Autumn weekend in Gosau: 3-day itinerary in the heart of the Salzkammergut
An autumn weekend in Gosau is exactly the kind of trip you need when you want to switch off for a few days and relax in nature. The village hidden in the heart of the Salzkammergut has a completely different atmosphere in autumn than in summer. Instead of crowds of tourists, you’ll meet locals, smell the scent of wood and forests, and enjoy the peace and quiet that will give you new energy for the remaining months of the year.
Gosausee / Austrian Lakes
Weekend in Gosau
Today we have prepared one of our favorite itineraries for you: a weekend in Gosau, which we have been enjoying for years and is one of our favorites. You will walk around Lake Gosausee, where the snow-covered Dachstein is reflected in the water, and in the afternoon you will stop for coffee and apple strudel in one of the local restaurants. The next day you will visit the fairytale town of Hallstatt and on the way home you will also have time to visit Lake Traunsee.
Gosau and its surroundings are a truly magical place in autumn colors, and we at Austrian Lakes believe that you will remember this weekend with joy for a long time to come.
Gosausee / Austrian Lakes
Where to Stay in Gosau?
Gosau is a small village, but you will have no problem finding accommodation. For an autumn weekend in Gosau, you will find family-run guesthouses with mountain views, modern apartments, and cozy cottages where you can light a fire in the evening.
If you want something stylish and verified, try COOEE alpin Hotel Dachstein
- classic alpine hotel with half board
- also recommended for winter and summer stays
- our readers’ favorite hotel in Gosau – excellent value for money
>> CHECK AVAILABILITY AND BOOK YOUR STAY
For a romantic and peaceful weekend in Gosau, I recommend smaller guesthouses such as Haus der Hoffnung or Appartementhaus Edelweiss.
>> CHECK AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATION IN GOSAU
3-Day Itinerary – Weekend in Gosau:
Day 1 – Arrival and Afternoon Walk in Nature in Gosau
The best way to get to Gosau is by car. The journey from Prague will take about 5 hours, from České Budějovice we are here about 2 hours earlier. After arriving and settling in, enjoy a light first walk to soak up the local mountain atmosphere. We recommend the easy route through the Gosauer Tal valley, which will take you past meadows, wooden chalets and offers wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Especially photography lovers will get their money’s worth, the autumn colors here play with all shades.
Gosau / Austrian Lakes
If you book accommodation without half board and you don’t feel like cooking, we recommend going for dinner to the Gosauerhof restaurant, which serves traditional Austrian dishes. Try the venison goulash with cranberries or bacon dumplings, which will be an ideal combination after a day spent on the road and in nature.
Day 2 – Vorderer and Hinterer Gosausee
Dedicate the second day to the iconic lakes Vorderer Gosausee and Hinterer Gosausee, which are certainly the main attraction for your autumn weekend in Gosau. In the morning, head to Vorderer Gosausee, which is known for its reflection of the snow-covered Dachstein in the water. The morning hours are better for good light for taking pictures. In the afternoon, the sun is already behind the mountains.
- Gosauseen: 3 breathtaking lakes with a view of the Dachstein
- Autumn tip for a trip to the Gosauseen lakes
Autumn Gosausee / Photo: Austrian Lakes
Gosausee / Austrian Lakes
A walk around Lake Vorderer Gosausee itself takes about an hour or two and can be done by anyone at a normal walking pace. However, if you feel like a longer hike, continue to the mountain Hinterer Gosausee. The path leads through the forest, past mountain springs and is perfect for lovers of peace and nature. In the autumn months, there could already be water at the middle lake Gosaulacke, which is often dry in the summer.
Gosausee / Austrian Lakes
Gosausee / Austrian Lakes
For a late lunch, stop for a reward at Gasthof Gosausee, a restaurant with a wonderful view of the lake. We especially recommend homemade soups, Wiener Schnitzel or apple strudel. In the afternoon, you can visit the Heimathaus museum Gosau, which shows the life of the local people in the mountains, or simply enjoy relaxing on the terrace of your apartment with a view.
Hinterer Gosausee / Austrian Lakes
You can also stay directly in Gasthof Gosausee, where you can enjoy the view of the lake every day from the balcony (if you book a room with a view, which we recommend)
Gosausee / Austrian Lakes
Day 3 – Autumn Hallstatt and Ort Castle on Lake Traunsee
For the last day, we have planned a fairytale trip to the surrounding area. Just 20 minutes from Gosau lies the popular historic town of Hallstatt, the most famous town in the Salzkammergut, which is one of the most photogenic places in Austria. And Hallstatt has its charm, especially in autumn. There are fewer tourists than during the summer holidays, and the surrounding nature turns golden, creating a perfect backdrop for the Hallstatt houses.
The ideal light for taking photos from the traditional viewpoint is in the morning hours, which is why we choose to visit Hallstatt for the day of departure. We recommend packing in the evening and leaving early in the morning after breakfast. Around eight o’clock in the morning you should not have any problem with parking in autumn.
Walk around the lake, go up to the church, from where there is also a beautiful view. Stop for something good in a local café and enjoy the autumn views of romantic Hallstatt. Although the place is known all over the world, the atmosphere there can win over almost everyone.
On the way back home, depending on the weather, stop at Traunsee and visit Ort Castle in Gmunden. It stands directly on the lake and is accessible via a wooden bridge. Ort Castle is an ideal place for a short walk and final photos for your autumn weekend in Gosau.
Gmunden – Ort Castle / Austrian Lakes
Why Visit Gosau in Autumn?
An autumn weekend in Gosau offers what is often missing in the main season, which is peace and quiet for an authentic exploration of the local beauty and time to soak up the atmosphere of the mountains. The temperatures are ideal for hiking, the nature plays with golden colors and the evenings invite you to sit in the warmth of mountain chalets. If you plan more days here than just a weekend in Gosau, this place is also a great base for other trips to the surrounding area, e.g. Dachstein, Attersee, Mondsee, Wolfgangsee and Bad Ischl are literally within easy reach.
