If you're visiting the Alps with your children, don't forget to visit Lake Traunsee in Austria, a great resort for both winter and summer holidays. The water is very cold most of the year, but reaches a maximum temperature of 23°C in summer, so the lake is enjoyed by adults and children alike.
The eastern side is not very popular with tourists as it is steep and the shore is not easily accessible. The rest of the area offers beautiful resorts with comfortable hotels, well-developed infrastructure (73 bars and restaurants, wine shops and clubs) and even free parking.
Types of recreation
Near the lake are the towns of Altmünster, Gmunden, Ebensee and the village of Traunkirchen. Interestingly, on Saturday afternoons, the townspeople wear their traditional costumes, creating a festive atmosphere.
Gmunden regularly hosts exhibitions and fairs. It is a quiet place with picturesque views of the lake and surrounding mountains, a beautiful promenade with ceramic benches, fountains and an old tram.
Ebensee is a spa resort in the southern part of the lake, offering mineral water treatments, spa and beauty treatments and general wellness programmes.
Altmünster welcomes everyone who appreciates countryside seclusion, living in cottages with front gardens and grazing lambs in the yard, and quiet family walks along rocky but perfectly safe paths.
On the western shore of Austria's deepest lake (191 m) lies the village of Traunkirchen. It is Austria's oldest settlement and offers panoramic views of the lake and the 1,691m Trunstein Peak.
A vintage paddle steamer called the Gisella runs between the towns and resorts around the lake. The lake and its surrounding mountains, meadows and forests provide the perfect setting for a variety of entertainment and water sports. Activities include:
- Boating and boat trips;
- Scooter rides;
- Surfing;
- Fishing (good chances of catching pike, perch and even trout);
- Mountain biking;
- Trekking;
- Climbing and rock climbing;
- The possibility of running a marathon;
- Lawn tennis;
- Horse riding on specially prepared trails or at the riding school.
The Traunsee never sleeps in winter — skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing and entertainment for adults and children at Christmas and New Year's Eve attract visitors from all over the world.
Many people drive around the lake in their own or rented cars, stopping to admire the scenery. There are occasional beaches for swimming.
Interesting facts
If you come to Traunsee, be sure to visit the small island on which stands the ancient castle of Orth, built in 1039.
It is said that its "builder" and first owner was the giant Count, who lost his beloved in the depths of the lake during a storm and decided to settle on its shores.
In the 19th century the castle was owned by a relative of Emperor Franz Joseph, Archduke Johann Salvator, who gave up his title for the love of a ballerina.
Now owned by the state, the medieval castle hosts music festivals and a restaurant during the spa season. Its romantic past makes it a popular honeymoon destination. The island can be reached directly from the shore by crossing the 123 metre long bridge.
Of course, the deep blue lake inevitably gives rise to both beautiful and terrifying legends, not only of tragic love, but also of a prehistoric monster lurking in its cold waters.
Other stories are a little more grounded in reality, telling of millions of counterfeit pounds and dollars sunk by the Nazis in 1945, and the equipment used to print them.
One of the locals managed to accidentally fish out some notes while fishing. Since then, the authorities have tried several times to find the fake treasure at the bottom, but to no avail.
During the search, several divers died in mysterious circumstances, so it was decided not to disturb the underwater kingdom again.
Let's move on from the legends to the real facts of history. The Traunsee was a favourite destination of Franz Schubert. The tranquil atmosphere of the resort inspired the composer to create one of the world's greatest masterpieces — music to the words of the Catholic Hail Mary.
The area around Lake Traunsee is home to the salt mines and caves of the Dachstein mountain range. A cable car ride up the mountain takes you to the azure panorama. From this height, the reservoir looks like a blue bowl, big enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
The pictures of the Traunsee that you see in travel blogs, brochures or even on your friends' social media pages do not capture half of the charm of the azure blue water and surrounding nature.
So come and see this beauty for yourself and feel the peaceful breath of the Austrian Alps in your heart.
