Tourist Tips

Alpine Distress Signal
Should you ever get lost, scurrying around in search of any available trail won't help you at all. Instead, retrace your steps carefully until you recognize the surrounding terrain once again. Always carry an emergency whistle with you. In an emergency, blow the whistle six times per minute, taking a one-minute break in between. Continue this pattern until you receive a response of 3 whistle blasts per minute. In an emergency, a cell phone can prove very helpful, though you can't always rely on having reception in all areas.

Arno Trail - Badges in Gold, Silver and Bronze
If you walk the entire length of the Arno Trail, you can earn the Gold Arno Trail Badge. You're still eligible to receive this badge even if you opt not to navigate the three high-Alpine stretches (Krimmler Törl, Granatscharte and Rauriser Sonnblick)! The silver and bronze badges can be earned by walking partial segments of the trail. Proof of your efforts is provided by your trail book which will be stamped by the various huts and inns along the way. You can order the trail book by contacting: SalzburgerLand, Postfach 1, A-5300 Hallwang bei Salzburg, Austria (phone (0)662/6688, fax 6688-66, e-mail: info@salzburgerland.com).

Tourist Literature
Those regions through which the Arno Trail runs are described in the following Rother Wanderführer (series of hiking guides in German): Berchtesgadener Land, Dachstein-Tauern-Region, Gasteiner Tal, Rund um den Hochkönig, Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Nord, Nockberge, Pinzgau, Rund um Salzburg, Salzkammergut, Tauern-Höhenweg (Rother Wanderführer special).
We also recommend these guide books: Berchtesgadener Alpen, Glockner-, Granatspitz- und Venedigergruppe; Zentralalpenweg 02, Nordalpenweg 01, Voralpenweg 04, Rupertiweg 10 (all published by the Styria Verlag, Graz); Salzburger Bergziele, published by the Pustet Verlag, Salzburg; Sagenhaft Wandern im Salzburger Land, published by Schubert&Franzke, St. Pölten.

Equipment
Unexpected cold snaps can take us all by surprise, even at the height of the summer - and some might even bring along a touch of snow with them! Be sure to include the following items in your equipment: sturdy footwear, spare clothing, canteen, protection from the wind and cold (incl. gloves and a cap), rainwear, sun gear (head covering, sun screen, sun glasses), first-aid kit for your backpack, bivy sack, sleeping bag for use at mountain huts, headlamp, maybe a telescopic hiking stick, plenty of provisions, drinks etc. A compass and altimeter will also make navigating significantly easier. Along the high-Alpine stretches of the Krimmler Törl, Granatscharte and Rauriser Sonnblick, glacier equipment (incl. crampons, ice axe, rope and harness) is essential.

Huts
Make sure you know exactly when/if they're open and providing services. Times posted at the various huts may be subject to change due to prevailing weather conditions and other circumstances, so be sure to ask ahead, especially during early and late season. Members of alpinist associations receive discounted rates at affiliated huts, and may also get priority ahead of non-members when it comes to obtaining accommodation. Sleeping bags (appropriate for use at a mountain hut) are required and are available for purchase at most huts.

Trails
The Arno Trail traces its way along previously existing Alpine- and long-distance trails that were created by alpinist associations over a period of many years. The trail is clearly signposted along its entire length within the SalzburgerLand. We owe a debt of gratitude, both to the various alpinist associations and tourist offices along the way who accepted responsibility for erecting the signs, as well as to the trail's sponsor, the Zipfer Brewery. Please be aware that use of the trail is at the hiker's own risk.

Mountain Rescue
You can reach mountain rescue around the clock from anywhere in Austria, simply by dialing 140 on your phone. You can also place a call from your cell phone throughout Europe by calling 112 (emergency calls can be made without use of a SIM card).