Awesome Austria

Sole Occupancy Supplement

Unfortunately, for sole use of a twin room, there is a supplement of £16 per night.

As from 13/12/21 – we will quote all our 2022 holidays in two stages 

Stage one – the price for land only

Stage two – the flight cost from your selected airport to your chosen destination and return

The combination of the two will add up to the total price we are quoting you.

Our policy is to enable you to fly from your local airport, wherever possible. However flights into Salzburg from Edinburgh/Manchester/Birmingham/Bristol do require 1 change at an European airport.

Flights to Salzburg direct go from London Heathrow.

Salzburg airport is approximately one hour from Schadlming. When you wish to book a holiday with us, we research all the available flights,  Charter  and “No Frills” airlines from the airport of your choice, we will give you an individual quotation.  Dependent on the time of year, specific dates, and air seat prices relevant at the time of booking, then there may be flight supplements.  Our partners in Secret Hills Walking Holidays in Europe, New Experience Holidays will provide the individual quotation. They provide us with ATOL bonding.

Note- we always try to advise that you fly from your local airport- this is one of the unique selling points for our holidays. The advantages in cost and convenience however far outweigh any additional local airport supplement – and to support the environment – reducing the overall carbon footprint is good policy.

Meeting you in Austria and Transfers

We will meet you at Salzburg airport for onward transfer to Hotel Post .

Transfers – as you have the choice of airports and flight times- where this is practical – we arrange transfers that accumulate clients together for onward transfer to hotels/and return to the airport. This can mean small delays whilst we accumulate clients together for group transfers- un avoidable- and this policy impacts favourably on the cost of your holiday.

Should you want an individual transfer- to avoid any waiting time – then there will be an additional charge for this

Occasionally – dependent on the numbers on the holiday and the times of your flight, rail transfers may be used to transfer you from the airport at Salzburg to the hotel in Schadlming – the station is 300 metres from the hotel.

Return transfer is included in the holiday price as well.

 Flights to Innsbruck

It may be cost effective for you to fly to Innsbruck, as there are many flights from most UK airports – but the transfer time is longer, though the overall cost of the flight plus transfer may be acceptable, particularly if a number of clients are flying into Innsbruck.

The Walks

Our base is the Schladming/Dachstein area of Styria – one of Austria’s favourite waking areas. Walking in Austria’s marvellous alpine hills, with stunning vistas of lakes and river valleys. There are alpine meadows to amble through, and fast flowing rivers, with many waterfalls.

Simply stunning alpine mountain scenery walks take us over stunning ridges, and down beautiful valleys. There are larger peaks to conquer as well, but we use Ski and Chair lifts  and mini buses to get us to within striking distance of bigger summits, the last few hundred metres can be steep, but the views are worth the effort, and there is a variety of scenery for the discerning walker. We grade the walks as moderate with some short strenuous stretches.  An easier shorter option is available on each day.  Five days walking during the week’s break, with one day as a rest day.  Walking is moderate,  we don’t rush the hills and ridges – talking, looking, learning about Austria- tends to slow the pace a little.

After a mini bus journey to the walk start, we walk for about five and a half hours, returning at about 4.30 pm – time for a swim, or simply rest before dinner in the  hotel’s dining room.  There is always a cooling  breeze so early mornings require a top layer, but after that, it is shorts and tee shirt walking.  

Your walk leaders

Secret Hills Walking Holidays work with The A team, the best Schadlming  guiding business. Two guides are provided for each walk, with back up from the Secret Hills team.  The guides will structure a balanced programme of walks to suit the ability of the group.  We also have two walks per day, around the same area, giving the opportunity for a shorter and less demanding walk. Your Secret Hills tour guide  is responsible for all aspects of your holiday in Austria

Sample Walks

Each day we will take transport to the areas mentioned below and conduct two separate walks. There are numerous walks in this area, here are a few we may chooses from:

• Duisitzkarseehutte/Fabriech Hutte in the Obertal valley
• Undertal valley and Wasse Wasser/Lake Reisach/Kallenbackaim
• Eiskerhutte/Rippelegg/Gasselhohe
• Schadlming/Ski Lift/Planai/Kranbegzinken
• Bischofmutze/Holpurglhutte/Mendling River/Kesselwand
• Gamsfeld/Steinerne Jungfrau/GH Edelbrunw/Bradalm
• Ramsau/Larch Bodenhalm/Guttenberg/Sinabell/Silberilar/Reibauer.
• The Dachstein glacier/Ice cave and a walk on the snow – weather permitting

Weather

The average temperature in July is between 18 and 22 degrees but don’t forget we are in a mountainous area, so early mornings will be chilly. At night, expect the temperatures to go down to about 8-12 degrees. Some days may be warm, remember we are in high mountains at 2000 metres high,  so you will need warm weather clothing early in the morning.

It will almost certainly be very misty in the early mornings, but that is not an indication of what the days weather will be. The 64,000 dollar question is – will it rain? Probably, and maybe around four o’ clock, it can have a good shower. Our guides carry umbrellas in their rucksacks – they say it takes 90% of the rain and protects their clothes – we cannot fault their logic and will be doing the same. One thing you will need is sun cream and after sun – at 2000 metres it may feel cool – the sun is very strong.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained  and experienced in dealing  with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about  any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

• Flights from your choice of UK airports
• ATOL bonding for that piece of mind
• Magnificent Austrian scenery from high mountain passes and rushing river valley
• A visit to the Dachstein glacier
• Lovely hotel in the centre of Schadlming – a lively town geared up for walkers
• Excellent local food – both in the hotel and in the various mountain huts we lunch in
• High level walking but trasport and ski lifts to get you to the higher walks
• Visit to the iconic city of Salzburg – home of Mozart and the Sound of Music – a fabulous small city with a real character about it
• Local Austrian guides and UK tour guide
• Our relaxed social approach

Underfoot conditions are good, with some loose stones, and many tree roots on some paths. Green path walking is frequent.  Climbing is steady, with the occasional steep short stretch, not to be rushed, and downhills are … well downhills – always a pull on the old knees.  Distances are 7 – 9 miles a day.

Paths in Austria are well marked, well maintained and designed for the discerning walker. Good walking boots or walking shoes are obligatory and we recommend you bring walking poles.

It’s all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress-free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secret Hills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekend’s activities – but it’s good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for travelling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – it’s not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like-minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

There are other walking holiday companies that cover Europe but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….

• We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for singles and solo travellers
• We are a small friendly company
• We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
• We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
• Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
• You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
• Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
• We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
• We always use good hotels, selected and constantly reviewed.
• We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit at one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

Do not book on line at this point. Read on and follow the instructions

In order to conform with ATOL bonding requirements, prior to you reserving a holiday with us, we need to provide you with an official quotation. This will contain all the details and costs of the holiday and your requested choice of flights and airports. You will find a GET QUOTE button at the top of the page, use this and fill in the form in order to start the quotation process. Once you have filled in the Quotation Request form, you will get an email confirmation from us.

We partner with New Experience Holidays who provide the ATOL bonding, so all quotations will be sent by them, and you will reserve and pay for your holiday with them.

The quotation process – ATOL BONDING requirement- the quotation is the first part of the contract between us and you.

The quotation will include

– the basic price of the holiday as advertised- the land only price

– the flight cost from the airport of your choice

– single supplement if this applies

– a choice of flights if this is applicable

– any specific requirement such as additional nights/ sea view rooms etc.

– final price and payment information

The Quotation stage – who sends you your quotation

In order to conform to ATOL bonding protection rules, New Experience Holidays will send you your full quotation normally by email- please ask if you want to receive the quotation by post.

Your contacts at New Experience Holidays are Matthew Newcombe, Anna Brown and Paul Sawyer.

We need to know your preferred departure airport. We can guide you about the right airport and options – simply read the web pages for the country you are wanting to visit, or email us for flight advice.

The Booking Process

Once you have accepted the quotation, fill in a New Experience booking form (this can be done online) or send in the completed form, and pay both the deposit – normally £250 – plus the additional flight costs to New Experience.Holidays  Final payment is also made to New Experience Holidays.

Once you have booked, you will not be sent a reminder of when to pay the full amount, so please diarise this.

About three weeks prior to departure, New Experience Holidays will send you holiday joining details, including your flight details with instruction to print off your boarding cards.

Once you arrive at your holiday destination

Secret Hills Walking Holidays (Slovenia Walking Holidays) organise all aspects of your holiday– including guiding, transport to walks start and provide you with an experienced tour guide. You make your won arrangements to get to the airport in the UK, we meet you at the airport you are flying to, and help you with your transfer to the appointed hotel.

It is important to read New Experience Holidays’ Terms and Conditions – click on the tab on their web site – before you sign the booking form.

Our Partners in Europe Walking

Secret Hills Walking are pleased to be associated with New Experience Holidays, who organise flights, accommodation and transfers for these holidays and provide you with ATOL security.
All your joining instructions and individual flight arrangements will be made by  them.  Once you have committed to a holiday, and have accepted the individual quote we send, New Experience will send you a reservation form and all deposits / final payments will be made to them. Secret Hills Walking is responsible for marketing and selling the holidays and for arranging your itinerary when you arrive at the airport in the country you are visiting. You will receive individual attention throughout your holiday from us.

ATOL Bonding – New Experience Holidays REGISTRATION

Insurance – you need to be fully covered

It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against travel, medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). Our partners New Experience holidays will ask for this information as a condition of reserving a place. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is available only online from the UK Government website. This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate travel insurance.