You may have already visited the popular and beautiful town of Hallstatt, and you might have noticed the turn-off to the Gosauseen lakes on your way. Or maybe not. In that case, today’s trip suggestion to the Austrian Gosauseen lakes is just for you. If you’re from southern Bohemia, you can plan a trip to these two magical places even as a one-day excursion.
Gosauseen
However, today’s post will be dedicated only to Gosau and especially to the two nearby mountain lakes, from which you’ll have a literally breathtaking view of the Dachstein mountain massif. In rainy weather, you’ll also be able to see the third, middle lake Gosaulacke, which has been almost drying up in recent summers, so you won’t see it in this report. During our trip, only boulders were visible from it.
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Vorderer Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Gosau
At an altitude of 767 m in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut, you’ll find the picturesque town of Gosau, which is also part of the Dachstein West ski area. You’ll be surrounded by such natural beauty everywhere here that it won’t surprise you why the area is declared a nature reserve. It doesn’t matter whether you want to stay in the Gosau area for a weekend or a longer vacation.
You can be sure that you won’t be bored here in any season and you’ll certainly experience pleasantly unforgettable moments. Just a few kilometers uphill from Gosau, you’ll reach the breathtaking Gosauseen lakes, which are the number one tourist attraction for this area, especially during summer.
7 verified accommodation tips in Gosau
Gosau / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Route and Parking at Gosausee
The journey to the first lake, Vorderer Gosausee, will take you about 3 hours by car from České Budějovice, and you’ll be driving through Linz, past Lake Traunsee. These breathtaking Austrian lakes are located in the Gmunden district. Once you reach the intersection where the road to the left leads to Hallstatt and to the right to Gosau, you can safely turn off your navigation and enjoy the journey through the picturesque Gosautal valley.
Parking at Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Regarding parking at Gosausee, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot for your car even during the season. The only thing to keep in mind is that whoever arrives at the parking lot earlier will park higher up. If the upper parking lot is full, you can park along the road at more distant lay-bys. It should be possible to park motorhomes here as well (we’re checking new conditions for 2025). There are already parking turnstiles at the parking lots – a full day cost 10 EUR in autumn 2024. You can also park for a shorter time for less if you’re just going to walk around the first lake.
Vorderer Gosausee
From the upper parking lot, it’s just a few steps/stairs to the first of the Gosausee lakes, to Vorderer Gosausee. You’ll be walking past a pleasant hotel where you can not only stay but also have lunch or grab something good after your trip around the lakes. As you approach the lake shore itself, expect to be literally amazed by the view of both the lake itself and the backdrop of the Dachstein mountain massif in any weather. It’s no wonder that these lakes are considered some of the most photogenic you can visit in Austria.
Vorderer Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
If you’re heading to the lakes during the summer season, I recommend packing swimwear, but keep in mind that the water temperature is only for the hardy. After all, Vorderer Gosausee is spread out at an altitude of 933 meters. It measures about 1.8 kilometers in length and about 500 meters in width.
It will take you about an hour to walk around Vorderer Gosausee, and you don’t need to worry about taking a stroller on the trip. At the end of the right bank, you’ll come across a waterfall that has the greatest force in spring, when snow melts from the mountain peaks.
Swimming at Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Vorderer Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
The lake is also popular with via ferrata enthusiasts. Right by the lake, you can enjoy one of the easier and more experiential ones. However, Vorderer Gosausee is also a sought-after lake for divers. The depth of the lake has been measured at just under 100 meters. In nice weather, you can also rent rowboats here, from which your view of the surrounding nature will be even more enhanced.
>> Book a stay in Gasthof Gosausee here
All around, you’ll find several places that are accessible for swimming. The main bathing area, however, is on the grass if you head to the right side upon arrival at the lake. Pleasant swimming is also on the other side, where there’s a natural beach on a gentle slope below the path.
Hinterer Gosausee
It would be a shame to stay only at the first Gosausee lake during your trip to Gosau. After about 1-2 hours of walking along a comfortable gravel path, you’ll reach another mountain gem, Hinterer Gosausee. You can easily join the trail to the upper lake from the left side of the front lake. It’s good to count on a slight incline, which can tire untrained individuals already in the first half of the journey.
For the journey with a child, pack a carrier. Dogs need to be kept on a leash. If you’re a fan of mountain walks with a slight elevation gain, this trip will be just right for you. Along the way, you’ll experience a scenic route along a stream and smaller waterfalls, where you can cool your feet in the summer heat.
Gosauseen / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Your trip will be enhanced by the impressive view of the Dachstein, and if you keep it constantly in front of you, you’ll know you’re going the right way. You’ll also pass by the middle mountain lake, which is hardly visible when it’s dry. A few hundred meters before the destination, don’t forget to stop at the breathtaking viewpoint all the way to Vorderer Gosausee, protected by the surrounding massifs.
Once you reach your destination, right at the beginning of Hinterer Gosausee, a bench awaits you with a view directly of the Dachstein reflecting in the lake across a large stump. This stump is one of the most photographed landmarks of this trip. In dry weather, climbing on it and taking a photo won’t be a problem, but be careful when it’s wet.
Gosauseen / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
However, don’t stay only at the beginning of the lake. If you walk around Hinterer Gosausee to the back, you’ll come across mountain huts, where small refreshments are sold in one of them and you can sit on the terrace. Practically along the entire route, you may encounter cattle that graze freely here.
Although the local cows are quite used to people, it’s good not to irritate them too much and keep your distance. In summer, refreshing swimming in the lake is also offered from this side. The beach is pebbly and the water crystal clear.
Hinterer Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
In the summer months, you can easily stay here until the evening and still admire the reflection of the Dachstein and surrounding forests and mountains in the lakes, but in spring and autumn months, remember that it’s good to return before dark due to visibility along the way.
Hinterer Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Trips around Gosausee
- Hike to the mountain hut Adamekhütte
Paths are well marked at Gosauseen including approximate time / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
- Climb to Hoher Dachstein
- Cable car trip with Gosaukammbahn directly from Lake Vorderer Gosausee to the tourist alpine paradise Zwieselalm
- Experiential via ferratas for beginners and advanced
Via ferratas at Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Via ferratas at Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Via ferratas at Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
More information about moderately difficult and multi-day treks in the Gosauseen area can be found directly at one of the information centers on site or online.
Autumn Mood at Gosausee
Gosausee in autumn / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
Perhaps the most magical atmosphere can be experienced at the Gosauseen lakes in sunny weather in autumn. The trees around the lakes turn into autumn shades, and for photographers, it’s the true paradise in these months. You can see what it looks like at the Gosausee lakes in autumn in this story:
Accommodation at Gosausee
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If you’re primarily interested in a trip to the Gosausee lakes, we recommend booking accommodation directly on the shore of Vorderer Gosausee, in a pleasant family pension with a popular restaurant. If you make your reservation in advance, it’s worth paying extra for a room with a lake view. Family and renovated rooms are also available. For your carefree holiday at Gosausee, it’s possible to pay for half board at a good price.
CHECK PRICES AT THE HOTEL RIGHT BY THE LAKE HERE >>
Accommodation at Gosausee / photo credit: Austrian Lakes
We have also selected for you in Gosau and surroundings:
>> BOOK A STAY AT COOEE ALPIN HOTEL DACHSTEIN HERE
For four-legged friends:
At the COOEE alpin Hotech Dachstein hotel, it’s possible to stay with your four-legged friend – it’s necessary to book in advance and an additional fee may be charged.
Would you like to combine your trip to the Gosauseen lakes and popular Hallstatt with a few days at a spa? Nothing could be easier than booking your stay at the Austrian lakes in nearby Bad Aussee. The hotel is directly connected to the Narzissenbad spa and you’re only 15 kilometers away from Hallstatt. You should also reach Gosausee within an hour at the latest.
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