Traunsee: 7 Tips for Trips + where to stay

You’ll discover Lake Traunsee in Austria just about an hour’s drive from the South Bohemian border. Many of you might have only passed by it so far on your way further south. But once you start reading today’s tip for trips to Austrian lakes, I believe you’ll conclude that it would be a shame to overlook this natural paradise when planning your (not just) summer trips.

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Lake Traunsee

A holiday at Traunsee has a lot to offer. Get to know another of the stunning lakes in the Salzkammergut and be inspired for a short or longer visit. Traunsee is a holiday paradise close to the border that you’ll remember for a long time and perhaps even like to return to, just like us.

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Lake Traunsee, Traunkirchen / Austrian Lakes

Lake Traunsee lies at an altitude of 422 meters and its depth has been measured at nearly 200 meters. The total surface area is about 24.5 square kilometers. The water quality in Traunsee is rated as excellent every year and its temperature reaches its highest levels during August, around 20 degrees, making it one of the warmer and more pleasant lakes for swimming in Austria.

Holiday at Traunsee

You’ll find Austria’s deepest lake, Traunsee, at the foot of Mount Grünberg, near the town of Gmunden, which is considered the main center of local tourism. At the northeastern end of the Salzkammergut, it’s seemingly embraced by the limestone Höllengebirge mountains and the unmistakable Traunstein massif, which majestically towers over the eastern shore of Traunsee to a height of 1691 meters. Lake Traunsee is a renowned holiday destination in every season.

Especially in summer, holidaymakers from not only Austria flock here. It’s also finding more and more fans among Czechs. Thanks to its close location to the South Bohemian border, it’s a popular tip for day or weekend trips especially for South Bohemians. Given the completed Austrian part of the highway, you can reach the lake by car in about an hour via Linz. However, a longer holiday at Traunsee also has its charm.

COMPARE AND BOOK ACCOMMODATION AT LAKE TRAUNSEE UNDER THIS LINK HERE

Lake Traunsee in summer

The eastern shore of Lake Traunsee is accessible by road only in part. Most of this side is formed by limestone mountains and the aforementioned Traunstein massif, which offers a breathtaking view from the western part, both while swimming and walking. In contrast, the western shore of Traunsee is the busy area of the lake. A road runs along its entire length, which can often be slow to pass through during peak times in the main season.

Almost along this entire side, you have opportunities to stop and enjoy the atmosphere that a holiday at Traunsee offers. You’ll find a campsite, boat docks, free swimming spots, and several renowned restaurants that offer, among other things, fresh fish catches from the lake. And what trips should you take around Traunsee? Let yourself be inspired:

Traunsee Trips

Trip to Grünberg

The town of Gmunden is an ideal starting point for trips around Traunsee. One of the most popular hiking trips from here leads to Grünberg. You can also comfortably reach the mountain by cable car. In addition to beautiful views, a popular treetop trail awaits you here, which we know, for example, from Lipno in the Czech Republic. If you don’t know about it yet, it was opened in August 2018 and offers a breathtaking view not only of Lake Traunsee.

Another excursion destination for you could be Lake Laudachsee. More demanding tourists will surely choose from several moderately difficult treks in the area. You can get more detailed information and maps with possible tours at the information center or from information boards around Traunsee.

Treetop Trail, Grünberg, View of Lake Traunsee /Erlebnis Akademie GmbH/Baumwipfelpfad Salzkammergut

Lake Traunsee, Treetop Trail / www.baumwipfelpfade.at

Traunsee trips for swimming

A holiday at Traunsee attracts its visitors every year in summer mainly for swimming and water sports in the lake. Whether you’re heading here for a family holiday or a romantic weekend for two, you can be sure that when it comes to water activities, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Lake Traunsee is a popular spot for diving, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and water skiing.

Do you like fishing? Then a holiday at Traunsee is a good tip for you too. Moreover, the lake is considered a mecca for yachtsmen. You can participate in the numerous regattas held here both actively and passively as spectators. During the summer, don’t forget to take a ride on the local steamboat.

Lake Traunsee in summer

So what trips should you choose at Traunsee that are connected with swimming? We find several free spots suitable for swimming at the lake. During the summer season, we recommend a morning trek and afternoon swimming and relaxation by the lake. The official places suitable for swimming are:

Ebensee – Badeplatz Rindbach
Gmunden – Swimming at the Fishmaster restaurant / great tip where to enjoy fresh grilled fish from the lake
Altmünster Esplanade
Bräuwiese in Traunkirchen

Natural swimming area Bräuwiese

The public swimming area Bräuwiese is a popular place for swimming, especially for families with children and non-swimmers. Disabled tourists in wheelchairs will also find it suitable. You’ll find a pleasant atmosphere here, hassle-free paid parking, and all the infrastructure you could wish for from an official public swimming area. Entry to the area is free, parking is from June to August from 10:00 – 17:00 for a fee of 4 EUR. In the area, you’ll find outdoor showers, changing rooms, a playground for children and football, and a self-service kiosk. Toilets are also available, of course.

Holiday at Traunsee / Braeuwiese.at

The sunbathing lawn measures more than 200 meters and during nice weekend days, it’s necessary to arrive early enough. Shade is offered under several trees, or you can pay to rent loungers and umbrellas. The entry into the water is gradual through shallow bays and suitable for children and non-swimmers. The pebble beach is about 2 meters wide. From the beach, you’ll have a beautiful view of Lake Traunsee and the opposite Traunstein massif.

More information: www.braeuwiese.at

Langbathseen Lakes

The tip for a trip to the nearby two mountain lakes Langbathseen is popular especially in the summer season, when during a pleasant walk you can refresh yourself at Vorderer Langbathsee and in the rear, Hinterer Langbathsee.

Langbathsee, Austrian Lakes

Lake Offensee

Lake Offensee is another emerald gem of nature around Traunsee. You’ll find it if you go in the town of Ebensee to the other side from the road leading to Langbathseen. Just carefully follow the signs and you won’t even need navigation. The road again leads into mountainous landscape and, just like to the previous two mountain lakes, is quite narrow. The route is also popular among cyclists and motorcyclists, whom you’ll encounter here in abundance in nice weather, so drive carefully and pay attention while admiring the landscape.

Offensee, Austrian Lakes

Lake Castle Ort

Very popular among Traunsee trips is a visit to the romantic lake castle Ort. The small island with the castle is accessible by a footbridge from the shore and you’ll find it when arriving from the center of Gmunden. On weekends during the main season, it can be quite busy here during the day. The castle also has its charm early in the morning or in the evening.

Traunsee trips: Lake Castle Ort

Trip by Feuerkogel cable car

From the town of Ebensee at the southern end of Lake Traunsee, you can comfortably travel to the summer hiking paradise using the Feuerkogel cable car. You’ll get from the lower station to a height of 1592 meters in just a few minutes during both summer and winter seasons. In winter, a pleasant family ski resort awaits you here, where small and large athletes will find their favorite slope.

There are tracks of all difficulties from blue to black to choose from. In summer, on a nice day, you’re offered breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and several less or more demanding treks. A photo booth has been newly installed at the top, which you activate with your ticket/ski pass.

Traunsee trips: Feuerkogel / Feuerkogel.info

Traunsee Accommodation

Finding accommodation at Traunsee shouldn’t be a problem. However, in the main summer season, it’s necessary to book popular hotels and apartments well in advance. Especially those that have direct access to the water, or are otherwise advantaged, for example, providing breathtaking views of the landscape and Traunsee.

>> FIND THE ACCOMMODATION AT LAKE TRAUNSEE

The larger towns to look for Traunsee accommodation are Gmunden and Ebensee, which line the lake at the eastern and southern parts. Directly along the western shore of Traunsee, you’ll also find Altmünster and Traunkirchen, which are picturesque places for a holiday right by the lake.

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