Open, Roadblock

Via Salis - Hiking in the footsteps of salt

Characteristics

Skill

Fitness

The tour in numbers

Level of difficulty medium

Route 10,0 km

Time 3:15 h

Uphill 370 hm

Downhill 370 hm

Highest point 1050 m

Lock away

Open

Sperre der Einbahnstraße von Altaussee in Richtung Loser

More information about the road closures

The path is dedicated to the theme of salt. It is equipped with 21 information panels at intervals of five to 20 minutes.

The Via Salis is a themed trail in Ausseerland that is around ten kilometers long and leads along well-marked paths around the Dietrichskogel. With 21 excitingly signposted stations on the history of salt and a highlight at the Altaussee salt mine, this circular hiking trail combines nature experience and contemporary history.

Lock away

Open

Sperre der Einbahnstraße von Altaussee in Richtung Loser

A section of State Road Landesstraße 702 is closed in Altaussee. This affects the one-way street from Altaussee towards Loser (from the Maislinger Bakery in the direction of Losermaut to the Donisbrücke bridge).
A detour has been set up for the closure.

The closure is in effect on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. until the afternoon, as well as on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. until the afternoon.
The road is open to traffic at night. Traffic will be diverted via the one-way street Donisbrücke bridge to Gasthof Berndl.
The detour will be controlled by a traffic light or manually.

Best season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

More information

The best way to get to Altaussee is to plan with google.at/maps.

The Via Salis themed hiking trail around the Dietrichskogel is an impressive journey through the history of salt mining in Ausseerland. Over a distance of around ten kilometers, the well-signposted circular hiking trail provides interesting facts about historic salt mining, the life of the miners and the development of the region from the Roman road to the present day. With 21 informative stations, which are reached every five to twenty minutes, the route not only offers geological and historical insights, but also many scenic attractions.

The trail circles the Dietrichskogel and leads through a pristine mountain landscape at the foot of the Sandling massif. The ascent is moderate over around four kilometers with an elevation gain of around 300 meters, while the descent is somewhat steeper over the same distance. The highlight of the tour is the Altaussee salt mine at the end of the route, which provides exciting insights into salt mining today.

The total walking time is around three hours. Parts of the route run along alpine hiking trails and are therefore not suitable for baby carriages. Look out for the signposts with the words “Via Salis”.

A detour to the Pflindsberg castle ruins, one of the signposted stops, is particularly recommended.

The stations at a glance

- Salt is life
- Salt water from the Sandling
- Maple or Altaussee?
- Changing job description
- The miner's stand
- Pflindsberg ruins
- The Romans on the Sandling
- The pumping stations on the Sandling
- The old mining center
- How the salt came to the Sandling
- Enough salt, but not enough wood
- Working life of the miners
- Water in the tunnels
- The Steinberg area
- From scooping to draining
- The Strähn
- Mining today
- Food for the miners
- Healing from the depths
- The mountains and their visitors
- The salt of the future

The Via Salis is ideal for anyone interested in history, nature and culture in Ausseerland. As a varied circular hiking trail in Ausseerland, it is a rewarding tour with education, exercise and panoramic views.

The free Ausseerland hiking map is recommended for planning and orientation; you can find more maps in the hiking map store.

There is a large parking lot in front of the Kur- und Amtshaus. Attention chargeable!

Tourist office Ausseerland Salzkammergut
Information office Altaussee
Fischerndorf 61
8992 Altaussee
+43 3622 716 43
Send e-mail
Website

The folder "VIA SALIS" is available free of charge in all information offices in the Ausseerland Salzkammergut.

Hiking maps are available in the information offices in Ausseerland or in the Ausseerland Artikel Shop.