Austria’s Camino, Vienna & the Salzkammergut

19 nights · From vineyard paths to mountain lakes

22 September–11 October 2027 | 19nights | Just five guests

Walk through Austrian wine country at harvest time, celebrate your pilgrimage in a castle above the Danube, then settle into a week among the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut.

Austria is part of my family story, and this journey brings together places I love with the pleasure of discovering a country on foot. There’s a sense of purpose in walking towards a new town each day, followed by the luxury of unpacking for a whole week and getting to know somewhere properly.

We begin in Vienna, meeting over dinner before heading north into the Weinviertel, one of Austria’s best-known wine regions. I’ve chosen autumn so we can experience wine country at harvest time, with activity in the vineyards and plenty of reasons to linger over a glass with dinner. Our first two nights in wine country are at Weingut Neustifter in Poysdorf, a welcoming start to our walking adventure.

Over eight days on the Weinviertel Jakobsweg, one of Austria’s Camino de Santiago routes, we’ll follow the pilgrim shells through vineyard tracks, old cellar lanes and farming villages. We’ll walk into the wooded Leiser Berge and west through the Wagram wine region, staying at wineries, a country inn and small town hotels along the way. Some days leave an afternoon to enjoy our surroundings. Others are longer and bring that satisfying feeling of arriving with tired legs and a good appetite.

Our pilgrimage finishes on foot in Krems, but our final night in wine country deserves somewhere special. A short transfer takes us into the Wachau for a stay at Schloss Dürnstein, a seventeenth-century castle hotel overlooking the Danube. With cobbled village lanes outside and the river below its terrace, it’s a beautiful place to pause and celebrate what we’ve walked together.

We then return to Vienna for two nights, with time for the old town, St Stephen’s and coffee and cake at Gerstner, one of my favourite Viennese cafés. It’s a chance to rest our legs and enjoy the city before we head west into the mountains.

For our final seven nights, we’ll make ourselves at home at Heritage Boutique Apartments in Bad Ischl. From this base, we’ll ride the Katrin cable car for mountain walks and an Almhütte lunch, explore Hallstatt early in the day, and walk beside Gosausee, with the Dachstein rising above the lake. There’s a day in Salzburg, too, and time left open for Bad Ischl itself. You might explore its imperial history, follow the river or settle into a café with a book and a second coffee.

Throughout the journey, mindfulness is woven gently into our days. Sometimes that means a quiet stretch of trail, sometimes a moment to take in the view before reaching for the camera. There’s space for conversation, shared laughter and time to yourself.

With just five guests, I’ll be alongside you throughout, taking care of the bookings, transport and where we eat. Your luggage is moved between overnight stops during the pilgrimage, and accommodation is mostly private occupancy, with two nights in shared accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.

Come ready for eight consecutive walking days, including some stages of around 25–27 kilometres, followed by a more leisurely week in the mountains. We’ll have Austrian food to enjoy, local wines to discover and nineteen nights to let the journey unfold.

Vienna’s imperial charm
Three nights across the journey to enjoy Vienna, from our welcome dinner to St Stephen’s, the old town and coffee and cake at Gerstner, my favourite café opposite the Opera.

Eight days on Austria’s Camino
Follow the scallop shells of the Weinviertel Jakobsweg through vineyard tracks, village lanes and the wooded Leiser Berge, finishing on foot in Krems.

Wine country at harvest time
Experience the Weinviertel and Wagram in autumn, beginning with two nights at Weingut Neustifter in Poysdorf. Walk through the countryside that produces the wines we’ll enjoy along the way.

Stays with local character
Settle into wineries, a traditional country inn and small town hotels, with your luggage transported between our walking stops.

A celebration at Schloss Dürnstein
Spend a night in a seventeenth-century castle hotel above the Danube. Explore beautiful Dürnstein and raise a glass on the Schloss terrace to the pilgrimage we’ve completed together.

Seven nights at home in Bad Ischl
Unpack at Heritage Boutique Apartments and enjoy a week in the Salzkammergut, with riverside walks, imperial history and time to find your favourite café.

Katrin and a mountain hut lunch
Ride the cable car above Bad Ischl, walk among the mountain views and settle into the Almhütte for lunch. This is where I’d order the Kaiserschmarrn.

Hallstatt before the rush
Head out early to wander the lakeside village, enjoying its narrow lanes and views across the water before the busiest part of the day.

Gosausee beneath the Dachstein
Walk beside the lake with the mountains rising above you, then enjoy a traditional Gasthaus meal. One of my favourite places in Austria, and one I can’t wait to share.

A day in Salzburg
Explore Mozart’s city, from Mirabell Gardens to the old town’s baroque squares, with time to sit down over a leisurely lunch.

Austria at the table
Enjoy regional wines and hearty local cooking, from Heuriger plates and schnitzel to strudel, café cakes and mountain favourites.

Time to enjoy where you are
A free day in Bad Ischl and a flexible day give us room to follow the weather, revisit a favourite spot or simply rest.

Just five guests, fully escorted by Lisa
Travel with an experienced Camino guide, mindfulness teacher and host with Austrian heritage. Gentle mindful practices, good company and space to yourself are woven throughout.

22 SEPTEMBER · WELCOME TO VIENNA

Arrive in Vienna, settle into the Royal Hotel and meet your fellow travellers over our welcome drink and dinner.

Overnight — Royal Hotel, Vienna. Private occupancy.

23 SEPTEMBER · INTO THE WEINVIERTEL

We travel from Vienna to Poysdorf and settle into Weingut Neustifter for two nights. Enjoy an introduction to Austrian wine country before our walking journey begins.

Overnight — Weingut Neustifter, Poysdorf. Private occupancy.

24 SEPTEMBER · DRASENHOFEN TO POYSDORF
Approximately 17 km

We leave our luggage at the winery and take a short transfer to Drasenhofen, where our pilgrimage begins. Our first stage takes us through the Falkenstein vineyards and back to Poysdorf for a second night.

Overnight — Weingut Neustifter, Poysdorf. Private occupancy.

25 SEPTEMBER · POYSDORF TO MISTELBACH
Approximately 15 km

Walk through open countryside and small villages as we find our rhythm on the Jakobsweg. We arrive in Mistelbach and settle into Hotel VinQ.

Overnight — Hotel VinQ, Mistelbach. Private occupancy.

26 SEPTEMBER · MISTELBACH TO ERNSTBRUNN
Approximately 25 km

A longer walking day takes us towards the wooded Leiser Berge, with changing scenery as we make our way to the Ernstbrunn area.

Overnight — Holiday Apartments Engelbrecht. Shared accommodation.

27 SEPTEMBER · ERNSTBRUNN TO GROSSRUSSBACH
Approximately 10 km

A shorter stage gives us time to enjoy the countryside and a more leisurely afternoon after yesterday’s longer walk.

Overnight — Großrußbach area. Accommodation to be confirmed.

28 SEPTEMBER · GROSSRUSSBACH TO STOCKERAU
Approximately 27 km

Our longest walking day brings us through rural landscapes, past pilgrimage churches and towards Stockerau. Settle into our hotel and enjoy dinner together after a full day on the trail.

Overnight — City Hotel Stockerau. Private occupancy.

29 SEPTEMBER · STOCKERAU TO KÖNIGSBRUNN
Approximately 25 km

We continue west towards the Wagram wine region, finishing our day at a traditional country inn in Königsbrunn.

Overnight — Königsbrunner Landgasthaus Mann. Private occupancy.

30 SEPTEMBER · KÖNIGSBRUNN TO FEUERSBRUNN
Approximately 15 km

A shorter day through Wagram wine country brings us to Feuersbrunn, with time to enjoy the afternoon at our winery accommodation before the final stage.

Overnight — Weinrefugium am Wagram, Weingut Öhlzelt. Shared accommodation.

1 OCTOBER · FEUERSBRUNN TO KREMS
Approximately 19 km

Our eighth and final walking day brings us into Krems, where we complete our pilgrimage. From here, we transfer along the Danube to beautiful Dürnstein for a celebratory evening and a special night at the Schloss.

Overnight — Schloss Dürnstein. Private occupancy.

2 OCTOBER · DÜRNSTEIN TO VIENNA

Enjoy a slow morning in Dürnstein before we return to Vienna and settle into the Royal Hotel for two nights. Rest your legs and enjoy being back in the city after our wine-country adventure.

Overnight — Royal Hotel, Vienna. Private occupancy.

3 OCTOBER · A DAY TO ENJOY VIENNA

With a full day in Vienna, there’s time for the historic centre, St Stephen’s and coffee and cake at Gerstner, one of my favourite Viennese cafés. This evening, we’ll welcome anyone joining us for the Salzkammergut retreat over dinner together.

Overnight — Royal Hotel, Vienna. Private occupancy. Your second consecutive night in the same hotel.

4 OCTOBER · INTO THE SALZKAMMERGUT

We travel from Vienna to Bad Ischl and settle into our accommodation for the next seven nights. Unpack, make yourself at home and enjoy a first walk along the Traun River.

Our base for 4–10 October

Heritage Boutique Apartments, Bad Ischl. Private occupancy.

5 OCTOBER · KATRIN & A MOUNTAIN HUT LUNCH

Take the Katrin cable car into the mountains for sweeping views and a walk to suit the conditions. Afterwards, we’ll settle into the Katrin Almhütte for lunch.

6 OCTOBER · HALLSTATT & GOSAUSEE

Our private van takes us to Hallstatt early, giving us time to explore its lakeside lanes before the busiest part of the day. We then continue to Gosausee for a walk beside the lake beneath the Dachstein.

7 OCTOBER · BAD ISCHL AT YOUR OWN PACE

A day to enjoy Bad Ischl your way. Stroll along the Esplanade, explore the Kaiservilla or linger over coffee and cake. There’s time to rest and follow your own interests.

8 OCTOBER · A DAY IN SALZBURG

Travel by train to Salzburg for a day exploring the city. Enjoy Mirabell Gardens, the historic streets and squares, and a leisurely lunch before returning to Bad Ischl.

9 OCTOBER · FOLLOW THE WEATHER

We’ll keep today flexible so we can make the most of the conditions. Head out on the trails if the weather is fine, or enjoy more of Bad Ischl if it’s a day for cafés and exploring town.

10 OCTOBER · A FINAL DAY TO SAVOUR

Return to a favourite corner, enjoy one more walk by the river or take your time over a final café visit. This evening, we’ll gather for our farewell dinner and reflect on our Austrian journey together.

11 OCTOBER · FAREWELL FROM BAD ISCHL

Our retreat finishes after breakfast. Say your goodbyes and continue with your onward travel.

Walking distances are approximate. Your main luggage is transported between overnight stops during the walking journey, so you carry only your daypack.

Salzkammergut day trips may change order according to weather, opening times and transport. Mountain walks and our visit to the Almhütte depend on conditions.