The Salzburg Lake District offers gentle hills and steep rocks, extensive meadows and colourful forests. And above all, very special lakes. From Salzburg it is only about 20 minutes to the green recreation area. Here you will find bathing establishments, cute villages and a variety of cycle paths. The Salzkammergut is also referred to as the 13th federal state in Austria .
Lake Wolfgang
Probably the most famous lake in Salzburg is Lake Wolfgang and it offers a wide variety of possibilities for maximum enjoyment. Lake Wolfgang, which used to be called Abersee, is located at an altitude of 538 meters. For example, there are beautiful hiking routes to the surrounding mountain landscape if you want to enjoy a breathtaking view over the lake. The Schafberg is considered the most beautiful panoramic mountain over the Salzkammergut, which can also be explored with the Schafbergbahn, for example. The Schafbergbahn is the steepest cogwheel railway in Austria and in 35 minutes you can get to the top of the Schafberg. This tip is not only intended for the warm months, but can also be wonderfully implemented in winter: In December, the train becomes an Advent train and leads up into the wintry expanses.
And if you prefer not to walk the way back to the valley, you can whiz down quickly on the summer toboggan run in Gschwendt. Do you prefer to be in the middle of it all, in the refreshing blue? There are plenty of bathing shores and bathing jetties at the foot of the lake. The St. Gilgen lido offers plenty of space and fun for young and old. There is an extra bathing area for children, a restaurant and changing rooms. Boating is also possible on Lake Wolfgang – the Wolfgangsee Schifffahrt has been around since 1873. Accordingly, the paddle steamer “Kaiser Franz Josef I” seems nostalgic, which has also been seen in some films.
Lake Fuschl
In the eastern Flachgau is the Fuschlsee, which is a special eye-catcher due to its turquoise blue to emerald green colouring. It is the clearest and cleanest lake in the entire Salzburger Land and its water can even be used as drinking water. On the other hand, there is a strict ban on motorboats here. Instead, you can sail and swim, fish and dive here. Once upon a time, Fuschl Castle, which is located on a small hill right next to the lake, was used by Salzburg’s archbishops for hunting trips and the entire fish caught from the lake was used exclusively for their tables, because the fish from Lake Fuschl are of particularly good quality.
Hintersee
Behind Lake Fuschl, another blue jewel is hidden just a few kilometers away. The Hintersee, located in a side valley, is a real insider tip for nature lovers. At the same time, Hintersee is the smallest village in the Salzburg Alpine foothills. A 5 km long hiking trail leads around the lake, suitable for prams and with unspoilt shore zones. In general, the Hintersee offers you a variety of possible activities and even a petting zoo is located here.
Wallersee
Lake Wallersee is only a few kilometres away from Salzburg and is considered the largest and warmest lake in the foothills of the Alps. Nevertheless, the Wallersee is rarely really overcrowded, because there are enough lidos for everyone. The circular route around the lake is 20 km long and leads through a nature reserve with moorland. In this area you can find rare water birds, beavers and pheasants. Gut Aiderbichl is also located near the lake: At the refuge, animals with a cruel past finally get a good life. A visit to them makes hearts soar.
Adventure
You can arrange your holiday at the lakes flexibly and in the way that suits you best. There are numerous offers for holidays on the farm, for time-outs in spa hotels and also accommodation for particularly active people. It is also a good idea to explore the various lakes by bike and spend the night in different places. And after the effort is done, jumping into the cool water is particularly refreshing. The range of cycle paths in the area of the Salzburg Lakes is wide-ranging. A holiday here can mean so many things: watching the fish in the crystal-clear water from a rowing boat, sunbathing on the shore and enjoying fries from the lido, listening to the wind while sailing or marvelling at postcard idylls from mountain peaks. Or you can explore the beautifully landscaped golf courses and visit museums that are peppered with interesting stories about the country and its people.
However you would like to spend your time out at the Salzburg Lakes, we wish you a lot of joy and enjoyment.
