In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From the city of Mozart via Mondsee, Attersee and Traunsee to Bad Ischl, Hallstatt and the Dachstein, then back over the Wolfgangsee, with a detour to the Königssee: around 365 kilometres on which you will read the parking rules more often than the map.
The spirit of the route
The Salzkammergut is a landscape that only shows its honest side in backlight. In the morning, mist lies over the Mondsee, the basilica tower stands in it like a signpost, and through the open sliding door come the smells of wet grass, wood smoke and lake water. The lakes are clear and cold, and the mountains drop steeply into them: Schafberg, Traunstein, Dachstein. In between lie imperial villas, salt mines, wooden boathouses and villages that have lived from salt for centuries and now live from visitors. Rain is part of it; the locals call the fine, persistent drizzle Schnürlregen, and afterwards everything gleams. The loop is short enough to stand by the water every evening, and tight enough that you can deliberately visit Hallstatt, the Wolfgangsee and Salzburg in the quiet hours. Anyone who starts early and books pitches in advance is rewarded with the most beautiful reflections in Austria.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Salzburg to Mondsee (approx. 35 km)
- The drive
- From Salzburg take the A1 Westautobahn (vignette required) to the Mondsee exit, then a few kilometres on the country road into the Mondseeland. The route is wide and easy to drive; traffic backs up mainly at weekends and in the holiday season at the Salzburg motorway interchange. Allow about 35 to 45 minutes.
- Highlights & must-sees
- The Basilica of St Michael in Mondsee, the yellow-washed abbey church made famous by the wedding scene in “The Sound of Music”.
- Lakeside promenade and bathing spots on the Mondsee, with a view of the sheer Drachenwand to the south.
- Museum Mondseeland, with finds from the Neolithic pile-dwelling settlements in the lake.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Camp MondSeeLand at the north of the lake (with electricity, water and waste disposal according to OSM) or AustriaCamp Mondsee on the south-east shore, closer to the town centre. Both are on the water; book early in July and August, and ask the operator about length limits and season dates.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Overnighting in a vehicle outside campsites is not provided for at the Mondsee. In Upper Austria and Salzburg it is largely up to the municipalities whether camping is allowed, and the lakeside municipalities carry out checks. A short rest break in the vehicle is often tolerated, but it is no legal guarantee; chairs, awning and tables clearly count as camping. Ask the municipality beforehand.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up and shop in Salzburg-Nord or Thalgau before you reach the lake: prices in the lakeside towns are higher and the choice is smaller. Buy your vignette before setting off – checks on the A1 are frequent, and the 2026 annual vignette (sticker) is valid until 31 January 2027.
2Stage 2: Mondsee to Attersee (approx. 45 km)
- The drive
- From Mondsee take country roads to Unterach at the south end of the Attersee, then continue along the west shore on the Atterseestraße (B152) through Nußdorf to Attersee. There are many town centres with a 50 limit, and on the lakeshore there is usually little clearance to cyclists. A good hour's driving time with stops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- The lakeshore at Unterach, with a view of the rocks of the Höllengebirge to the east.
- Lido beaches and jetties between Nußdorf and Attersee, known for sailors and windsurfers.
- Local markets and fish smokehouses on the lake, serving whitefish and char.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Inselcamping Unterach at the south end of the lake (with electricity and supply and waste disposal according to OSM), Seecamping Gruber near Attersee or Camping Grabner near Nußdorf. The Attersee has many smaller lakeside campsites; check current status and season dates beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the Attersee, municipalities and lakeside owners enforce the rules strictly; lakeshore plots are mostly private. Lakeside car parks are day-use car parks, and there are hardly any pitches on the water. Plan on a campsite.
- Insider tip for campers
- The west shore is narrower than the east shore and is full at weekends in high summer. If you are travelling in a long vehicle, drive outside 11 am to 5 pm. On the lakeside cycle paths, take particular care around cyclists.
3Stage 3: Attersee to Traunkirchen on the Traunsee (approx. 55 km)
- The drive
- From the north end of the Attersee go via Schörfling, Regau and Ohlsdorf to Gmunden, then along the west shore of the Traunsee on the Salzkammergutstraße (B145) via Altmünster to Traunkirchen. Beyond Gmunden the B145 becomes narrower, with bends and short galleries beneath the Traunstein. Around 1.25 hours of pure driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Schloss Ort in Gmunden, a lake castle reached by a wooden bridge, with the Traunstein behind it.
- The Johannesberg chapel above Traunkirchen, with a view of the lake and the Traunstein, a short walk from the town centre.
- Gmundner Keramik pottery and the Traunsee boat services, including the paddle steamer “Gisela” in the summer programme.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Strandcamping Traunkirchen directly on the lake and Camping Traunsee in the north (Altmünster) with lake access. In Ebensee at the south end, the Stellplatz Trauneck has a small number of pitches with electricity and waste disposal. Ask about facilities and opening times before you arrive.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Municipal ordinances apply on the Traunsee, and nature conservation rules must be observed at the Traunstein. Hiking car parks are day-use car parks. Plan on proper sites and ask the municipality if in doubt.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Traunstein is a steep, demanding mountain with exposed sections and not a family stroll; if you want to climb it, plan a whole day, good footwear and a weather check. Alternatively, the Johannesberg and the lakeside promenade in Gmunden offer easy evening walks.
4Stage 4: Traunkirchen to Bad Ischl (approx. 35 km)
- The drive
- Continue on the B145 along the Traunsee to Ebensee, then up the Trauntal valley to Bad Ischl. The road is well built and runs through the valley beyond Ebensee, alongside cycle and walking paths. About 45 minutes' driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- The Feuerkogel cable car from Ebensee, up to the Höllengebirge plateau for walks and photo rounds.
- The Kaiservilla and Kurpark in Bad Ischl, the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph, testimony to the imperial court in the Salzkammergut.
- Café Zauner Esplanade and the Traun promenade in Bad Ischl, a classic afternoon stop.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wohnmobilstellplatz Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl (with electricity and water according to OSM, few pitches, check current status) or the Stellplatz Mörtlmühle on the Traun near Bad Goisern (according to OSM, check details beforehand). Regular campsites can be found around Bad Ischl and in Ebensee; contact the operators beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Bad Ischl, overnighting in a vehicle outside Stellplätze and campsites is not provided for; car parks near the Kurpark are day-use car parks. Ask the tourist board for the current situation.
- Insider tip for campers
- Park on the edge of town and walk to the Kurpark: the lanes of the old town are narrow. Sort out supply and waste disposal beforehand at the Stellplatz or campsite.
5Stage 5: Bad Ischl to Obertraun (Hallstatt and Dachstein) (approx. 30 km)
- The drive
- From Bad Ischl take the B145 to Bad Goisern, then along the west shore of the Hallstätter See, with several short tunnels and narrow points, to Hallstatt and on to Obertraun. The route is short but narrow and overcrowded in summer. Only about 40 minutes of pure driving time, considerably more in traffic jams.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Hallstatt: the market square, the ossuary and the view of the village from the viewpoint above the Salzbergbahn – UNESCO World Heritage Site “Hallstatt–Dachstein/Salzkammergut”.
- Salzwelten Hallstatt: the Salzbergbahn funicular and a tour of the salt mine, which is considered one of the oldest in the world.
- Dachstein-Krippenstein from Obertraun: cable car, the “5fingers” viewing platform and the Dachstein ice caves, with temperatures close to freezing.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In Obertraun: Wohnmobilstellplatz Obertraun (24 pitches according to OSM) and the Stellplätze at the Winkl open-air pool (with electricity according to OSM, few pitches). Camping am See in Obertraun and Camping Klausner-Höll south of Hallstatt are alternatives with lake access. Check season, facilities and reservations beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Hallstatt the historic town centre is closed to traffic by barriers. For motorhomes the municipality names car park P3 (coaches and motorhomes) and refers to the car park in Obertraun. Whether overnight stays are allowed at P3 is not clear from the information; ask the municipality. Plan Hallstatt as a day destination and spend the night on a Stellplatz or campsite.
- Insider tip for campers
- Park in Obertraun and travel to Hallstatt by bus, train or bike; once there, you reach the market by the ferry from Hallstatt station. Visit the village before 9 am or after 5 pm, when the coaches have gone. Check rates and times for the car parks with the municipality of Hallstatt (parking fees are not stated here).
6Stage 6: Obertraun to St. Wolfgang on the Wolfgangsee (approx. 50 km)
- The drive
- Back via Bad Goisern and Bad Ischl to Strobl at the east end of the Wolfgangsee and on to St. Wolfgang. The road is well built but becomes narrow from Strobl, with oncoming coaches. About 1 hour's driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- The Schafbergbahn from St. Wolfgang: the cog railway up the Schafberg, with a wide view over the Attersee, Mondsee and Wolfgangsee.
- The parish church of St. Wolfgang with the winged altar by Michael Pacher, and the hotel “Im Weißen Rössl” on the lakeshore.
- Boat trips across the Wolfgangsee between St. Wolfgang, Strobl and St. Gilgen.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Several lakeside campsites lie around St. Wolfgang: Seeterrassencamping Ried, Campingpark Eisl and Camping Wolfgangblick; others between Strobl and Gschwendt, such as Seecamping Primus and Paradiescamping Birkenstrand (with electricity and waste disposal according to OSM). Ask about facilities and reservations beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): The Wolfgangsee is divided between Salzburg (St. Gilgen) and Upper Austria (St. Wolfgang); wild camping on the shore is not provided for anywhere, the lakeside road is narrow, and parking at the edge obstructs the coaches. Book a pitch and ask the municipality if in doubt.
- Insider tip for campers
- The centre of St. Wolfgang is narrow and a bottleneck for coaches and motorhomes: park on the edge of town or at the campsite and travel by boat or on foot. The Schafbergbahn runs to a fixed timetable and has long queues in summer; online tickets save time.
7Stage 7: St. Wolfgang to Salzburg (approx. 55 km)
- The drive
- Along the north shore of the Wolfgangsee via Ried to St. Gilgen (B158), then over the pass to Fuschl am See and in long bends to Hof and Salzburg. The section near Falkenstein is narrow and twisting, the rest of the drive wide. A good 1.25 hours' driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Falkensteinwand: pilgrimage church in the rock face above the lake, a photogenic stop.
- The Zwölferhorn cable car in St. Gilgen, and the village itself with its Mozart connection.
- Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens and the old town of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Reisemobilstellplatz Salzburg on Carl-Zuckmayer-Straße in the north of the city (with electricity, supply and waste disposal and many pitches according to OSM), with a link to the city transport. Alternatives are Camping Nord-Sam, Camping Schloss Aigen on the Gaisberg or Panorama Camping Stadtblick. Book in summer and during the festival season.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the city of Salzburg an ordinance prohibits camping on public open spaces; the city cites fines of up to 363 euros and refers to the campsites. Do not park your vehicle in residential streets.
- Insider tip for campers
- Do not drive into the old town; leave the vehicle at the Stellplatz and take the bus. Do your water and waste disposal at the Stellplatz before you set off for the Königssee. In the old town there are pedestrian zones and underground car parks with height limits.
8Stage 8: Salzburg to Königssee (Bavaria) and back (approx. 60 km)
- The drive
- From Salzburg via Grödig and Marktschellenberg on the B305 to Berchtesgaden, then on to Schönau am Königssee and back the same way. Country road with moderate gradients, two border crossings; Austria and Germany may carry out border checks, so take identification. About 45 minutes in each direction.
- Highlights & must-sees
- A boat trip across the Königssee on the electrically powered excursion boats to the chapel of St. Bartholomä.
- The echo stop, where the boat captains play a trumpet at the Echowand.
- Malerwinkel above Schönau, with the classic view of the lake.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wohnmobilstellplatz on car park P2 in Schönau am Königssee (according to the tourist information, overnight stays of at most 48 hours, fee payable, disposal station on site); campsites near Schönau such as Grafenlehen and Mühlleiten. Check fees and rules on site.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): The Königssee lies in the Berchtesgaden National Park. According to the tourist information, overnighting is only permitted on the Stellplatz P2, not on the large car park at the lake; tables and chairs are also prohibited there. In Germany, a single overnight stay to restore fitness to drive (up to ten hours) is generally tolerated; local bans take precedence.
- Insider tip for campers
- The detour is a day trip: arrive early, because the car park at the lake fills up by midday in summer. Reserve boat tickets online in advance. Different speed limits apply in Germany than in Austria: on country roads, 100 km/h is generally permitted for motorhomes up to 3.5 t, while lower limits apply to heavier vehicles and combinations. Follow the signs.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- In Austria, camping is a matter for the federal states and is restricted by municipal ordinances. The state of Salzburg describes it as “not generally prohibited”, but mayors and municipalities may ban it, and many places prohibit pitching tents, caravans and motorhomes overnight within built-up areas.
- In the city of Salzburg, camping on public open spaces is prohibited (fines of up to 363 euros according to the city). In Upper Austria the municipalities decide on a ban; the lakeside municipalities in the Salzkammergut also carry out checks; if in doubt, the rule is: no wild camping by the lake, ask the municipality or tourist board beforehand.
- Parking is not camping: a short rest break to restore fitness to drive is often tolerated, but it is no legal guarantee; tables, chairs, awning and grey water, on the other hand, clearly count as camping. Time limits and prohibition signs apply on hiking, mountain and lakeside car parks.
- Alpine wasteland above the tree line is protected, and in the Berchtesgaden National Park (Bavaria) overnighting is only possible on the designated Stellplatz P2 at the Königssee. Useful apps: park4night, Campercontact, Stellplatzführer and the websites of the tourist boards.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Supply and waste disposal are available at larger Stellplätze and campsites, often for a fee; public disposal stations in the lakeside municipalities are rare. Dispose of grey water and cassette waste only at the station provided.
- Tap water in Salzburg and the Salzkammergut is mostly spring water and drinkable; watch for “Kein Trinkwasser” signs at fountains.
- Gas: German exchange cylinders are generally not exchanged in Austria; plan for a reserve. Refillable cylinders and gas tanks can be filled at LPG filling stations, for which you should carry an adapter set (Dish, Euro, ACME).
- Chemical toilet: empty only at drains on sites; bio additives are particularly sensible in lake areas.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Vignette: vehicles up to 3.5 t need a vignette for motorways and expressways. In 2026 it costs 12.80 euros (10 days), 32.00 euros (2 months) and 106.80 euros (year), according to ÖAMTC; the 2026 annual vignette (sticker) is valid until 31 January 2027, and from 2027 only the digital vignette will be available. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the distance-based GO toll with a GO-Box.
- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t, built-up areas 50, outside built-up areas 100, motorway 130 km/h; over 3.5 t, outside built-up areas 70, expressway and motorway 80 km/h. Cars with a trailer up to 750 kg 100 km/h; with heavier trailers, where the permitted gross weights of the towing vehicle and trailer together do not exceed 3.5 t, 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on the motorway, otherwise, depending on registration, 70 km/h outside built-up areas and 80 km/h on the motorway. On the A1 near Salzburg, variable restrictions apply (e.g. IG-L); follow the signs.
- Dimensions: 4.00 m height, 2.55 m width; total length for motorhomes up to 12 m. Watch for height signs at underpasses, underground car parks and tunnels, and for the access restrictions in Hallstatt and the Salzburg old town.
- Winter equipment: from 1 November to 15 April, winter equipment is compulsory in snow, slush and ice for vehicles up to 3.5 t (winter tyres with at least 4 mm tread or snow chains on the drive wheels). At higher altitudes snow can also fall outside this period.
- Alcohol: 0.5 per mille; mobile phones only with a hands-free kit. Carry a warning vest and warning triangle. In Bavaria too, the limit is 0.5 per mille, but the speed limits differ.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Extension cable (25 m) and CEE adapter: pitches by the lake are often a long way from the electricity bollard.
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes: the Salzkammergut lies in a rain-trap position, and the Schnürlregen can last for several days.
- Bicycles with a lock: the lakeside cycle paths, and Hallstatt from the Stellplatz, are easiest to reach by bike; do not forget the rear carrier with additional lighting.
- Warm jacket and sturdy shoes for the Dachstein ice caves: temperatures there are close to freezing even in high summer.
- Vehicle height on a note on the dashboard for underground car parks, tunnels and underpasses in Salzburg and the Salzkammergut.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
