The Salzburger Jakobsweg, also known as Jacob's Route, guides you from one boundary stone to another, leading you through the foothills of the Alps and even across the borders into Bavarian Rupertiwinkel.
This pilgrimage route, named after James, the disciple of Jesus and the national saint of Spain, is often considered the foremost of all pilgrimage routes. Embark on a transformative journey along the Way of Saint James from Salzburg, seeking inner peace and serenity.
Details about the hiking tour from Salzburg to the Tyrol
The Camino de Santiago will lead you to the Trumer Seen, Irrsee, and Wallersee lakes, where you can indulge in water sports and enjoy swimming. In Salzburg, you can leisurely explore the historic old town, and in St. Johann in Tyrol, you'll be captivated by the stunning view of the Wilder Kaiser mountains.
The highlights of the walking holiday at a glance
Excursion to Trumersee: In the north of Salzburg, water lovers have a choice. Three lakes (Obertrumer See, Mattsee and Grabensee) offer plenty of opportunities for swimming.
Crossing the border to the Rupertiwinkel: The Bavarian name "Rupertiwinkel" is no coincidence. The area is named after St. Rupert, the current patron saint of Salzburg.
Gorges and waterfalls: In Unken and Waidring you can walk along raging streams and rushing mountain waterfalls.
Worth knowing about the hiking trip from Salzburg to Tyrol
Your pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. James begins with the journey to Trumersee. The Salzburg Jakobsweg takes you along the River Saalach, through the Lake District, the Old Town of Salzburg and to Großgmain, Bad Reichenhall, Unken and via Lofer to the Tyrolean border. The daily routes are easy and mostly on paved paths. You can also shorten two longer legs by bus if you wish. On average you will walk about five hours a day, between 15 and 20 kilometres.
Route summary
The daily tours are accessible, however, there are two longer stages which can be cut short by bus if you wish. You mainly walk on asphalted paths, forests and hiking paths. The only slight changes in altitude are when you walk in the valley.
Transfer to the border to Oberhofen am Irrsee, where the Salzburg Jakobsweg begins. First, your walk leads through a hilly landscape to the Wallersee. From there you continue your route through the idyllic nature reserve to Eugendorf.
In the distance, you can already see the mountains that you will walk along the next few days. Take a leisurely stroll to Salzburg, where you'll find beautiful churches, pretty alleys and squares, and the best way to invigorate your inner being with a portion of Salzburg dumplings. A detour to the Maria Plain pilgrimage church, which towers high above Salzburg, is recommended.
Your walk leads out of town towards Untersberg. At Marzoll Castle, you cross the border into the Bavarian Rupertiwinkl before arriving at the remarkable salt metropolis of Bad Reichenhall. There you can relax in the warm brine of the thermal baths, visit the spa gardens and visit the old salt factory.
Today you follow the Saalach back to the Salzburg region. You walk along the Saalachsee and deeper into the mountains. Your path leads partly directly to the banks of the Saalach, which flows wildly but also romantically over rocks through the landscape.
You continue to follow the Saalach, past gorges and waterfalls to Lofer. The quiet mountain town, surrounded by the impressive peaks of the Loferer Steinberge, the Reiter Alpe and the Loferer Alm, invites you to take a rest. Then it goes up to the Strubpass, where you now walk on the Tyrolean Jakobsweg to Waidring.
Past Pillersee with its glittering water surface and famous pilgrimage church, we continue to St. Jakob, where the mighty Jakobskreuz greets you from the mountaintop. A path with many views leads you to St. Johann in Tirol, idyllically situated between the Kitzbüheler Alpen and the rocky peaks of the Wilder Kaiser massif.
Your walking holiday ends after breakfast, but you can of course postpone the goodbye and make more memories by extending your trip.
Route information
The routes are generally easy, with two long legs that can be shortened by bus if desired. You usually walk on asphalt paths, forest paths and hiking trails. The height differences are very small because you are walking in the valley.
Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
GPS data available on request
Service Hotline
Not included
Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
(Optional) Return transfer St. Johann-Salzburg or Trumerseen €99 per person for 2 persons, €198 per person for 1 person. Pre-booking required, to be paid in advance
Arrival information
Airport: Salzburg and Munich Airport(s)
Train: Salzburg station and about 45 minutes by bus to the Trumer Lakes
Parking: Free parking at the hotel, pre-booking not required
Departure: St. Johann in Tirol-Salzburg by train, approx. 2.5 hours and by bus to the Trumer Lakes
Sample hotel list
This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.