Pichlinger See

The Pichlinger See is an artificial leisure area in the district of Pichling, south-east of Linz. The bathing lake, the green belt with several parking spaces, restaurants and snack bars, playgrounds, and a campground are all part of it. Pichlinger See is a wonderful place to spend a day or a weekend with your family, friends, or yourself. Whether you want to swim, play, relax, or learn, you will find something to suit your mood and interest at Pichlinger See. Pichlinger See is not just a lake, but a relaxing oasis in Linz.

The Lake and Its History

Pichlinger See is a large bathing lake with a water surface area of 31 hectares and an average depth of 4.5 meters. The lake has no surface inflow or outflow, but is fed by groundwater that slowly flows through it. The deepest point of the lake is 6 meters below the surface.

The lake was not always there, though. It was created as a byproduct of gravel mining that started in the late 1930s. The gravel was used for the construction of the Hermann-Göring-Werke, a large industrial complex that was part of Nazi Germany’s war economy, and later for the construction of the A1 highway (Westautobahn). The gravel pit gradually filled with water and became a lake that people started to use for swimming since 1947.

The lake has an interesting history and some hidden treasures. In the 1950s, mammoth tusks were discovered during gravel mining, indicating that the area was once inhabited by these ancient animals. North of the lake, you can also see ice age embankments that were formed by glaciers thousands of years ago.

The lake has also faced some challenges over the years. From the mid-1980s to the 1990s, the lake suffered from rising algal growth that reduced its water quality and attractiveness as a bathing lake. To solve this problem, suction dredgers were used by Stadtbetriebe Linz (now Linz AG) to clear algae and silt from the lake in the mid-1990s. Since then, Linz AG has been taking care of the lake and maintaining its ecological balance.

The Leisure Area and Its Facilities

Pichlinger See is not just a lake, but a whole leisure area that offers something for everyone. The lake is surrounded by a green belt with several parking spaces, restaurants and snack bars, playgrounds, and a campground. You can also find a drinking fountain, free Wi-Fi, and a circular route of 3.5 kilometers for walking and running around the lake.

The lake is a paradise for water lovers. You can swim, dive, fish, or surf in the lake, or just relax on the sandy beach. The lake has a designated swimming area with a water slide, a diving platform, and a floating island. The water temperature is usually between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius in the summer. The lake is also safe for swimming, as volunteer lifeguards from the WR, Pichling local office, watch over the bathers from the beginning of May until the end of September on weekends and public holidays.

The lake is also a great place for sports and games. You can play football, table tennis, basketball, or beach volleyball on the courts near the lake, or try your skills at the miniature golf course. If you are looking for more adventure, you can also rent a pedal boat, a canoe, or a stand-up paddle board and explore the lake from a different perspective.

The lake is not only a summer destination, but also a winter attraction. When the lake freezes, you can enjoy ice skating or curling on the ice. The lake is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as many migratory birds stop by the lake on their way to warmer regions.

The lake is also a convenient place to visit, as it is well-connected to the public transport network. You can reach the lake by Linz AG’s bus routes 11 and 19, which run every 15 minutes to the lake. You can also take the tram line 2, which is currently being extended to Pichlinger See. The Western Railway stop in Linz Pichling also connects you to the Upper Austrian S-Bahn network, which can take you to other parts of the region.

Linz, Austria