Top 16 Lakes around Linz

Several lakes near Linz are excellent for families. Pleschinger Lake offers playgrounds and well-maintained lawns. Pichlinger Lake has playgrounds and a campsite. Ausee is known for its soft sandy beach, diving platform, and activities like trampolining and dragon boating. The Oedtersee Beach is also freely accessible and family-friendly.

The lakes offer a wide range of activities. You can enjoy swimming, cycling, and walking at most lakes. Pichlinger Lake is popular for diving, fishing, and surfing in spring and autumn, and even skating and curling in winter. Ausee allows for trampolining, barbecuing, and dragon boating. At Traunsee, you can go boating, sailing, or take scenic lake cruises.

Yes, cycling is very popular. Pleschinger Lake features a flat, approximately two-kilometer-long circular route directly along the water, easily accessible from the Danube Cycle Path. The Oedtersee Beach is an ideal finish for bike tours along the Roman or Traun bike paths. For more cycling options, you can explore routes like the 'Feldkirchen Bathing Lake – Aschach on the Danube loop' or the 'Pichlinger See – Abwinden-Asten Danube Power Plant loop' found in the Cycling around Linz guide.

The best time depends on your preferred activities. Summer is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Spring and autumn are great for activities like diving, fishing, and surfing at Pichlinger Lake. In winter, if conditions allow, Pichlinger See becomes a hub for skaters and curling enthusiasts. The lakes are also pleasant for walks in all seasons.

Traunsee, about an hour's drive from Linz, is one of Austria's deepest lakes, known for its dramatic landscape with towering cliffs and elegant towns like Gmunden. You can visit the picturesque Ort Castle situated on the lake, explore ceramic workshops, or hike the Traunstein for incredible views. It offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

Yes, many lakes offer walking paths. Pichlinger Lake is encircled by a 3.5-kilometer walking and running path. Pleschinger Lake also has a circular route suitable for walkers. For more extensive hiking, you can find easy hikes around Linz, such as the 'Weikerlsee Bridge – Great Weikerl Lake loop,' in the Easy hikes around Linz guide.

Many lakes provide amenities for visitors. Pleschinger Lake offers seating areas, restaurants, and playgrounds. Pichlinger Lake has parking, restaurants, food stalls, playgrounds, and a campsite. Weikerlsee features an inviting restaurant. The Rodl Natural Swimming Pool includes a bathing buffet, toilets, changing rooms, and a children's play area.

Absolutely. The Oedtersee Beach is an artificial lake known for its cooler water temperature, making it an ideal spot for a refreshing dip even during hot summer months. It is freely accessible, allowing you to enter the water at any point.

While many natural areas around Linz are dog-friendly, specific rules apply to bathing areas. For example, the Rodl Natural Swimming Pool has a strict 'dog ban' in the bathing area for hygiene reasons. However, the Magerbach Fish Ladder, located near a river and lake context, is noted as dog-friendly and a nice place for a break.

Most lakes are well-connected. Pleschinger Lake is easily accessible from the Danube Cycle Path. Pichlinger Lake offers ample parking facilities. The Rodl Natural Swimming Pool also provides parking spaces. For detailed public transport information, it's advisable to check local transport schedules.

The lakes offer diverse natural settings. Ausee features soft sandy beaches amidst the Danube floodplains. Weikerlsee is known for its clear water and green meadows. Traunsee presents a dramatic landscape with towering cliffs. Many lakes, like Pleschinger Lake and Pichlinger Lake, are recreational areas with natural beauty and viewpoints.