FAQs Gosau
What can I do in Gosau in summer?
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.
What can I do in Gosau in winter?
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.
What can I see in Gosau?
The lakes in Gosau
The lakes in Gosau form 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:
- Tour to the mountain pastures, approx. 2.5 hours
- Way from the Zwieselalm to the Stuhlalm, 4 km, approx. 1.5 hours
- From the Lake Gosau to the Zwieselalm, 4 km, approx. 1.5 hours
Fossil grinding plant Gapp
Near the tourist office Gosau is the shop of the oldest stone and marble company in 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.
- Walk through the Löckenmoos, 2.2 km, approx. 45 minutes.
- Way to the grindstone quarries, 5,6 km, approx. 3 hours
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.
Where can I park at Lake Gosau?
Here you will find a list of all car parks at Lake Gosau including tariff information.
What are the most beautiful summer hikes in Gosau am Dachstein?
There are many beautiful hiking trails in Gosau. Here you can find an overview of the most beautiful hikes:
- Gosaubachweg, 6,3 km, approx. 2-3 hours
- Panorama Trail, 7 km, approx. 3-4 hours
- Way to the "Hoher Kalmberg", 6.4 km, approx. 3-4 hours
- Around the Gosaukamm, 24 km, approx. 8 hours
Can I ride my mountain bike, e-bike, racing bike around the Lake Gosau, to the Upper Lake Gosau or to the Zwieselalm?
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.
What are the most beautiful mountain bike tours in or through Gosau at Dachstein?
We can recommend you the following tours, which you can do with the mountain bike and of course also e-bike:
- Hornspitz round, 17,9 km, 856 hm
- Iglmoos round, 9,4 km, 427 hm
- Seekar round, 18,7 km, 916 hm
- Plassen round, 47,2 km, 1 452 hm
- Durchgangalm round, 61 km, 1 955 hm
You can also view the tours in advance on the Dachstein Salzkammergut fatmap and fly off. Try it out!
How do I get to the Lake Gosau?
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.
Where can I fish in Gosau?
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.
What is the Salzkammergut Card?
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.
What can I see in the surrounding area?
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):
- Salt mine Hallstatt - the oldest salt mine in the world
- Protestant and Catholic Churches
- charnel house
- Hallstatt museum
- many more Hallstatt highlights
In Obertraun (approx. 35 minutes):
- Lake Koppenwinkel
- Dachstein Krippenstein
- 5fingers on the Dachstein Krippenstein
- Dachstein giant ice cave
- mammoth cave
- many more Obertrauner highlights
In Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt (approx. 40 minutes):
- Hand.Werk.Haus
- Senferei AnnaMax (small mustard factory)
- „Ewige Wand“ (eternal wall)
- many more Goiserer highlights
Where can I hike in winter in Gosau?
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 station to the Edtalm (approx. 1.5 hours) and also from the middle station of the Hornspitzbahn to the Pass Gschütt Straße (approx. 1.5 hours).
Where is the skiing area?
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.
Where can I book a horse-drawn sleigh ride?
A 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 (+43 664 204 23 21) or Gamsjäger Christian (+43 664 493 67 61).
Where is the best place to get on the track for cross-country skiing?
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.
Which cross-country skiing trails are open?
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.
Do I need snow chains on my way to Gosau am Dachstein?
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.
How do I get from Gosau to Hallstatt?
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.
How do I get from Gosau to Salzburg?
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.
How do I get from Gosau to Bad Ischl?
Bad Ischl is about 50 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.
Contact & Service
Tourist information GosauGosauseestraße 5
4824 Gosau at Dachstein
Phone +43 5 95095-20
Fax machine +43 5 95095-74
E-Mail gosau@dachstein-salzkammergut.at
Don’t hesitate to contact the team of local guides at the tourist board Gosau - Julia Rabl, Evelyn Peham and Bianca Peham – for any questions about Gosau and the holiday area Dachstein Salzkammergut.