Gosauseen are three mountain lakes in the Salzkammergut region of Austria.
The largest of the three lakes, Vorderer Gosausee (“Front Gosau Lake”), is only a 25-minute drive away from Hallstatt in Upper Austria.
Commonly referred to as Lake Gosau, Vorderer Gosausee enchants with its picturesque backdrop formed by the highest mountains of the Dachstein: Hoher Dachstein (2995 m), Niederer Dachstein (2934 m), Torstein (2948 m), and Mitterspitz (2925 m).
The other two lakes, Gosaulacke and Hinterer Gosausee (“Back Gosau Lake”), are located southeast of Vorderer Gosausee, and are only accessible by foot.
Vorderer Gosausee, the most famous lake of the three, is accessible by car. Paid parking is available along Gosauseestrasse and in Parkplatz Vorderer Gosausee, just north of the lake.
Many travelers visit the Gosau Lakes on a day trip from Hallstatt, yet this picturesque destination rewards those who linger. With its extensive network of hiking trails and thrilling via ferrata routes, the western Dachstein mountains offer beautiful alpine scenes well worth savoring.
During our second trip to Lake Gosau, we stayed in Gasthof Gosausee at Vorderer Gosausee after completing the Gosaukamm Circuit Trail. The next morning, we watched the most miraculous sunrise along the northern shore, before hiking to Hinterer Gosausee.
- When to Visit: (May) June – October. The trail around Gosau lake is closed in winter due to the risk of rockfall and avalanches.
- Weather Forecast and Webcam: Bergfex Weather Gosau
- Boating: It’s possible to rent pedal boats, electric boats, and stand-up paddle boards in summer.
- Swimming: Allowed.
- Via Ferrata routes: Laserer Alpin Klettersteig (Via Ferrata Grade C) and Intersport Klettersteig Donnerkogel (Via Ferrata Grade C/D).
- Dogs: Allowed, but must be leashed
- Where to Eat: Gasthof Gosausee at Vorderer Gosausee and Holzmeister Alm at Hinterer Gosausee
- Where to Stay at Vorderer Gosausee: Gasthof Gosausee
- Where to Stay in Gosau: Frühstückspension Pachler (B&B), Haus Friedrich (guesthouse), Hotel Sommerhof (4-star hotel)
- Recommended Itinerary: Salzkammergut Itinerary
How to Get to Lake Gosau
Bus | The closest bus stop to Lake Gosau is Hintertal b.Gosau Vorderer Gosausee (aka Hintertal b. Gosau Gosaukammbahn). There is a direct bus connection from Bad Ischl to Gosausee (bus line 541). From Salzburg Hbf, you can take bus 150 to Bad Ischl Bahnhof and then transfer to Bus 541 to Gosau Hintertal. Use oebb.at to find connections.
Car | The easiest way to get to Lake Gosau is by car. Use the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals in Austria. Try to avoid the weekends if possible. There is paid parking available along Gosauseestrasse and in Parkplatz Vorderer Gosausee (Google Maps).
Hike | You can hike along the long-distance Dachstein Rundwanderweg from Gosau, or Hallstatt to the Gosau Lakes.
Gosau Lakes Trail: Vorderer Gosausee to Hinterer Gosausee
The out-and-back hike from Vorderer Gosausee to Hinterer Gosausee follows a wide forest road. It’s an easy walk, but it isn’t flat.
From Vorderer Gosausee, head left, following the scenic northern shore of the lake. Cast your gaze across the lake to enjoy the towering Gosaukamm mountains.
With the lake now behind you, the trail continues in a southeasterly direction and ascends to a private hut. Afterwards, the gravel road levels and passes Gosaulacke, the smallest of the three Gosau lakes.
The Hinterer-Gosausee-bound trail ascends once again for 20 minutes, before easing through a maple forest.
Soon thereafter, you’ll arrive at Hinterer Gosausee. Continue right and follow the lakeshore path to Holzmeister Alm am Hinteren Gosausee, located at the south-end. The alpine pasture hut is open seasonally.
It takes 1:30 hours to hike from Vorderer Gosausee to the Holzmeister Alm.
The complete hike is 12.6 km out-and-back and takes around 3 hours without breaks The total elevation gain and loss is 261 meters.
Gosaukamm Circuit Trail
The Gosaukamm Circuit Trail loops around Gosaukamm, a subgroup of the Dachstein mountain range. It’s an exhilarating alpine excursion with beautiful landscapes, challenging terrain, and mountain huts and Almen along the way.
Strong experienced hikers can complete this trail in a single day. However, it’s very common to divide the hike in two stages, by overnighting in Hofpürglhütte.
If you decide to hike this trail in one day, you can trim off the initial ascent by riding the Gosaubahn cableway. The valley station is located between the Parkplatz Vorderer Gosausee and Gasthof Gosausee. If you plan on hiking this route in two days, you can start directly at Vorderer Gosausee and follow the forest trail up to Gablonzer Hütte.
With the cableway ascent, the Gosaukamm Circuit Trail is 18.7 km in length and takes 7:40 hours without breaks. We needed 9 hours.
Read our Gosaukamm Circuit Trail Guide for a complete trail description.
Watch the Sunrise at Vorderer Gosausee
After completing the Gosaukamm Circuit Trail, we stayed the night at Gasthof Gosausee. The main reason we wanted to stay in this lakeside guesthouse was to experience the sunrise at Lake Gosau the next morning.
When the sun rises behind Hoher Dachstein, its rays illuminate a landscape of soft silhouettes. The sun’s reflection in the lake casts additional light beams across the water and surrounding mountains. It’s an ethereal experience, especially in autumn.
As the morning unfolds, the sun bathes the Gosaukamm ridge in soft light, unveiling its majestic crags and towers above the western and southwestern shores.
Where to Stay
Gosau
We stayed at Gasthof Gosausee, the only accommodation at Vorderer Gosausee.
There are many more accommodations in Gosau Valley, a 10-15 minute drive away. The best-rated guesthouses are B&B Frühstückspension Pachler and Haus Friedrich.
Families love staying in Chalet Bergkristall Gosau, a 200 m² size chalet in Gosau with 4 bedrooms, a sauna, and hot tub.
4-star Hotel Sommerhof is a family-run hotel with an outdoor swimming pool and half board offering.
If you want to stay in an apartment, check out Apartment Gosauschmied (2-bedroom apartments with shared spa), Dangos Mountainview Gosau (2-bedroom apartments), Bergzeit Gosau (apartment with private sauna and whirlpool), and Dachstein 7 (1-3 bedroom apartments with shared fitness room and spa).
Hallstatt
The lakeside village of Hallstatt is undeniably alluring, but it’s overrun by tourists.
We recommend staying in Gosau Valley. However, if your mind is set on Hallstatt, take a look at Pension Cafe zum Mühlbach (midrange), lakeside Polreich (B&B), Fenix Hall Hallstatt (midrange), and Boutiquehotel Strand Hallstatt – Adults only (lakeside boutique hotel).
More Austria Hiking Guides
More Hikes in the Dachstein:
- Hofpürglhütte – Sulzenalm Trail
- Rötelstein Peak Hike
- Bachlalm to Neustadtalm Circuit Hike
- 5 Huts Trail in the Dachstein
More Hikes in Salzkammergut:
Day Hikes:
Seasonal Guides:
Travel Itineraries:
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