Blausee lake is located in a forest clearing at the entrance to Obersulzbachtal; an imposing body of water distinguished by its blue and turquoise-green color, in a nature sanctuary surrounded by a picturesque forest of spruce, fir, larch and alder. This small lake inside Hohe Tauern National Park was created around 100 years ago, after a 12 meters-high debris-prevention dam was built on the Obersulzbach. In 1987, the beautifully romantic area surrounding the lake was destroyed by flooding, the recreation area being restored once more in 2007. Today, the pristine waters of this lake provide a valuable habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna.

This very popular recreation area has been adversely affected by severe weather in recent years. The infrastructure (such as benches, tables, trash-collection facilities etc.) have been replaced. Other improvements include reasonable parking regulations, opening the area to controlled cattle grazing as well as the installation of grill areas and toilets.

The lake has also been dredged in order to provide adequate habitat for fish and amphibians - the Blausee has long been famous for its unique fauna and flora.

The surrounding shoreline has been attractively redesigned, now also featuring information and theme boards.

 A cooperation between the town of Neukirchen, Neukirchen Tourist Office and National Park Headquarters has made this project possible, under the leadership of Michael Steindwender of the Austrian Forestry Service within the scope of an EU-funded Leader Project.

We wish to make this precious natural jewel accessible to the local public as well as our guests, in the hope that this fragile area will be used with the necessary respect and commitment to nature preservation.

Friends of Nature / NaturaTrails >>

THE PROJECT "NATURE EXPERIENCE BLAUSEE" IS SUPPORTED BY FUNDING FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND THE PROVINCE OF SALZBURG

Start: bus stop "Neukirchen/Dürnbach"
Finish: bus stops "Wald Ortsmitte" or "Rosental"
Total walking time: 4 - 5 hours

Description: From the bus stop along the road in the direction of Sulzau where, at the first possibility, you will need to make a left, taking you past the Dürnbach to Sulzau. After crossing the railway tracks, continue on the path towards the Schiedhof (or Schütthof) and Untersulzbachfall (follow the signs). Passing Gasthof Schütthof, you will come to the start of the path leading around Sulzbachfall waterfall. We will start out to the left and hike across a small bridge into the forest. Time and again, we will encounter scenic points affording impressive views of the canyon formed by the Untersulzbach as well as rock walls covered with yellow, iridescent lichen.

Continue a little further up the waterfall to the next trail crossing, where you can drop down to your right, cross a bridge and return to the start. If you wish, you can continue on to the Hochfeld mine. Once you come to the end of this path, you will be able to return to the Schütthof, where you will then follow a narrow path to the left leading between farmhouses and across a meadow in the direction of Blausee.

Back again on the paved road, continue to the left on the Mitterweg. Following this road you will come to Gasthof Siggen. Continue straight to a forestry lane, which you will keep to until you reach the next trail crossing, where you will take the path that drops down to the Blausee. Once there, benches and tables invite you to enjoy a pleasant break. A path with info boards takes you around the lake, providing insights into unique aspects of the surrounding nature. Your return initially follows the same path as far as Gasthof Siggen, then you will branch left and cross the Obersulzbach. From here, a forest path brings you to Wald. Once you have crossed the river, it is only a few meters to the town itself. The bus stop is located in the town center. If you wish, you can shorten your walk by following the road to Rosental from Gasthof Siggen.