May 3, 2022
We are staying in Bad Ischl for two days and today was our only “rest day’. Bad Ischl, located on Traun River which flows from the Alps towards Wolfgansee, was consider “Vienna on the Lakes” as it was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Emperess Elizabeth. It is home to thermal baths that date back centuries.
We walked a couple of miles to the gondola that carried us to the Katrina cable lift just outside Bad Ischl. The Katrina Cable lifted us to 1400 meters peak to view all the valleys and the Alps. There were stunning views to the south that included the magnificent Lake Hallstatt, where we will hike to in two days, to the west, the majestic Lake Wolfgang and the mystical Lake Schwarzensee where we hiked yesterday. Perfect weather for a perfect view!
Later that afternoon we ventured to the city center church. The Saint Nicholas parish church is dominated by a 72m high tower. Inside the ornate church were frescos, mosaics, the carved Way of the Cross and most notably the unique “Kaiser-Jubiläums-Orgel” organ.
We strolled through the city center gardens before dinner. Tomorrow, we hike The Brine Trail from Bad Ischl to our next village stop, in Bad Goisern.
