Quick Information:
- What is the Steirischer Bodensee? An idyllic mountain lake in Styria, Austria.
- Where is it located? The Steirischer Bodensee is in the Schladming-Dachstein region, about 20 minutes from Schladming. Address: Bodensee, 8966
- How to get there? There’s a parking lot right in front. Shuttle buses run from Schladming an.
- Entrance fee? The lake is free to access, no entrance fees. However, if you arrive by car, there’s a toll of 3.8€ per person and 1.7€ for children.
- Opening hours? The Steirischer Bodensee is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the summer.
- Average duration of visit? 1-2 hours
General information about the Steirischer Bodensee:
The Steirischer Bodensee, a hidden gem nestled in the enchanting Schladming-Dachstein region, is a well-kept secret of Styria. This mountain lake is equally beloved by locals and visitors. With its crystal-clear waters and the surrounding mountain backdrop, the Steirischer Bodensee invites you to a relaxed retreat in nature.
The Steirischer Bodensee is the perfect starting point for various hiking adventures. From family-friendly strolls along the lakeshore to leisurely mountain hikes, such as the one leading to the Hans-Wödl-Hütte on Hüttensee, and even more challenging alpine expeditions like the Hochwildstelle or the Höchstein. For those who prefer a quieter experience, a leisurely rowboat tour offers a unique perspective of the surrounding mountains. Please note that swimming in the lake is not allowed.
A picturesque walk around Steirischer Bodensee & to the waterfall:
Starting point: Large parking lot
Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours (including time for the waterfall)
Difficulty: Easy (around the lake) to moderate (to the waterfall)
A relaxing day at the Steirischer Bodensee begins at the spacious parking lot in the midst of the awe-inspiring Styrian landscape. The asphalt path along the stream gently guides you through the picturesque scenery, and within about 15 minutes, you’ll reach the lake’s shore.
To the right, a charming fish restaurant, Gasthof Forellenhof, offers scenic views of the lake. We suggest circumnavigating the lake clockwise, but the choice of direction is a matter of preference. The entire loop takes around 45 minutes, and along the way, you can enjoy the splendid views of the glistening lake and the surrounding mountains.
On the opposite end of the lake, there’s an opportunity to hike to the Bodensee Waterfall. Although the path is officially marked as a 30-minute walk from here, you will likely only need about 20 minutes. The trail to the waterfall, and even further to the Hans-Wödl-Hütte on Hüttensee, is not suitable for strollers. You will be walking on a relatively wide but rocky and stony path uphill.
To be honest, we found the waterfall up close to be less spectacular than expected. Nevertheless, it’s a worthwhile exploration that you can incorporate into your tour. On the way back, continue your clockwise circumnavigation of the lake, and soon you’ll reach the fish restaurant again.
There, you’ll come across a sign proudly declaring that this place once earned the second-place title in the vote for the most beautiful place in Styria. We can certainly understand why, but we should note that the weather during our visit may not have been as radiant as during the competition.
A small tip: Visit the Steirischer Bodensee in the morning or around noon, as the afternoon sun can be obscured by the surrounding mountains, casting the lake into shadow. This way, you can make the most of your visit to this picturesque corner of Styria.
Places to Eat:
Seewigtal Stüberl at the Steirischer Bodensee parking lot – Daniel Mairamhof – Tel.: +43 3686 20114
Gasthof Forellenhof right at Steirischer Bodensee – Fam. Fink – Tel.: +43 3686 4697
Hans-Wödl-Hütte at Hüttensee (1,533 m) – Herwig Hutegger – Tel.: +43 664 12 78 335
Zauneralm – 1 km along the toll road – Thomas Fuchs – Tel.: +43 664 18 31 155