Hintersteiner See

Hintersteiner See is a beautiful mountain lake located in the Wilder Kaiser national park in Austria. It is situated in the Scheffau administrative district, which is part of the Tirol state in Austria.

The lake, covering an area of 56 hectares (140 acres) and with a depth of 36 meters (118 feet), was created during the most recent ice age. It is situated at an elevation of 883 meters above sea level. The lake is filled with pristine water sourced from underground springs, resulting in its crystal-clear appearance. The Hintersteiner See is privately owned by Tiroler Wasserkraft AG and is carefully utilized for energy production. The river flows into the Weißache River.

There is a public swimming beach located on the lake.The alpine lake, Hintersteiner See, is known for its exceptional drinking water quality. The underground springs provide this place with mountain-fresh water, which beautifully reflects the majestic peaks of the mountains on its surface. Bathing in the crystal clear waters of the Kaiser Mountains on a hot summer day or after a long climb is truly a remarkable experience. During the summer, the average temperature rises to a range of 21 to 23 degrees.

History

The Hintersteiner See was created during the last ice age, when glaciers carved out the basin that now holds the lake. It is at a height of 883 metres above sea level and covers an area of 56 hectares. It is up to 36 metres deep and has a volume of about 10 million cubic metres. The lake has been used for fishing since the Middle Ages, and was also a popular destination for pilgrims who visited the nearby chapel of St. Leonhard. In the 19th century, the lake became a tourist attraction, and several hotels and guesthouses were built along the shore. The lake was also the setting for several films, such as the 1954 musical comedy “Die Deutschmeister” starring Romy Schneider.

Activities

The Hintersteiner See offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. One of the most popular things to do is to hike around the lake, which takes about two hours and offers magnificent views of the turquoise blue water and the surrounding mountains. The path climbs a little on the southern shore and is accessible to everyone thanks to a road on the northern bank. Along the way, there are several options to stop for a snack and a drink, such as the Seestüberl, the Pension Maier, or the Jausenstation Gasteiger. For those who want to explore the lake from a different perspective, there is also the possibility to rent a rowing boat or a stand-up paddle board at the lido on the eastern shore.

The lido is also the place to go for those who want to enjoy a swim in the crystal clear water of the lake. The outdoor pool is located on the north shore of the lake and offers a large lawn for sunbathing as well as a kiosk and a rental service for sunbeds, umbrellas and stand-up paddles. The lido also has a baby pool, a children’s slide, a playground, a beach volleyball court, a table tennis table, and a mini golf course. The water quality of the lake is monitored regularly and is of drinking water standard. The lake is also home to various fish species, such as trout, char, perch, and carp, which can be caught with a fishing permit.

For those who want to venture further into the Wilder Kaiser nature reserve, there are several hiking trails that start from the lake and lead to scenic spots such as the Walleralm, the Steiner Hochalm, or the Hocheggalm. These alpine pastures offer stunning views of the lake and the surrounding peaks, such as the Scheffauer, the Hackenköpfe, or the Treffauer. The trails are well-marked and suitable for hikers of different levels of fitness and experience. Some of the trails are also open for mountain bikers, who can enjoy the challenging terrain and the breathtaking scenery.

How to get there

The Hintersteiner See is located in the municipality of Scheffau, about 15 kilometres from the town of Kitzbühel. The easiest way to get there is by car, but there is a chargeable, limited parking area for cars on the eastern shore of the lake. Motorhomes and coaches are not allowed to park there due to the narrow road to the lake. Alternatively, visitors can use the free hikers’ bus from Scheffau’s village centre to the lake, which runs daily during the summer months. The bus stop is near the tourist office, and the journey takes about 15 minutes. The bus also stops at several other places along the way, such as the Gasthof Jägerwirt, the Pension Blaiken, or the Hotel Alpin.

Another option to reach the lake is by train, as the nearest railway station is in Kufstein, about 20 kilometres away. From there, visitors can take a regional bus to Scheffau, and then change to the hikers’ bus to the lake. The train and bus schedules can be found on the websites of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and the Tyrolean Transport Association (VVT) .

Kitzbühel, Austria