A vacation is a wonderful way to combine relaxation and activity! Leave everyday life behind and head to the springs of the streams that feed Lake Wolfgang with their clear waters, and to secluded spots with ever-changing views.
Around Lake Wolfgang, there are numerous opportunities to make your well-deserved vacation active and sporty. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer a round of golf to a game of tennis or a jog to diving.
Here in the beautiful Salzkammergut, you have the opportunity to practice almost any sport during your stay.
Cycling / Mountain biking
What would Lake Wolfgangsee be without gentle cycling paths and challenging mountain bike trails? Guided cycling tours are offered weekly as a special “in the saddle” experience – fun, sociable, full of scenic surprises, and a little sweaty, but overall extremely stimulating for body and soul, also a hallmark of the vital Wolfgangsee we all love.
Tour suggestions
Hofwandalm - Lap
A beautiful tour above Lake Wolfgangsee; also suitable for beginners. The ascent and descent are on a fine gravel forest road.
Difficulty level: 2
Starting point: Gasthof Zinkenbachmühle
Ending point: Gasthof Zinkenbachmühle
Length: 15.5 km
Elevation gain: 499 m
Signage: Well-signposted route, route number 47
Route: Gravel forest road
Whichever direction you take the route, each offers a very beautiful variation. The starting point is the Gasthof Zinkenbachmühle in Abersee. On the paved municipal road, you return for about 300 m towards St. Gilgen. Shortly after "Zinkenbach-Bauer," a forest road branches off to the left.
We follow this route to the Gscheidalm and then turn left uphill towards the Hofwandalm. We pass a barrier in the forest and after 7 km reach the highest point (990 m) at the Hofwandalm.
After reaching the Hofwandalm, the trail descends again. The route leads us into the Steingraben, where we pass another barrier and then turn right onto the forest road, which leads downhill to the Meindlalm and into the Brunn district.
Here we turn right onto the municipal road to Abersee and reach our starting point.
Schafberg - Lap
Beautiful tour above Lake Wolfgangsee; also suitable for beginners. Ascent and descent are via a fine gravel forest road.
Difficulty level: 2
Length: 41 km
Elevation gain: 680 m
Route: One-third gravel forest roads, two-thirds asphalt roads, partly with considerable excursion traffic.
This tour is described here in a counter-clockwise direction. Sporty bikers may also enjoy riding clockwise, which turns the steep descents between Eisenaueralm and Lake Mondsee into climbs.
We start in the center of Strobl at the lakeshore and cross the Ache river, which flows into Lake Wolfgangsee here. The local road leads us to the provincial road towards St. Wolfgang. We turn left briefly and immediately take the first gravel path on the right, which leads over the Schwarzenbach and Rußbach streams and then turns left towards Rußbach. At the intersection, keep straight towards Schwarzensee. In the district of Rußbach, we ride on the usually quiet excursion road to Lake Schwarzensee (2.5 km). The gradient of up to 17% leads us to the parking lot at the southern shore of Lake Schwarzensee (716 m). To the left is the lakeside restaurant Lore, but we stay to the right on the eastern shore and follow the flat asphalt road to the Bacherlalm. Here, a forest road begins with a slight climb to the Moosalm intersection, where we keep left. Crossing several ravines over undulating terrain, we reach the provincial border to Salzburg. A final ascent leads us to the highest point of the loop (1,015 m) and the Eisenaueralm.
Now a partly very steep descent begins; inexperienced riders should push their bikes here if necessary. We reach the Kienbach valley and see Lake Mondsee lying below us. At the popular snack station "Holzingerbauer," we reach the federal highway 154, which we turn into to the left. From here, our route follows the "Salzkammergut Cycle Path" all the way back to Strobl. Now begins a 2 km long, gentle climb to the Scharflinger Höhe (607 m). On the descent, we pass the deep green Krotensee and see Hüttenstein Castle on the left. On the main road, we continue to roll slightly downhill past two inns until the first possible turn-off to the left into the village of St. Gilgen.
Cycling steeply up and down between old trees, we get closer to the lakeshore and pass beautiful villas and the yacht club until we see the parish church of St. Gilgen ahead. In the village center, we keep left, passing the birthplace of Mozart’s mother and the lakeside restaurant Fischer. We continue along the busy beach promenade; above to the right, we see the yellow-red gondola lift to the Zwölferhorn (1,521 m), a magnificent panoramic mountain. To the left across the other side of the lake lies the Schafberg (1,782 m) with the Himmelspforthütte and the Hotel Schafbergspitze at the summit. At the Lueg holiday farm, we reach a cycling and walking path that runs straight between the federal highway and the shore. The cycle path runs over a small hill and then returns to the lakeshore, where a large wooden cross stands on the left, commemorating the victims of the terrible bus accident of 1995.
This is how we reach the district of Abersee at the Gamsjaga Inn. The cycle path stays along the B 158 until the turn-off to Stockach. On a side road, we turn left and then right through a beautiful mixed forest towards Aberseehof. We pass a sawmill, turn left briefly into the access road to the lake (and the small ferry to St. Wolfgang), and immediately turn right again. At a blue detached house, the path seems to end, but it goes around the house and behind it over a suspension bridge specifically built for cyclists across the Zinkenbach. Passing through a small woods again, we arrive in the district of Forsthub, where the boat landing for the crossing to St. Wolfgang is located on the left. We first turn right and then left onto the cycle path into the Blinklinger Moos, which brings us back to Strobl.
Starting variant from St. Wolfgang: see the beginning of the Schwarzensee - Lap
Schwarzensee - Lap
Difficulty: 2
Length: 18 km
Elevation Gain: 333 m
Route: Approximately half gravel forest roads and half asphalt roads
We begin our tour at the parking lot in front of the St. Wolfgang bypass tunnel and follow the busy main road heading east. At Schwarzenbach, we continue straight through the intersection and, after crossing the bridge over the Schwarzenbach stream, turn right onto the gravel path. At the first opportunity, we turn left, cross the Grabner Bach and Rußbach streams, and then turn left again. Following an asphalted side road, we reach a junction where we continue straight toward Schwarzensee. In the district of Rußbach, a climb of up to 17% begins on a usually quiet excursion road, leading up to the parking lot on the southern shore of Lake Schwarzensee (716 m).
We stay to the right along the eastern shore and follow the level asphalt road to the Bacherlalm. Here, we turn left onto the gravel forest road, which leads us picturesquely along the lakeshore to the Seerestaurant Lore. Just before reaching it, we turn right and follow the Schwarzenbach, which drains the lake. Now begins a partly quite steep ascent to the saddle, where we are rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake Wolfgangsee. On the descent, we pass the popular "Holzerbauer" snack station and cycle steeply downhill back to St. Wolfgang to the starting point of our tour.
Alternative start from Strobl: see Schafberg - Lap
Zwölferhorn - classical
Difficulty: High (suggested based on elevation)
Length: 39 km
Elevation Gain: 1,492 m
Route: Gravel forest roads
This tour takes you through a beautiful alpine pasture area, passing many idyllic and quietly situated mountain huts. There is also an option to use the Zwölferhorn cable car with a mountain bike.
The starting point of the tour is the "Gamsjaga" inn in the district of Schwand. Here, we turn right onto the side road toward Abersee. In the district of Brunn, at the yellow and black barrier, we turn right into the so-called "Steingraben" and follow the steadily ascending forest road via the Meindlalm until we reach the junction for the Steingrubenalm. Continuing uphill, we reach the Braunauerhütte, where the terrain levels out as we arrive at the Illingeralm. To cross the saddle, we must push or carry the bikes for a short section before reaching the Pillstein Saddle. This is followed by another short carrying section to the Pillstein (alternatively, you can take the new path on the left to the Pillstein).
The route continues first on a trail and then on a gravel alpine road to the summit of the Zwölferhorn (1,521 m). We begin the return journey on the same path initially but turn right at the first opportunity toward the Sausteigalm. The alpine road leads in several switchbacks across the Stubneralm and then more gently to the parking lot at the Sausteigalm. Passing under the power lines and the gondola lift, we reach a saddle. From here, a technically challenging descent begins via alpine paths to the Farchbachalm and continues until it merges back into the forest road in the Steingraben, which we used for the ascent. Here, we turn left and return to the starting point via the same route.
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Wassersport
Wie wär’s mit Tuberiding, einem Rodeo auf den Wellen, einer Runde Wasserski, oder rauf in die Lüfte, am Fallschirm, wie Ikarus an der Leine, gezogen von einem 350 PS starken Motorboot, mit einer beschaulichen Segelparty oder mit einem „Egotrip“ auf dem Surfbrett? Und das alles ohne Schiffspatent und Fischerkarte. Die sogenannten Startpakete und Aktivpakete machen aus dem Angebot für Wassersportfreunde eine nass-runde Sache, wahrlich erfrischend!
Standup-Paddling (SUP)
Whether it’s early in the morning, when you have the lake all to yourself, or later in the day, when you can watch the bustling activity on the water, stand-up paddleboarding - or SUP for short - is fun for all ages.
We have a variety of models available for rent and to try out right here on-site. Just ask us.
Diving
Lake Wolfgang is arguably one of the most beautifully situated Alpine lakes in Austria. It also offers divers excellent visibility and extremely interesting dive sites. Precisely because of its beautiful location, the lake is popular with numerous recreational athletes and those seeking relaxation.
Water Ski Schools
Engel Water Skiing School – http://www.wassersport-engel.at
Grabner Water Skiing School – http://www.joes-wasserski.com
Girbl Water Skiing School – http://www.sport-girbl.at
Stadler Water Skiing School – http://www.schi-total.com
Furian Water Skiing School – http://www.wasserskihotel.at
Raudaschl Water Skiing School – http://www.sportraudaschl.at
Sailing and Surfing Schools
Engel Sailing and Surfing School – www.wassersport-engel.at
Raudaschl Sailing and Surfing School – www.sportraudaschl.at
Appesbach Sailing and Surfing School – www.karibiksegeln.at
Canoeing
Canoeing and kayaking are fantastic activities on Lake Wolfgang. Good entry points include, for example, the swimming area near Gamsjaga in Abersee/Gschwendt, in St. Wolfgang, for instance, at the small public “swimming area” where the ferry docks, and in Strobl at the parking lot next to the weir (where the Ischl “springs”) In principle, however, you can launch your boat anywhere where there is open access to the lake.
Fishing
The uniquely clear and excellent water quality, along with its abundance of fish, make Lake Wolfgang a fisherman’s paradise. The presence of the endangered pearlfish is further proof of the water’s quality.
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Running & Nordic Walking
We’re talking about the hiking trails and running routes around Lake Wolfgang; after all, hiking is balm for the soul, and running is a fountain of youth for the body. A dense network of marked trails winds around the ever-present deep-blue lake, beckoning with rewarding destinations. Leave everyday life behind and head to the headwaters of the streams that feed clear water into Lake Wolfgang and to secluded spots offering ever-changing views.
Or how about Nordic walking? It’s an ideal full-body workout that boosts fitness and stamina. Using poles reduces strain on the joints, allowing you to stride briskly through the countryside. For beginners to this healthy, trendy sport, there are not only numerous routes available. Experienced instructors will guide you along the most beautiful trails. They’ll help you quickly learn the basic techniques and are there to support you with advice and assistance.
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Hiking
Whether on comfortable, well-maintained hiking trails or one of the countless romantic paths, exploring on foot is the best way to discover the most beautiful spots in our region. From interesting themed trails and alpine pasture hikes to scenic summit trails, the entire region offers visitors a unique hiking experience.
The region offers hikers an abundance of possible destinations. With routes of varying difficulty levels, beginners as well as trained and experienced mountain hikers can reach their destinations at any time. The trails are perfectly suited to the respective abilities.
Tour suggestions
The Pilgrims' Path
From Fürberg near St. Gilgen, a historic pilgrimage trail leads over the Falkenstein and through the village of Ried to St. Wolfgang. This is a unique cultural trail in Europe: 24 signposted experience points document its special significance.
Starting Point: Gasthof Fürberg
End Point: Pilgrimage Church
Difficulty: Easy hike
Walking Time: 2.5 – 3 hrs.
Marking/Trail No.: No. 28
Starting from Gasthof Fürberg and passing the "Waldbad" (forest swimming area), follow the hiking trail. Continue a short distance further until a wide but steep path on the left leads up to the former hermitage, the Falkenstein Church. This church, also known as the "Wolfgangibett," is said to have served as a resting place for Saint Wolfgang. Inside the church, you will find the "Wishing Bell." According to legend, if you pull the rope and the clapper strikes three times, your wish will come true.
The trail continues on flatter terrain, passing several chapels, to the Falkenstein Saddle at 795 m. Here, and also a short distance before, marked paths branch off leading to the beautiful viewpoints "Scheffelblick" and "Aberseeblick."
From the saddle, the path goes downhill to the village of Ried. Following the beautiful lakeshore road, you will pass the Schafberg Railway and arrive in the town center of St. Wolfgang. The center is home to the beautiful pilgrimage church as well as the famous "Weisses Rössl".
The best way to return to St. Gilgen is by boat.
Character: Easy hike on wide paths.
Equipment: Hiking boots
Experience Points: 24 signposted experience points
Rest Stops: Gasthof Fürberg or several restaurants in the district of Ried
Around Wolfgangsee
Probably the most famous lakeside circuit leads around Lake Wolfgangsee. Every year in October, thousands of runners come here to tackle the 27 km long and, with 200 meters of elevation gain, challenging course. For hikers, this lakeside circular path is equally attractive and rewarding, though one does not necessarily have to complete the entire distance, as it is possible to return by scheduled ferry from all major towns. The route can be hiked or run in either direction.
Starting Point: St. Wolfgang Parish Church or any other location around Lake Wolfgangsee.
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: 6 hrs.
Trail Markers: Marked with signposts
Section 1: From St. Wolfgang to St. Gilgen (9 km)
From the start at the church in St. Wolfgang, head west on the road, then along the lake to the village of Ried (3 km). Here, turn right off the road; an ascending hiking trail leads to the highest point of the path at a chapel (735 m). From there, it goes gently downhill to the idyllically situated Falkenstein Church and subsequently to Fürberg (inn at km 6, open from May to October).
On a very beautiful hiking path directly along the lakeshore, you reach the charming houses of Brunnwinkl, followed by a short climb to the old Mondsee road, which is lined with stately villas. As soon as the road leaves the forest, the beautiful park of Hotel Billroth opens up on the right. Now, the path leads steeply down the "Sonnbichl" for a short stretch. At Sonnplatz, benches and a magnificent view of the Strobl mountains invite you to rest.
The path now leads past the indoor pool and lido to the church of St. Gilgen (km 9). From there, follow Ischler Straße back to the lake, where the ferry pier is located next to the Fischerwirt. From here, you can take the boat back to St. Wolfgang if desired.
Section 2: From St. Gilgen to Strobl (12 km)
Along the lakeside promenade, you reach the southern entrance of the town, then continue on the paved pedestrian and cycle path, mostly alongside the lakeshore, to the Gamsjaga inn. There, the hiking trail leaves the main road and leads through the villages of Gschwand and Farchen to the Staudachwald, a beautiful mixed forest. After crossing the forest, you reach the village of Abersee-Reith and subsequently the Zinkenbach stream (at km 16).
Once you have crossed the Zinkenbach via the suspension bridge, you are in the municipality of Strobl. The path continues dead straight on the former track bed of the Salzkammergut Local Railway (Ischlerbahn). After 1 km, you return directly to the lake and the Gschwendt ferry pier, from where you can reach all stations of the Wolfgangsee shipping line.
Continue for 500 m on a walkway next to the access road, then turn left and soon arrive at a beautifully situated farmstead, the Pitznerbauer. Follow the "Seeweg" (lake path) to the "Waßbad" (municipal beach) and shortly thereafter reach the Blinklingmoos nature reserve, a massive raised bog. From the eastern end of the bog, it is not far to the first houses of Strobl and the parish church. There is another ferry pier on the lakeside promenade.
Section 3: From Strobl to St. Wolfgang (6 km)
From the parish church, continue along the lakeside promenade to the Klausbrücke with the "Seeklausanlage" (weir), which regulates the outflow of the Ischl River and thus the lake level.
The hiker now leaves the official running course (which turns right onto the road around the rocky Bürglstein) and stays along the lakeshore, soon arriving at a lapidarium - a collection of stones from the area around the lake.
The path then continues—partly on wooden bridges directly over the water - along the rock faces of the Bürglstein to Berau, where it reunites with the running course. On a dedicated pedestrian and cycle path next to the road, follow the shore to the first houses of St. Wolfgang, soon returning to the starting point, the St. Wolfgang Parish Church.
Highest Point: Chapel at Falkenstein, 735 m
Character: 19 km asphalt, 8 km gravel path
Rest Stops: Many restaurants line the path
From Strobl to Zinkenbach
An easy and flat circular tour that initially leads along Lake Wolfgangsee to the Zinkenbach stream and returns to Strobl via a forest path passing the Mahdhäusl.
Starting Point: Strobl Parish Church, 542 m, accessible by private vehicle, bus, or boat (from St. Wolfgang or St. Gilgen).
Length: 15 km
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: approx. 4 hrs.
Marking/Trail No.: Lakeside path (Seeweg) No. 12 to Zinkenbach, then Aberseeweg No. 15 to Mahdhäusl, and finally the railway embankment path (Bahndammweg) No. 10 to Strobl.
From the starting point at the parish church in Strobl, hike through Moosgasse heading south. At the first junction, turn right onto Seestraße to the municipal beach and continue on path No. 12 - the narrow lakeside path through the Blinklingmoos nature reserve—back to the lakeshore and along the water to the "Waßbad" (kiosk open during swimming season). Now follow the lake to the beautifully situated Pitznerbauer farmstead and continue to the Gschwendt boat station. Follow the former railway track bed until you reach the Zinkenbach.
Zinkenbach
This stream drains the central part of the Osterhorn group and carries a large amount of bedload (gravel) during floods. Since the last ice age, it has deposited the large flat area of today's village of "Abersee," creating a narrow point in Lake Wolfgangsee known as "In der Eng."
Continuing the Path
Before the suspension bridge over the Zinkenbach, turn left and hike uphill along the stream on trail No. 15. Pass under the main road and, keeping left, reach Schulstraße, which you follow to the right for 400 m. Turn left here, passing a gravel pit, and then head up into the forest. Now begins a varied hike with gentle ascents and descents, mostly through shaded woodland, offering occasional clear views of Lake Wolfgangsee and the Schafberg mountain. After crossing Niedergadenstraße, you reach the summer toboggan run and subsequently the Mahdhäusl inn (open year-round). From there, follow a narrow road downhill to the main road. Cross it and head over the bridge to the Strobl Heritage House.
Strobl Heritage House (Lipphaus)
Historical farming implements from bygone times are exhibited here. Visits are possible in summer on weekends or by appointment (inquire at the Strobl municipal office). A meadow path leads further to the former track bed of the Salzkammergut Local Railway. Turn right and head east along the track bed, crossing the Blinklingmoos nature reserve a second time. You will soon reach the sports field and eventually return to the Strobl Parish Church where the hike began.
Parking: At the sports field, the municipal beach, or the bus station.
Character: 2.5 km asphalt, 6.5 km gravel path, 6 km trail.
Highest Point: 650 m, above the Mahdhäusl inn.
Rest Stops: In Gschwendt after 4.5 km (Restaurant Weidinger Stuben and Gasthaus Linderhof), after 11 km the Mahdhäusl, as well as several restaurants at the finish point in Strobl.
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Climbing
More and more people want to reach new heights. Not just in their careers, but in their free time as well. And because life shouldn’t always be easy, many choose to tackle via ferrata routes, finding a whole new challenge in the process.
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Other activities at Wolfgangsee
Golf
Golfers know the enthusiasm that keeps drawing them back to the green. A successful round of golf, the allure of a special course – all of this is what makes golf so appealing to players. Golf enthusiasts will find a refined way to enjoy the game in the Salzkammergut golf region. The “best golf school in Austria,” the Franz Laimer Golf Center, helps improve technique and skill. Refined golf, improved play – that’s what a vacation in the Wolfgangsee region is all about.
Paragliding
That means flying fun with minimal effort. All you need is enough strength to pull the glider up – a short sprint, and you’re soaring into the open sky. With simple controls, you can fly and land with precision and confidence. As a paraglider pilot, you enjoy the greatest sense of freedom of any air sport. You can fly in any season.
Horseback riding
Happiness on earth truly lies on horseback. Whether it’s trail riding along long riding trails or taking traditional riding lessons, activities for riders include visits to horse farms, riding arenas, and an indoor riding arena.
Tennis
Exciting matches on 24 outdoor courts and 6 indoor courts. Private tennis lessons and the Wolfgangsee South African Tennis School. Special tennis programs for beginners and advanced players.