The Almsee is a mountain lake in the Upper Austrian part of the Salzkammergut in the municipality of Grünau im Almtal, at the northern foot of the Tote Gebirge (translates to Dead Monuntains) and is 589 m above sea level. A. The nutrient-poor lake, with its largely natural shores and strongly structured vegetation belt, offers habitats for many animal and plant species. It represents a relatively intact ecosystem. The area has been a nature reserve since 1965. The Almsee, owned by the Kremsmünster Abbey, is a popular destination because of its beautiful location.
Reachability:
The lake in the Almtal, 11 km south of the center of Grünau im Almtal, can be reached via Almseestraße L549, which runs on the west bank to the south end. At the end of the street there is a large parking lot at the lake house.
About the lake:
The lake, which is elongated from north to south, has a length of 2.3 km and a maximum width of 700 m. The surface is about 85 hectares, the average depth 2.5 m. The deepest point is a spring funnel, the so-called Seegrube 9 m depth.
The Almsee is a popular destination because of its beautiful location and offers a good view of the Almtaler Sonnenuhr. The Seehaus on the south bank is run as a catering business and operates a kiosk at the parking lot. The Deutsches Haus restaurant, a former hunting lodge, was closed in 2013. Boat trips of any kind are prohibited between October 1st and April 15th. Outside this period, paddling and rowing is only permitted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Fishing boats are excluded from this. Diving, sailing and surfing are prohibited all year round. Because of the low water temperature, there is little swimming. The Almsee is also suitable for ice skating or ice stock sport, as it often freezes over completely in winter.
The Almsee is the starting point for several hiking trails:
- Path 404: It runs along the eastern shore of the lake and is part of the pre-alpine path 04.
- Path 420: The high path connects the Almsee with the Offensee and is part of the Voralpenweg 04.
- Path 213: The Grieskarsteig leads through the Röll to the plateau of the Totes Gebrige.
- Path 214: The Sepp-Huber-Steig leads through the Röll on the plateau of the Totes Gebrige to the Pühringerhütte.
- Paths 213 and 214 can also be used as an approach to the Northern Alpine Path.