--- title: "European nature reserve lake \"Offensee\"" url: "https://traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/430002703/european-nature-reserve-lake-offensee.html" description: "Offensee is a lake located at the western end of the Totes Gebirge mountain range in Upper Austria's part of the Salzkammergut.The length and width of the lake is 900 meter and a maximum depth of 38 meter. The temperature in summer is about 22-24 degrees.There is also a public toilet by the car park on the left, which is open all year round. On the right is the former hunting lodge of Emperor Franz Josef and Sissi, which is not accessible (owner-occupied flats).The lake has a maximum length and width of around 900 metres and a maximum depth of 38 metres. It has gravelled natural bathing beaches and is also an excellent fishing water.Information for dog owners: Dogs must be kept on a lead or wear a muzzle in the entire Offensee area. You can take your dog on a lead to the catering facilities at the Seeau snack station, but not to the large sunbathing lawn. Bathing dogs at public bathing areas on the lakeshore is prohibited due to health and veterinary regulations.At the back of the lake, where the beautiful large sunbathing lawn is located, is the \"Seeau\" snack bar, where you can get snacks and drinks from mid-April to mid-October. The walk from the car park on the left takes around 20 minutes.However, the categorisation as a European nature reserve and the associated protective measures have also resulted in some restrictions in summer: the use of SUPs, air mattresses, inflatable boats, canoes or kayaks and boards is prohibited." date: 2018-09-27 modified: 2025-10-16 --- # European nature reserve lake "Offensee" European nature reserve lake "Offensee" ========================================= Ebensee, Oberösterreich, Österreich ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/209939/3B2A967373E2C40F1D3ACE57136148C19782AE6C2DE2B5C4E295D0A04DABB654/offensee-luftaufnahme.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/209940/D698BEAEE428E3428F8AE726D16CC8A8814B88239C81854ADA94071435E6AE35/offensee-nahe-hochpfad.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/209941/D7B4624A038E2EBC56E92EBE65CAA537A2E32548BC25022758108A7C6908AC8D/rechte-uferseite.jpg) © Open copyright © Ferienregion Traunsee Close copyright [ ![Offensee Luftaufnahme](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/209939/3B2A967373E2C40F1D3ACE57136148C19782AE6C2DE2B5C4E295D0A04DABB654/offensee-luftaufnahme.jpg "© Ferienregion Traunsee") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/209939/3B2A967373E2C40F1D3ACE57136148C19782AE6C2DE2B5C4E295D0A04DABB654/offensee-luftaufnahme.jpg) © Open copyright © Fotoklub Ebensee, Vilsecker Close copyright [ ![Offensee nahe Hochpfad](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/209940/D698BEAEE428E3428F8AE726D16CC8A8814B88239C81854ADA94071435E6AE35/offensee-nahe-hochpfad.jpg "© Fotoklub Ebensee, Vilsecker") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/209940/D698BEAEE428E3428F8AE726D16CC8A8814B88239C81854ADA94071435E6AE35/offensee-nahe-hochpfad.jpg) © Open copyright © Fotoklub Ebensee, Vilsecker Close copyright [ ![rechte Uferseite](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/209941/D7B4624A038E2EBC56E92EBE65CAA537A2E32548BC25022758108A7C6908AC8D/rechte-uferseite.jpg "© Fotoklub Ebensee, Vilsecker") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/209941/D7B4624A038E2EBC56E92EBE65CAA537A2E32548BC25022758108A7C6908AC8D/rechte-uferseite.jpg) © Open copyright © Fotoklub Ebensee, Vilsecker Close copyright [ ![Offensee im Herbst](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/209942/28403E9BAB6018948ADBE3AB0584D82F24862C6030EBD10113A369C4229DFE6E/offensee-im-herbst.jpg "© Fotoklub Ebensee, Vilsecker") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/209942/28403E9BAB6018948ADBE3AB0584D82F24862C6030EBD10113A369C4229DFE6E/offensee-im-herbst.jpg) © Open copyright © Tourismusbüro Ebensee, Spengler Close copyright [ ![Offensee im Winter](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/209943/285627B92B60E1DAFCD936365B1DD354BC07BB2B144D270BD1409D23DAEE9736/offensee-im-winter.jpg "© Tourismusbüro Ebensee, Spengler") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/209943/285627B92B60E1DAFCD936365B1DD354BC07BB2B144D270BD1409D23DAEE9736/offensee-im-winter.jpg) © Open copyright © Tourismusbüro Ebensee, Spengler Close copyright [ ![Offensee2 im Winter](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/209944/45510E74F3DC9D61A21649234E8A653221DF89B144146EC484C9F58F115F10E7/offensee2-im-winter.jpg "© Tourismusbüro Ebensee, Spengler") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/209944/45510E74F3DC9D61A21649234E8A653221DF89B144146EC484C9F58F115F10E7/offensee2-im-winter.jpg) © Open copyright © Tourismusbüro Ebensee, Spengler Close copyright [ ![Offensee im Winter bei Seeau](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/209945/79292AB6E28B9DC27B6A656EB5B9394AC82AE0048B4A71B94D31B479FAE4CD69/offensee-im-winter-bei-seeau.jpg "© Tourismusbüro Ebensee, Spengler") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/209945/79292AB6E28B9DC27B6A656EB5B9394AC82AE0048B4A71B94D31B479FAE4CD69/offensee-im-winter-bei-seeau.jpg) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hauptstraße 34 4802 Ebensee [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Hauptstra%C3%9Fe%2034%2C%204802%20Ebensee "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Hauptstra%C3%9Fe%2034%2C%204802%20Ebensee "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&lat=47.7552520701163&lon=13.8359069824219&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&zoom=2000&server=meta.tourdata.at) information: Forest Fire Protection Ordinance 2026 Time period: 13.04.2026 - 31.10.2026 Description: ORDINANCE of the Gmunden District Authority from April 13, 2026 to October 31, 2026 for protection against forest fires (Forest Fire Protection Ordinance) for the district of Gmunden. On the basis of § 41 para. 1 Forest Act 1975, Federal Law Gazette No. 440/1975 as amended by Federal Law Gazette I No. 144/2023, is decreed: **§1, para. 1: In the forest areas of all municipalities of the district of Gmunden and in their hazard areas, any lighting of fires and smoking is prohibited.** **water report**Report dated: 17.07.2026 - 08:15 o’clock Water temperature: 24° Offensee is a lake located at the western end of the Totes Gebirge mountain range in Upper Austria's part of the Salzkammergut. The length and width of the lake is 900 meter and a maximum depth of 38 meter. The temperature in summer is about 22-24 degrees.There is also a public toilet by the car park on the left, which is open all year round. On the right is the former hunting lodge of Emperor Franz Josef and Sissi, which is not accessible (owner-occupied flats). The lake has a maximum length and width of around 900 metres and a maximum depth of 38 metres. It has gravelled natural bathing beaches and is also an excellent fishing water. Information for dog owners: Dogs must be kept on a lead or wear a muzzle in the entire Offensee area. You can take your dog on a lead to the catering facilities at the Seeau snack station, but not to the large sunbathing lawn. Bathing dogs at public bathing areas on the lakeshore is prohibited due to health and veterinary regulations. At the back of the lake, where the beautiful large sunbathing lawn is located, is the "Seeau" snack bar, where you can get snacks and drinks from mid-April to mid-October. The walk from the car park on the left takes around 20 minutes. However, the categorisation as a European nature reserve and the associated protective measures have also resulted in some restrictions in summer: the use of SUPs, air mattresses, inflatable boats, canoes or kayaks and boards is prohibited. [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **European nature reserve lake "Offensee"** Hauptstraße 34 4802 Ebensee Phone [ +43 6132 26909 - 720 ](tel:+43613226909720) E-Mail [ebensee@salzkammergut.at](#mailto) Web [traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/eb…](https://traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/ebensee.html "New window") https://traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/ebensee.html --- **Contact person** Tourismusbüro Ebensee Hauptstraße 34 4802 Ebensee Phone [ +43 6132 26909 - 720 ](tel:+43613226909720) E-Mail [ebensee@salzkammergut.at](#mailto) Web [traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/ebensee.html](https://traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/ebensee.html "New window") --- **We speak the following languages** German [ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten) ------------------------------------------------ Opened all-the-year. For swimming from June till beginning of September possible. - opened daily [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- **Accessibility / arrival**There is a charge for parking at Offensee. **Chargeable times:** Daily from 08:00 - 18:00 Minimum charge € 1.50 / 60 min.; each additional hour € 1.50 / 60 min.; daily rate € 12.00. There is no charge for stays of less than 30 minutes! Overnight stays in motorhomes or other vehicles at Offensee are prohibited from 22:00 to 06:00 and will be penalised (there are facilities at the two motorhome sites in Ebensee). The pay machine near the toilets at Offensee (left side of the lake) offers both cash and cashless payment. The pay machine at the former Offensee restaurant place (right-hand side) only offers cashless payment. In addition to these payment options, payment with Easypark is also possible. If there are technical difficulties or problems paying the fee, guests have 48 hours to pay the parking fee online on the municipality's [**PayLater**](https://ecom.webhost.skidata.com/ecom/freeflow/paylater/MGEbensee) website. If you have any questions, please contact our road traffic wardens at **Parking**- Parking space: 200 **Parking fees**Daily from 08:00 - 18:00 Minimum charge € 1.50 / 60 min.; each additional hour € 1.50 / 60 min.; daily rate € 12.00. There is no charge for stays of less than 30 minutes! [ Sports ](#ttgCollapseSportarten) ------------------------------------ - Swimming / bathing - Hiking - Nordic walking - fitness [ Equipment ](#ttgCollapseAusstattung) ---------------------------------------- **Food and drink available**Seeau snack bar at the rear of Lake Offensee with a beautiful sunbathing lawn, open from early May to mid-October, see website www.offenseeau.at [ Prices ](#ttgCollapsePreise) -------------------------------- **General price information**There is no charge for activities on and around Lake Offensee, but there is a charge for parking (hourly rates and daily ticket prices are displayed on the ticket machines). [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - Suitable for kids (all ages) - Suitable for single travelers - Suitable for friends - Suitable for couples - Suitable for children [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. 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