Statistics:  mileage  8.75 miles  4.5 hours

We left Hallstatt on a drizzly morning, perhaps reflecting our attitude about having to leave this idyllic little haven.  We once again rode the funicular to the mountain top where we descended a number of sets of stairs to begin our next trail.  A series of storyboards are along this walkway, about the extreme measures necessary to avoid local snow avalanches in the winter.

DSCN1589
Once on the trail, we passed an old entrance for a conveyor tunnel for one of the salt mines. The red and white symbol is a trail marker.

conveyor tunnel
From here the trail leveled out and followed the contour of the cliff high above Hallstatt.

cliff walking
We enjoyed the final views that we would have of this beautiful, alpine lake.

views of Hallstattersee

Occasionally, the rock wall was cut away to make room for the trail as it snaked along the cliff’s edge

trail notched in over Hallstattersee
The Gosauzwangbrücke accommodated both our trail and brine pipes from the mines as it crossed a gorge.

tressel for people and brine.JPG
When we entered Bad Goisern, we found that many Austrians have very cleverly and artistically stored their winter’s supply of wood.

wood storage
Since we had ridden through this area yesterday on our bike ride, we knew right where the bäckerei was located for our afternoon snack!

backerei Bad Goisern
Of course, one of the toughest decisions was which pastry to choose?

backerei
Arriving at Gasthof Moserwirt, we were pleased with this small hotel’s comfortable rooms, hot tub, and sauna!

Gasthof Moserwirt
A traditional Austrian buffet was served that night, and we were encouraged to join in.  Many locals attended, most in traditional Bavarian dress!

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