Seebachsee

The Seebachsee is a small glacial lake lying in a high valley floor at 2,085 metres above sea level in the Pinzgau region. It sits in a western side valley of the Obersulzbachtal beneath the Hütteltalkopf, which rises to 2,962 metres. The lake can be reached from the Berndlalm alpine pasture. A stream flows from the lake down to the main valley, dropping about 600 metres over a distance of roughly one kilometre. Along its course the water passes several cascades and a narrow gorge. The Seebachfall is one of the most notable natural landmarks in the Obersulzbachtal. It lies about 100 metres north-west of the Berndlalm inn and plunges over a 100-metre cliff of central gneiss between 1,400 and 1,500 metres above sea level. The waterfall shapes the surrounding scenery and a strip of land ten metres wide on each side is protected with it. The protected area covers 0.93 hectares and has been a designated natural monument since 4 March 1986. Visitors walk up from the Berndlalm along a path that leads to the lake and the waterfall. The route passes through alpine meadows and open woodland before reaching the open cirque where the Seebachsee lies. From the lake shore there are views across to the Hütteltalkopf and other peaks of the Hohe Tauern range. Near the waterfall the path crosses the stream on small bridges and follows the protected strip beside the cascading water.