Bad Aussee and the Lake Region of Styria

The small town of Bad Aussee lies in a beautiful setting in the Salzkammergut region of Styria. Located where three streams meet to form the Traun River, it is considered the geographical center of Austria, marked by a small monument in the town center.

Bad Aussee is a quiet and pleasant town with about 5,000 inhabitants. It grew mainly thanks to the salt trade, which was so successful in this area. The area around the town is known as Ausseerland and is surrounded by clear lakes and a wonderful mountainous landscape.

Bad Aussee

Ancient buildings define the town, and people have preserved some since the Middle Ages. In the old center, visitors can admire several 14th-century church buildings, old bourgeois houses, and the serene municipal park. In Bad Aussee, there is a well-kept spa complex, primarily for the treatment of various diseases using the Kneipp Cure method. The spa is called Narzissen Vital Resort. Additionally, the town has a small museum of regional history that displays traditions and customs characteristic of this area (the museum is called Kammerhofmuseum).

During the winter months, two ski resorts open near the town: Loser and Tauplitz. Many people consider the Loser ski resort the more popular of the two, mainly because it offers wonderful views of the Dachstein Glacier.

Interested in staying in Bad Aussee?

You can check out the various accommodations in the area here. Alternatively, you can read about recommended apartments and B&Bs for accommodation in the lake region.

This is what the Region looks like

The 5 Lakes Near Bad Aussee

In the area surrounding the town, there are no fewer than 5 wonderful and clear lakes. The lakes are:

Lake Altaussee (Altausseer See)

A picturesque lake located at the foot of Mount Loser. Around the lake, there is a small village of the same name and a well-maintained, signposted walking path. The small village is a very nice place to stay for those seeking tranquility and great views. You can find more information about recommended accommodations in the list of hotels and guesthouses here. Near the village and the lake is a large salt mine with a particularly interesting history.

Lake Altaussee and the gorgeous view of the Dachstein Mountains — Lake Altaussee and the Gorgeous View of the Dachstein Mountains.

Map:

Lake Sommersberger (Sommersbergersee)

A small and not particularly deep lake. On summer days, its waters warm up quite quickly, so you can swim in it already early in the season.

Map:

Lake Grundl (Grundlsee)

People also know this lake as the ‘Styrian Sea,’ and it ranks as the largest in the state of Styria. At Lake Grundl, you can rent boats by the hour and sail enjoyably. It is also possible to swim in it during the summer months.

The crystal clear Grundlsee Lake. Credit: Asja Romm — The Crystal Clear Grundlsee Lake. Credit: Asja Romm.

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Lake Toplitz (Toplitzsee)

A very special phenomenon characterizes this unique lake: the upper layer contains fresh water, and the lower layer contains salt water. Lake Toplitz is surrounded by green mountain peaks and several hikers’ cabins. It is a quiet place and not crowded with travelers. From the lake, you can take a boat to the last lake in the area, Kammersee. Swimming in Lake Toplitz is prohibited.

The mysterious Lake Toplice. Credit: Asja Romm — The Mysterious Lake Toplitz. Credit: Asja Romm.

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Lake Kammer (Kammersee)

This lake lies quite isolated and appears small compared to the adjacent lakes, and it serves as the primary water source of the great Traun River. On the lake, it is possible to sail in flat-bottomed boats that were once used for the regional salt trade. Swimming in Lake Kammer is prohibited.