A Pawsitively Magical Easter Escape: Hiking Schladming-Dachstein with Dogs (2026)
There’s a special kind of magic in the Austrian Alps, and this Easter (April 2026), the mountains were calling. So, we packed our bags, loaded up my two girls (of the four-legged, furry variety), and set off for another trip to our beloved Austria. This time, our compass pointed straight to the breathtaking region of Schladming-Dachstein.
The Great Friday Eve Migration (and a Heartwarming Arrival)
We headed to Austria on Thursday right after work. In my blissful, pre-trip innocence, I thought, "It’ll only take four hours."
Oh boy, was I wrong. Apparently, half of Europe had the exact same Easter escape plan. The traffic was a modern tragedy. My GPS, bless its digital heart, tried to be helpful by rerouting us to "faster" paths. In reality, this meant I spent hours crawling through tiny, picturesque villages at a snail’s pace. We finally rolled up to our apartment at 10 P.M. instead of 8 P.M., exhausted, with rain turning into unseasonal snow.
But then, the travel grumpiness vanished. The apartment was a breeze to find and access, radiating wonderful warmth. And then came the ultimate heartwarming surprise: waiting for us were four bowls, a pile of treats, squeaky toys, and cozy dog beds just for my girls. My stress melted instantly. Any place that treats my dogs like royalty is a five-star resort in my book. The apartment was incredibly spacious, modern, and perfectly equipped for our mountain survival.
Day 1: Chasing Snowflakes at Steirischer Bodensee
I was practically a zombie after the drive, so I declared Day One a "take it easy" day. In dog-mom terms, that still means a lot of walking, just without scaling any sheer cliffs.
The absolute highlight was our visit to the Steirischer Bodensee. It was nothing short of magical. The landscape was blanketed in fresh, sparkling snow. While I stood there in awe, admiring the majestic, towering mountains, the girls were having the time of their lives—goofing around, catching snowflakes, and doing full-speed zoomies through the powder.
The trail around the lake is a beautifully easy 3km loop, though it connects to longer trails if you’re feeling adventurous. Pro-tip: There’s a super convenient parking lot right by the lake, and a lovely restaurant that we sadly didn't visit, though the heavenly smells wafting from the kitchen almost made me change my mind!
Day 2: Splashing at Salza Waterfall & The Big Enns Round
Morning: Salza Waterfall Austria makes chasing waterfalls delightfully easy. Right off the main road, there’s a massive, convenient parking lot. From there, it’s a gentle 2km stroll to the Salza Waterfall. You meander through quintessential Austrian countryside—think rolling hills, babbling streams, and crisp alpine air. Soon, you enter a dense forest, and suddenly, the stunning waterfall reveals itself.
There are wooden benches perfectly placed for soaking in nature’s beauty (or taking a hundred photos). The girls had a blast splashing in the shallows, thoroughly enjoying the wet dog life.
Afternoon: The Big Enns Round After drying off, we took a super relaxing 8km afternoon walk. The first half followed the winding Enns river, offering spectacular views of snow-capped peaks in the distance. We wandered through the charming village of Niederöblarn before looping back to Öblarn, passing traditional, postcard-perfect farmhouses and grazing farm animals.
It was blissfully empty. Just us, the mountains, and a lot of happy tail-wagging. We parked at the Öblarn train station—a huge, empty lot that was incredibly convenient. When we finally got back to our cozy apartment, the girls devoured their dinner and immediately began snoring on their plush beds.
Day 3: Sun, Snow, and Secret Trails
Morning: Dorfrunde Donnersbachwald We hit the trail early for an 8km hike in Donnersbachwald. The weather was absolute perfection: bright sunshine and crisp snow. Because we were early birds, we had the whole mountain to ourselves, passing only a few hikers on our way down. The streams, the majestic peaks, the quiet—it was food for the soul.
However, a mental note to myself for next time: Respect the snow! I was comically unprepared. Next time, I’m bringing proper non-slip hiking boots, heavy-duty sunglasses, and a gallon of sunscreen. The alpine sun reflecting off the snow is no joke!
Afternoon: The Secret Kranzbach Trail It turned into a glorious, warm spring day, so we decided to explore right out our back door in Kranzbach. I stumbled upon an unmarked trail—no maps, no signs, just pure nature. It led us along a vibrant river and up a forested hill.
When we reached the top, my jaw dropped. The view was an unbelievable contrast: lush green spring grass in the valley against the brilliant white snowy mountaintops. The trail was only 4km, but it took ages because I had to stop every five steps to take photos while the girls wrestled in the grass. It was just me, my dogs, and the serene beauty of Austria.
Day 4: One Last Lake Before Reality Hits
Alas, all good things must come to an end. But we couldn't head home without one final adventure. We stopped by the breathtaking Grundlsee for an easy 5km lakeside stroll.
Austrian lakes are stunning no matter the season or time of day, and Grundlsee is no exception. It was the perfect way to get some steps in before the long drive. We hit quite a bit of traffic due to the Easter holidays wrapping up, but we made it home safely by the afternoon—plenty of time to unpack, look at our hundreds of photos, and relax.
Until next time, Austria! 🐾⛰️
🎒 Essential Travel Tips for Your Austrian Road Trip
If you’re planning an Easter escape to Austria, here is what you absolutely need:
Austrian Highway Vignette: Don't forget to buy this before hitting the highways to avoid hefty fines! You can easily buy a digital one online.
Tunnel Fees: Keep some extra card balance or cash handy, as several major Alpine tunnels have separate toll fees not covered by the vignette.
Timing is Everything: Choose your travel time very wisely. Easter weekend (and end-of-holiday Mondays) turn the highways into parking lots. Travel off-peak hours if you can!
Four-Season Gear: If you're going in early spring, pack for all weather. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and good waterproof hiking boots. The valleys might be spring, but the peaks are still winter!
