Wallersee

The Wallersee is a freshwater lake in the Salzburg region of Austria, lying north-east of Salzburg city. It sits in a gentle basin surrounded by farmland and small villages. A 20-kilometre walking trail circles the shore, linking up with the Austrian section of the Camino de Santiago at the southern end. Two family-run campsites provide simple accommodation close to the water. Swimming and bathing are allowed at several designated spots along the shoreline. The northern edge of the lake is a protected bog that has existed since 1883 and is known as Wenger Moor. This wetland shelters rare plants and birds, including migrating waterfowl in spring and autumn. Henndorf, Köstendorf, Neumarkt and Seekirchen lie within a few kilometres, each offering cafés and small shops. The flat terrain makes the entire route accessible to pushchairs and cyclists. Visitors find a quiet shoreline of reeds and willows beside the open water. The lakeside path passes through meadows where cows graze in summer. Benches face the water for picnics, and a couple of jetties provide spots to sit and watch the light change over the lake. In Henndorf there is a lakeside restaurant serving trout from the same waters.