Autumn Weekend at Traunsee
Wondering where to go this autumn? Today we’ve prepared a tip for you on how to enjoy an autumn weekend at Traunsee, which you can reach in about two hours by car from our South Bohemian border. We’ll look together at places worth visiting and discuss where to stay to make the most of your weekend at Traunsee.
>> TOP 10 ACCOMMODATIONS AT TRAUNSEE <<
Autumn Weekend at Traunsee
In autumn, Lake Traunsee has a fairy-tale atmosphere. The surrounding mountains and nature turn golden, beautifully reflecting on the surface, which will delight many landscape photography enthusiasts. The hiking trails are quieter than in summer, allowing you to enjoy views of nature and peaks like Traunstein without large crowds.
The autumn air is crisp, ideal for hikes and walks along the lake or further into the mountains. You can also enjoy cozy cafes or visit nearby thermal baths, which perfectly complement the autumn atmosphere.
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Accommodation at Traunsee
If you’re planning a weekend at Traunsee, you have several options for where to stay around the lake. Do you like elegant urban promenades? Stay in the larger town of Gmunden, where cafes and restaurants are lively even in autumn. Do you prefer a quieter atmosphere in nature? Then you’ll be tempted by the village of Traunkirchen with its iconic church on a rock above the lake.
And it’s in Traunkirchen that we recommend for an autumn weekend at Traunsee to stay at the luxurious Post am See 4*, where you’ll also find a pleasant wellness center with a panoramic view of the lake.
Are you also planning mountain trips to the Langbathseen and Offensee lakes? Then you’ll be closest if you stay in one of the hotels in Ebensee. We personally recommend our favorite Landhotel Post Ebensee am Traunsee 3***+.
What Trips are Suitable for an Autumn Weekend at Traunsee?
There are many trips you can plan and take around Traunsee. If we were to mention all of them, even 14 days wouldn’t be enough to fit them all in. We’ve therefore selected those we consider the most beautiful and shouldn’t be missed even in autumn. We deliberately omit the tip for hiking to the Traunstein peak, which we recommend only in good summer weather.
1. Ort Castle and Toscana Park
You can reach Ort Castle and Toscana Park by a pleasant walk from the center of Gmunden, or you can easily arrive by car and park in the nearby paid parking lot. In autumn, you’ll enjoy a pleasant walk here without large crowds of tourists. Walk around the entire Ort Castle and marvel at the breathtaking views of the lake with mountain backdrops, including the Traunstein peak. This place definitely shouldn’t be missing from your itinerary for a weekend at Traunsee.
2. Traunkirchen and a walk to Johannesberg – to the chapel
In Traunkirchen, it’s definitely worth taking a short trail to Johannesberg. It’s a small rocky hill right on the peninsula jutting into the lake. The path is easy and you can manage it in a few minutes as a relaxing walk. At the top, you’ll find a small chapel of St. John with a beautiful view of Traunsee and the surrounding mountains. In autumn, the place is even more magical thanks to the colorful foliage and calm atmosphere, and it’s ideal for a short stop during a walk through picturesque Traunkirchen.
- If you’re staying at our recommended Post am See 4* hotel, you can enjoy this short hike every morning before breakfast. At sunrise, the views of the lake with mist, in nice autumn weather, are simply stunning.
3. Boat trip on Traunsee
Feel free to take a boat trip on Traunsee even in autumn. While sailing times may not be as frequent as during the summer season, the autumn atmosphere is particularly fairy-tale-like during an autumn cruise. Don’t forget to dress warmly so you don’t get chilled while enjoying the outdoor view from the boat.
4. Spitzvilla – for lunch or dinner
The Spitzvilla restaurant in Altmünster is one of the popular places by the lake, not only for its beautiful villa with a direct view of the lake but also for its traditional cuisine. A typical choice here is fresh trout from Traunsee, prepared in a simple way. A local specialty is often whitefish (Reinanke), a fish typical for Alpine lakes, which they often serve grilled or baked. If you’re heading for a weekend at Traunsee, plan for lunch or dinner at Spitzvilla.
5. Alpine trail Miesweg
Miesweg is a romantic trail carved directly into the rocks on the eastern shore of Traunsee, between Gmunden and Karbach. The path partly leads on wooden walkways just above the lake’s surface and offers beautiful views of Traunstein. In autumn, Miesweg has its unmistakable charm, with colorful foliage contrasting with the dark blue surface of the lake, and due to fewer tourists, the walk is quieter than in summer. You’ll also encounter a small pedestrian tunnel.
Is the Miesweg trail difficult?
- The trail is relatively easy and well walkable even in cooler weather, just be careful after rain when sections can be wet and slippery.
6. Cable car to Grünberg
You shouldn’t miss this trip if you’re planning a weekend at Traunsee. After taking the cable car up to Grünberg above Gmunden, several attractions await you. You’ll find a viewpoint with a panorama of the entire Traunsee, a Treetop Trail (Baumwipfelpfad), and a popular route to the mountain lake Laudachsee. There’s also a mountain hut with a terrace where you can have something good to eat and enjoy the calm autumn atmosphere.
Treetop Trail, Grünberg, View of Lake Traunsee /Erlebnis Akademie GmbH/Baumwipfelpfad Salzkammergut
Grünberg cable car operating hours in autumn:
- From September 29 to November 16, the cable car operates daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
7. Trip to Vorderer Langbathsee
Are you planning a weekend at Traunsee? In good weather, you shouldn’t miss a trip to the mountain lake Vorderer Langbathsee, where a comfortable walk around the entire lake awaits you. Even in October, it should be no problem to reach Hinterer Langbathsee. However, always pay attention to current conditions and any signs that might prohibit access to the upper lake.
8. Trip to Offensee
If you’re heading to Lake Langbathsee, you shouldn’t miss the mountain treasure on the other side of Ebensee, Lake Offensee. If you’ve chosen sunny weather for your weekend at Traunsee, you’ll enjoy a beautiful and easy walk around the entire Offensee. Again, pay attention to current conditions and whether the path to the lake isn’t already snowy.
9. Trip to the spa
We believe that every autumn day spent in nature on a hike should be ended in a wellness center or spa. As the last trip tip for your weekend at Traunsee, we’ve therefore chosen a trip to nearby Bad Ischl, where we recommend visiting Eurothermen Bad Ischl with its sauna world and indoor and outdoor pools.
