Höllerersee

The Höllerersee is a kidney-shaped lake in Upper Austria, straddling the border between the villages of St. Pantaleon and Haigermoos. Its basin resembles the hull of a boat, with steep drop-offs near the shore and a uniform depth of about 21 metres across most of the bed. The water surface sits 464 metres above sea level, fed by groundwater that keeps levels steady within a 30-centimetre range. Below ten metres, the lake’s deep, still waters never mix with the warmer layers above, creating an unusual limnological feature. The surrounding banks are lined with mixed woodland that shelters swimmers from wind and warms the water quickly each spring. The lake is a popular swimming spot thanks to its generally good water quality and the shelter provided by silver willows, black poplars, alders and birches along the eastern and western shores. Anglers manage the fish stocks, regularly introducing wels catfish, pike, zander, several trout species, char, bream and various carp. The mix of deep water and abundant cover makes the Höllerersee a reliable place to land larger specimens. Nearby mixed forests add to the tranquil setting, offering shade and quiet for anyone walking the shoreline paths. Visitors find a well-kept public shore on the northern side, maintained by the Haigermoos beautification and tourism club. The gentle meadows and clear water invite swimming, while the surrounding woodland provides space for picnics and short walks. The unusual layering of the water means the lower depths stay cold even in summer, keeping the upper layers refreshingly cool. Anglers can cast from the bank or small boats, while swimmers stay close to the sun-warmed shallows. The combination of deep, still water and sheltered coves makes the Höllerersee a quiet retreat in the Upper Austrian countryside.