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Hinterer Gosausee, Gosaulacke und Vorderer Gosausee, Upper Austria, Austria photo by
Tigerente –

Top 10 Incredible Facts about Gosauseen

Austria is well-known for its stunning alpine scenery and strenuous hikes. Hearing about it, on the other hand, is not the same as seeing it with your own eyes. Each region of the country is distinct, yet they all have one feature: the gorgeous, towering peaks, spectacular mountain ranges, and turquoise water lakes that can be found throughout the country.

And, thanks to well-maintained routes and a plethora of cable cars, anyone can reach the most spectacular locations. Gosauseen is one of its most well-known attractions.

Gosauseen is located near Gosau, which is close to Salzburg. The breathtaking perspective of the Dachstein Glacier rising behind the mountain lake serves to consolidate Gosau as one of the top tourism destinations in the Salzkammergut, just as the gorgeous vistas draw visitors to the lakeside town of Hallstatt.

Few visitors to this breathtaking natural wonder are aware that damming boosted the lake’s depth by 12 meters to produce a greater water reservoir and more effective hydroelectric power production. Here are the top 10 incredible facts about Gosauseen.

1. Gosauseen is a joint name for three glacial lakes near Salzburg

Vorderer Gosausee – Front Gosau Lake near the town of Gosau, Austria photo by Dimitry Anikin –

Gosauseen is a joint name for three glacial lakes near Salzburg. The largest Vorderer Gosausee lake is located between the Dachstein glacier and the Gosaui ridge’s sharp peaks.

This lake is the biggest of the three. At the more accessible end, there is an aerial tramway. Visitors can swim, dive – even beneath the ice in the winter – and fish in these crystal clear lakes with drinking water quality.

On the Gosausee lake walking path, tourists may appreciate the iconic ‘instagrammable’ panorama all year and frozen waterfalls in the winter. Hinterer Gosausee is the series’ most isolated and middle-sized lake.

2. It’s located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt

The Gosauseen is a little protected mountain lake surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Gosauseen, located in the UNESCO World Heritage zone of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut, is one of the region’s most picturesque locations.

Hallstatt, an Austrian town founded in the 16th century, is located on a tiny spit of land between the mountain and the lake. Churches, Alpine chalets, and high mountains reflect a glittering, dreamlike splendour on the lake.

Traditional wooden ‘fua’ boats that were once used to transport products across the lake drift calmly on the water. Until the end of the nineteenth century, the only way to get to Hallstatt was by boat or through tight corridors in the attics of homes.

According to the Washington Post, a million people visited this town in 2018, which is 347 times more tourists per person than Hong Kong, one of the most visited cities in the world, even though the only thing visitors can do here is roaming about outside.

3. Gosauseen formed during the last Ice age

It is thought that the glaciers and glaciers of this mountain range are still feeding the Gosauseen lakes today. These lakes are thought to have formed during the last ice age. All three lakes are under state protection.

4. The entire group of lakes is more than 5 kilometres in length

The total length of the entire group of lakes is more than 5 kilometres in length. They are connected only by long channels formed during the melting of glaciers.

5. Gosauseen is encircled by Dachstein Mountains

View of the Dachstein from the Almbergweg photo by Stefan Kasberger –

The Dachstein Mountains encircle the lakes, and their glaciers sculpted the landforms and continue to impact the hydrology of the area. Dachstein Mountains are a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps.

The Austrian Alpine Club uses the name in their classification of the Eastern Alps as one of the 24 sub-ranges of the Northern Limestone Alps.

The two isolated peaks of Grimming and Sarstein were counted as part of the Dachstein range since both have been broken off the Dachstein limestone block, although being hydrographically and orographically distinct. This classification first debuted in the Alps in 1924, in the Moriggl Division.

6. Its main inflow comes from the medium-sized inner lake

This water is in the centre of three lakes, the outer and inner Gosausee. The word See refers to a lake, whereas the word Lacke (puddle) refers to a shallow water body with significant changes in surface level (intermittent lake), even occasionally drying up, as may be seen with a Salt Lake.

Rain and thawing snow fill the lake at Gosaulacke. Its primary inflow is from the medium-sized inner lake, while its main outflow feeds the much bigger outer lake.

7. Gosauseen is directly connected with the Hallstättersee through a cave system

Hallstätter-See Hallstattsee photo by Ray Swi-hymn –

Through a network of caves, the Hinterer Gosausee and the Hallstättersee are directly connected. It also provides water for the Gosaulacke or Gosau Pool, which gets its water primarily from snowmelt in the spring or when the water level in the Hinterer Gosausee rises over a particular point.

Divers enjoy visiting the Vorderer Gosausee in particular because of its crystal-clear water.

8. It offers a plethora of outdoor free-time activities

Photo by Joel & Jasmin Førestbird on

The Gosau lakes today provide a variety of outdoor leisure activities, from popular hiking and walking paths to exhilarating fixed-rope climbing courses, in addition to being a beloved photographic subject.

Electric boats and lovely swimming areas are among the options offered by the “Vorderer” Lake Gosau for those who appreciate the water. This natural gem is also a must-see for every diver thanks to its diverse aquatic environment, pure waters, and breathtaking underwater vistas of the Dachstein.

The recreation options on the lake that are assembled for visitors include rustic alpine lodges and a restaurant.

9. It presents beautiful sceneries for visitors

The Laserer via ferrata is the most breathtaking place to take in the magnificent scenery. This very easy climbing route may be divided into two sections and is great for both novices and experts.

The first section of the trail is only a few meters above the lake’s surface and is rather simple to complete. Although the second half is a little more difficult, it rewards hikers with breath-taking vistas of the Dachstein mountains and the Gosauseen lake’s turquoise waters below.

One of the top 7 places and adventures in Austria for tourists who enjoy mountain vistas and a little adventure is to take a via ferrata in Gosauseen!

Check out intriguing facts about Aussichtspunkt Hallstatt.

10. The Gosauseen area consists of several mountain huts or cabins

Around the lake area, there are several mountain huts or cabins, including the Adamekhütte, Hofpürglhütte, and Gablonzer Hütte. There are hiking trails connecting each of these cabins.

Along with the previously mentioned Hallstatt and Mount Dachstein with its glacier, other nearby attractions include Bad Aussee, Lake Grundlsee, and the towns of Bad Goisern and Altaussee.

You can also check out some remarquable facts about Berchtesgaden and Lake Konigssee in Germany.