Austria
Salzkammergut
Region
Lakes and mountains between Salzburg and the Dachstein: Hallstätter See, Wolfgangsee, and Traunsee, Austria's deepest lake at 191 meters.
by Felix Gillen
Lakes and mountains between Salzburg and the Dachstein: Hallstätter See, Wolfgangsee, and Traunsee, Austria's deepest lake at 191 meters. The Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997; Emperor Franz Joseph I. spent his summers in Bad Ischl.
Lakes Region on the Alpine FoothillsThe Salzkammergut extends across parts of Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Styria. Among its many famous lakes are Wolfgangsee, Traunsee, Attersee, Mondsee, and Lake Hallstatt, framed by limestone mountains like the Dachstein.Salt and Imperial EraThe name reveals it: For millennia, salt was mined here, and Hallstatt is home to possibly the world's oldest salt mine. Since 1997, the Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the 19th century, Emperor Franz Joseph, with his summer residence in Bad Ischl, made the region the epitome of a summer retreat; in 2024, Bad Ischl was a European Capital of Culture.Tips for Your VisitHallstatt gets very crowded during the day. Stay nearby and arrive early in the morning or in the evening.Combine lakes and mountains: swimming in summer, hiking, and cable cars like the Katrin near Bad Ischl.
