48 Hours in Austria: Lakes, Caves, and Alpine Adventures
Ahh, beautiful Austria...
Here’s some important information you need before embarking on your road trip (we started from Zagreb):
Vignette: Slovenia - €20, Austria - €11.50
Accommodation:
Tolls: Please note that tunnels in Austria have a toll (check on the link below)
Day One:
We set off early, around 5 AM, to reach the hiking trail by 10 or 11 AM. The 6 Lakes Trail is located above Tauplitz, where the ski resort is situated, and it’s a beautiful place for hiking in the summer. Since our accommodation is near Tauplitz, we're heading for the 6 Lakes Hike. It’s said to be an easy trail, with a start elevation of about 1,600 meters. The hike lasts approximately 5 hours, with a maximum ascent of around 300 meters. The toll for the road to the mountain entrance is €14. All the details can be found in the guide below.
Second day:
On our second day, we woke up early, eager to make the most of our time at the Dachstein. I had struggled to find information online about the last tour times for the caves, so getting a head start was essential.
The caves and viewpoints are located within the stunning Dachstein formation, renowned for its “Dachstein limestone” formed in shallow marine environments. This karst massif began rising during the Upper Triassic, around 230 million years ago, and it’s still on the rise today. It is dotted with fascinating fossils and remnants of cave bears.
Additionally, we had a few hours left after visiting Dachstein, so we decided to explore Hallstatt. This UNESCO-protected town is a charming little gem. A quick stroll through the town takes about an hour, but if you want to explore the salt mine or hike to the waterfall, I recommend planning for a half-day trip.
Enjoy!
Want more weekend getaways? Check out my other guides:
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