Forrest Mallard - May 11, 2021
Brine Pipeline Trail
Upper Austria, Austria
Start: Ebensee
End: Halstatt
Distance: 25 miles (40 km)
Time: 3 days
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Mountain Trails, Wooden Planks
Website: www.hallstatt.net
The Brine Pipeline Trail follows the route of the Brine Pipeline, the oldest pipeline in the world. Construction began in 1595 and took ten years to complete. Built to run 25 miles (40 km) through the mountains and valleys of the Dachstein region of Upper Austria, from Lake Halstatt to Lake Traunsee, it took brine-water with approximately 26 percent salt content-from Halstatt, the most productive salt mine in the entire Salzkammergut, to a new salt processing works in Ebensee. It was the continuing development of a long tradition. Salt had been produced in Halstatt for 7,000 years, and to walk the Brine Pipeline Trail now not only gets you in touch with the beauty of the Dachstein, but it also is an education in the production of salt.
The Brine Pipeline Trail follows the course set by the astonishing 13,000 hollowed-out trees that made up its pipes. The first day’s walking is from Ebensee to Bad Ischl-a demanding 12 miles (20 km). From Bad Ischl, you walk to the village of Lauffen, once a place of pilgrimage for local people who would come here to pray for deliverance from the wild, untamed waters of the flood-prone Traun River, and from there to the village of Bad Goisern-a total of 6 miles (9.6km). The final day is a 6-mile (9.6-km) walk along the western shoreline of Lake Halstatt to its historic salt mine, which continued to mine salt until the 1960s.
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Meet the Head Tramp
Forrest Mallard is a travel writer, filmmaker, and adventure guide who has dedicated his life to exploring the world and sharing its stories. With over 50 countries deeply explored, his blog, Tramposaurus Treks, has become a trusted resource for adventurers, even earning recommendations from national tourism boards.
Forrest’s storytelling spans multiple mediums, from documentary filmmaking to in-depth travel writing, often weaving history, culture, and personal experiences into compelling narratives. His acclaimed documentaries on the Walt Disney Company have even earned the rare praise of former Disney CEO Michael Eisner—a testament to his ability to uncover and present compelling stories. His professional background is as varied as his passport stamps—ranging from adventure guiding in Ecuador, Thailand, and Alaska to producing large-scale entertainment in Dubai, managing concert tours in South Africa, and even working aboard National Geographic Expedition ships. This eclectic career path has armed him with a unique perspective: one that blends logistical expertise with an insatiable curiosity for the unknown. Whether leading travelers through rugged landscapes, crafting historical documentaries, or sharing insights on long-distance trekking, Forrest remains dedicated to inspiring others to explore, connect, and embrace adventure—preferably with a well-worn backpack and a good story in tow.
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