In September, we will be picking up a rental car in Freilassing and have all day to visit the lake region, ending up in Hallstat to spend the night. I need help with logistics, route and timing. What lakes could we see?
Also after seeing Hallstat in the evening and the next morning, we will drive to Berchestgaden for 3 nights.
What other lake or town should we visit after leaving Hallstatt?
Thanks for your help
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7970 posts
I would consider stopping in Salzburg, which is not that far out of the way and is absolutely beautiful. It's one of my favorite places in that area and there is so much to see and do. In fact, I would be staying there over Berchtesgaden but that's me. :-)
In fact, it would make more sense to head directly to Salzburg from Freilassing and spend the day there, then drive to Hallstat.
Posted by
OP
Arkadelphia, AR, usa
10 posts
Thanks for your reply. I will be staying 2 days in Salzburg and then picking up a rental car and wanting to see some of the Lake District before spending the night in Hallstat. Then on to Berchtesgaden. Why would you not go to Berchtesgaden??
The original question was about the route I should take.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1387 posts
To Hallstatt stop and park in St Gilgen, Wolfgangsee. Take a ferry to St Wolfgang im Salzkammergut. Take the cog train to Schafberg Bahn Bergstation Schafbergspitze. From the Bergstation walk to above and behind Hotel Schafbergspitze for good views of the Mondsee and Attersee. The view at Himmelspforte Schafberg is great too. Return the way you came back to St Gilgen. This will take the better part of the day. You could shorten it by not taking the cog train.
I'm not familiar with the secondary road route from Hallstatt towards Berchtesgaden until you would get to Golling an der Salzach (a new route for me). You could detour south from Golling to Burg Hohenwerfen (never been there).
All pretty weather dependent.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2544 posts
The area around Werfen is stunning and well worth a short detour between Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden. The fortress is great. The views are stunning. This is the area where Julie Andrews twirled in the meadow in The Sound of Music.
From Hallein to Berchtesgaden, there is a great sommerrodelbahn with amazing views. It’s very close to the salt mine near Hallein. There is another sommerrodelbahn near Berchtesgaden, but we didn’t get a chance to ride that one.