Hintersteiner See, Scheffau

A natural gem in Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser

Lake Hinterstein is an enchanting lake, covering 56 hectares and reaching a depth of up to 36 metres; it lies at an altitude of 883 metres above sea level, high above Scheffau in the heart of the Wilder Kaiser Nature Reserve. A walk around the lake offers magnificent views of the turquoise-blue, shimmering waters of this crystal-clear mountain lake.

The northern shore is suitable for pushchairs and easily accessible for everyone, thanks to the tarmac path. Along this section, there are several places to stop for a break.

The southern shore winds its way through the forest, offering varied scenery. The path ascends and descends in places and includes some steps, which is why this section is not accessible to people with disabilities.

There is also a lakeside bathing area here, whose appeal lies in its natural setting. Being Tyrol’s clearest lake is reward enough for Lake Hinterstein in Scheffau.

Luftaufnahme eines grünen Waldes an einem klaren, türkisfarbenen Gewässer. Die Farben kontrastieren stark und vermitteln ein Gefühl von Ruhe und Naturverbundenheit.

Zwei Personen stehen auf Paddleboards auf einem ruhigen See, umgeben von grünen Wäldern und Bergen im Hintergrund, bei sonnigem Wetter.

Panorama eines Bergsees umgeben von grünen Wäldern und majestätischen Bergen unter blauem Himmel.

Zwei Personen in einem Ruderboot auf einem stillen See, umgeben von Bergen im Sonnenuntergang. Die Spiegelung im Wasser verstärkt die friedliche Stimmung.

Getting here & parking

Travelling by car

Access by car is possible all year round as far as the eastern shore of Lake Hinterstein.
There is a limited, paid parking for cars and motorbikes.
Campervans and coaches are not permitted to park there.
If the car parks by the lake are full, access to the lake from Scheffau may be temporarily closed (except for local residents).
Tip: Use the Park & Ride car park in Scheffau and take the free hiking bus to the lake from there. The car park is subject to a charge and payment can only be made by card at the pay machine.

Vehicle ban (May – October)
To reduce traffic along the lake , a ban on all motor vehicles is in force from 1 May to 31 October daily from
10:00 to 17:00 a driving ban applies to all motor vehicles on the road from the eastern shore to the western shore of Lake Hinterstein – in the section between the Seestüberl and the Pension Maier.
Exceptions are made for local residents and authorised persons. Outside these times, the road along the lake may be used without restriction.

Tip

Getting there on foot or by bike

There are several signposted walking and cycling routes to Lake Hinterstein.

Eine Frau mit Rucksack steigt aus einem Wanderbus mit der Aufschrift "Hintersteinersee". Im Hintergrund sind Bäume und ein sonniger Himmel zu sehen.

Getting there on the Hintersteiner See hiking bus

We recommend using the free hiking bus to Lake Hinterstein from Scheffau. During the summer months, this service runs several times a day between the P&R car park, Scheffau village and Lake Hinterstein.

You can find the timetable here

Coaches, motorhomes, camping

There is no parking available at Lake Hinterstein for coaches and motorhomes. Camping is also not permitted.
Coaches 10 metres or longer are not permitted to access Hintersteiner See due to the narrow, winding road.

Swimming at Lake Hinterstein

The natural lake Hintersteiner See, with its refreshing temperatures and clean water, is also particularly popular as a swimming lake. The outdoor lido is situated on the northern shore of the lake and, in addition to a large sunbathing area, also features a kiosk and a hire service for sun loungers, parasols and stand-up paddleboards.

You can find the prices for the lido at www.strandbad-hintersteinersee.at.