The Sound of Barking: Our Dog-Friendly Easter Escape to Wolfgangsee, Austria
April 2025
It has become our little tradition to flee the Czech Republic for Austria every Easter. I have a deep, unshakeable love for this country. The small, picturesque mountain towns, the lakes so clear you can see your own reflection judging your hiking outfit, and the stunning alpine views—it is the kind of place where you half-expect the hills to be alive with the sound of music.
And actually, in St. Gilgen, they sort of are. This town is historically linked to Mozart (his mother was born here), so the musical vibes are real. If you are looking for the perfect blend of hiking, history, and dog-friendly culture, pack your bags (and your poop bags) and head to the Salzkammergut region.
Here is exactly how we spent four days exploring Wolfgangsee with two dogs in tow.
Day 1: Wet Dogs and Austrian Charm
We were greeted by rainy weather on our arrival. But, being the rugged outdoor adventurers we are (or at least pretending to be), this didn’t discourage us. We took a walk around St. Gilgen, a town so cute it looks like a movie set built specifically to charm tourists.
We admired the typical onion-domed church and houses with balconies so beautifully decorated with flowers I suspect there’s a secret competition I don’t know about. The "girls" (my dogs) immediately started exploring the new smells. This was a big milestone: their first international trip! Up until now, they had only sniffed trees in the Czech Republic. Now, they were sniffing Austrian trees. Very sophisticated.
Accommodation Tip: We located our one-bedroom apartment perched on a hill. It offered a view of the mountains that made carrying the luggage up the stairs totally worth it.
Pro Tip for Booking: When looking for accommodation in Austria, search for Ferienwohnung (vacation apartment). They almost always offer more space for dogs than hotels and usually come with a kitchen, saving you money on dining out.
Day 2: Sun, Sticks, and… The Invasion
We woke up to a sunrise that revealed the beauty we completely missed the day before thanks to the clouds. Not wanting to waste the sunshine, we headed out immediately after breakfast.
The Lake Walk
We started with a trail around Wolfgangsee. The paths here are immaculate—honestly, I think the Austrians vacuum them when no one is looking. The views of the turquoise water were stunning. The girls occasionally dipped their paws in, mostly to rescue sticks that were drowning and clearly needed to be chewed to safety.
The Horror Movie Subplot
Then, we hit the red hiking trails and climbed the surrounding hills. This is where the plot twist happened: Ticks.
I hadn’t planned for a horror movie subplot, but apparently, Easter is prime time for these little monsters in the tall grass. Both girls are protected by chewy pills (Bravery/Simparica—science for the win!), but seeing them crawling on their fur still sent me into a panic spiral. We spent the evening doing a full "monkey grooming" session.
💡 Dog-Traveler Fact: Ticks in Central Europe The tick season in Austria generally runs from March to November. The areas around lakes and in tall grass are hotspots. Always use a high-quality repellent or collar (Seresto/Foresto) and check your dog thoroughly after every hike. Don't forget to check yourself, too!
Day 3: The Climb and The Sissi Castle
The following day, we climbed to the nearest viewing spot above Wolfgangsee. It wasn’t too crowded, and the hike was manageable—just enough to feel accomplished without needing an airlift rescue. We found a mountain hut restaurant (Hütte) at the top, but it was closed. My stomach was disappointed, but my soul enjoyed the quiet.
A Brush with Royalty
After the descent, we took a short trip to Schloss Fuschl.
Fun Fact: This castle dates back to the 15th century and was used as a filming location for the famous Sissi movies!
It was busier here, but we found a nice spot to walk around Fuschlsee. The water here is incredibly clean (drinking quality!), though the girls were more interested in splashing than hydrology. They played with anything chewable they could find, completely unimpressed by the historic architecture.
Day 4: St. Wolfgang (aka The Tourist Trap)
On our last day, we visited St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut. This is the heavy hitter of the region, famous for the White Horse Inn (Weisses Rössl) and the Schafbergbahn cog railway (the steepest in Austria!).
We walked around the lake for hours, enjoying the dramatic views of the Schafberg mountain looming over us. However, we power-walked through the town center. While beautiful, it was packed. I prefer my nature with a side of silence, not a side of 500 people buying fridge magnets.
💡 Dog-Traveler Tip: The Schafbergbahn Did you know you can take your dog on the famous cog railway up the mountain? Dogs are allowed on the Schafbergbahn but must be muzzled and on a leash. You will also need to buy a dog ticket (usually around €15).
The Verdict & Practical Tips
We headed back to Prague on Easter Monday. The drive is only about four hours, which is the perfect travel time: long enough to listen to a good podcast, short enough that your legs don’t fall asleep.
Things you need to know before you go:
Vignette: Buy the Austrian highway vignette online beforehand (digitale-vignette-online.at or asfinag.at). The fines are steeper than the mountains.
Timing: Easter is busy. If you hate crowds, stick to the surrounding villages like we did. They are just as beautiful but with 80% fewer selfie sticks.
Parking: Austria is very car-friendly. St. Wolfgang has massive parking garages at the entrance of the town. Bring coins or a card, as free parking is rare.
Dining: Almost every restaurant with a terrace welcomes dogs. Just ask "Hund erlaubt?" (Is the dog allowed?) and look for the water bowl.
St. Gilgen and Wolfgangsee were the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure (and panic-grooming). We’ll definitely be back—hopefully when the ticks are on vacation.
Have you hiked in Austria with your dog? Share your favorite trails in the comments below!
