Hiking in Hallstatt: Brine Pipeline Trail  -

The historical Brine Trail

News for hikerson the
historical Brine Trail (Salzkammergut Soleweg)

Section Hallstatt - Bad Goisern locked
Section Bad Goisern - Bad Ischl open
Section Bad Ischl - Ebensee locked

Dear hiking friends, good news from the Salzkammergut Soleweg. The section between the Bad Goisern district of Steeg and Bad Ischl has been hikeable again since mid-July 2021. The rest of the trail in the direction of Ebensee will be reopened in 2022. The section from Hallstatt to Steeg (Bad Goisern) will then take place in 2024 - just in time for the Capital of Culture Year.

If you still don't want to wait that long and want to hike from Hallstatt to Bad Ischl, we can recommend the following alternative:
From Hallstatt by ferry to the station, on the “Ostuferwanderweg” (east shore hiking trail) to Steeg and then on the Salzkammergut Soleweg via Bad Goisern and Lauffen to Bad Ischl. The walking time for this alternative is about 6 hours. Refreshment stops: Weißenbachwirt, Steegwirt or Seeraunzn. We wish you a pleasant hike!

Another note for hikers in Hallstatt: The ascent via the Soleweg from Hallstatt to the Salzberg remains closed and parts of the World Heritage Hiking Trail in Hallstatt are also not accessible at the moment. Thank you for your understanding. Your editorial team.

Up-to-date information for hikers on the Salzkammergut “Soleweg” Rock clearance work and forest maintenance along the “Soleweg” (brine pipeline path) - observe closures!

The annual rock clearance and forest maintenance work will be carried out along the “Soleweg” from 3rd April until probably 5th May 2023. The section from the Kaiser hunting statue, in Bad Ischl, to Steeg is affected. During the work, the path will be temporarily closed to protect the population from falling trees and rockfall.

For your own safety, please observe and respect the closures along the brine pipeline path and the instructions of the ground staff! After acceptance of the path by the responsible regional geologist, the entire path from Steeg to Ebensee will be opened for general use by mid-May at the lates

Description of the Brine Pipeline Trail

The historical Brine-Pipeline route is well known as one of the most beautiful routes in Austria. The route begins at Lake Hallstatt goes through the Inner Salzkammergut encompassed by majestic mountains and charming little villages the route follows the river Traun and ends up at Lake Traunsee. The trail from Hallstatt to Ebensee is along the world's oldest pipeline, established in 1607. To enable the brine to flow, the pipeline and path slopes slightly down, which makes the Brine-Pipeline Trail is an easy route to walk. The 40 km long walk (almost the as long as a marathon run) is split up in four 10 km long theme routes, each concentrating on different aspects of the local people’s lives and typical themes from the region 

The oldest active industrial pipeline in the world

Salt stretches across the salt mine in Hallstatt (you can follow the historical path of 7000 years of salt mining in the display salt mine). This salt water (33% salt) is called “Brine“. The Dead Sea with (30%) has almost as much salt as brine. The brine is heated in a salt pan; the water evaporates leaving just the pure salt. In earlier times wood was required to burn the fires, wood was rare in Hallstatt so the salt was transported to the salt factory in Ebensee. To be able to transport the brine to the salt factory a brine–pipeline was made; in 1597 the pipeline required 13.000 tree trunks (pine and fir trees). The brine-pipeline was first put in to operation in 1607. This is the story of the oldest, still active pipeline in the world. Today the brine flows through plastic pipes. The track above it is called the Brine-Pipeline Trail, however the locals call it “the Strähn“.

Salt – an important raw material

There are countless ways to use salt. Besides the different uses in cooking, there are also salt stones for animals. Without salt we would have no books: Salt is needed to produce paper. We would have no soap, lipstick or other cosmetics without salt. No new modern materials without salt. Aluminum, leather and rubber are made using salt. Cars would have no petrol, as the drill holes wouldn’t be as steady without salt. Nowadays more than 200 million tons of salt is produced worldwide. Over 250 millions of years we have produced as much salt as there is in the oceans. If you were to spread the salt out across the oceans and evenly over the mainland you would have a salt layer of approx. 100 meters high

1st Stage: „Mountains, forests and lakes“ from Hallstatt to Bad Goisern

You can get to the Rudolf´s Tower with a funicular from Hallstatt from where you have a spectacular view on the whole of the lake and surrounding landscape. From there, passing the prehistoric grave yard you find the salt mine entrance where you can take a tour and discover the history and fascinating world of salt miners. The path winds through the "Höll" passing rough rocks into the "Bannwald" forest. Along this path you will have a spectacular view onto the lake Hallstatt. You pass the Gosauzwang over a high bridge crossing the Gosaubach stream and passing the pipes in Steeg to Bad Goisern, the home of the "Goiserer", the world famous original handmade mountain shoe.

2nd Stage: „The locals of the Salzkammergut“ from Bad Goisern to Bad Ischl

From the Goiserer Bridge you leisurely pass along meadows and little woods through the Bad Goisern valley. In Lauffen you can hear the roar of the "Traunfluss", a spot where many of the salt ships would capsize. After a hike through the beautiful woods you will reach the hunting statue of our emperor. Bad Ischl is well known for the healing qualities of the salt and “Salt prince“ because of the love story between the emperor Franz Josef I and his beloved "Sissy".

3rd Stage: „Traffic“ from Bad Ischl to Langwies

From the tourist information office in the centre the path leads past the train station across the Steinfeldbrücke Bridge to the right side of the river Traun through the estates Steinfeld and Brandenberg. You continue to walk for 2 kilometers on the bike track besides the main road. At this point the present day Brine-Pipeline heads below onto the main road. Crossing the Mitterweißenbach Bridge the path goes to the right side of the river Traun along a gravel road passing a small estate and through the woods to the Langwieser Steeg. Then crossing the Traun and the main road behind the former guest house you will find the feeder line to the original route and the 4th stage of the Brine-Pipeline Trail from Langwies to Ebensee.

4th Stage: „Economy“ from Langwies to Ebensee

Immediately after Langwies the Brine-Pipeline Trail leaves the main road continuing along the mountain onto Ebensee. The path passes romantic farms, meadows, small estates and several flowing brooks. Today, the salt factory is on the other side of the river Traun. There are benches on the route to stop for a break. The local history useum.ebensee is a must it’s at the end of the Brine-Pipeline Trail and was former seat of the salt works administration.

Tips: Hiking in spring

The days in the Salzkammergut are getting longer. The temperatures are finally getting warmer, more and more hikers are heading to the mountains. But be careful: Especially in spring, there are a few things to consider: There is often still a lot of snow on the mountains, so be careful when crossing snowfields. After winter, you are usually still a bit "rusty", so warm up accordingly in advance and plan your tour carefully. Let your host know the planned route. This can lead to quick help in an emergency. But there's more to consider:

Tips: Hiking in spring

The days in the Salzkammergut are getting longer. The temperatures are finally getting warmer, more and more hikers are heading to the mountains. But be careful: Especially in spring, there are a few things to consider: There is often still a lot of snow on the mountains, so be careful when crossing snowfields. After winter, you are usually still a bit "rusty", so warm up accordingly in advance and plan your tour carefully. Let your host know the planned route. This can lead to quick help in an emergency. But there's more to consider:

Safety Tips for Hikers

Admittedly, the landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut is the absolute pinnacle for hiking fans, mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers—unforgettable tours to incredibly beautiful mountain lodges and meadows, panorama views as far as the eye can see and cherished moments that will last a lifetime! However, you should remember that while hiking you might find yourself in high-alpine terrain. We’ve put together some resources to assist you: how to best prepare for your tour, recommended items for your backpack and steps to take in an emergency situation. Remember to always play it safe and enjoy your hiking adventure in the Salzkammergut!

Rest stops & other offers

Moserwirt Inn in Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt

© Moserwirt Bad Goisern |

The spa gardens in Bad Goisern

The Landler museum

Restaurant “Goiserermühle” (Goiserer mill)

“Steegwirt” in Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt

© Steegwirt | Steegwirt in Bad Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee

Available accommodation for your hiking holiday in the Salzkammergut

Hotels and accommodation providers in Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Gosau and Obertraun offer the ideal room or apartment for your holidays, no matter what your tastes. Aside from establishments rated according to the international "star" scale, you will also find around Lake Hallstatt in Austria businesses that have been awarded two to four "edelweiss". The more flowers, the greater comforts you can expect. Whether you eventually find your cozy nest in an elegant 5-star luxury hotel, at comfortable guesthouse, a family-friendly apartment, or on a traditional farm, the choice is always entirely up to you.