuschl led us through stunning countryside, descending in to the town of Mondsee, home to the picturesque Lake Mondsee. This lake is the warmest in the region, with summer temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius, making it popular with swimmers and those seeking relaxation by the shore. However, the special aspect of Lake Mondsee lies on the opposite side of the lake where a nature reserve offers a protected area for wildlife and plants. The town of Mondsee, with its charming imperial ambience and beautiful buildings, quickly became a personal favourite. Among its attractions is the stunning Basilica Minor St Michael which you may recognise from the Von Trapp wedding scene in The Sound of Music!

Another of our favourites was the ‘black lake’; lying above Lake Wolfgangsee at 716m above sea level, it gets its nickname from its dark waters and warm temperatures. As we approached, the lake's dark appearance gradually transformed into a beautiful deep shade of emerald green. To our surprise, the water was exceptionally clean and good for your skin due to its high concentration of natural minerals, so we had to stop for a dip! Certain sections of the shoreline are nature reserves but we found plenty of access points to the water.

This is perhaps one of the most well-known lakes in the Salzkammergut region and one we were looking forward to. It did not disappoint! The lake is beautifully framed by the impressive Schafberg Mountain which creates an incredible backdrop. From St. Wolfgang, you can take a cog railway up to the mountain's summit at 1,783m, offering breathtaking views along the way. A real highlight for us was the relaxing ferry boat ride to Abersee on the opposite side of the lake. We also had the opportunity to explore the lakeshore town of Strobl the following day.

Known as the ‘hidden lake’, this small beauty suddenly appears as if out of nowhere, hidden in the forest. The lake exudes tranquillity with its still, mirror-lake surface. Lake Nussensee’s water comes from underground springs so the water level fluctuates greatly but it has a maximum depth of 15m so you can imagine how clear it was! We stopped for a picnic and quick swim here and found it truly idyllic. From here, we descended into the imperial city of Bad Ischl, Emporer Franz Joseph’s favourite holiday spot, which we too loved exploring! A stop at the famous Café Zauner is a must do.

Does this trip save the best until last? Quite possibly! We approached Lake Hallstatt from the east and walked along the water’s edge, our pace dropping off completely as we admired imposing mountains overlooking the clear waters. Before long, the UNESCO town of Hallstatt appeared on the opposite side of the lake with its beautiful churches and houses built into the mountains. The urge to get there helped us pick up the pace and we embarked on a peaceful ferry boat ride across the water – the best way to embrace the lake’s beauty and to approach this picturesque town. We spent our afternoon swimming, exploring and picnicking on the water’s edge in awe of this special place. We will never forget walking along the incredible Hallstattersee Ostuferweg the following day; we walked on footbridges directly above the water’s surfaces all the way to the tip of the lake.

From tackling exciting ascents on varied terrain to swimming in the most beautiful waters, this was a very special trip that formed memories we will never forget. I wouldn’t change a thing about the week and a few tips to help you enjoy this wonderful holiday as much as we did:

Top Tips

• Take cash. Cash is heavily used everywhere, from mountain lodges to city centre. Essential for your gelato stops!

• Don’t forget your swimming gear. Swimming really was a core highlight of this trip. Even if you’re not a confident swimmer, you are not going to want to miss the opportunity to go for a dip or a paddle.

• Do the extra loops and add ons if you’re feeling up to it. I don’t think you can ever explore too much in this beautiful area.

• Explore Salzburg if you can. Although we couldn’t manage an extra night here, we booked a late flight to ensure we had time to explore this beautiful city and visit the birthplace of Mozart.

The Salzburg 10 Lakes Walking Holiday offers everything you could wish for. Experience stunning ascents and descents, wander through lush wild meadows and follow enchanting forest trails. The welcoming Austrian hospitality and picture-postcard villages add to the charm too! However, the true magic of this holiday lies in the breathtaking lakes. Read on to discover more about my top picks...

From tackling exciting ascents on varied terrain to swimming in the most beautiful waters, this was a very special trip that formed memories we will never forget. I wouldn’t change a thing about the week and a few tips to help you enjoy this wonderful holiday as much as we did:

Top Tips

• Take cash. Cash is heavily used everywhere, from mountain lodges to city centre. Essential for your gelato stops!

• Don’t forget your swimming gear. Swimming really was a core highlight of this trip. Even if you’re not a confident swimmer, you are not going to want to miss the opportunity to go for a dip or a paddle.

• Do the extra loops and add ons if you’re feeling up to it. I don’t think you can ever explore too much in this beautiful area.

• Explore Salzburg if you can. Although we couldn’t manage an extra night here, we booked a late flight to ensure we had time to explore this beautiful city and visit the birthplace of Mozart.