© Panorama Gosau (Photo: www.360perspektiven.com)
© Gosau at Dachstein in winter (photo: Sven Posch / www.viewnect.com)
Gosau in winter in the back the mountain range Gosaukamm (photo: Sven Posch / www.viewnect.com)

Gosau
at Dachstein

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Gosau is a natural gem in the heart of the Dachstein Salzkammergut. Gosau at Dachstein is a place like no other, stretching as it does over more than 14 kilometres as far as the Gosau Lakes. From here there are stunning views of the Dachstein glacier. Gosau is the perfect destination for those who love the mountains, for cyclists and families, and those who love to get close to nature. In summer, just as in winter, visitors can soon be high in the mountains or on one of the extensive high mountain pastures. Down in the valley you will come across many, many picture-perfect houses, hotels and inns. Above all, there is a strong sense of space and lots of fresh air. Perfect for relaxation or fun in the great outdoors.

#meingosau

More information on Gosau and why it is worth to make holidays here.

Today

  • Gosau am Dachstein has a population of  2266. Their homes are spread along the 14 km long valley which covers a total area of 113 square kilometres.
  • Facilities include cable car stations in summer and in winter too. The Gosau Land Train operates in summer.
 

To date

  • Time-honoured traditions remain a way of life and include sheep gathering, driving the cattle down from the high mountain pastures and “Hoizfian”- horses pulling carriage loads of wood for the winter.
  • 71% of the population are Protestants. Gosau am Dachstein has a very interesting religious history which has included numerous protests and other noteworthy events.
 

In the past

  • The discovery of fossils, to this day, is evidence that 250 million years ago, Gosau lay at the bottom of the sea. 25000 years ago, the valley was covered by huge glaciers.
  • Gosau got its name back in the year 1231. Parts of Gosau are today recognised as World Natural and World cultural Heritage sites
 

Worth-knowing

  • Gosau is part of Upper Austria’s largest ski resort  - the Dachstein West
  • Throughout the Gosau Balloon Week, the sky is full of hot air balloons

Tip for Gosau visitors

An easy hike along the Gosausee offers incomparably beautiful views of the Dachstein and the surrounding mountains.  Because of the danger of avalanches, the loop tour is closed in the wintermonths.

Gosau map
In this video we explain how to get to Gosau at Dachstein.

Experience the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut

Frequently asked questions about Gosau

In summer there are numerous hiking trails and cycle paths at your disposal. The long Gosau valley offers a lot of variety and a unique landscape. At the Lake Gosau you can be impressed by the view of the Dachstein and cool down in the crystal clear Lake Gosau. The Gosaukamm cable car takes you to the Zwieselalm mountain pasture, from where you have a unique view on the Gosaukamm mountain range. There are many mountain huts and alpine pastures available for your refreshment, where you can enjoy culinary delights.

 

The ski area Dachstein West is located directly in Gosau at Dachstein and offers wide slopes, which are especially suitable for families. Over 40 km of cross-country ski runs are prepared daily, a toboggan run is also available. If you want to have it more comfortable, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the winter landscape or take advantage of the numerous winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails.

 

The lakes in Gosau at Dachstein

The lakes in Gosauform the end of the Gosau valley. The Lake Gosau is one of the most popular #photospots in the region. It can be walked around in about 45 minutes, is a section of the mountain bike tour "Durchgangalm Runde" and can also be seen from the Gosausee via ferrata. The hiking trail is also suitable for pushchairs.

If you want to go a little further and be even closer to the Gosaukamm, then it definitely pays off to hike to the Upper Lake Gosau(one direction approx. 1.5 to 2 hours). In spring, the so-called „Gosaulacke“, which is fed from the overflowing glacier water of the Upper Lake Gosau and runs into the Lake Gosau, also forms on the path.

For the whole family, for outdoor lovers and for instaqueens & instakings an absolute must-see!

 

The Zwieselalm

The Zwieselalm is a wonderful hiking area with a view of the Gosaukamm. With the panorama cable car you can travel daily from the Mother's Day weekend until the end of October to the alpine pasture. At the top of the alp various hikes can be undertaken, e.g:

 

Fossil grinding plant Gapp

Near the tourist office Gosau is the shop of the oldest stone and marble companyin Austria. Here you can see and buy stones and fossils from the region.

 

Place of Happiness Löckenmoos

Up to the Place of Happiness Löckenmoos you can either walk or in the summer months every Tuesday and Saturday go with the „Gosauer Bummelzug“. From the grinding stone quarries you walk about 30 minutes to the Löckenmoos.

 

The church quarter

Gosau is one of the few places in Austria where the Protestant population predominates (approx. 70 %). Due to the remoteness of the village the faith could be preserved. In the church quarter one finds therefore both a Catholic church and a Protestant church. Both tell their own story and the locations also promise unique views of the Gosaukamm.

 

There are many beautiful hiking trails in Gosau. Here you can find an overview of the most beautiful hikes:

This is not possible. On the bike tour "Durchgangalm loop tour", a part of the route goes along the Lake Gosau. Further on, you are not allowed to ride your bike.

 

We can recommend you the following tours, which you can do with the mountain bike and of course also e-bike:

 

You can also view the tours in advance on the Dachstein Salzkammergut fatmap and fly off. Try it out!

You can easily follow the Gosaukamm by car. It takes you directly to the Lake Gosau.

If you want to take the bus, get on the bus in the direction „Gosausee“ (Lake Gosau). You can find exact time information on wegfinder.

 

You can fish daily in the Gosau trout pond in the front Gosau valley during the summer months. You don't need a licence but only pay for the fish you catch according to the kg price. Fishing rods, baits and tips are available from your supervisor if required.

Fly-fishing is permitted in the „Gosaubach“ and Gosau reservoir from 1 May to 15 September 2019. The day licenses are available at the Gosau Tourist Office or at Gasthof Gosauschmied. Only annual tickets are available for fishing in the Lake Gosau.

The Salzkammergut Adventure Card is the advantage card of the Salzkammergut region, which includes the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut. As our guest you receive the advantage card free of charge from 3 overnight stays or you can buy it for € 4.90 for your stay at our tourist office Gosau or also in all other tourist offices of the region.

With the Salzkammergut Erlebnis-Card you get up to 25% on many attractions, sights and leisure activities in the whole Salzkammergut. An overview of all partners of the Salzkammergut Adventure Card.

Gosau at Dachstein is located in the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut, as well as Hallstatt, Obertraun and Bad Goisern at the Lake Hallstatt. Many excursion destinations and attractions await you also outside of Gosau:

In Hallstatt (approx. 30 minutes):

 

In Obertraun (approx. 35 minutes):

 

In Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt (approx. 40 minutes):

The „Gosaubach“ trail is ideal for a beautiful and comfortable winter hike through the snow-covered Gosau valley (duration approx. 2-3 hours). If you want to hike on the mountain you can hike from the Hornspitz mountain stationto the Edtalm (approx. 1.5 hours) and also from the middle station of the Hornspitzbahn to the Pass Gschütt Straße (approx. 1.5 hours).

 

The Dachstein West ski area is hard to miss in Gosau. Follow the Gosaukamm and you will be guided directly to the skiing area. You can park at the valley station of the Hornspitzbahn cable car or drive a little further to the Zwieselalm. On the Dachstein Salzkammergut fatmap you can take a close look at all the lifts and slopes in advance.

 

horse-drawn sleigh ride is possible in winter after advance reservation. The long trip takes about 2 hours including a short stop at the Kohlstatthütte, the short round without a stop about 1 hour. Reservations can be made with Gamsjäger Markus (+43 664 20 42 321) or Gamsjäger Christian (+43 664 493 67 61).

 

At the Gosau sports field, you can enter the cross-country trails in the front Gosau valley and back Gosau valley. There is also a public car park. Another entrance is at the Kohlstatthütte/Blinkender Hirsch.

 

In Gosau at Dachstein you will find numerous cross-country skiing trails in a beautiful landscape. In the overview of the cross-country skiing trails in the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut you can see whether the trail is in operation.

 

We strongly recommend that you bring snow chains with you when arriving in winter. The community workers  take care of the snow clearing all the time. In case of heavy snowfall, however, there are also snow roads. Snow chains require little space and offer you safety on your journey.

 

Hallstatt is about 30 minutes away from Gosau at Dachstein. If you are travelling by car then follow the road to Bad Goisern. At the so-called "Gosauzwang" crossing you have to turn right. The „Hallstättersee Landstraße“ will take you directly to Hallstatt. There you can park at car park 1 or car park 2.

If you take the bus to Hallstatt, get on the bus in the direction of Bad Ischl. After about 20 minutes you have to change at the station "Hallstatt Gosaumühle" to the bus direction „Dachsteinseilbahn“. You can either get off at "Hallstatt Römische" or at "Hallstatt Lahn". You can find exact time information on wegfinder.

The fastest way to get to Salzburg is by car via the B162 (past Russbach and Annaberg) and the A10 Tauernautobahn (slip road in Golling towards Vienna/Salzburg, exit 288 towards Salzburg).

Take the bus in the direction of Bad Ischl and then take the bus in the direction of Salzburg. We recommend that you get off at the bus station "Salzburg Mirabellplatz", as you will find yourself directly at the first highlight of the city and will be in Salzburg's old town in about 10 minutes on foot. You can find exact time information on wegfinder.

Bad Ischl is about 30 minutes away from Gosau am Dachstein. If you are travelling by car then follow the road to Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt and on to Bad Ischl.

If you are travelling by bus, get on the bus in Gosau in the direction of Bad Ischl, this will then take you to the train station Bad Ischl, from where you can reach everything in the city on foot. Of course you can also take the bus or the imperial train in Bad Ischl (from April to December). You can find exact time information on wegfinder.