Dorfer See

The Dorfer See is a small alpine lake in the Hohe Tauern National Park, high in the Kalser Dorfertal valley. It lies about ten kilometres north-north-west of Ködnitz, the main village of Kals am Großglockner. The lake is fed by the Kalser Bach, which rises beneath the Rotkogel and Tauernkogel peaks. The water flows on through a jumble of boulders before reappearing a few hundred metres downstream. The lake was created when a vast landslide dammed the stream long ago. To the west the Granatspitz mountains rise, including the Knaudl, Aderspitze and Luckenkogel. To the east the Glockner range towers over the lake, with summits such as the Kastenturm, Hoher Kasten and Eiskögele. Walkers often finish their route at the Dorfer See after climbing through the valley. The path starts at Spöttling-Taurer and passes the Kalser Tauernhaus before reaching the lake. Its clear waters and high mountain setting make it a quiet reward after the climb.