Lake Hallstatt

Lake Hallstatt stretches between the Austrian Alps, where you can swim in water reaching 23°C in summer or cycle past limestone cliffs on a 41-kilometer shoreline path. Watch wooden salt boats glide across the lake, or stop at one of the beach areas in Hallstatt, Obertraun, or Bad Goisern for a swim beneath the mountains.

Swimming and Beaches

You'll find several swimming spots along the lake's shores. At the Hallstatt bathing island, children can play in a dedicated area while adults relax on the 500-square-meter sun deck. The Obertraun beach has changing rooms and showers, with the Krippenstein mountain rising directly above the water. At Bad Goisern's lido in Untersee, swim at the northern tip of the lake with views down the entire fjord-like waterway. If you're traveling with dogs, head to the designated pet swimming area between Hallstatt and Obertraun.

Boat Tours

From May through October, two main boat routes cross the lake. The "Hallstatt" boat leaves every hour from Hallstatt Lahn to Obertraun, passing Castle Grub on its 45-minute journey. Along the eastern shore, the "Goisern" boat connects Untersee and Steeg with three dock stops. You can rent rowing boats, pedal boats, or join three-hour guided canoe tours. The Navia company runs trips on Zille boats - reconstructed versions of the wooden vessels that transported salt across the lake in the 16th century.

Cycling and Hiking Routes

A 41-kilometer cycling path runs along the east bank, with tree-shaded sections and constant lake views. You'll pass 12 restaurants, and find swimming and picnic areas every 5-7 kilometers. Between Bad Goisern and Obertraun via Hallstatt, a nature trail takes about 3 hours to walk, with four swimming spots and six bench areas for resting.

Water Conditions

The lake reaches depths of 125 meters across its 13.5 square kilometer surface. Water temperatures range from 16-23°C (61-77°F) in summer. The River Traun keeps the water cool and prevents complete freezing in winter, except in the northern section.

Lake History and Transport

The lake's first inhabitants settled here in the Neolithic period (5000-3800 BC). In 1862, Austria's fourth-oldest shipping company began operating on Lake Hallstatt. When the Crown Prince Rudolf railway opened in 1877, followed by Hallstatt station in 1881, visitors could reach the lake by combining train and ferry transport - a route still used today.