📷 Photo by Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on UnsplashSalzkammergut lakes
From Salzburg past St. Wolfgang to Hallstatt’s lake and Gmunden’s ceramics.
- Distance
- 123 km (77 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 42 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 5
- Countries
- Austria
- Updated
- June 22, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 123 km (77 mi) with 5 stops, from Salzburg to Gmunden. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Austria · More road trips from Zell am See
Route description
Leave Salzburg, with its old town below the Hohensalzburg fortress, on the B158 heading east past Fuschlsee and down to the Wolfgangsee. The scenery changes quickly from rolling foothills to lakes framed by steep limestone mountains.
St. Wolfgang has a pilgrimage church with a carved Gothic altar, and the Schafberg rack railway climbs from the village to a summit with views over several lakes. Continue via Bad Ischl on the B145 and then south along the Hallstätter See to Hallstatt.
Hallstatt is squeezed between the lake and the mountain, and its centre is closed to traffic: use the paid car parks outside and walk in, ideally early in the day. A funicular climbs to the salt mine and the Skywalk viewpoint above the village.
Across the lake, Obertraun is the base for the Dachstein cable car, the ice caves and the Five Fingers viewing platform, and it has a lakeside campsite nearby. Return north on the B145 past Bad Ischl and along the Traunsee to Gmunden, known for its green-and-white ceramics and the Schloss Ort castle on a small island.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Salzburg
Austria - 238 km
St. Wolfgang
Austria - 331 km
Hallstatt
ViewsHallstatt, AustriaA lakeside village below steep mountains. Park in the paid lots outside; the centre is car-free.
- 43 km
Obertraun
Austria - 551 km
Gmunden
Austria
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Salzburg → St. Wolfgang · 38 km · 0 h 32 minOvernight nearby, for example: Paradiescamping Wolfgangsee Birkenstrand (4 km); Inselcamping Unterach/Attersee (7 km).
- Day 2: St. Wolfgang → Obertraun · 34 km · 0 h 28 minOn the way: Hallstatt.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Klausner-Höll (3 km); Camping Temel (11 km).
- Day 3: Obertraun → Gmunden · 51 km · 0 h 43 minOvernight nearby, for example: Schatzlmühle (13 km); Almtal Camping Pettenbach (18 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Austria: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t need a GO-Box for distance-based tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Salzkammergut lakes?
3-day road trip of about 123 km (77 mi) with 5 stops, from Salzburg to Gmunden. About 1 h 42 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Salzkammergut lakes?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 42 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Salzkammergut lakes start and end?
It starts in Salzburg and ends in Gmunden.
Which countries does Salzkammergut lakes pass through?
Austria.
Where can you camp along Salzkammergut lakes?
OpenStreetMap lists 78 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Nord-Sam, Reisemobilstellplatz Salzburg and Camping Seekirchen.
When is the best time for Salzkammergut lakes?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
