On the trail of the “man in the salt”

You can look forward to a marvellous view across Lake Hallstatt from an altitude of 1,000 metres.

The tour commences with a trip on the Salzberg railway, which takes
you to the Hallstatt mountain valley. It was by coincidence that, in 1846, a prehistoric burial ground was discovered here.

So far, archaeologists have unearthed a further 1,500 graves. And work is still going on. A steep yet well-made path takes you past the houses of the Salzberg settlement.

You reach the Salzberg mountain pasture (at an altitude of 1,000 m) after half an hour. Ten minutes later, you come across the ruins of an old alp, know as the “walled room”.

Keep to marking no. 642. On your right-hand side, you will soon see the signpost to the Steingrabenschneid. Follow the narrow path through a wonderful, shaded wood.

After a good hour, you will reach the summit of the Steingrabenschneid/the Schneidkogel (at 1,551 m). Sitting at about 1,000 metres above Hallstatt, enjoy the unique panorama of the Dachstein, the Hallstatt mountain valley, the Plassen and
the Hallstatt lake district.

Following the descent into the Hallstatt high valley, the guided tour through the kingdom of the “man in the salt” commences. Spend 75 minutes strolling on the trail of the prehistoric miner, whose body was found perfectly preserved in salt in 1734.

To round the trip off, you are invited to stop off at the Rudolfsturm inn. Naturally, you are also free to take the Salt Mountain funicular back into the valley straight away.

Set off however you like! Either as part of a guided tour each Friday between May and October or on your own any time you like.

9 a.m., ascent with the Salt Mountain funicular from Hallstatt

9.15 a.m., meeting point: mountain station of the Salzberg railway above Hallstatt
approx. 11.30 a.m., break on the Steingrabenschneid
at 12 p.m., descent into the Hallstatt mountain valley
approx 2 p.m., guided tour of the Salzwelten in Hallstatt
approx. 4 p.m., return to the valley or stop off at the Rudolfsturm inn

Walking time uphill: approx. 2.5 hours, down to the valley a good hour.

We are currently in the process of updating the website, the new website will be online soon.