Among the provinces of Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Styria there is a geographic region called the Salzkammergut that encloses an extraordinary natural heritage. Two crystal-clear lakes nestled in a narrow glacial valley, sheltered by the rocky walls of the Höllengebirge massifs, serve as prime examples. This complex is known as the Langbathseen, comprising Vorderer Langbathsee, the anterior lake, and Hinterer Langbathsee, the posterior lake.
Separated by just a few hundred meters, they form one of the country’s most photographed natural landscapes and a beloved year-round destination for residents of the Salzkammergut. What immediately strikes the eye is the astonishing clarity of the water: on clear days the bottom is perfectly visible, while the limestone walls reflect on the surface, creating a near-mirror effect. Around them stretches a vast mixed forest that alternates between conifers and broadleaf trees, offering completely different hues across spring, summer, and autumn.
The atmosphere still preserves the character of Austrian mountains little known to international tourism. This is therefore a dimension of silence, the scent of resin, and sounds produced only by water and wind.
Origin, formation and legends of the Langbathseen
The Langbathseen owe their current appearance to the last glaciation, when enormous masses of ice carved this alpine valley deeply. With the gradual retreat of the glaciers, about 12,000 years ago, the depressions left behind by their passage filled with water, giving rise to the two lakes.
The entire natural basin appears almost like a vast amphitheater carved into the mountains. Just before reaching the Vorderer Langbathsee, two gigantic blocks of stone at the roadside remind of the power of the geological events that shaped this area. Along the route toward the rear lake, one also passes through a large zone that was affected by a landslide in the past, testimony to the ongoing evolution of the Alpine landscape.
Vorderer Langbathsee lies at an altitude of about 664 meters, while the Hinterer Langbathsee lies a little higher, around 730 meters. Both are fed by waters from the surrounding mountains, characterized by limestone rocks that contribute to the basin’s clarity.
The steep walls of the Höllengebirge, rising over 1,800 meters, form the natural backdrop to the entire panorama. In the early morning hours the sun gradually lights up the peaks, while the lake remains wrapped in the mountain’s shadow, creating particularly evocative light contrasts.
Unlike many Alpine destinations rich in folk tales, the Langbathseen mainly preserve a memory tied to nature itself. The valley’s isolation, dense vegetation, and the continual reflection of rock walls on the water have nourished, over time, a nearly mysterious aura, so much so that this corner of the Salzkammergut is considered one of the region’s most scenographic landscapes.
What to do and see
The visit begins at the large parking lot beside the Vorderer Langbathsee, easily reachable by car. From this point a network of well-signposted trails starts, suitable for a simple stroll or longer hikes. The loop around the Vorderer Langbathsee takes about 45 minutes and follows the shore along a broad forest road with a firm surface, suitable even for families with strollers and for those preferring an itinerary without particular difficulties.
Continuing west, one reaches the connection to the Hinterer Langbathsee. The stretch passes a slight ascent with an elevation gain of about 68 meters, runs along the old landslide area, and leads to the second lake in about 45 minutes. The Hinterer Langbathsee presents a decidedly calmer face: it is smaller than the first basin and conveys a sense of greater isolation. Wooden benches along the shore invite you to stop as the forest reflects perfectly in the water, framed by the vertical walls of the Höllengebirge.
The entire itinerary including both lakes covers roughly 7 kilometers and takes about 2 hours without breaks. In summer, many visitors choose to swim. There are small natural pebble beaches that allow a gradual entry into the water, which remains particularly clear and fresh even in the warmer months. The Vorderer Langbathsee is also a highly appreciated destination for diving enthusiasts thanks to the extraordinary visibility of the seafloor.
The area is also ideal for a picnic. Numerous meadows along the shores allow a few hours outdoors surrounded only by the alpine landscape. Photography enthusiasts will discover spectacular perspectives in any season: spring and summer highlight the forest’s dark green; autumn turns the woods into a palette of yellows, oranges, and reds that reflect on the lake’s surface. In the colder months, when ice fully covers the water, the panorama takes on a different face. If conditions permit, both lakes become a reference point for ice skating and Eisstock, the traditional Austrian winter sport similar to curling.
The area also serves as a starting point for more challenging itineraries for experienced hikers. Among them is Schafluckensteig, a via ferrata that leads toward Brunnkogel, rising above 1,700 meters. Other hikes reach Hochsteinalm, Feuerkogel, or the panoramic Signalkogel, overlooking the Langbathseen valley. Mountain bike enthusiasts will also find suitable routes, since the forest road allows pedaling around the two lakes, passing through one of the best-preserved natural areas of the Salzkammergut.
Where they are located and how to get there
The Langbathseen rise in Upper Austria, within the historic Salzkammergut region, famous for its concentration of alpine lakes and limestone mountains. The main reference point is Ebensee am Traunsee, a town facing the Traunsee lake. From the center of Ebensee it takes about 15 minutes by car along the Langbathsee Straße, a scenic road that climbs the valley to the main parking lot.
If you start from Salzburg, the trip takes about 1 hour, while from Linz the journey is just over 1 hour. Vienna is roughly 3 hours away. Access to the trails remains open year-round, although the most appreciated period extends from late spring to autumn. Late September and October likely offer the most spectacular sight thanks to the foliage colors that transform the entire valley into one of Austria’s most fascinating landscapes.
It is advisable to reach the destination in the early hours of the day, especially during summer weekends, since the parking tends to fill up quickly. Public restrooms and a traditional restaurant are on site, ideal for a break before or after the hike.
