Echoes of the Mountains: A Guided Audio Hike

Starting at the parish church, follow yellow signposts south toward the Traun River and into the Rettenbach Gorge, where steep walls and rushing waters set the tone. After reaching a gravel road, continue for 6 km until you arrive at the Rettenbachalm with two refreshment stops. From here, the trail leads deeper into the forest, up to Beerensattel, and gently down to the Ischler Hütte on the Schwarzenbergalm. For those who prefer, a taxi ride shortens the hike by 8.5 km.

(Overnight at Ischler Hütte, 1 night)
Hike: ~5 hrs (15 km, ↑970 m / ↓70 m)
Shortcut: Taxi + 2.5 hrs hike.

Listening Room 2
In Bad Ischl, in front of the parish church, there is a bench across from the main entrance. This is where room 2 begins. Sit down, press play (track 02) and follow the voices ...
Listening time: 22 minutes

Listening Room 3
When you are standing in front of the Rettenbachalm inn, a path leads slightly downhill directly into the alpine pastures, away from the inn. Follow the path and you will see a hunter's stand on the right-hand side. Stand in front of the hunter's stand, with a view of the expanse of the alpine pasture, press play (Track 03).

IMPORTANT: If there are cows grazing at this point, keep your distance and look for another place near the meadow where there are no animals. Keep at least two bus lengths away from the cows.
Listening time: 8 minutes

Listening Room 4
The first part of the path from the Rettenbachalm to the Ischler Hütte leads along a forest road. After about 20 minutes, at the far end of the alpine pasture, there is a turn-off to the right into the forest that leads to the Ischler Hütte - this is where the next audio track begins. Press play (track 04).
Listening time: 15 minutes

Listening Room 5
After two to three hours you will reach the Beerensattel near the Ischler Hütte just before the Schwarzenbergalm. Press play (Track 05) and continue.
Listening time: 4 minutes

At dawn, hike across alpine pastures from the Ischler Hütte toward a mountain saddle. After 1.5–2 hours you’ll reach Listening Room 6, best enjoyed at sunrise. Watch as the first golden light sweeps across the meadow, then press play and let the moment unfold. From here, continue a short stretch to the Hochkogelhaus, before descending toward Ebensee via Mittereckstüberl to Dielleiten, the Traunstein taxi stop. A transfer takes you back to Bad Ischl for departure — or extend your stay upon request.
(Return transfer included; extra nights possible)

Hike: ~4.5–6 hrs total (11.7 km, ↑375 m / ↓1230 m)

Listening Room 6 – Ideally, you should be here at sunrise. The walk from the Ischler Hütte takes one to two hours. Look for a pleasant place to sit in the wider surroundings of the signpost. Wait for the sunrise.
When (in fine weather) the light of the sun on the meadow above you is about ten metres away, look up at the sunrise and press play (track 06).
Listening time: 5 minutes

Hike from listening room 6 to the Hochkogelhaus (1.2 km) and descent towards Ebensee via the Mittereckstüberl to Dielleiten (Traunstein taxi stop)