TraunseeAbout Traunsee
Traunsee is a lake in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria, noted for clear water and steep mountain shores. It is one of the deeper lakes in Austria and a central landscape feature around the town of Gmunden.
Visitors come for lakeside promenades in Gmunden, boat trips on the water and walks or climbs on the surrounding peaks, especially the prominent Traunstein on the eastern shore. The small island castle Schloss Ort near the northern shore is a frequent photographic subject and local attraction.
The shoreline settlements developed in the medieval period and later became part of the Salzkammergut leisure and spa region. The lake has long been used for fishing and transport and more recently for tourism and recreation.
Traunsee lies in Upper Austria’s Salzkammergut, immediately south of the town of Gmunden and about an hour’s drive from the city of Linz, set among steep wooded hills and limestone peaks.
- Depth: One of Austria’s deeper lakes with a maximum depth of about 191 metres; visibility and steep shores create dramatic reflections of the surrounding mountains.
- Town and access: Gmunden on the northern shore is the principal town and gateway for visitors, with boat services that operate on the lake in the warmer months.
What to See#
- Schloss Ort: A small medieval castle sitting on a tiny island near the northern shore that dates in its present form to the 12th century and is a landmark of Gmunden.
- Traunstein (mountain): The steep limestone mountain on the lake’s eastern side rises prominently above the water and is a familiar landmark visible from much of the shore.
Best Time to Visit Traunsee
Best visited late spring through early autumn for mild weather and lake activities.
Weather & Climate near Traunsee
Traunsee's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1299 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 2° | -3° | 83 mm | overcast | 93% | 1.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 4° | -2° | 74 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.1h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 8° | 2° | 98 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 6° | 95 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 18° | 13° | 110 mm | overcast | 78% | 1.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.9h |
| June | Acceptable | 11° - 21° | 16° | 145 mm | overcast | 77% | 1.7 m/s | 1.5 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 167 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 1.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 18° | 139 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 1.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 8° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 6° | 2° | 98 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 3° | -2° | 98 mm | overcast | 92% | 1.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
How to Get to Traunsee
Traunsee is best reached via the market town of Gmunden on the lake’s north shore. From Linz take an ÖBB regional train to Gmunden (regional services run frequently) - the walk from Gmunden Bahnhof to the lakefront and town centre is roughly 10-15 minutes. By car from Linz it’s under an hour: follow the A1 motorway west/southwest and then regional roads into Gmunden (signposted for Salzkammergut/Traunsee). Local buses also serve lakeside villages from Gmunden.
Tips for Visiting Traunsee
- Aim for early morning or late afternoon light around Traunsee: calm water and reflections make boat photos and lakeshore promenades (especially in Gmunden) much better than the busy midday hours.
- Use Gmunden (north shore) if coming by train-its station links to the Salzkammergut regional rail and places you within easy walking distance of Schloss Ort and the main ferry pier; Ebensee serves well as a southern access point if coming by car.
- Take one of the lake ferries (Traunsee-Schifffahrt) to reach smaller lakeside stops such as Traunkirchen-these mid-lake stops let you avoid the biggest crowds and give access to quieter walks and the Traunkirchen church.
- Don't skip the uphill viewpoints: the hikes up to Traunstein or short ridges above Traunkirchen reward you with panoramic views of the whole lake that most day-trippers miss.