This lake is located in the Salzkammergut area of Upper Austria. It is the deepest and one of the most beautiful lakes in the region. You can take a boat across the lake to the nearby town of Gmunden. Lake Traun is alternatively called Lake Gmunden. It is located at 1383 feet above sea level. It is 623 ft. deep with an area of 9 sq. m. The river Traun, a forceful 153-km long watercourse, flows through Lake Traun and Lake Hallstatt. Traun is an offshoot of the Danube River. The two rivers meet near Linz. Lake Traun is the second biggest lake in Salzkammergut after Lake Atter.
In imperial times the rulers of Austria spent their summers hunting in Salzkammergut. This is a truly fascinating region with the barren Todtengebirge cliffs to the east, the green Alps to the west and the icy Dachstein mountains to the south. Lofty, steep mountains shut Lake Traun in. In the summer you will see large open gondolas and little skiffs constantly floating across the lake.
Recreation
There is something for everyone at Lake Traun cycling, diving, swimming, sailing, boating, surfing, fishing, water skiing, walking - you name it. There are brown trout, rainbow trout and lake trout in Traunsee, but one catches mostly grayling. The charming village of Traunkirchen is a popular destination for walkers. Weekly guided tours in and around this village are available. If you want to take a leisurely stroll, the lakeside is the best place to start. You will enjoy the scenic surroundings and the air of tranquility. There are 150 km of marked trails in the area of Traunsee. Most of the walks will involve a steep but short climb at the onset in order to move away from the shores.
Nearby towns and attractions
Traunkirchen has a beautiful, scenic location. This village features the ancient Fishers pulpit. Traunkirchen overlooks the lucid waters of the lake. Its main attraction is the 11th century church, jutting out over the lake. The market town of Ebensee close by offers a wide variety of entertainment. Both of these sites are perfect starting points for a trip to the lake. You can take a train to Hallstatt, a World Heritage Site, or to the spa town of Bad Ischl. This town features the Katrin Alpin Pasture, an idyllic landscape. Emperor Franz Josephs summer residence was located here in imperial times. Gmunden is right next to the lake. Its main attraction is the historical Schloss Ort. Construction of this castle commenced in 1080. It was begun by Hartnidus of Ort, whose name it bears. His descendants were state officials of the Austrian state Styria. The town also has an internationally renowned ceramics production facility. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was an important connection between Vienna and the salt-mining towns, due to which it was quite developed. The town was a hub of transport in result of its proximity to the lake, across which salt was ferried. Later Gmunden became a resort town, drawing famous writers and musicians as well as members of the royal Habsburg dynasty. The biggest mountain is called Traunstein with an elevation of 1691 m. Its peak can be seen from all points on the lakeshore. Lake Traun is also close to Wels, the second biggest city in Upper Austria. It is located near Linz on the Traun River. This area has been settled since the Neolithic epoch. In Roman times its importance grew due to its strategic location in Noricum province. Wels was granted city rights in 120 AD. Around one century later it had a population of 18 000. You can take your children to the bicycle museum in Altmunster. They are sure to enjoy it.