Hallstatt Lake (Hallstätter See) is a jewel of Austria’s Salzkammergut lake district. This 3.6-mile (5.9-kilometer) long natural wonder forms part of the breathtaking UNESCO-listed Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape. Visit Hallstatt Lake for the range of family-friendly recreational activities. Visit pretty lakeside villages, spot impressive castles and tour centuries-old salt mines.
Get a feel for the enormity of the lake and the alpine splendor of the encompassing World Heritage region at Hallstatt Skywalk. This 1,148-high (349-meter) observation deck rises above the rooftops of Hallstatt. Amble along the village’s alleys, where cozy cafés and souvenir shops sit beside 16th-century houses. The World Heritage Museum retraces the settlement’s Iron Age, Celtic and Roman roots and Salzwelten offers tours of an old salt mine.
Big blue skies and brilliant sunshine make the lake an outdoor paradise in summertime. Find beaches, parks and terraces on the shores of Bad Goisern, Hallstatt and Obertraun. Gaze in awe at the views while swimming in the crystalline lake waters. Set up picnics at lush waterfront gardens and bring food to cook at designated barbecue areas.
Boat tours, which depart daily from May to September, present a different perspective of the lake. Look for the romantic Schloss Grub castle as you travel from the east to west shorelines. Cruise between the lakeside villages set around the lake’s northernmost tip. Explore the shoreline at your own pace by kayak, motorboats or paddleboats.
Active visitors can experience life on the waterfront via scenic cycling and hiking trails. The Eastern Shore Cycle Trail connects Bad Goisern with Obertraun and is a section of the Salzkammergut Cycle Way. Pass through areas of unblemished nature and cross bridges on the East Bank Trail. From Hallstatt, pathways lead inland to the Echern Valley Glacier Garden and Waldbachstrub Waterfall.
Hallstatt Lake is less than a 90-minute drive from Salzburg. Make your visit even more memorable by staying overnight at the welcoming hotels and guesthouses of Hallstatt.
