Place of happiness: Koppenwinkel lake in Obertraun - © Kraft

Place of happiness: Koppenwinkel lake in Obertraun

Time out by the lake

Anyone traveling by car from Hallstatt or Obertraun over the Koppenpass to Bad Aussee, should take a little time and make a detour to the Koppenwinkl lake ‘Glücksplatz’. The nature reserve on the river Traun at the foot of the Dachstein, with the Koppenwinkel lake and pasture, is one of the most powerful, inspiring and breath-taking places of happiness in the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut. Ideal for re-energizing!

In a moss covered hollow surrounded by Coltsfoot leaves, framed by the walls of the Landfrieds, every spring bubbling springs conjure up the Koppenwinkel lake. A peaceful and tranquil place.

A few wild ducks swimming in the water, chirping birds and mountains reflected in the water. Nearby on the Koppenwinkel pasture, young cattle graze. The smell of "Almraunkerln" (A sweet delicacy) coming from the hut, where the bench in front of it invites you to take a rest. Immerse yourself into our "little Traun village" with its original tranquillity, nestled in a magnificent mountain landscape.

Naturally, you could also discover the ‘Glücksplatz’ during a walking or a cycling tour on Lake Hallstatt. But you should also switch off your mobile phone for once - only then will you be able to appreciate the beauty of nature and draw new energy from it.

A Natural wonder

For most of the year there's a small lake at the foot of the Dachstein Plateau in Obertraun. Most of the year? In Autumn Lake Koppenwinkelsee dries out.

When is a lake not a lake? When it has no water? As you stand on the banks of Lake Koppenwinkelsee in Obertraun in the autumn you might ask yourself the same question. The area which is normally covered by crystal clear, sparkling water in the spring and summer, is dried out and brown. This is not unusual here: in the Koppenwinkel this is a natural seasonal process: Every spring, when the rains come and melt water runs down from the Dachstein Plateau, the small lake bounded by the steep walls of the Landfried, fills up anew. Up on the mountain, the water disappears into fissures and seeps through porous limestone, until it encounters impenetrable rock layers and then trickles through the gravel floor in the Koppenwinkel forming a small lake.

Numerous underground springs feed the lake reserve. It's a popular destination for swimmers and snorkellers in the summer, and also a weicome rest place for hikers and cyclists.surrounding trees take on their autumn colours the lake undergoes a dramatic change - it dries out. In winter, cross-country skiers follow the prepared trails across the lake and in the spring the cycle begins all over again. Is a lake without water a lake? The question must be answered by each person individually. For those who have been there, the answer is obvious.

Our tip: The ‘Glücksplatz’ (place of happiness) Koppenwinkel lake in Obertraun is ideal to combine with a walk through the nature reserve. For those who want to recharge their batteries during a holiday in Hallstatt, we recommend a trip with the pleasure boat to Obertraun and then via the Obertraun ‘Höhenweg’ trail onto the nature reserve. Return is by bus from the valley station of the Dachstein-Krippenstein cable car to Hallstatt. However, please inform yourself about the departure times of Hallstatt pleasure boats and buses in advance. We wish you a pleasant trip, to Koppen lake in Obertraun on Lake Hallstatt, during a vacation in Austria.

Stay up to date!

Do you have questions about other places of happiness places around Lake Hallstatt and Gosau? Your hosts and the friendly staff of the tourist information offices will be happy to provide you with help and advice. We wish you a relaxing time at the places of happiness in the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut!


Tips: Hiking in autumn

Autumn is here! Hooray! The most beautiful hiking season of the year! However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when hiking, especially at this time of year.

  • Plan tours properly.
  • Start early. Especially for high alpine hikes.
  • Attention: It gets dark early!
  • If you are staying overnight in a hut, register in good time by telephone.
  • Do not miss the last cable car ride down the mountain when on mountain tours.
  • Information on the current operating times of the cable cars in connection with a hike can be found below under "Information at a Glance".
  • Check snow conditions. Because at this time of the year the first snow can already fall in the high mountains.
  • We have summarised further important safety tips below.
  • We wish you an unforgettable hiking autumn in the Salzkammergut.

Your editorial team

Safety Tips for Hikers

Admittedly, the landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut is the absolute pinnacle for hiking fans, mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers—unforgettable tours to incredibly beautiful mountain lodges and meadows, panorama views as far as the eye can see and cherished moments that will last a lifetime! However, you should remember that while hiking you might find yourself in high-alpine terrain. We’ve put together some resources to assist you: how to best prepare for your tour, recommended items for your backpack and steps to take in an emergency situation. Remember to always play it safe and enjoy your hiking adventure in the Salzkammergut!

Warning: Closed trails
Better to know before you go

Hiking trails in the Salzkammergut can be closed for various reasons. To help you prepare for your hike, we have set up a page with current road closures in the region. This will help you get to your destination without any detours or stress. Click here to visit the page...

Rest stops & other offers

“Glücksplätze” - Places of happiness

Hiking in the nature reserve "Koppenwinkel" Obertraun

© Kraft | Wandern im Koppenwinkel Obertraun

Koppental Hiking Trail in Obertraun

BergeSeen Trail Stage 13

Restaurant0 "Koppenrast" in Obertraun

© Koppenrast |  Gasthaus Koppenrast in Obertraun

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