Easier arrival via Munich or Salzburg airports. Train journey to Zell am See and from there  it is just a short bus or taxi ride (taxi to Maishofen costs approx. 15-20 EUR).

Today your tour takes you from the lush pastures of Kammereggalm to the Schwalbenwand. This is definitely a hike to remember, taking you by views of various shaped summits and distant meadows. You follow a serpentine path through the Hofer Plattl forest which will guide you to Hinterreit for a well-deserved lunch break and then past the chapel of peace to Maria Alm, an idyllic pilgrimage destination and farming village. You will have options for valley (3hrs) and summit (6hrs) trails, so you can choose based on how you evaluate your walking abilities for this particular day.

This day’s self-guided hiking route follows pilgrim trails through humble green meadows and vast moorlands. The rugged summits of the ‘Steinerne Meer’ will be your constant companion in the background rearing you like ancient watchmen. As you gain altitude, breathtaking views will reveal themselves to inspire and energize you for the steep descent that follows. A tempting reward in the form of an extraordinary hermitage awaits you at the lower part of the path. You will enter the historic town of Saalfelden like a true knight, via the Lichtenberg castle.

After a healthy breakfast, you continue your independent walking adventure through the Vorderkaser gorge. You follow the winding streams on a picturesque path to the impressive Hochkaser hill pasture. You will then pass between the dignified peaks of the Leogang and Lofer mountains and find yourself at the Tyrolian side of the mountains. You trial an idyllic path to the stunning valley of Pillersee with the Lofer mountains in the background.

Prepare to feast your eyes, as your self-guided walking tour takes you through green meadows, offering breathtaking views of the Kitzbühel Alps. The path leads you beneath the hanging cable cars of the Magnesitenbergwerk mine and up towards the Burgeralm. You will have the opportunity to soak into the rustic atmosphere and enjoy some local treats before you begin your descent. You walk down a fabulous forest path to the famous Austrian Alpine holiday resort of Saalbach-Hinterglemm. You will have the option to climb one of the various peaks surrounding the area.

Take the opportunity to enjoy a day of rest and pamper yourself. Another alternative is to take a circular walk leading you to the Forsthof alp, the Saal alp and on to the Lindling alp, where a suspension bridge will take you further to the Baumzipfelweg. Have a glass of homemade buttermilk or simply contemplate the wonderful views of the surrounding area.

We have saved the best of this self-guided hiking tour for last - some of the most outstanding high-altitude paths in the Alps. Today you take a ride in a cable car from Saalbach to the Schattenberg. The route you follow is called the ‘Pinzgauer Spaziergang’ (Pinzgau stroll). Your destination is Schmittenhöhe, but the journey there itself is the best part of the experience. At an altitude of approx. 2000m, you will feast your eyes with astonishing views of the surrounding mountain peaks. More than 30 peaks exceeding 3000m will encircle you, offering a 360-degree panorama. You will finish this marvelous experience by taking the cable car down into Zell am See and then the bus back to Maishofen.