KE's marketing executive, Bex, recently returned from an incredible walking holiday with her husband, Pete, where they completed our Self-Guided Salzburg's 10 Lakes tour. Over six days, they walked through the breathtaking Austrian countryside, journeying from one picturesque town to another. The varied terrain and stunning waterscapes made the trip unforgettable. Using the KE app for navigation and having their luggage transferred each day allowed them to fully immerse themselves in the experience. Read her highlights, must-tries and top tips below…

The treks offered a little challenge each day without being overly difficult. Day 2 was the only day with tougher terrain as we had a steep climb on the Valerieweg through the Burggrabenklamm gorge. This involved navigating relatively rocky passages and narrow paths but they were secured with ropes to help and we were rewarded with stunning views of the mountain stream, steep edges and beautiful waterfalls. The rest of the trails were well-surfaced and featured gentle ascents, making them very manageable and enjoyable!

It was brilliant. We stayed predominantly in small, independent hotels where we were welcomed like old friends. The hosts were so helpful and were always on hand to offer their local knowledge and top tips for exploring their town. Even in the larger hotels, the hospitality we experienced was wonderful. Facilities were relatively basic but they boasted everything we needed after a day of walking. Plus, they all know how to put on an excellent breakfast spread!

Breakfast was wonderful. We were greeted with mountains of fresh bread, pastries, cheese, ham and fruit every morning. Resisting the temptation to overeat before walking was a challenge! There was usually a bakery or café along the trail each day so we would stop for a coffee, watch the world go by and select some goodies to enjoy on the trail – almost always delicious pretzels and pastries! In the evenings we enjoyed traditional dishes such as schnitzel, gulasch and brettljause, all complemented by delightful Austrian beer. For dessert, we indulged in apfelstrudel and the incredible kaiserschmarrn—definitely my culinary highlights and must-tries!

There are too many to choose from! I really enjoyed the gorge walk that I mentioned previously as it was so rewarding. Descending into the town of Altausee was very special as it felt like stepping down into a fairy tale with the village emerging before us. The ferry boat ride into Hallstatt was unforgettable; as we sailed closer to this picturesque village nestled in the mountains, its beauty only intensified. The final day’s walk along the Hallstattersee Ostuferweg was equally remarkable as we walked to the north of the lake, along footbridges that literally skimmed the lake’s surface. We also had the chance to experience ‘Sommer Nacht’ in St. Wolfgang, a summer event full of local food and live music—a fantastic way to immerse ourselves in the local culture. Of course, I can’t forget the lakeside picnics, breathtaking sunsets, refreshing swims in crystal clear waters and well-earned gelato stops too!

Take your swimming gear: Carry it in your day pack too as some days your trail will take you past lakes such as Nussensee and Schwarzensee where a dip is almost irresistible – especially if you have lovely sunny weather like we did! Some days, you will end your day by the lake in the town where you’re staying so you can enjoy a refreshing swim before heading to your hotel or exploring the town.

Use the KE app: We used a map only once during the entire trip as the app was very clear and concise and made for stress-free navigation!

Do the extra loops and add ons if you’re feeling up to it: We did a couple of them and they were well worth it. I don’t think you can ever explore too much in this beautiful area.

Bex can't recommend this trip highly enough. "It's the ultimate holiday for soaking up Austria’s breathtaking landscapes and truly immersing yourself in Austrian life!" Take a look at more of her photos and the full trip details below...