The bigger part of Lake Wolfgang is located in the state of Salzburg in Austria. It lies in the Salzkammergut resort area. Other lakes in this area are Attersee and Mondsee, but Wolfgang is the best known of all. It has an area of approximately 13 km2 and is completely closed in by mountain ranges. The Osterhorngruppe mountain range is located to the south of the lake and has an altitude of 1800 metres. The Schafberg is located on the north side of Lake Wolfgang. The Schafbergbahn railway takes visitors up to the summit of the Schafberg, which is at 1782 m. The 1521-m Zwlferhorn is also near the lake. It can be accessed by cable car. The main activities around the lake are related to sports and recreation, but the area is also distinguished for its arts and culture, with such programs and events organized very frequently.

Walking, running, hiking.
Walking and hiking are popular pastimes in the area of Lake Wolfgang. There are many directions and paths on which to set out in the landscape surrounding the lake. You can choose a leisurely walk along the shores or a strenuous and revitalizing one. You can even set out to conquer a summit the choice is yours. The entire region is excellent for walking. Panoramic views will spread out before your eyes as you ascend the mountain peaks. Walking is the most all-inclusive recreational activity. It is a diverse yet unpretentious pursuit. Walks are easily tailored to each persons preference and fitness level. As you set out you will find many secluded, charming areas along the way, with the clear waters of Lake Wolfgang in the background.

Many running and hiking events take place in the area. An important one is the annual international run around the lake, taking place each October. Over 2000 runners from all parts of the world enter this legendary challenge each year. The distance is 27 km with elevation gains of 200 m and some difficult terrains. Its duration is around 6 hours. Of course, you can only do part of the run and take a boat at the point of your choice. You can run or walk, and start at any point around the lake, but the most common point of departure is in front of the Parish Church in the town of St. Wolfgang near the lake. There are many other hiking routes. These include the Illinger-Alm circuit, the Zinkenbach walk, the Sparber tour, the Pilgrims Way and many more. The Illinger-Alm circuit is relatively difficult. It is only 7.5 km long, but you must be well trained to try this one. The circuit consists of seven stations, where you will learn about the conservation and agriculture of Alpine pastures, alpine flora, fossils and rocks, and how the landscape was shaped by glaciers in the Ice Age. The hike is not only healthy, but also informative! The Pilgrim's way is a very easy walk. The starting point is Furberg. The route leads to St. Wolfgang through the hamlet of Ried, a unique cultural path. Its significance is documented by 24 marked sites of interest, which youll come upon along the way. The walk ends at the Pilgrimage church. One attraction in the area is Falkenstein church, the supposed resting place of St. Wolfgang. If you pull the rope of the church bell inside and it rings three times, your wish will come true. The town of St. Wolfgang has a famous attraction, the so-called White Horse Inn. Most tourists choose to return by ferry across the lake. Ried has several nice cafes where you can sit down and relax.

The Sparber is a scenic circular tour around the rocky Sparber Mountain, which has given its name to the tour. It is located to the south of the lake with two peaks at an altitude of around 1500 m. This is a strenuous hike. The Zinkenbach walk is a pleasant, leisurely stroll covering wooded terrains, wide-open fields and the Zinkenbach Gorge. The starting point is Konrads church in Abersee, the western end of Lake Wolfgang. The route is 11 km long. Running seminars are also available. A running course is highly recommended, because you will receive training at unique, scenic tracks. Focus is given to well-being and individual support.

Water sports.
Water sports are very popular in this area, especially in the summer. As a top summer destination Lake Wolfgang has excellent nautical sport facilities. First of all, the lake is a perfect open-air swimming pool with pure and clean waters. Traditional as well as modern water sports are available. Lake Wolfgang has offered training grounds to the worlds best windsurfers and sailors, many of whom have gone as far as the Olympics. Among the sports practiced here are tube-riding, water-skiing, parachuting over the lake, conventional sailing, and fishing. You can soar up into the sky with a parachute, pulled by a speedboat. Courses in sailing and windsurfing are available for novices. Another popular sport is diving. The lakes excellent alpine location offers great visibility to divers. Diving draws thousands of enthusiasts every summer. The best place for diving is the Falkenstein cliff wall in Frberg bay. The bay is a natural gem, and divers should be as quiet and respectful as possible. The area around the cliff wall is reached after a 300 m walk. This is a marvelous but demanding diving site with its overhangs and steep rock wall. You need to be experienced. The exciting Friendship boat race will be held in the summer, with contenders from all over the world. The water quality of Lake Wolfgang is excellent, proof of which are the wide variety of fish living here. It is home to some rare fish, which are on the verge of extinction.

Cycling/Mountain biking.
Lake Wolfgang has demanding routes for experienced bikers and gentle cycling paths for novices. Special guided bike tours are offered on a weekly basis. They are fun, healthy and breathtaking. A popular tour is the one starting in the village of Schwand. The route crosses Abersee, Brunn village and other interesting destinations. Some of the stretches are impossible to cross, and you will have to get off and carry your bike. The final destination is the summit of Zwlferhorn Mountain. Be warned that the return trip tends to be harder.

Nordic walking.
A visit to Lake Wolfgang is a good occasion to learn Nordic walking. This sport originated in upper Scandinavia. Initially it served as summer training for cross-country skiers. It entails use of a pole, which allows you to move faster. There are many excellent trails and professional trainers for your convenience. Those with experience in Nordic walking can embark upon the trails in the rocky mountains. There are Nordic walking clubs in the main villages around the lake, where you can train.

Other sports.
Other sports in the area include tennis, golf and riding. There are a total of 30 tennis courts in the area of Lake Wolfgang - 6 indoor and 24 outdoor courts. There are tennis schools as well as personal trainers, and special offers for professionals and amateurs alike. The Salzkammergut resort region has a myriad of golf courses, and you are sure to find one to your taste. The best golf school in Austria is based here, offering opportunities for you to improve your technique and ability. You will leave the area as a much better golfer than you came. There are many riding schools in the area, both outdoor and indoor. You can trek on long paths on horseback and receive general training. Tobogganing is another sport to enjoy. This ensures relaxation for the whole family. The main tobogganing slopes are in the area of Gschwendt/Strobl. There are two courses with a length of 1300 m each.

Events and attractions.
A major natural landmark is the Postalm Alpine Pasture. This beautiful plateau features green pastures, long open roads and cozy mountain cabins, creating an idyllic setting. This area hosts the Alpine Pasture Marathon in the summer, consisting of the marathon itself, a half-marathon, a quarter marathon and a childrens marathon through the beautiful pastures. There will also be a relay race. You will not regret visiting this scenic region. A climbing garden is due to open here soon. You can take a balloon ride over the mesmerizing Salzkammergut with its valleys, rivers and mountains. You will be overcome by a sense of complete freedom. Among the attractions are the Game Park and the Animal Park. There are over 200 game species in the former, including red deer, wild deer and wild pigs in a natural environment. There are ponies, goats and Cameroon sheep in the petting zoo. The Animal Park holds mainly domestic animals, living in little houses. Water games, go-carts and play areas for children are also available. The prices are moderate. As for transportation, you should choose the Wolfgangsee Boat Service or the Zwlferhorn Cable Car. Sailing across the lake is an unforgettable experience, while the cable car will open your eyes to magnificent views. Schafberg Mountain offers an unforgettable climbing experience regardless of whether you ascend it on foot or use the Schafbergbahn. The giant ice cave in Salzkammergut is part of the vastest cave system in the world - the Dachstein ice caves. These fascinating caves are located in the depths of the Dachstein Mountains. At an elevation of around 10 000 feet, it takes about an hour to visit the three main caves. A trip to this landmark is more of an extreme sport than a recreational tour. The climb inside the caves is another thousand feet. In 1997 Salzkammergut was classed as a World Heritage Site due to the fact that salt mining was introduced here as far back as 2000 BC. You can visit the historical salt mines in the area. These romantically illuminated underground edifices are sure to leave you breathless. A visit to Lake Wolfgang is incomplete without a visit to Salzburg, the hometown of the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Music.
Lake Wolfgang keeps its namesakes heritage alive by organizing music festivals on a regular basis. The local government organized a project at the lake entitled Musical meetings in the Salzkammergut. Other festivals include Shake the Lake, a rhythm & blues festival held in May each year, and Mozart Week in the nearby town of Strobl. This town lies on the shores of the lake and has around 4000 inhabitants. It features a charming Baroque church, the resting place of Prince Tassilo von Frstenberg. The town is within hiking distance of St. Wolfgang. You can also reach Bad Ischl from here, the site of Franz Is summer residence. The International Musical Instrument Museum of St. Gilgen focuses on the music of all world cultures. You can see fantastic instruments and hear them played. Guided tours are available. The museum organizes short recitals and evening programs for visitors. St. Gilgen is a town near Lake Wolfgang, which has nurtured a close connection with Mozart in a historical plan. Although the great composer never came here, his mother was born in this town, his grandfather worked here, and his sister came to live here after getting married. The municipality promotes it as the Mozart Village. There are plans to open the St. Gilgen International School. The hermitage of the saint, whom the town was named after, is located behind a church in the Falkenstein cliffs.

Family fun.
Blue Dome is a great new attraction for families. This amusement park has a total area of 17 000 sq. m and is located between St. Gilgen and Strobl in Abersee municipality. The Blue Dome centers on the theme of water and how it has shaped the landscape and culture of the Salzkammergut region.