Brief information:
- What is Mirror Lake? A picturesque mountain lake in the Schladming-Dachstein region.
- Why is it called that? On windless days, the middle Gasselsee, which is actually called the Spiegelsee, reflects the striking trio of the Dachstein.
- What makes it special? With crystal-clear water and surrounding mountain scenery, the Spiegelsee invites you to take a relaxing break in nature.
- How do you get there? Valley station Preunegg Jet. Then take the gondola up. Then hike for about 45 minutes.
- Admission price? Access to the Spiegelsee is free, as is parking at the valley station. Here you will find the Prices for the gondola ride. This is in summer with the Summercard
- Places to stop for refreshments? Gasselhöh Hutat the mountain station
The Mirror Lake in general
The Spiegelsee, actually Mittlerer Gasselsee in the Schladminger Tauern, got its name from its impressive reflection of the Dachstein massif. This mountain lake is located at 1,860 meters south of the Reiteralm near Schladming in Styria and is one of the three lakes below the 2,133 meter high Schober.
The Schladminger Tauern, part of the Niedere Tauern, consist of gneiss, mica schist and phyllite, which often makes the mountain flanks rugged and creates numerous mountain lakes in the cirques. The shallow Spiegelsee is particularly characterized by its perfect view of the Dachstein massif, which on windless days makes for a impressive reflection on the water surface ensures.
The Spiegelsee is not only popular due to its geological features, but also as a photo subject. Its flat structure makes it susceptible to drying out in hot, dry summers. A sign on the shore reminds us that swimming in the lake is not allowed in order to protect nature and other visitors. The Spiegelsee was even voted the most beautiful place in Austria by the ORF.
Tip: Before you go hiking in the fall, make sure you check whether there is water in the lake. Unfortunately, that was not the case for us. Nevertheless, we can the hike highly recommend. Visit the lake on a calm day to see the perfect reflection.
How do I get to Mirror Lake?
Arrival and parking
With public transport: On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays there is a hiking bus connection from Ramsau am Dachstein to the valley station of the Preunegg-Jet gondola. Summercard the ride is free.
Car: Turn off the Ennstal federal road at Pichl and drive up the Preuneggstraße to the valley station of the Preunegg-Jet gondola. Alternatively, take the Reiteralmstraße (toll road) to the Eiskarhütte, Reiteralmhütte and Gasselhöh'-Hütte.
Shortest route to the lake
From the car park at the Gasselhöh' hut, follow path no. 66 to the lake. Walking time: 45 minutes, altitude difference: 284 m.
Directions
From the mountain station of the Preunegg Jet, continue on trail no. 66, past the Untersee and along the rocky and steep path to the Spiegelsee at an altitude of 1,860 meters. The lake offers a spectacular view of the Dachstein massif and is surrounded by hiking trails to other peaks in the region. The return journey to the Reiteralm takes about 45 minutes.
You can also find our article here: Lake hike: from the Reiteralm to the Spiegelsee and Untersee lakesOn this hike we go up to the Spiegelsee. On the way back we pass the Untersee and other lakes. This part of the hike is also known as the "Stille Wasser".
Short Information:
- What is Spiegelsee? A picturesque mountain lake in the Schladming-Dachstein region.
- Why is it called that? On calm days, the distinctive Dachstein massif reflects in the Middle Gasselsee, actually called Spiegelsee.
- What makes it special? With crystal-clear water and a surrounding mountain backdrop, Spiegelsee invites you for a relaxed time in nature.
- How to get there? Valley station Preunegg Jet. Then take the cable car up, followed by approximately 45 minutes of hiking.
- Entrance fee? Access to Spiegelsee is free, as is parking at the valley station. Here are the prices for the cable car ride. In summer, it is covered by the Summercard.
- Dining options? Gasselhöh Hut at the mountain station
Mirror Lake in General
Spiegelsee, actually Mittlerer Gasselsee in the Schladminger Tauern, earned its name due to its impressive reflection of the Dachstein massif. This mountain lake is located 1,860 meters south of Reiteralm near Schladming in Styria and is one of the three lakes below the 2,133-meter-high Schober.
The Schladminger Tauern, part of the Niedere Tauern, consist of gneiss, mica schist, and phyllite, resulting in rugged mountain slopes and the formation of numerous mountain lakes in the cirques. The flat Spiegelsee stands out for its perfect view of the Dachstein massif, creating an impressive reflection on the water surface on quiet days.
Spiegelsee is popular not only for its geological features but also as a photographic subject. Its shallow structure makes it prone to drying up in hot, dry summers. A sign on the shore reminds visitors that swimming in the lake is not allowed to protect nature and fellow visitors. Spiegelsee was even crowned the most beautiful spot in Austria by ORF.
Tip: Before embarking on an autumn hike, make sure to check if there is water in the lake. Unfortunately, this was not the case during our visit. Nevertheless, we highly recommend the hike. Visit the lake on a calm day for the perfect reflection.
How to reach Spiegelsee?
Arrival and Parking
Public Transport: On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays there is a hiking bus connection from Ramsau am Dachstein to the valley station of the Preunegg-Jet cable car. The ride is free with the Summercard.
Cars: Turn off the Ennstal Bundesstraße at Pichl and drive up the Preuneggstraße to the valley station of the Preunegg-Jet cable car. Alternatively, take the Reiteralmstraße (toll road) to the Eiskarhütte, Reiteralmhütte, and Gasselhöh'-Hütte.
Shortest Path to the Lake
From the parking lot at Gasselhöh'-Hütte, follow trail No. 66 to the lake. Walking time: 45 minutes, elevation gain: 284 m.
Directions
From the mountain station of the Preunegg Jet, continue on trail No. 66, past the Untersee and along the rocky and steep path to Spiegelsee at 1,860 meters. The lake offers a spectacular view of the Dachstein massif and is surrounded by hiking trails to other peaks in the region. The return journey to Reiteralm takes about 45 minutes.
You can also find our article here: Lake Hike: from Reiteralm to Spiegelsee and Untersee. During this hike, we ascend to Spiegelsee and pass by Untersee and other lakes on the way back. This part of the hike is also known as “Stille Wasser” or Silent Waters.
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