Traunsee - Inspiration for an Unforgettable Holiday Trip

 

Traunsee is located in the heart of Oberösterreich. The towering Traunstein above the lake can be perfectly seen from the highway between Linz and Salzburg. With its 191 meters, it is Austria's deepest reservoir. The maximum length is 12 kilometers, and width 3. There are four larger towns around the lake - Gmunden, Altmünster am See, Traunkirchen, and at the very end - Ebensee. We didn't manage to visit everywhere, there will be an opportunity for the next visit. After all, summer is just beginning! From Vienna, you're looking at about 2.5 hours of travel. Due to the distance, it's optimal to go here for two days. However, you can really see a lot in one day too, as we found out ourselves. For those traveling by public transport, I have good news. The train journey from Vienna to Gmunden also takes 2.5 hours, with one transfer along the way. Ticket prices start from 35 euros one way. 

 Our plan was to stay overnight in a tent. I also mentioned that the plan didn't completely work out. The weather forecast with numerous storms for the second day motivated us to return and sleep in Vienna, where the outlook looked much better. The cost of a camping site for two people with a car is about 25-30 euros per night. There are two camping sites by the lake, in Traunkirchen and Gmunden. The one in Gmunden looks much nicer - LINK. The advantage of camping sites is that in this case they are located right by the lake, with a private beach. Evening, pier, mountains in the background. This is what Szymons love most! As for the cost of a double room, prices start from about 80 euros. Remember that Traunsee is a popular destination and in summer it's worth booking accommodation in advance. Another alternative worth considering is the typical mountain option and sleeping in a mountain hut. Prices start here from 10 euros per person at Rinnerhütte (LINK), through 18 at Gmundnerhütte up to 22 euros at the Naturfreundehaus on Traunstein, renovated a few years ago (LINK). These are of course not all the mountain huts in the area. We're talking about accommodation in one shared room. Gmundnerhütte (LINK) also offers rooms at 26 euros. If you want to sleep in the mountains but with comfort, definitely consider Feuerkogel. This is a plateau at an altitude of about 1600m, which you can reach on foot (about 3h from Ebensee), or by cable car (round trip cost per adult 21.70 euros - LINK). Accommodation in a double room can be found here from about 35 euros per person, considering the location I think this is a reasonable price. List of accommodations on Feuerkogel - LINK. 

According to local sources, the best food is at Berggasthof Urzn located on Gmundnerberg (LINK). Whether it's the best - I don't know, but I can certainly say it's worth it. The location alone and the view of Traunstein with the lake make it worth visiting. From Altmünster it's about 10 minutes by car. Typical Austrian cuisine, as is usually the case in mountain regions. Large selection on the menu, lots of meats (including organic), plus fish and a few vegetarian dishes. I had Bio Lamm Schnitzel, Asia had Käsespätzle. Everything was very tasty and fresh. For such a feast with appetizers and drinks we paid about 40 euros. Really decent amount. And we get the view for free :)

 Going to Traunsee, I was looking for some interesting destination for two summer days. On the first day I wanted to relax by the water, cooling off in the clean Traunsee. We planned to camp overnight, and the second day was to be typically mountainous. Below you have 3 options I selected that should satisfy every hiker craving mountain experiences.

Let's get acquainted with the large Traunsee. Unfortunately, we only managed to realize the plan for the first day, which was water fun. If our accommodation is camping, in this case we have access to a private beach with a pier. An option worth considering. Otherwise, there's nothing to complain about either - there are many places to relax around the lake. Right after arriving, we laid out at Badeplatz Bräuwiese near Traunkirchen. Clean, plenty of space, quite gentle entry into the water, piers. And a beautiful view of Traunstein. Entry to the beach is free, parking from June 1st is paid.

Mother nature didn't allow us to lounge for long. After a short hour, an approaching storm motivated us to get our butts moving. We took a walk through the beautiful, small Traunkirchen center. A local festival was taking place and a band was playing Austrian melodies for us. For sightseeing fans, visiting the monastery or Johannesbergkapelle - a 17th-century chapel on a rock in the very center of Traunkirchen - will be interesting. We skipped a more detailed examination of local monuments - the call to adventure was stronger, so we headed along the lake shore towards the town of Ebensee.   Offensee will enchant you! There I accidentally noticed a sign pointing to "Offensee", after a quick verification on Google I determined that we absolutely must check it out. This is where the Totes Gebirge begins and the lake is the starting point for many beautiful hikes in this range. It was a brilliant decision, as the reservoir surprised me with its charm. Calm, surrounded by mountains, with turquoise water. The entry into the water is very gentle, an ideal place for wading, also with children. A wide, level path goes around the lake - strollers will manage without problems. Benches are placed every now and then, inviting you to first-class relaxation with a view.

I recommend doing a loop around the lake, just like we did. It's a leisurely, 4-kilometer walk that takes about 1.5 hours. With a mandatory swim! There are two restaurants here, one at the very beginning near the first parking lot, and another about halfway through the hike. Great place and honestly, next time I want to relax by a lake, I'm going straight to Offensee

Enough of this laziness, we need to get moving a bit! I recommend setting out early in the morning to avoid stress along the way and enjoy the mountain atmosphere as long as possible. The best option, of course, is to shorten the beach day and plan accommodation in a mountain hut. And this option is my favorite.   
OPTION 1. Rinnerkogel - immerse yourself in the beauty of Totes Gebirge. SZYMON RECOMMENDS! The trail is one of those that touches my heart. Although I haven't done it yet, I already know this :) It's enough to mention that it starts at Offensee, which in itself is already a recommendation. After a steep 2.5 hours we reach Rinnerhütte, it's worth planning to stay overnight there. The cost of accommodation is only 10 euros in a shared room - LINK. From there to the summit (2012 m.a.s.l) is about 2.5 hours, and along the way we have another treat - Wildensee. I must see this lake in person someday! As for difficulty, the trail is not technically demanding, there are only a few places along the way where you need to be careful, but they are secured with cables. I especially recommend caution during rain. Mountain boots are a must! The entire trip is about 7 hours, with 1400 meters of elevation gain along the way.   
OPTION 2. Traunstein - mountain classic with a lake at its feet. Now I have a treat for mountain connoisseurs. The popular Traunstein, towering over the lake like its silent guardian. The most popular loop here is ascending via the Naturfreundesteig via ferrata, and descending via the simple Mairalmsteig. However, this requires via ferrata equipment and a portion of experience. For less experienced hikers, I would recommend ascending and descending via Mairalmsteig, which is the easiest way to reach the summit. Here too I recommend planning to go up and stay overnight in the hut, masterful views from every side guaranteed! We can choose from Naturfreundehaus  (LINK), or Gmundnerhütte (LINK). The entire trip to Traunstein is about 7 hours. Depending on the option, via ferrata equipment will be needed, and mountain boots are definitely a must! Along the way there are no water sources, so it's worth ensuring an adequate supply.   OPTION 3. Feuerkogel - family-friendly, comfortable, beautiful Definitely the most "civilized" option of all proposals. Ideal for families or elderly people - you can take the cable car up and without much effort enjoy the beauty of the plateau, and the wealth of trails  (LINK). Those who want to walk up face an easy, 3-hour trail from Ebensee. On the plateau there are many restaurants, and in addition a rich accommodation offer (LINK). Prices are not tragic, a night in such a place is really worth considering. Can you imagine those stars? The views are of course otherworldly, on one side we see the glaciers of Dachstein, and on the other the "guardian" Traunstein with Traunsee.   

 Traunsee is a beautiful region for holiday trips. Literally everyone will find some treat here and no one will return dissatisfied. It's worth getting to know this area better and letting yourself be enchanted. I will certainly return here many times. If you have any interesting inspirations from those areas that I didn't mention - share with me in the comments!