The most Beautiful Culinary Hikes on Austria's Lakes
Introduction
Hike around the lake, over gentle hills, and through shady forests, stopping at culinary hotspots along the way – then take the last boat across the lake to return. It’s the perfect way to combine nature and local flavours.
Guesthouses with lakeside terraces serve regional specialities — from fish and classic Austrian dishes to home-made pastries. Along the way, coves invite you to swim and wooden benches offer a spot to sit and take in the Alpine lake. Whether in the Salzkammergut, at the Weissensee or the Achensee, restaurants, inns and cafés with regional dishes line the route around the lake.
Culinary hiking on Lake Traunsee
With views over the Traunsee — at 191 metres the deepest lake in Austria — the Miesweg leads across secured wooden walkways, along narrow rock paths and through cool rock tunnels to a small rocky cove. Length: 2.3 kilometres, duration: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.
When hunger strikes, the Hois'n Wirt serves hikers its "Hois'n Fischteller" — a long-standing favourite on the menu. The inn's own bathing spot is a perfect place to round off the day, or guests can take the boat directly from the Hois'n landing stage back to Gmunden. On the main square, the Restaurant im Seehotel Schwan occupies a grand historic building with a long tradition. For something sweet, the Konditorei Grellinger has been delighting guests with its pastries for generations.
Culinary hiking at the Langbath lakes
The circular walk from the Vorderer to the Hinterer Langbathsee leads through open mixed woodland. Length: 7 kilometres, duration: approx. 2 hours. After the walk, the free public sunbathing lawn with lake access at the Vorderer Langbathsee invites you to swim and relax. For a mid-walk stop, the Mostschenke im Heustadl in Ebensee is a welcoming choice.
Just a stone's throw away, the Feuerkogel cable car climbs from Ebensee to the 1,600-metre Feuerkogel, where on a clear day the views stretch as far as the Dachstein. The Berggasthof Edelweiss serves regional dishes with an international touch from chef Alexander Neubacher.
Culinary hiking on Lake Attersee
The walk around the Wachtberg passes a church and farmhouses, rewarding walkers with views over the turquoise Attersee. Length: 8.6 kilometres, duration: approx. 2 hours 40 minutes.
When hunger strikes, the Gasthaus Wachtberg serves hearty home cooking with a view of the lake. In the evening, the sun bathes the Attersee in warm light. The nearby Restaurant Bachtaverne in Weyregg am Attersee is known for its Austrian cuisine and game specialities — family-owned since 1815. Those keen for a swim can head to the public lakeside beach or the Strandbad in Weyregg on the Attersee.
Culinary hiking on Lake Fuschl
The Fuschlsee circular walk winds through meadows, pastures and woodland, with the lake at its centre. The route follows the shoreline for almost its entire length, passing through a nature reserve near Schloss Fuschl and the Fuschler Ache. Length: 11 kilometres, duration: approx. 3 hours. Tip: pack a swimsuit for a dip along the way.
Fish lovers are well served at the Schloss Fuschl Fishery, where freshly caught local fish from the lake are prepared on the spot. Continue on foot or glide back to the village of Fuschl aboard the Zille "Fuschlerin". There, the Restaurant Seerose on its lakeside terrace and the Stefanihof both serve regional dishes.
Culinary hiking on Lake Altaussee
The Altausseer See is best explored on foot along the Altausseer Seerundweg, which follows the shoreline with views of the Dachstein glacier, the Loser and the Trisselwand. Length: 7.6 kilometres, duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Freshly caught fish from the lake and Styrian dishes are on the menu at the family-run Strandcafé. On the Seewiese shore — reachable only on foot or by boat — the Jagdhaus Seewiese and Seewiese Altaussee serve hearty home cooking. At the Jausenstation Kahlseneck, fresh fish or a home-made pastry and sweeping views of the Dachstein make for a perfect combination.
Culinary hiking on Lake Weissensee
A day of hiking, swimming and seeing the Weissensee from the water. The Slow Trail follows the shore past coves, through woodland and to viewpoints overlooking the Lienz Dolomites. Length: 6.4 kilometres from Neusach (Ronacherfels) to the eastern shore, or in the opposite direction. The route can be combined with the Weissensee boat service.
At the Seecafé im Ronacherfels, you sit right on the water's edge, watching fish beneath the surface and boats pulling in and out of the jetty. At the Bootshaus, Gault&Millau-awarded chef Jakob Lilg brings regional specialities to life with a refined sense of flavour.
Boat trips on Lake Weissensee are offered from May until late October. Check out the routes and stations here.
Culinary hiking on Lake Faak
The Faaker See lies nestled between the peaks of the Karawanken, its water shimmering turquoise in the sunshine. The circular walk follows the shore for much of its length and completes a full loop of the lake. Length: 11.37 kilometres, duration: approx. 3 hours 45 minutes.
After working up an appetite, Der Tschebull — one of Carinthia's oldest inns — is well worth a stop. Now in its 14th generation, Hannes Tschemernjak serves regional dishes with the motto "simple, but great". For something a little special, take the water taxi to the Inselhotel Restaurant — step ashore and enjoy regional Carinthian cuisine in the chestnut garden or on the lakeside terrace.
Culinary hiking on Lake Achensee
The circular walk begins at the Fischerwirt in Achenkirch and loops the entire Achensee: along narrow paths on the western shore, past Pertisau and back along the flatter eastern shore with views of the Karwendel. Length: 22.2 kilometres, duration: approx. 5 hours 30 minutes.
Those not wanting to complete the full route can combine sections with the Achensee boat service. Halfway along, reachable only on foot or by boat, the Gaisalm sits on the western shore. Further towards Maurach, the Atoll Achensee water sports centre offers an infinity pool, direct lake access and a waterside break at Restaurant Lagoon. Back in Achenkirch, the Fischerwirt serves regional fare — rounding off the walk where it began.