Geography Of Gosau
Geography and breathtaking scenery define Gosau, which is located in Upper Austria’s Salzkammergut area. The municipality stretches along the Gosaubach, which flows into Lake Hallstatt and is tucked away in a side valley of the Trauntal with the Gosauzwang across it. Entirety contained within the municipality, the Gosau valley runs eastward, creating a valley gorge, then bends southeastward to open into the Gosau basin, which is the main populated area. The Dachstein mountain is picturesquely seen from the route that connects Gosau to the Vorderer Gosausee.
The hilly parts of the Salzkammergut Pre-Alps are a subregion of the Salzkammergut-Talungen geographical unit in Upper Austria. Dachstein foothills formed by the Plassen and Schwarzkogel groups define the southern limit, which is marked by the Hochkalmberg-Rußberg of the Osterhorn group. The dramatic barrier in the west, formed by the conspicuous Gosaukamm with peaks like Donnerkogel and Großwand, leads to the Pass Gschütt and gives access to the Salzburg Lammertal. Traveling via Gosau, Pass Gschütt, Rußbach, Abtenau, and Annaberg, the B 166 route links Gosauzwang to the Tauern autobahn at Niedernfritz.
With woods making up 58.9% of the total area, the municipality extends 13.1 kilometers north to south and 17.4 kilometers west to east. At 767 meters above sea level, the principal town of Gosau adds to the varied geography of the area.
The southern parts of the municipal area have been a part of the central Dachstein area since 1963. Significantly, in 1995 these lands were made into a natural reserve, and in 1998 the Gosau lakes were included into the protected zone as a Natura 2000 protection area and, in 2001, as a European protection area.
Location
Gosau is in the southern Dachstein Mountains, a subrange of the Northern Limestone Alps. The population of this 114.86 km² region is roughly 1,800. The town core rises 767 meters above sea level.
Gosau is situated at 13° 32′ 24″ E, 47° 33′ 36″ N. About 78 kilometers separate it from Salzburg, 65 from Linz, and 300 from Vienna. Major towns in the area are Gmunden, Hallstatt, and Bad Ischl.
Gosau is bounded by the subsequent areas:
- To the north: Bad Goisern and Hallstatt
- To the east: Annaberg-Lungötz and Abtenau
- To the south: Filzmoos and Ramsau am Dachstein
- To the west: Obertraun and Bad Aussee
Transportation options for getting to Gosau include:
- By car: The B166 road leads to Gosau and links to the A10 and A1 motorways at Golling and Regau, respectively. A number of mountain passes, including the Koppen Pass, the Gschütt Pass, and the Pass Gschwandt, also lead to Gosau.
- By bus: Several bus routes, including the 542 line from Bad Ischl, the 470 line from Golling, and the 470/542 line from Salzburg, service Gosau. Seasonal busses also run in the winter and summer; two examples are the 470/542/543 line from Schladming and the 470/542/544 line from Obertauern.
- By train: Although Gosau lacks a railway station, the closest ones are located in Obertraun, Bad Goisern, and Steeg-Gosau. One may take a bus or a cab to Gosau from there.
- By plane: The Linz Airport (LNZ), around 110 km distant, and the Salzburg Airport (SZG), around 75 km distant, are the nearest airports to Gosau. To get to Gosau from there, one can use a bus, rail or vehicle.
Terrain and Topography
From level meadows and pastures to steep slopes and cliffs, Gosau boasts a diverse geography. The Hoher Dachstein, the second-highest peak in the Northern Limestone Alps and the highest point in Gosau, rises to 2,995 metres. The 464 m high Traun River, which runs through the northern portion of Gosau, is the lowest point.
Mountain Ranges
The following mountain ranges encircle Gosau:
- The Dachstein Mountains: Part of the Northern Limestone Alps, the Dachstein Mountains are the principal mountain range in Gosau. Among its many subranges are the Gosaukamm, the Sarsteinkamm, the Koppenkarstein, and the Bischofsmütze. Springs, sinkholes, and caverns are among the karst characteristics of the Dachstein Mountains.
- The Tennengebirge: East of Gosau is the Tennengebirge, a mountain range that is a component of the Northern Limestone Alps as well. Among the summits are the Raucheck, Bleikogel, and Hochkönig. Climbers and hikers love the untamed landscape of the Tennengebirge.
- The Salzkammergut Mountains: West of Gosau, in the Eastern Alps, are the Salzkammergut Mountains. Among its many subranges are the Schafberg, the Osterhorn Group, and the Totes Gebirge. Famous lakes in the Salzkammergut Mountains include the Wolfgangsee, Mondsee, and Attersee.
Key Mountain Peaks
Key mountain summits in Gosau include:
- The Hoher Dachstein: Gosau’s highest summit and the second-highest in the Northern Limestone Alps is the Hoher Dachstein. With three principal summits—the Hoher Dachstein, the Niedere Dachstein, and the Hunerkogel—it rises to 2,995 meters. Glaciers on the Hoher Dachstein include the Schladminger Glacier, the Gosau Glacier, and the Hallstätter Glacier.
- The Bischofsmütze: The Dachstein Mountains include the prominent Bischofsmütze in Gosau. Its two principal peaks are the Große Bischofsmütze and the Kleine Bischofsmütze, rising to a height of 2,458 metres. The Bischofsmütze is distinguished by its bishop-hat-like form.
- The Donnerkogel: The Gosaukamm subrange includes the notable peak known as the Donnerkogel near Gosau. Climbers love its steep north face on this 2,054 m high peak. The views from the Donnerkogel across the Gosau Valley and Lake are well-known.
Valleys and Basins
Gosau has several valleys and basins, such as:
- The Gosau Valley: The Gosau Valley is the principal valley of Gosau, extending from west to east. Two kilometers broad and sixteen kilometers long. Villages in the Gosau Valley include Gosau, Gosau-Hintertal, and Gosau-Mittertal.
- The Gosau Basin: The Salzkammergut Mountains ring the Gosau Basin, which is located at the western end of the Gosau Valley. Its length is almost four kilometers, and its breadth three. A glacial lake reflecting the Dachstein Mountains, Gosau Lake is the most well-known feature in the Gosau Basin.
- The Lammertal: Part of the Salzach Valley, it is a valley located east of Gosau. It is five km broad and almost thirty kilometer long. River Lammer, a tributary of the Salzach, is the most well-known feature of the Lammertal.
Bodies of Water
Lakes
Gosau Lake and Vorderer Gosausee are the two principal lakes in Gosau. At the westernmost point of the Salzkammergut Mountains-encircled Gosau Valley is the glacial lake known as Gosau Lake. It is 0.4 km broad and 1.2 km long. Particularly the Bischofsmütze, the Dachstein Mountains, are reflected in the Gosau Lake. The Dachstein Mountains ring the eastern end of the Gosau Valley, which is home to the karst lake Vorderer Gosausee. It is 0.3 km broad and 0.8 km long. Periodic draining of the Vorderer Gosausee is well-known; it happens every many years.
Rivers and Streams
The rivers and streams of Gosau include:
- The Traun: Part of the Danube basin, this river passes through the northern portion of Gosau. About 153 kilometers long and 50 m width make it. Hydroelectric power produced along the Traun’s course by many dams and power stations is its well-known feature.
- The Gosaubach: Part of the Traun basin, this stream traverses the Gosau Valley. Ten metres wide and almost sixteen kilometers long. The European Union rates the water quality of the Gosaubach at good.
- The Lammertalbach: This brook traverses the Salzach basin’s Lammertal. It is five metres broad and almost thirty kilometers long. Anglers are fond of the trout fishing in the Lammertalbach.
Scenic Views
Among the picturesque vistas in Gosau are:
- The Gosaukamm View: Part of the Dachstein Mountains, this vista looks out over the Gosau Valley and the Gosaukamm subrange. From a number of locations, including the Zwieselalm, the Gosaukamm Cable Car, and the Gosau Lake, one may view it.
- The Dachstein View: Part of the Dachstein Mountains, the Hoher Dachstein and the Dachstein Glacier are visible from this viewpoint. From the Dachstein Cable Car, the Hunerkogel, and the Gosaukamm Cable Car, among other places, one may view it.
- The Gosau Lake View: The Salzkammergut Mountains’ Gosau Lake and Bischofsmütze are seen from this vantage point. From the Gosau Lake Hotel, the Gosau Lake Trail, and the lake itself, among other places, one may see it.
