Hintersee

The Hintersee lies in Faistenau, the highest municipality in the Flachgau region of Salzburg, Austria. It sits in the Osterhorngruppe of the Salzkammergut mountains, surrounded by quiet woodland in a valley basin near the village of Hintersee. The lake belongs to the Austrian Federal Forests and is fed by the Hinterseer Taugl stream, which drains into the Almbach and eventually reaches the Salzach at Hallein. The lake serves both as a swimming spot and a reservoir for the Wiestal-Strubklamm hydroelectric group run by Salzburg AG. A natural bathing area called Felsenbad sits just below the water’s edge. The entire site is protected under landscape and lake conservation rules. Over decades, gravel carried by the Taugl settled at the lake’s entrance, shrinking its surface when water levels fell and reducing space for swimming and boating. A 2019 proposal by local politician Andreas Teufl led to plans for removing the gravel and reinforcing barriers to hold back further debris. In November 2020, Landesrat Josef Schwaiger confirmed that dredging would begin soon once permits were finalised. Visitors find a calm forest lake with clear water, gentle shores, and views of the surrounding mountains.