--- title: Egelsee nature reserve in Unterach am Attersee in the Salzkammergut url: "https://www.hornerakusko.sk/en/oesterreich-tour/detail/100029/the-high-moor-region-of-lake-egelsee.html" description: The frequent change of forests and meadows, numerous viewpoints and the idyllic Egelsee make this hike an experience. date: 2016-05-12 modified: 2026-03-11 --- # Egelsee nature reserve in Unterach am Attersee in the Salzkammergut The high moor region of lake Egelsee ====================================== **Path number:** 3 **Starting place:** 4866 Unterach am Attersee **Destination:** 4866 Unterach am Attersee ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/204598/C8F2FF73CA0D845ADED892F69D2260EEB36DA150AA2B65835B4726B8EB27DF3D/2020egelseelisa-hemetsberger.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/237210/100EFFD102E96345BFF7AE5D2E2181A4CE3B2E19AA9345376F36682F6B7DC8A3/2019wanderungzumegelseesuess-3.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/237211/EA8C3E8BB9944FDAEF0B897CEB61FA6D9C86A93EBED4C62DEB5ECA6AA6A00608/2019wanderungzumegelseesuess-8.jpg) Open copyright © Lisa Hemetsberger Close copyright [ ![View of the Hochmoorsee in Unterach am Attersee.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/204598/C8F2FF73CA0D845ADED892F69D2260EEB36DA150AA2B65835B4726B8EB27DF3D/2020egelseelisa-hemetsberger.jpg "© Lisa Hemetsberger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/204598/C8F2FF73CA0D845ADED892F69D2260EEB36DA150AA2B65835B4726B8EB27DF3D/2020egelseelisa-hemetsberger.jpg) Open copyright © TVB Attersee-Attergau Close copyright [ ![On the way to the Egelsee with a view of the Attersee](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237210/100EFFD102E96345BFF7AE5D2E2181A4CE3B2E19AA9345376F36682F6B7DC8A3/2019wanderungzumegelseesuess-3.jpg "© TVB Attersee-Attergau") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237210/100EFFD102E96345BFF7AE5D2E2181A4CE3B2E19AA9345376F36682F6B7DC8A3/2019wanderungzumegelseesuess-3.jpg) Open copyright © TVB Attersee-Attergau Close copyright [ ![Hike to the Egelsee - view of the Attersee and the Höllengebirge](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237211/EA8C3E8BB9944FDAEF0B897CEB61FA6D9C86A93EBED4C62DEB5ECA6AA6A00608/2019wanderungzumegelseesuess-8.jpg "© TVB Attersee-Attergau") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237211/EA8C3E8BB9944FDAEF0B897CEB61FA6D9C86A93EBED4C62DEB5ECA6AA6A00608/2019wanderungzumegelseesuess-8.jpg) Open copyright © Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger Close copyright [ ![Photo Upper Austria Tourism/Attersee Attergau/Michael Grössinger: Aerial photo with a view of Unterach am Attersee.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237212/563ED200A5315FB45F67BC700410FB243C6262F2017A609D87B90D864A9834F8/atterseeunterachoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg "© Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237212/563ED200A5315FB45F67BC700410FB243C6262F2017A609D87B90D864A9834F8/atterseeunterachoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg) Open copyright © Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger Close copyright [ ![Photo Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee Attergau/Michael Grössinger: View over Lake Attersee towards the Höllengebirge mountains.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237213/618A9E3B60451E91B6D62D339CF7430FF5B9AB6B6DD5700239C474914074BEE6/luftaufnahmewandernedelkastanienwegoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg "© Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237213/618A9E3B60451E91B6D62D339CF7430FF5B9AB6B6DD5700239C474914074BEE6/luftaufnahmewandernedelkastanienwegoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg) Open copyright © Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger Close copyright [ ![Photo Upper Austria Tourism/Attersee Attergau/Michael Grössinger: View of the Egelsee high moor area near Unterach am Attersee.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237214/1B6F71BBE421489755916509C4F52BF766E749DB371CA37A020A47E3EAC4664F/atterseeunterachhochmoorgebietegelseeoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg "© Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237214/1B6F71BBE421489755916509C4F52BF766E749DB371CA37A020A47E3EAC4664F/atterseeunterachhochmoorgebietegelseeoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg) Open copyright © Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger Close copyright [ ![Photo Upper Austria Tourism/Attersee Attergau/Michael Grössinger: A man and a woman hike along the sweet chestnut trail on Lake Attersee in the Salzkammergut.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237215/7B1AA1E02D2CF0A94193408EBDF6500FD5BFDD7271135FCD92A4C01C3493C19E/paarwandernedelkastanienwegoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg "© Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237215/7B1AA1E02D2CF0A94193408EBDF6500FD5BFDD7271135FCD92A4C01C3493C19E/paarwandernedelkastanienwegoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg) Open copyright © OberoesterreichTourismusAtterseeAttergauMichaelGroessinger Close copyright [ ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237216/2FE850BCCF01ABB27DB57BC54B3AF3631E1E5266B17FDF41B3E54716F1A63B58/wandereregelsee.jpg "© OberoesterreichTourismusAtterseeAttergauMichaelGroessinger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237216/2FE850BCCF01ABB27DB57BC54B3AF3631E1E5266B17FDF41B3E54716F1A63B58/wandereregelsee.jpg) Open copyright © Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger Close copyright [ ![Photo Upper Austria Tourism/Attersee Attergau/Michael Grössinger: Yoga in the high moor area at Lake Egelsee in the Salzkammergut.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237217/1C9A0FEE7D11A71040B708FA5FB485C0A9D11F70798DEC67EFFB0DCCEBEB2868/holzstegegelseeyogaoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg "© Oberösterreich Tourismus/Attersee-Attergau/Michael Grössinger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237217/1C9A0FEE7D11A71040B708FA5FB485C0A9D11F70798DEC67EFFB0DCCEBEB2868/holzstegegelseeyogaoberoesterreichtourismusatterseeattergaumichaelgroessinger-jpg.jpg) Open copyright © Werner Schnetzer Close copyright [ ![Photo of the Egelsee with a beautiful reflection of the forest in the water.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237218/59B192B2E998235B43F262B501CB16FEA775A57C09C6BA3634DE8981D36C3E4D/naturschutzgebiet-egelsee-in-unterach-am-attersee.jpg "© Werner Schnetzer") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237218/59B192B2E998235B43F262B501CB16FEA775A57C09C6BA3634DE8981D36C3E4D/naturschutzgebiet-egelsee-in-unterach-am-attersee.jpg) Open copyright © Sandra Mayr Close copyright [ ![Photo from the Egelsee in autumn.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237219/9366A70C56369CB897F132A0E0F20B667481D4A463C97245F3335D52F2ED4A25/naturschutzgebiet-egelsee-in-unterach-am-attersee.jpg "© Sandra Mayr") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237219/9366A70C56369CB897F132A0E0F20B667481D4A463C97245F3335D52F2ED4A25/naturschutzgebiet-egelsee-in-unterach-am-attersee.jpg) Open copyright © TVB Attersee-Attergau Carolin Häupl Close copyright [ ![Beautiful hike to Lake Egelsee in winter](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/204596/A6285E715D76FF148FC386FCA9202F4F38A8BC27501E724F2B056E16A1121BDD/2020-winterbilder-egelsee-carolinhc3a4uplbearbei.jpg "© TVB Attersee-Attergau Carolin Häupl") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/204596/A6285E715D76FF148FC386FCA9202F4F38A8BC27501E724F2B056E16A1121BDD/2020-winterbilder-egelsee-carolinhc3a4uplbearbei.jpg) Open copyright © TVB Attersee-Attergau/Carolin Häupl Close copyright [ ![The Egelsee in winter is also particularly beautiful for hiking.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/204595/D50AF2E067327B0463C77F5B29BE8004E7295DF47261CB8F2B0E9C992CE9EF4D/2020-winterbilder-egelsee-carolinhc3a4upl1bearbeitet.jpg "© TVB Attersee-Attergau/Carolin Häupl") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/204595/D50AF2E067327B0463C77F5B29BE8004E7295DF47261CB8F2B0E9C992CE9EF4D/2020-winterbilder-egelsee-carolinhc3a4upl1bearbeitet.jpg) Open copyright © TVBAtterseeAttergau Close copyright [ ![Photo shows Egelsee in Unterach am Attersee in spring.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/237209/725B737A05FCB5178D63C1DB910937FCF33DD5E197EDA0CEB760809665C7F67D/egelseewinterunterach.jpg "© TVBAtterseeAttergau") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/237209/725B737A05FCB5178D63C1DB910937FCF33DD5E197EDA0CEB760809665C7F67D/egelseewinterunterach.jpg) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Hauptstraße 9 4866 Unterach am Attersee [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Hauptstra%C3%9Fe%209%2C%204866%20Unterach%20am%20Attersee "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Hauptstra%C3%9Fe%209%2C%204866%20Unterach%20am%20Attersee "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&path=enc:__xbHupiqAuE{AaBKaAkBgAXmE{D_Cz@}AsF^_Bi@qCY}A_AcHgAqEk@_C?uFUoDJmBw@_DqF{KaAbBy@o@e@{B{@iCo@Xh@qCwMpAmBfAoCm@aAUu@yAyAYk@w@}@CkBTkCfF_A?wCsBk@pC?vDsBxCyCbA{DwBsAu@y@d@sC_DkBG}AyAYaDyBsBi@I_Af@_Ak@u@}AeAyAiCFaCoD{AsHcDa@_AtCCfCTbFiA|AwA~Cs@p@{@H&server=meta.tourdata.at) **Easy hike with beautiful viewpoints. The Egelsee is a moorland lake with rare moorland plants. Pure nature experience!** The starting point for this hike is the church square in Unterach. From here, you start in the direction of the sweet chestnut forest (here you have the option of following the forest nature trail towards the jubilee tree), continue along the bypass road and turn left after 200 metres at a farm. Continue along the edge of the forest and turn left after the game reserve. Follow this path until you reach the Panoramagasthof Druckerhof. The route then continues towards the Egelsee nature reserve. The frequent alternation of forests and meadows, numerous viewpoints and the idyllic Egelsee lake make this hike an experience. Once you reach the dark moorland lake, you are rewarded with an attractive landscape and a special view of the western Höllengebirge mountains. The high moorland lake at 624 metres above sea level is 105 metres long, 65 metres wide and up to 7 metres deep. The Egelsee owes its formation to the last ice age and is surrounded by botanically valuable siltation zones. The presence of six carnivorous plants and twelve orchid species alone reflects the diverse flora. The return journey follows the familiar route. **Refreshment stops:** Panoramagasthof Druckerhof +43 7665 8295 Restaurant Stadler +43 7665 8346 **Egelsee and Egelseemoor - nature reserve since 1965** The Egelsee and the surrounding Egelseemoor are not only a popular recreational area, but also the oldest nature reserve in the Attersee-Attergau region. The Egelsee, a moorland lake around 105 metres long and 65 metres wide, is a relic of the Ice Age. It lies in a so-called dead ice hole, which is surrounded by silting moors and a wide variety of fescue grasslands. The area provides an ideal habitat for numerous but very sensitive plant species. In 1965, around 4.1 hectares were designated as a nature reserve by decree. **Find out more about Lake Egelsee, the "Venus Trap" among the nature reserves in the Attersee-Attergau region!****DISCOVER the protected natural jewel of Lake Egelsee in Unterach** **PROTECTED PLANTS IN THE EGELSEE AND EGELSEEMOOR** **Sensitive & conservation-grade plant species such as sundew, lousewort & more** Both the small moorland lake and its surroundings with a complex of fescue grassland, fens, large sedge swamps and remnants of raised bog (Egelseemoor) are protected. All the sundew species found in Austria can be found at Lake Egelsee, as well as the marsh lousewort or dwarf hedgehog cattail and numerous other species of high conservation value. The presence of six insectivorous plants (e.g. sundew / Drosera) and twelve orchid species alone reflects the phytosociological diversity. The banks of Lake Egel are quite steep and the lake is up to seven metres deep. A dense forest of various species of bracken algae grows on its bottom. In between, pond horsetails and pond lilies have colonised the shoreline. The water, which becomes increasingly opaque as the depth increases, is home to several species of native fish such as pike, roach and carp. In the shore area, a fescue grass floats on the lake water, which are bog plants saturated with water. **PLEASE STAY OFF THE PATH DESIGNATED FOR VISITORS** **Please stay on the path designated for visitors** Many plants around the Egelsee are threatened with extinction and **are very sensitive** to trespassing. The aim is to protect this unique plant diversity for the next generation. In line with the motto "protect and utilise", the good ecological condition of the biotope complex has been largely preserved by demarcating the sensitive areas and signposting the hiking trail. **Sources & further information:** Land OÖ Egelsee: Land OÖ Schutzgebiete: Land OÖ Pflanzen: [https://www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/files/publications/n\_pflanzen.pdf](https://www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/files/publikationen/n_pflanzen.pdf) Atterwiki Egelsee: [ Tour and route information ](#ttgCollapseTourdetails) --------------------------------------------------------- **Path number:** 3 **Starting place:** 4866 Unterach am Attersee **Destination:** 4866 Unterach am Attersee **duration:** 1h 35m **length:** 4,5 km **Altitude difference (uphill):** 261m **Altitude difference (downhill):** 114m **Lowest point:** 491m **Highest point:** 670m **difficulty:** medium **condition:** medium **panoramic view:** Great panorama **Paths covering:** Hiking trail **Starting point:** At the church in Unterach am Attersee **Destination:** At the high moor Egelsee **further information:** - Board possible **Details - hiking**- educational path [ ![Altitude profile The high moor region of lake Egelsee](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_100029&width=355&height=250&FontSize=12&mkt=en) ![Altitude profile The high moor region of lake Egelsee](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_100029&width=450&height=350&mkt=en) ](#ttgHoehenprofilModal "The high moor region of lake Egelsee") [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- **Accessibility / arrival**by car: Coming from Salzburg via the A1 - exit Mondsee Coming from Vienna/Linz via the A1 - exit St. Georgen, Attersee via Nußdorf to Unterach Coming from the west - Bad Ischl-Weißenbach-Unterach **by train:** Coming from Salzburg or Linz/Vienna to Vöcklamarkt, then with the Attergau train to Attersee, and by bus to Unterach **by plane:** Coming from Salzburg via the A1 - exit Mondsee Coming from Vienna/Linz via the A1 - exit St. Georgen **Parking**- Parking space: 10 **Shuttle service**You can continue along the path from Egelsee towards Stockwinkel and take the public bus (561) back to Unterach. [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - All weather - Suitable for groups - Suitable for schools - Suitable for teenagers - Suitable for seniors - Suitable for single travelers - Suitable for families - Suitable for friends - Suitable for couples **Most economical season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn - Early winter [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **The high moor region of lake Egelsee** Tourismusverband Attersee-Attergau Hauptstraße 9 4866 Unterach am Attersee Phone [ +43 7666 7719 - 50 ](tel:+437666771950) E-Mail [info.unterach@attersee.at](#mailto) Web [attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at](https://attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at "New window") https://attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at --- **You can also visit us on** [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/attersee) [ Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/attersee_attergau/?hl=de) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.at/regionatterseeattergau/_saved/) [ YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/user/tvbattersee#p/a) [ Wikipedia ](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unterach_am_Attersee) --- **We speak the following languages** German [ Discover more ](#ttgCollapseMeineEmpfehlungen) -------------------------------------------------- [ Open copyright © Copyright: Michael Süß Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/204066/628998BCFD2E275119EB50B03A224EB41E09F5A4C13FC91E7E55930166070CF2/edelkastanienwald-mit-seeblick-in-unterach-am-attersee.jpg "Chestnut Forest with Lake View in Unterach am Attersee (© Copyright: Michael Süß)") Sweet Chestnut Forest - Integral nature reserve ](https://www.hornerakusko.sk/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/400638/sweet-chestnut-forest-integral-nature-reserve.html) [ Open copyright © Copyright: National Geographic Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/204597/FA437B253A69C02F2D6CE893ACBD8773C168C5AFDBCD68C87D8ED0FADC423121/naturschutzgebiet-egelsee-in-unterach-am-attersee.jpg "Egelsee Nature Reserve in Unterach am Attersee (© Copyright: National Geographic)") Lake Egelsee and moor - nature reserve ](https://www.hornerakusko.sk/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/400969/lake-egelsee-and-moor-nature-reserve.html) 1. 2. [ Gastronomy ](#ttgCollapseGastro) ------------------------------------ [ Open copyright © Copyright: Hotel Stadler Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/180591/7B0A10DA309AFCD363FDA741CDAE10C9D7CE3A4D72BFE4CB7A0EF1CAD369D71B/seegasthof-stadler-unterach-am-attersee-gastgarten.jpg "Seegasthof Stadler, Unterach am Attersee, guest garden (© Copyright: Hotel Stadler)") Restaurant Stadler at Lake Attersee ](https://www.hornerakusko.sk/en/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/100163/restaurant-stadler-at-lake-attersee.html) [ Open copyright © Copyright: Druckerhof Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/122400/09E16452FA8BC55F88D1C3C96DA5B48458460B3F9724AEFF60DC1984C4A378F6/panoramagasthof-druckerhof.jpg "Panoramagasthof Druckerhof (© Copyright: Druckerhof)") Panoramagasthof Druckerhof ](https://www.hornerakusko.sk/en/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/103289/panoramagasthof-druckerhof.html) 1. 2. Interactive elevation profile ------------------------------- [ Download GPS data ](https://gpsdownload.ttg.at?type=2030&ExperienceID=526&TourID=100029&Format=GPX) [ Create PDF ](#ttgTourdataPdfModal100029) [To the website](https://attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at "New window") ### Altitude profile - The high moor region of lake Egelsee Close ![Altitude profile The high moor region of lake Egelsee](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_100029&width=800&height=600&mkt=en) powered by [TOURDATA](https://www.tourdata.at "New window") [ ![TOURDATA Logo](https://www.hornerakusko.sk/fileadmin/templates/global/images/Logo-Tourdata.png "TOURDATA Logo") ](https://www.tourdata.at "New window")