Gosausee
The Salzkammergut region had been high on priority list since I had helped my parents their Europe trip a few years back. So I set off for Gosausee. Took the bus to Bad Ischl(bought a weekly pass for 36EU), then took another one to Gosausee(12 EU for a return ticket), the total journey was a little more than 3 hours. The Bad Ischl to Gosausee journey was pretty interesting, and I wish I could have walked a little, there were rocky mountains all over, and a gushing river and plenty of waterfalls everywhere. And I was alone in the bus for most of the time!!
The first sight of the Gosausee was very impressive, although there were no snow peaks visible, the low clouds and fresh snowfall was breathtaking. The walk around the lake was invigorating, the forest was brilliant and the lake was clean and green. Had a quick lunch at the Gasthof Gosausee, a kaiserschmarrn and a really good tomato soup. Took the bus to the Gosau village, got down somewhere in between. I would suggest getting down near the brook, and making the long walk(maybe 5 km) towards the church, I regret missing the brook. The Gosau village was a showstopper, the meadows, houses, reindeer farms, all wet and washed by the rain is definitely among favorite experiences. And right when I reached the church the church bells started ringing..now that was quite a moment!! And not a soul in sight. I wonder how beautiful the place would be when the sun shines. Gosau is pretty much the kind of place where I would like to stay for a weeks(and do nothing?). But then I had to bid farewell to this amazing place, a long journey back to Salzburg. Dinner I guess was again at the Cafe Costa, a pasta, which was kind of ok.
Gosau Village.
Close to the Gosausee
Gosausee
Gosausee
Gasthof Gosausee
Gosau Village.
Gosau village.
Reindeer farms at Gosau village.
Gosau village.
ashwinbahulkar 
Wow this looks like such a stunningly beautiful place and what a great visit you had there. We are in the process of planning 10 days each in Austria and Switzerland and I think we might have to add this to our itinerary. Thank you for sharing you wonderful experience.
Thanks! All the best for your trip, I recommend staying in Gosausee for atleast 1-2 nights.
Hi I am planning a trip to Gosau reading your blog
Can you pls me decide a place to stay thereis Gasthof Gosausee and Der Gamsjäger whihc 4 km before Gasthof Gosausee
Hi Debashree, the Gasthof Gosausee has a brilliant location and good food, I would definitely stay there.
Hi Ashwin,
I am planning to be at Salzburg for 5 nights and honestly seeing your post I thought of adding this place in our itinerary. I will be at Hallstatt one of the day and planning to be spend the 2nd half of the day now in Gosausee. I am trying to gather as much info possible from different site, but I guess its better to check with you regarding my doubts. I got the info as how to travel to Gosausee, my question is the how to reach the Gosau village, the picture you have put up. Also are you aware as when does the last bus leave from Gosausee. Many thanks
I think doing gosausee and Hallstatt in a day is a little difficult. Unless you stay in gosausee for the night which is a good idea. I think you’ll have to look up the timetable for the bus since it varies from weekdays to weekends.the gosau village is about 20 minutes before gosausee, you can get down when you see the church. And get a day pass for the bus so you can get on and off the bus.the walk from the village to the lake is a long but beautiful one, I would actually stay there.
Hi Ashwin, thanks for your reply. I am not planning to visit the salt mine at Hallstatt. Mostly will reach by 10 am and post lunch leave. Do you still think it is not possible to include gosau. Please do give me your suggestion, I will replan the day accordingly. Thanks
You mean just the village? If yes, then it should be possible, but do have a look at the bus timings, and leave as early as possible from salzburg. But in any case, you aren’t getting enough time at either places. So I would recommend spending a day each, with halstatt you could combine dachstein caves as well. The views from the salt mine are good actually.
Hello Ashwin, my itinerary is a little tight this time. I am coming from Cesky krumlov to Halstatt in the morning during September. I have time till evening to go back to salzburg. Frankly I am a person who would like to visit Gosau village more than the halstatt river. can you suggest how do I make it possible ? I do not want to miss it. If possible can you suggest a place to stay in Gosau ?
Hi, I would recommend having a look at the bus timings, I believe you can go to Gosau from Halstatt. There’s a guesthouse right at the lake, which looked really good. Alternatively , Bad Ischl might be a convenient place to stay .
Thanks Ashwin. I am planning to stay at Abtenau, which is 10 kms from Gosau. Can you tell me if there is a day pass for buses ? As for small journeys also the fare is too high. Like a pass which will cover from halstatt-gosau-abtenau for a day ?
One more thing, Is september a rainy season for Austria ?
Thanks a lot in advance again.
I remember I had purchased a “wochenkarte”, a week pass, but that was for a particular route. You’ll have to check if there is any such pass, as far as I remember, there wasn’t any such back then. In september, it might rain for a few days, but on an average, it is supposed to be drier than most other months.
Hey Ashwin, had looked up your blog before making a trip to Austria last summer. This and other blogs on Gosausee prompted me to include it in my itinerary and it turned out to be the best memory of our travels in Austria. Hope you don’t mind if I include my post in here: https://www.travelbagtales.com/gosau-and-gosausee/
That’s a great blog, thanks for sharing.
hi, ashwin. After reading your article, I am including a visit to Gosau Village and Lake in May! My itinerary is tight with 2 hours at the village and 1 hour at the lake. We are taking the bus 542 from Bad Ischl in the morning and stopping at the village (Gosau Abzw Pass Gschütt) before taking another bus to the lake.
Are the farms and meadows near the village bus stop itself? My plan is not doable if we have to walk far.
Would appreciate your feedback. I am travelling with an 8 year old girl and hence, I need to plan well for an enjoyable tour. Thanks. Beautiful pics.
Hi Poon,
As far as I remember(since it’s been a while), there are several bus stops between the village and the lake. There was a village bus stop, from where you can walk into the smaller roads in the village which lead you into farms, the walk isn’t much actually. You can walk as far as you like and get the bus from another stop, if you are close enough to the route which leads to the lake. However, I would also recommend spending some more time at the lake, since the walk around the lake is beautiful as well.