Getting there:

I would recommend flying into Salzburg (It's only 35 minutes drive from the national park), but you can also fly into Munich and take a train to get there (this might be the cheaper option, but not my much). It really just depends on when you go, so look at both options.

The Hike:

The hike begins at the National Park information point and goes up to Halsam, 1440 feet up. It's a steep hike for sure, but the view at the top is worth it; you can see the lake and whole valley in front of you. When you see a cabin/little restaurant, know you're almost there! Great place to catch your breath/grab a beer before the final quarter-mile push. If it's just rained be careful - the paths are super muddy and slippery. Overall, it's not a hard hike, just steep at parts so be prepared for that.

What I wish I knew:

• Wake up early and do this at sunrise. I'm sure it'd be an incredible view.
• Go in the summer/spring if you have flexibility. I can't imagine how beautiful it would have been if we had gone when the forest was in full bloom/if the weather was a little nicer
• If you're trying to figure out where to stay,  I'd highly highly recommend the Explorer Hotel (https://www.explorer-hotels.co...). It's reasonably priced, right next to a bunch of other hiking trails, and most of all, the staff are incredible.