Gosausee was our first stop after arriving in the Hallstatt area.

We didn’t arrive until the afternoon; the weather wasn’t on our side and the cable car had stopped running. Even so, the short walk around the lake had its charm. The rolling clouds between the mountains and the lake looked truly majestic!

Book a hotel in Gosau

Right next to the car park liesthe largerVorderer Gosausee, which, in good weather, offers views of the Dachstein massif. Next time, I’d arrive first thing in the morning, take the cable car up to Zwieselalm and carry on to the more distant Hinterer Gosausee.

How much time should you allow?

Set aside at least half a day for the whole trip, ideally a full day.

• About 1.5 hours – an easy circular walk around the Vorderer Gosausee, over 4 km long
  • route map
• Half a day – a circular walk around the lake combined with a cable car ride and a short walk to Zwieselalm
• A full day – a walk all the way to Hinterer Gosausee (12 km in total), possibly combined with a morning cable car ride
  • route map

The route also passes the smaller lake, Gosaulacke, which may be almost dry during drier periods. Entry to the lakes is free.

The Gosaukammbahn cable car

The lower station of the Gosaukammbahn cable car is just a few steps from the Vorderer Gosausee. The cable car runs every 15 minutes to Zwieselalm, from where you can continue on either shorter or full-day hiking routes.

During the summer season, the cable car operates daily from early May to early November. The first departure is at 8.15 am; the last departure is at 6.00 pm during the peak season and at 5.00 pm in spring and autumn.

Cable car ticket prices for adults are as follows:

• Online purchase via the official website – 24,50 eur / return or 17,20 eur one-way
• Purchased on-site at the ticket office – 26 eur (return) or 18,20 eur (one-way)

Discounts are available for families, young people and children; see detailed information:dachstein.at//gosaukammbahn

How to get to Gosausee

It takes about 30 minutes by car from Hallstatt. The road ends just below Vorderer Gosausee, where you’ll find several pay-and-display car parks.

The closest car park to the lake is P1, which is best suited for shorter visits. For the first 3 hours, you’ll pay 3 eur per hour; for longer stays, the price increases to 15 eur.

For a half-day or full-day trip, car parks P4 and P5 offer better value. Parking for 5 hours costs 7 eur and all-day parking 15 eur. You can find the price list on the Gosau municipality’s website.

How do I pay for parking?

• On site at a pay machine (by card or cash)
• Via the EasyPark mobile app

Bus number 542 also runs to the lake from the town of Bad Ischl, terminating right by the lake and the lower cable car station.

When travelling from Hallstatt, change at the Gosaumühle stop from bus number 543 or 544. Depending on the connections, allow for a journey time of approximately one hour.

You can only reliably find transport timetables and exact fare prices on the local transport operator’s website,ooevv.at.

Where to stay near Lake Gosau

If you want to combine a visit to the lake with a cable car ride and a trip to Hinterer Gosausee, consider staying in Gosau itself. You’ll reach the lake more quickly in the morning and won’t have to worry about catching the last cable car of the afternoon.

Gosau stretches several kilometres along the valley. When choosing accommodation, therefore, check its location on the map and look primarily for options in the Hintertal area, which lies closest to the lake.

• Hotel tip right by the lake:Gasthof Gosausee – it’s more expensive, but the location is simply unbeatable
• A hotel I was considering:COOEE alpin Hotel Dachstein– a modern, superb hotel right in the centre of Gosau

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Hallstatt.