Your Guide to the Ausseerland in Austria – Highlights & tips
The Ausseerland in Styria is a region worth visiting in every season. You can swim, hike, cycle, ski, or go cross-country skiing here and on top of that, you’ll find traditional festivals, wonderful cuisine and plenty of nature. I spent three days there at the beginning of September because I wanted to attend the Altaussee Kiritag beer tent. But I added two extra days to discover this beautiful region and honestly, I would have loved to stay even longer.
In this post, I’ll tell you about my personal highlights and what you definitely shouldn’t miss. Of course, there’s much more to see and do in the Ausseerland, but these were my very special moments.
The 3-Lakes-Tour
The Ausseerland is particularly famous for its beautiful lakes, and on the 3-Lakes-Tour you can experience three of them at once: Lake Grundlsee, Lake Toplitzsee and Lake Kammersee. For me, this tour was an absolute highlight and the perfect mix of boat ride, walk and nature experience. The best part is that you even get to places that can only be reached by boat. I already know that I’ll definitely do it again (also because part of it quite literally fell through, but more on that in a moment).
Starting at Lake Grundlsee
The tour begins at Lake Grundlsee, the largest lake in Styria. There are two piers, one at the Seehotel and one at the pavilion. I recommend boarding at the Seehotel, because this way you’ll spend more time on the boat. (All ticket information can be found further down).
Tip: It’s best to park at the Fischersteg car park (3 € per hour or 12 € per day). From there it’s about a ten-minute walk to the pier, and you can already enjoy your first stunning views of the lake on the way.
If you have a little extra time: The terrace of the Seehotel Grundlsee is a beautiful spot. You can eat there with a view of the lake (the reviews are excellent, I haven’t tried it myself, but the view alone speaks for itself).
With the Nostalgia Ship to Gößl
From the pier, you take the nostalgia ship across Lake Grundlsee to Gößl. The half-hour ride is wonderful: the view of the mountains, the glittering water, it was simply beautiful.
Walking to Toplitzsee
Once you arrive in Gößl, the journey continues on foot. Depending on the route, you’ll walk about 25 – 35 minutes to Lake Toplitzsee. I especially recommend the circular hiking trail: it first leads along a forest path, past the Ranftlmühle mill, to the Fischerhütte at the lake. For the way back, you walk along a gravel road past the impressive Gößler Wand and charming little houses along the way. A walk I can truly recommend!
By Plätte across Lake Toplitzsee to Lake Kammersee
Lake Toplitzsee lies idyllically between forests and mountains, and here comes the next highlight: the Plätten, traditional wooden boats that take you across the lake. The ride takes about 20 minutes and is really special, since you pass waterfalls that can only be seen from the boat, because there’s no path or road around the lake.
From the eastern shore, a short forest path leads you to Lake Kammersee. You have around 20 minutes there before heading back with the Plätte.
And here’s the moment I mentioned earlier: just as we were waiting for the next crossing, the weather suddenly turned, and the ride with the Plätte had to be canceled. We were kindly given the chance to take a short ride on the lake and, even if it was only a little sneak peek, those few minutes on the water felt wonderfully idyllic. One thing is certain: I’ll be back, because the waterfalls and Kammersee are still on my list! (So unfortunately, no photos of those two places yet).
Tip: Right at Lake Toplitzsee there’s the Fischerhütte. Unfortunately, it was closed during my visit, but the place looks really cozy.
Practical Information
TICKETS:
3-Lakes-Tour: Adults 33.70 €, children (6 – 15 years) 20.20 €
Best to buy online; remaining tickets are also available at the pier
You don’t have to do the full tour, both the nostalgia ship ride on Lake Grundlsee and the Plätte ride on Lake Toplitzsee can be booked separately.
DURATION:
Allow at least 3.5 – 4 hours for the entire tour, depending on how much time you spend at each stop. You’re generally quite flexible, just keep an eye on the departure times of the ship on Grundlsee.
SCHEDULES:
Lake Grundlsee boat: according to timetable, 5x daily until October 26 (then again starting May 2026)
Lake Toplitzsee Plätten: from 10 a.m., about every 30 minutes until around 3.30 p.m. (in high season until 4.30 p.m.), until October 26, starting May 2026 again
PARKING:
Fischersteg parking lot
3 € per hour or 12 € per day from 9 a.m – 6 p.m.: pay at the ticket machine or via the EasyPark app
Culinary Tip: Gasthaus Seeblick at Lake Grundlsee
Directly opposite the Fischersteg car park, the road leads up to the Mondi Resort Grundlsee, and right there you’ll find Gasthaus Seeblick. It’s the perfect stop after returning from the 3-Lakes-Tour (but check the opening times!).
The restaurant is cozy yet modern, and the terrace with its view of Grundlsee is simply stunning. The menu offers classic Austrian dishes and we were truly impressed. We had beef broth with Frittaten (pancake strips) and Grießnockerl (semolina dumplings), and afterwards, we just had to try the regional specialty: Ausseer char, pan-fried and served with potatoes and lettuce, absolutely delicious! The chanterelle risotto was also a delight. Definitely recommended!
OPENING HOURS:
Daily 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. (in the winter months best to check in advance, sometimes closed at midday/afternoon)
ADDRESS:
Gasthaus Seeblick am Grundlsee, Archkogl 312, 8993 Grundlsee
Ride with the Loser Panoramic Cable Car
The Ausseerland isn’t just about beautiful lakes, it also has an impressive mountain landscape. One of the easiest and most comfortable ways to experience it is with the Loser Panoramic Cable Car. Even the ride itself in the large, modern gondola is an experience, with incredible views out the window.
Tip: At the mid-station, make sure to get out and walk a few steps further to change into the gondola up to the top station, I almost missed this.
From the Mountain Station to Lake Augstsee
At the top, you can choose between different hiking routes of varying difficulty. But even if, like me, you’re not a big hiker, it’s worth the short walk to Lake Augstsee. In just a few minutes, you’ll reach this small, crystal-clear mountain lake surrounded by peaks.
Along the way, the views are breathtaking, I had to stop again and again to take it all in. During my visit, the weather wasn’t the best (as you can probably see in my photos), but Lake Augstsee was still incredibly. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be on a sunny day!
Tip: Right by the mountain station, you’ll also find the Bergrestaurant Loseralm, the perfect place to recharge after your hike.
Practical Information
TICKETS:
Round-trip: Adults 29 €, Youth (2007 – 2009) 25 €, Children (2010 – 2019) 15 €, Children born 2020 or later free with an accompanying adult
More tariffs & details available online!
OPENING HOURS:
From October: weekends only (Sat & Sun 8.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Autumn holidays: Oct 27 – Nov 2, daily 8.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE:
Always check beforehand, as the cable car may not run in bad weather! Alternatively, during the summer season, when the cable car isn’t operating, you can drive up the panoramic road (toll required).
PARKING:
Free parking available directly at the valley station
Festivals in the Ausseerland
The most beautiful way to get to know the Ausseerland is at one of the traditional festivals. A highlight of the year is the Altaussee beer tent and the fair or, as it is called in the Ausseerland: Altausseer Kiritåg-Bierzelt. Tradition is taken very seriously here: the historic beer tent is made of wood, almost unchanged since the 1960s. There is no loudspeaker music, only live music is played inside the tent, and people dance wherever they like. I also loved the fact that almost all visitors are dressed in traditional costume. On the meadow in front of the tent, beer tables are set up with views of the Loser mountain and the surrounding peaks, a really dreamlike backdrop. A fair or beer tent couldn’t be more beautiful!
There are also rides such as bumper cars, Tagada, a children’s train, and my personal highlight: the chain carousel. Flying through the air with a view of the mountains was something truly special. In the Lupitscherzelt there is also the very traditional Stahelschießen.
Culinary highlights are plenty as well: roast chicken, bratwurst with sauerkraut, smoked char, French fries and of course beer, wine, schnapps, or non-alcoholic drinks. What I found especially sweet: the sauerkraut for the bratwurst is prepared by the so-called “Krautfrauen”. I even had the chance to chat with them and watch them prepare the Kraut. A beautiful tradition that shows how much heart and soul goes into this festival and it’s incredible to see the amounts the women prepare in just four days, all in the almost same traditional way as in the past.
On Sunday and Monday, the fair stalls are set up as well. There you’ll find gingerbread hearts (almost a must at every fair) and many beautiful traditional souvenirs. I found the Herzerlbrennerin particularly charming, where you can choose a wooden heart and have a saying or name burned into it, a very special keepsake from a wonderful festival. The decorative hearts, which have a new design every year, are also a lovely tradition.
Tip: Make sure to mark the date for next year in your calendar: September 5 – 7, 2026
Practical information
ENTRY:
Admission to the beer tent and fair is free!
PARKING:
There is a very large parking lot right next to the festival grounds (just follow the signs in town that lead you to the parking area). In 2025, parking cost 5 € for the whole day.
Another famous festival in the region is of course the Narzissenfest, which takes place every May, it is Austria’s largest flower festival. With its elaborate daffodil figures, music, traditional costumes, and delicious food, it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss.
Tip: In 2026, the Narzissenfest will take place from May 28 – 31 in Bad Aussee.
Altaussee and Lake Altaussee
Altaussee is one of the four towns of the Ausseerland, alongside Bad Aussee, Grundlsee, and Bad Mitterndorf. This charming little town is worth visiting not only during the Kiritåg, but also at any other time and chances are, you’ll want to stay longer than planned. I especially liked the many charming houses, often decorated with flowers. It was simply wonderful to stroll through the streets and soak up the atmosphere. And of course, no visit is complete without seeing the Lake Altaussee. The water is so clear and shimmers dark blue, it’s simply beautiful. I walked along the shore, sat down on a jetty, and enjoyed the peace and quiet.
Tip: Around the lake runs the Altausseer Seenrundweg, a circular trail of about 7 km (very easy to walk). It offers fantastic views of the mountains, benches for breaks, and restaurants to stop at along the way.
Bad Aussee
The next day I headed to Bad Aussee. This small town with around 5,000 inhabitants is a well-known spa town and, in my opinion, a truly special place. A walk along the Traun river is definitely a must here and I know, I keep repeating myself, but the panorama was once again breathtaking. After that I strolled through the streets. There are so many small traditional shops and old craft businesses here (at Leithner Hats, for example, they have been making the typical Altaussee hats since 1532).
Bad Aussee was named the most beautiful flower town in Styria this year and if you take a walk through the Kurpark, you’ll instantly understand why. In addition to the flowerbeds and the pretty fountain, you’ll also find the Mittelpunktstein here, because Bad Aussee has officially been determined as the geographical center of Austria.
There is another curiosity as well: the largest Mercedes star in the world (27 m). And not where you might expect it, in a car dealership, but of all places on a pedestrian bridge in Bad Aussee. Right across the street you’ll also find the office of the Ausseerland Tourism Board, so if you need more information about the region, you’re in the right place.
Tip: You’ll find reasonably priced parking right in the center, for example at the paid parking lot Pratergasse (0.50 € per 30 minutes, 4 € for 6 hours, or 6 € for 24 hours) or in the short-term parking zone Oppauerplatz (0.50 € per 30 minutes, max. 2 hours) valid Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. There’s also a handy map showing all parking options in Bad Aussee.
A particularly beautiful way to discover Bad Aussee is along the Via Artis theme trail. Covering about 10 kilometers, the route takes you past artist stations, viewpoints, and historic sites. Along the way you’ll encounter names like Gustav Mahler or Sigmund Freud, who left their traces here. Each station is marked with information boards, so you learn the interesting details right on site. In total, there are three different Via Artis trails: one in Bad Aussee, one in Grundlsee, and one in Altaussee.
The traditional Ausseer Dirndl
At the Kiritåg I had already admired the traditional dirndls all day, and I didn’t want to miss the chance to try on one myself. Since Bad Aussee is considered the capital of traditional costume, it was the perfect place to go shopping. I was recommended the store Rastl Gwand, and I really was warmly welcomed and given great advice there. You’ll find the traditional Ausseer dirndl and everything that goes with it: jackets, blouses, headbands, and of course also lederhosen. The color combination of green, pink and purple is particularly well known, and I tried on a Dirndl in exactly these colors and immediately fell in love with it. However, an Ausseer Dirndl can, in principle, come in any individual colors.
Tip: The colors of the traditional Ausseer dirndl even have a meaning: green stands for forests and meadows, pink for alpine roses, and purple for gentian.
The best part is that you can not only buy ready-made dirndls, but also have your very own tailor-made. From a huge selection of fabrics, you choose your favorite colors and patterns and believe me, there are so many beautiful options that it’s almost impossible to decide.
So: make sure to try on a dirndl when you’re in the Ausseerland. You’ll see how beautiful it looks. And it gives you a very special keepsake from the region and the perfect outfit for the next Narzissenfest or Kiritåg.
ADDRESS:
Rastl Gwand, Meranplatz 39, 8990 Bad Aussee
OPENING HOURS:
Mon – Fri: 8.30 a.m – 12 p.m. & 2.30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sat: 8.30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. (closed Wednesday afternoons)
Ödensee and Kohlröserlhütte
Actually, we only came to the Ödensee for lunch, since we had a reservation at the Kohlröserlhütte. But we ended up staying much longer because we liked the place so much.
Lunch at the Kohlröserlhütte
The Kohlröserlhütte is not just a simple inn, but a paradise of culinary delights as the owners like to say. In addition to the restaurant, in summer there is also a shop with regional products and offerings such as cooking and grilling classes.
There’s a terrace with a beautiful view of the lake and nature, and inside you sit in a very cozy dining room. The food was excellent. Since I had already tried the pan-fried char the day before, this time I had it as a soup starter. Then there was a delicious beef tartare with ciabatta, and because you can almost never go wrong with it in Austria, a classic schnitzel couldn’t be missed. Everything was really outstanding.
Walk around the Ödensee
The Ödensee is a natural lake in the municipality of Bad Mitterndorf and one of the smaller lakes in the Salzkammergut. After lunch, we walked a bit around the lake and what can I say: although it was raining (or maybe exactly because of that), the atmosphere was incredible, almost mystical and so quiet. Combined with the great meal, it made for a perfect afternoon I won’t forget anytime soon.
Tip: The circular walk around the lake (about 45 minutes) is highly recommended: a flat, easy path, perfect for a relaxed stroll before or after a meal.
Practical information
ADDRESS:
Kohlröserlhütte, Ödensee 144, 8990 Bad Aussee
OPENING HOURS:
Mon – Wed: 11.30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri & Sat: 11.30 a.m. – 8 p.m. , Sunday brunch: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PARKING:
Large free parking area just a few steps away from the Kohlröserlhütte
Tauplitz Waterfall and Sagtümpel
Even though the weather that day wasn’t really on our side, we still didn’t want to miss the Tauplitz Waterfall.
There are two ways to get to the waterfall: You can hike to the waterfall starting from the town of Tauplitz (about 2 hours), or, like us, you can choose the easier option. For this, park directly near the waterfall (enter Sagtümpel in your GPS and park at the P3 lot next to the road/Gnanitzweg. Note: there aren’t too many parking spaces) and take a leisurely 10-minute walk through the forest.
When you reach the waterfall, you’ll find a small wooden bridge with a signpost. From here, you have two options for experiencing the waterfall:
Waterfall height (Wasserfallhöhe): Go straight ahead before the bridge and up a few wooden steps. At the top, there’s a bench where you can admire the waterfall from above.
Waterfall base (Wasserfallboden): Cross the wooden bridge and follow the path up and slightly to the right into the forest. Although it might seem wrong at first, you’ll come to a narrow, slightly uneven forest trail that will lead you down to the base of the waterfall in about 10 minutes. There, you’ll also find a bench, known as the Glücksplatzerl, from where you can enjoy the natural spectacle up close.
The waterfall is about 30 meters high, and of course, the amount of water depends a lot on the season and the weather. When I visited, it flowed rather gently instead of roaring, but it was still beautiful to see, and the trip was definitely worth it despite the rain.
Afterwards, it’s worth making a detour to the Sagtümpel, about 15 minutes away from the waterfall. This is a vaucluse karst spring, meaning the water is pushed up from below by an underground spring. That alone makes the place special, but in addition the atmosphere around the pool is very mystical. You can even see the merman from the old folk tale sitting here.
Accommodation tip: Hagan Lodge
For overnight stays, I can recommend the Hagan Lodge in Altaussee. Just near the valley station of the Loser Panoramic Cable Car, you’ll find a chalet village with cozy holiday homes. The lodges are lovingly furnished and very spacious, with a small kitchen equipped with everything you need, a living room, and bedroom(s) on the first floor. We felt very comfortable. The best part is stepping outside in the morning and immediately being greeted by the breathtaking mountain view.
There’s also a practical breakfast service: you simply fill out a list with your wishes like bread rolls, croissants, jam, cold cuts, cheese, eggs, etc. and the next morning (except on Sundays and public holidays) your breakfast bag with all the ingredients is hanging right at your door, ready for you to prepare in your own kitchen. Very convenient, because you don’t have to go shopping yourself.
All in all, it’s a truly relaxing place that perfectly matches the overall feeling of the Ausseerland and a wonderful base for exploring the region.
Have you ever been to the Ausseerland? Feel free to share your favorite experiences in the comments!
