Editor Pick
A great neighbor
- June 9, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Wasatch from heber ctity, Utah
Much better known that Gosausee, it’s next door neighbor in the valley to the east is Halstatt town and lake, at the foot of the north wall of the Dachstein. As soon as we emerged from the tunnel connecting Hallstatt to its parking lot inside a mountain, we knew we had arrived at the site of one the most well known photographs in the world– the picturesque Gothic parish church of Hallstatt and its equally picturesque tiny village set on the shores of the Hallstattersee(Lake Hallstatt). This is a knock out scene. Try to make it on sunny day. That said, as quaint villages go, Hallstatt is not our favorite, not even in Austria, an honor that goes to Lofer. But still, it is a remarkably attractive place. It takes but a moment to walk from one end of town to the other along the lake, and maybe an hour to explore every street in town. Then head for the south end of town (away from the church), for meal or at least a beer at one of the lake shore restaurants, where, for high prices, you can relax and absorb the spectacular view.
The lake is 5 by 10 miles, and over 400 ft. deep, set in a mountain valley where the heavily forested dark green mountains seem to shoot straight up from the water’s edge, one of the best Alpine lake settings. Boat rides on the lake are available. The lake is only accessible form Hallstatt and at the south end of the lake.
An hour or so is long enough to see the town, but having a beer or Austrian pastry or meal at one of the lake side restaurants is worth the high prices. Aside for the setting, Hallstatt's sights include a couple Gothic churches and a museum featuring excavations of from the Iron Age village under the water and info on the local salt mines. The town is pretty much one street wade, strung out along the lake, and it didn't take long to walk from one end of town to the other. The walk is worthwhile, to see the setting and the old village houses. The town widens out and becomes more modern at the south end. Salt mines and some waterfalls can be visited in the vicinity.
Boat rides on the lake are available.
Hallstatt is one of the oldest known settlements north of Italy. There is an 30,000 year old village now under water near Hallstatt town.
Although once you take in the setting, there is not much to do in Hallstatt, there is much to do and see in the vicinity if you are traveling by car, so it can be your base for a couple days. We stayed overnight in Hallstatt and the next morning headed 4 miles south down the road to the tram assent to the glaciers and ice caves of the mighty Dachstein.
As impressive as the view is from Hallstatt, we like the view of Hallstattersee better from across the lake at the Snack Bar on Rt 145 between Bad Ischl and Bad Aussee. Leave Bad Ischl going toward Bad Aussee. The highway climbs the mountain. About two-thirds of the way to the top, the road makes a hairpin turn to the left. You will see a parking lot on your left, tucked into the bend in the road. Park here. Walk to the downhill corner of the parking lot nearest the highway to the tunnel under the road. The best views are from the terrace in front of the snack bar. Below, ringed by cliffs and high mountain walls lies Lake Hallstatt. At the far end of the lake towers the mighty Dachstein, its glaciers sparkling in the midsummer sun.
Don’t even think of driving into town unless you are staying at a hotel with a parking lot. There is no train service, but busses run to Hallstatt. The town parking lot is a man-made cave carved out of the side of the mountain on the west side of the town site. The road enters a tunnel, and the parking lot is at a turn off inside the tunnel. The parking lot is above the town, requiring a bit of climb on the return to your car.
A pleasant day’s drive is to circle the lake on the scenic highways, with stops as described above at the Snack Bar and to ascend the Dachstein to perhaps ski on the glacier or visit the ice cave, and certainly for the view.
Hallstatt is on the southern edge of the famous Salzkammergut lake district. The south end of the lake, save only enough room for the road and a few farms, is at the base of the Dachstein massif.
Although we have stayed in Hallstatt, we much prefer Gosausee, at the lake, perhaps an even more spectacular setting than Hallstatt, even if the lake was created by a dam.
From journal The Perfect Alpine Lake
Editor Pick
You Have Seen It on 1,000 Travel Posters
- February 1, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Wasatch from heber ctity, Utah
Halstatt, town and lake, at the foot of the north wall of the Dachstein, is the best known of the Dachstein's many wonderful sights. As soon as we emerged from the tunnel connecting Hallstatt to its parking lot inside a mountain, we knew we had arrived at the site of one the most well known photographs in the world– the picturesque Gothic parish church of Hallstatt and its equally picturesque little village set on the shores of the Hallstattersee(Lake Hallstatt). This is a knock out scene. Try to make it on sunny day. That said, as quaint villages go, Hallstatt is not our favorite, not even in Austria, an honor that goes to Lofer. But still, it is a remarkably attractive place. It takes but a moment to walk from one end of town to the other along the lake, and maybe an hour to explore every street in town. Then head for the south end of town (away from the church), for meal or at least a beer at one of the lake shore restaurants, where, for high prices, you can relax and absorb the spectacular view.
The lake is 5 by 1½ miles, and over 400 ft. deep, set in a mountain valley where the heavily forested dark green mountains seem to shoot straight up from the water’s edge, one of the best Alpine lake settings. Boat rides on the lake are available. The lake is only accessible form Hallstatt and at the south end of the lake.
An hour or so is long enough to see the town, but having a beer or Austrian pastry or meal at one of the lake side restaurants is worth the high prices. Aside for the setting, Hallstatt's sights include a couple Gothic churches and a museum featuring excavations of from the Iron Age village under the water and info on the local salt mines. The town is pretty much one street wade, strung out along the lake, and it didn't take long to walk from one end of town to the other. The walk is worthwhile, to see the setting and the old village houses. The town widens out and becomes more modern at the south end. Salt mines and some waterfalls can be visited in the vicinity.
Hallstatt is one of the oldest known settlements north of Italy. There is an 30,000 year old village now under water near Hallstatt town.
Although once you take in the setting, there is not much to do in Hallstatt, there is much to do and see in the vicinity if you are traveling by car, so it can be your base for a couple days. We stayed overnight in Hallstatt and the next morning headed 4 miles south down the road to the tram assent to the glaciers and ice caves of the mighty Dachstein.
Leaving Hallstatt, a short drive to the west brought us to the shores of the Gosausee, our favorite Alpine lake(see journal).
As impressive as the view is from Hallstatt, we like the view of Hallstattersee better from across the lake at the Snack Bar on Rt 145 between Bad Ischl and Bad Aussee. Leave Bad Ischl going toward Bad Aussee. The highway climbs the mountain. About two-thirds of the way to the top, the road makes a hairpin turn to the left. You will see a parking lot on your left, tucked into the bend in the road. Park here. Walk to the downhill corner of the parking lot nearest the highway to the tunnel under the road. The best views are from the terrace in front of the snack bar. Below, ringed by cliffs and high mountain walls lies Lake Hallstatt. At the far end of the lake towers the mighty Dachstein, its glaciers sparkling in the midsummer sun.
Don’t even think of driving into town unless you are staying at a hotel with a parking lot. There is no train service, but busses run to Hallstatt. The town parking lot is a man-made cave carved out of the side of the mountain on the west side of the town site. The road enters a tunnel, and the parking lot is at a turn off inside the tunnel. The parking lot is above the town, requiring a bit of climb on the return to your car.
A pleasant day’s drive is to circle the lake on the scenic highways, with stops as described above at the Snack Bar and to ascend the Dachstein to perhaps ski on the glacier or visit the ice cave, and certainly for the view.
Hallstatt is on the southern edge of the famous Salzkammergut lake district. The south end of the lake, save only enough room for the road and a few farms, is at the base of the Dachstein massif.
Although we have stayed in Hallstatt, we prefer other places in the area, in this order: Gosausee, at the lake, perhaps an even more spectacular setting than Hallstatt, even if the lake was created by a dam; or Bad Ischl, where the Emperor vacationed; or Bad Aussee, where Mahler spent the summers composing.
As for hotel recommendations, don't bother looking at them. The general rule for Austria applies: There are no bad hotels in Austria, so you don’t need guide books. We weren’t to far into our 15 trips to Austria before we realized that we could throw away the guide books hotel recommendations. I’ve checked post trip and found nobody recommends most of the places we’ve liked best. I think that is because guide books tend to focus on hotels that meet some preconceived notion of what American’s want in a hotel room, and these tend to be more expensive than most and in no way a better hotel. After a few years experimentation, here’s how we do it (this also works in Germany). In late afternoon, we decide to find a hotel. We drive around a bit looking at places. When we see a hotel whose looks we like, we stop and check the state plaque by the door (explained later). If that’s OK, we look at room. If that’s OK, we stay there. I don’t think we ever rejected a place. We have never been disappointed. Only once was our first choice hotel full (we never travel in Europe mid-July-August, when the crowds hit).
The government rates all hotels in the country from 1 to 5 stars by the amenities provided. The star system is good guide to cost. All categories are clean, neat, and tidy, so you can be guided by cost or comfort level in where you stay. The government rating is posted on a brass plaque near the entrance that gives the name of the hotel, and under the name, the stars. The only iffy category is one star, which means the bathroom may be shared and down the hall.
From journal The Mighty Dachstein