Mirrored mountain world — Austria’s alpine lakes around Kitzbühel

The deep blue water reflects the surrounding mountains and you can already see how cold the lake is. Nevertheless, you feel the urge to at least dip your feet into the glacial water and any strenuous ascent is long forgotten when you watch the reflection of the mountains become blurred in the ripples on the surface. Mountain lakes have a mystical allure that is hard to escape. In this Collection, we take you to the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Kitzbühel Alps.

Gently nestled between the Gampenkogel and the Brechhorn mountains, the Kreuzjöchlsee lake is waiting to be discovered by you. The reservoir is one of the largest man-made mountain lakes in the whole of the Tyrol region and yet blends into the landscape as if it’s always been there. You’ll find beautiful photo opportunities everywhere here, particularly when the famous alpine roses grow right by the lake.

How do you fancy a hike to the most mystical lake in the entire region? The deep black Reinkarsee lake has many myths as to how it gots its dark colours. Since the lake was not artificially created, bathing is permitted, even if the water temperature of around 7C turns the bathing experience into a test of courage.

Thanks to their location on the southern slope, the two reservoirs on the Hohe Salve are already easily accessible in spring. While elsewhere the paths are still buried under fields of snow, nature is already thawing here as the colourful spring arrives. The higher Salvensee lake in particular offers a fantastic view of the Kitzbühel Alps.

Many of these mountain lakes are easily accessible by cable car and, thanks to well-developed paths, are accessible to everyone. Nevertheless, we recommend sturdy shoes, outdoor clothing and sufficient food and drinks for the Tours. Although you’ll find refreshment stops on each hike where you can enjoy typical Tyrolean delicacies, a picnic at one of the lakes is a wonderful idea. You can also travel to almost all these hikes by train. Only the starting point of the hike to the Reinkarsee and the Kröndlhorn is not accessible by public transport. Here, you can either drive your own car or take the Windautaler hiking taxi.

A visit to the lakes is particularly beautiful in the early morning hours, when the rising sun is reflected in the crystal-clear water and the dew glistens on the alpine meadows. The moment when the first rays of sunlight replace the red of dawn is worth every bead of sweat on the ascent. Look forward to breathtaking views and moments you won't forget anytime soon.