Description of the attraction
Lake Altausersee is part of the large mountainous region of the Salzkammergut and is located in the Austrian federal state of Styria. It is located about 15 kilometers from another famous local landmark - the city of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lake itself is bordered from the northeast by a mountain range known as the Dead Mountains, and to the west is the large commune of Altaussee, which functions as a popular spa resort. The Traun River with all its tributaries flows into the lake. It should be noted that the Altausersee lake is alpine, the maximum height above sea level exceeds 700 meters.
The area around Lake Altausersee has been inhabited since the time of the Western Roman Empire - from about the second century AD. It should be noted that this area is rich in salt reserves, so the first salt well appeared here in the 12th century. It is interesting that several adits function to this day.
Lake Altausersee is very popular among tourists. Convenient footpaths were arranged along its banks, the total length of which reaches 7.5 kilometers. From here, a stunning view of the nearest peaks of the Dead Mountains opens, the highest of which are Loser (1838 meters), Trisselwand (1755 meters) and Sandling (1717 meters). Especially worth noting is the first mountain, which received the name "Aussee's ear" due to its unusual shape. You can climb to its top on a toll road or on foot - along a steep ascent 9 kilometers long. In winter, a real paradise for ski lovers reigns here. Several exquisite restaurants are located on the slopes of this mountain. The rocks themselves were formed over 65 million years ago.
As for the lake itself, its depth strongly depends on the change of seasons - in summer it dries up a lot, and in autumn and spring it is filled with water again due to rains and melting snow. A variety of fish from the salmon family, including trout, are found here. And since 2011, a small ship, a solar-powered catamaran, has been sailing on Lake Altausersee.
