---
title: Hallstatt Theme Trail Hike Echerntal Waldbachstrub
url: "https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-tour/detail/430000686/hallstatt-echern-theme-trail-to-the-waterfalls.html"
description: The theme trail takes you through the Echerntal of Hallstatt to the waterfalls.
date: 2017-02-22
modified: 2026-03-18
---

# Hallstatt Theme Trail Hike Echerntal Waldbachstrub

Hallstatt - Echern Theme Trail to the waterfalls
==================================================

 **Starting place:** 4830 Hallstatt

 **Destination:** 4830 Hallstatt

 ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/239615/2957421DDFEED34AE03239CF6EAAB18F426ACB8B4DA053DC71B1BA437A8FEAA9/waldbach-im-echerntal-von-hallstatt.jpg)

 ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/239616/188B13CAE8B4829472DFEF7ACD56827CBDBC423DDF07907B76E7A7DA70889773/hirlatzwand-im-echerntal.jpg)

 ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/239617/8B78090494F2FF14BCDC4C0E48B2359EEFD2408DC98D5D1B6E916C0668470B6A/wasserfall-waldbachstrub-im-echerntal.jpg)

  © Open copyright  © Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut / Viorel Munteanu Close copyright

 [    ![The romantic hike back through the Echern Valley leads along the Waldbach.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/239615/2957421DDFEED34AE03239CF6EAAB18F426ACB8B4DA053DC71B1BA437A8FEAA9/waldbach-im-echerntal-von-hallstatt.jpg "© Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut / Viorel Munteanu")  ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/239615/2957421DDFEED34AE03239CF6EAAB18F426ACB8B4DA053DC71B1BA437A8FEAA9/waldbach-im-echerntal-von-hallstatt.jpg)

  © Open copyright  © Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut / Christopher Unterberger Close copyright

 [    ![The Hiraltzwand in the Echerntal valley](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/239616/188B13CAE8B4829472DFEF7ACD56827CBDBC423DDF07907B76E7A7DA70889773/hirlatzwand-im-echerntal.jpg "© Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut / Christopher Unterberger")  ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/239616/188B13CAE8B4829472DFEF7ACD56827CBDBC423DDF07907B76E7A7DA70889773/hirlatzwand-im-echerntal.jpg)

  © Open copyright  © Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut / Christopher Unterberger Close copyright

 [    ![The romantic hike through the Echern Valley ends up at the waterfall Waldbachstrub.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/239617/8B78090494F2FF14BCDC4C0E48B2359EEFD2408DC98D5D1B6E916C0668470B6A/wasserfall-waldbachstrub-im-echerntal.jpg "© Ferienregion Dachstein Salzkammergut / Christopher Unterberger")  ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/239617/8B78090494F2FF14BCDC4C0E48B2359EEFD2408DC98D5D1B6E916C0668470B6A/wasserfall-waldbachstrub-im-echerntal.jpg)

  © Open copyright  © Salzkammergut Tourismus/Unterberger Close copyright

 [    ![<div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>A curved gravel path with new wooden railings leads along a wild mountain stream. On the left, a multi-level waterfall cascades over steep rocks into the valley. Surrounded by meadows, rocks and coniferous forest, the scene conveys the impressive natural scenery of the Echern Valley near Hallstatt.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/445068/D8468DABD34ACE66463233EE6BC06EE92B148C50D28A71563AE994EF7339BDFB/echerntal-waldbachstrub.jpg "© Salzkammergut Tourismus/Unterberger")  ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/445068/D8468DABD34ACE66463233EE6BC06EE92B148C50D28A71563AE994EF7339BDFB/echerntal-waldbachstrub.jpg)

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  pets allowed

  Circular route

 Seestraße 114
 4830 Hallstatt

 [  open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Seestra%C3%9Fe%20114%2C%204830%20Hallstatt "Link will open in a new window") [  Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Seestra%C3%9Fe%20114%2C%204830%20Hallstatt "Link will open in a new window")

   ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&path=enc:_ogaHkmhrADFDF??@@DJ@@Xd@d@`At@v@f@n@B@PJVFNBB@ZHj@YDJZb@HLAR?@ALCLEL[t@AB??GT?L@L\zBBJHNHJDJHPDRV~@J`@Ln@Ll@XjAXpAH^Jt@Hl@JbAL`AF`@DVHZh@nBT|@TbA^dBVvAZtAVfAHXTp@Vv@FJFDKbC?XFn@FX??DTL~@Vz@R^TXXNZH\Hf@VlAn@NPZx@Zv@XbAZbAf@jADFPDXAN@XJd@TF?DLFNBFEHGNIh@?B???VDb@Ph@V`@??DH|@pAZb@h@z@Lp@Ex@Ht@Hf@Vd@?|@Dv@_@ZAt@Tf@z@~@v@~@HP?PM~@NfAJjBJhBFL??`@t@@B??d@~@h@l@f@l@Pb@E|@If@Cl@@p@Ax@?L?n@EvBEpAEnASn@?hAQtASXIJqALSGQSGWF{@?_@c@g@EzAUt@]t@Kh@BfAFj@@p@UDSYQGMLKr@Kz@Kz@Ef@Wd@Mf@CZIdACF?B???CBGHeAB[Lg@Ve@Dg@J{@J{@Js@LMPFRXTEAq@Gk@CgAJi@\u@Tu@D{Ab@f@?^Gz@FVPRRFpAMHKRYPuA?iARo@DoADqADwB?o@?M@y@Aq@Bm@Hg@D}@Qc@g@m@i@m@g@cAi@cAKiBKkBOgAL_A?QIQw@_A{@_AUg@@u@^[Ew@?}@We@Ig@Iu@Dy@Mq@i@{@[c@}@qA]k@Qi@Ec@?[Hi@FODIHELMTq@^g@Hi@@uAFoB@k@Gy@U_@w@Ga@e@??EGo@oAMo@a@oAMaA@aBIg@Sg@K_@Iq@Os@e@u@YQ@QLq@N{@@KX_BBe@A]G[EUCKk@oAi@oABmAIgA?O??@_Ah@uADWHQRUHQDUB]Iw@MUKo@MWC[Ke@OiAOyAMyAAo@WuAAm@KgAS_AQs@??CKQeBQgBIcAIeAINQSMF?u@BODM@KE[GIGSm@`@MHEHKCIAAB??G^q@K_@sAe@aBe@_BCD??GJ]b@[Za@NQL]`@[d@Y`@WXMJSNWNWPo@Vo@Vs@\WPWLQLi@h@YZGJGEG?MDOJEFAHAJ@JK@GDIHKR&server=meta.tourdata.at)

information: Information about the Waldbachstrub

Description:

The circular trail in the Echerntal valley is mostly marked as a **blue trail**. However, the last section to Waldbachstrub is classified as a **black trail** according to the definition of the **Austrian Alpine Association (ÖAV)**. This category stands for a **difficult mountain trail** where there is a risk of falling in places.

**Surefootedness and a head for heights** are therefore required for a safe ascent. **Appropriate equipment**, especially sturdy footwear, **weatherproof clothing and a good level of physical fitness** are also required.

It should also be noted that the difficulty of the trail can be increased by **weather-related influences** such as ice, snow or strong winds.

 **Austria's best known Romantics and artists all set up their easels in the Echerntal Valley. In the 1900s, this valley was known as "The Place for Romantics".**

In the footsteps of the 19th century Romantics
----------------------------------------------

Along the **themed trail**, you will experience unspoilt nature, mountain streams, waterfalls, the **glacier garden** and information about the most important people of Romanticism who came to the Echerntal.

Starting from car park 2, next to the valley station of the Salzbergbahn cable car, the trail leads along the **Waldbach stream** through the picturesque settlement in the Echerntal valley, where old and traditional houses can be admired along the way.

On arrival at the pavilion, newly built by pupils of the **HTBLA Hallstatt**, the trail continues along the babbling brook accompanied by information boards of famous painters and writers, such as Adalbert Stifter and Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. Even back then, artists appreciated the tranquillity and pure nature in the Echerntal as inspiration for their works.
Past the Simony monument, there is a turn-off to what is probably one of the most breathtaking natural monuments in our region - the glacier garden.

The **glacier garden**, a relic of the last **ice age**  - from the glacier that retreated around 12,000 years ago - leaves every visitor amazed. Over time, the rock was ground out by the rock particles from the meltwater flowing from the glacier, forming glacial potholes. After a long period of rain, the glacial potholes are filled with water. After a 1.5-hour hike on flat terrain through the flora and fauna of the unspoilt forest area, you reach the end of the Echern Valley. Once there, you can already feel the spray from the thundering waterfalls, which plunge over 50 metres into the depths.

After a short climb, you reach one of the most beautiful places around the World Heritage town of Hallstatt. Take your time to enjoy the breathtaking panorama, try to forget the often stressful everyday life and take in the power and energy that is radiated from the cascading masses of water in this place.

**[Order hiking maps for the Dachstein Salzkammergut region ...](http://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/kartenbestellung.html)**

**[To the 360° panoramic tour through Hallstatt...](https://www.dachstein-panorama.at/?s=pano68565&utm_source=tourdata&utm_medium=textlink&utm_campaign=tourdata360tour)**

Mountain rescue: 140

 [ Tour and route information ](#ttgCollapseTourdetails)
---------------------------------------------------------

 **Starting place:** 4830 Hallstatt

 **Destination:** 4830 Hallstatt

 **duration:**  2h 30m

 **length:** 5,7 km

 **Altitude difference (uphill):** 558m

 **Altitude difference (downhill):** 558m

 **Lowest point:** 515m

 **Highest point:** 758m

 **difficulty:** medium

 **condition:** medium

 **panoramic view:** No view

 **Paths covering:** Hiking trail

 **Starting point:** parking area P2

 **Destination:** parking area P2

 **further information:** - Circular route

 **Details - hiking**- themed path

 [ ![Altitude profile Hallstatt - Echern Theme Trail to the waterfalls](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430000686&width=355&height=250&FontSize=12&mkt=en) ![Altitude profile Hallstatt - Echern Theme Trail to the waterfalls](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430000686&width=450&height=350&mkt=en) ](#ttgHoehenprofilModal "Hallstatt - Echern Theme Trail to the waterfalls")

 [ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten)
------------------------------------------------

The themed trail is open and accessible all year round, but may be closed in the event of heavy snow or icy conditions.
According to the ÖAV, the path to Waldbachstrub is a black trail that requires surefootedness, appropriate equipment (good footwear) and fitness. Weather-related changes such as snow, ice or wind can also greatly increase the difficulty of the trail.

 [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise)
----------------------------------

 **Accessibility / arrival**The trail starts on parking number 2

By car:
\* Salzburg - Highway A1 – Exit Thalgau – Bad Ischl – 20 km to Hallstatt
\* Vienna - Highway A1 – Exit Regau – Bad Ischl – Hallstatt
\* Villach - exit Golling or St. Martin - Richtung Gosau - Hallstatt
\* Graz - Liezen - Bad Aussee - Obertraun - Hallstatt

By train: www.oebb.at and [westbahn.at](https://westbahn.at)
\* Vienna: Railway station Vienna West – Attnang Puchheim – Hallstatt – ferry
\* Salzburg: Salzburg – Attnang Puchheim – Bad Ischl – Hallstatt – ferry

By bus from Salzburg:
\*Salzburg – Bad Ischl – Hallstatt
www.postbus.at

 **Parking fees**From € 3,00 per hour

 [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung)
--------------------------------------

- Suitable for groups
- Suitable for schools
- Pets allowed
- Suitable for single travelers

 **Other special suitabilities** The circular trail in the Echerntal valley is mostly marked as a blue trail. However, the last section to Waldbachstrub is classified as a black trail according to the definition of the Austrian Alpine Association (ÖAV). This category stands for a difficult mountain trail where there is a risk of falling in places.

 Surefootedness and a head for heights are therefore required for a safe ascent. Appropriate equipment, especially sturdy footwear, weatherproof clothing and a good level of physical fitness are also required.

 It should also be noted that the difficulty of the trail can be increased by weather-related influences such as ice, snow or strong winds.

 **Most economical season**- Summer

 [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit)
-------------------------------------------------

Please get in touch for more information.

 [ Grooming service ](#ttgCollapseWegbetreuer)
-----------------------------------------------

 [  © Open copyright  © Copyright: Gemeindeamt Hallstatt Close copyright

 ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/198548/15D5ADFEB6B5B55223883961DF15AAAEBC18885D99E8105EE3951EC8B9ABC7C9/gemeindeamt-hallstatt-im-zentrum.jpg "Community center of Hallstatt in the city center (© Copyright: Gemeindeamt Hallstatt)")

 Town hall Hallstatt

 ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/105406/town-hall-hallstatt.html)

 [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt)
----------------------------------

 **Hallstatt - Echern Theme Trail to the waterfalls**

 Tourismusverband Inneres Salzkammergut - Ortsstelle Hallstatt
 Seestraße 114
 4830 Hallstatt

  Phone [ +43 6132 26909 - 400 ](tel:+43613226909400)
  E-Mail [hallstatt@salzkammergut.at](#mailto)
   Web [www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at](http://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at "New window")
   http://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at

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### Altitude profile - Hallstatt - Echern Theme Trail to the waterfalls

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