lake cruise zell am see

•   Search
•   Webcams
• Online­shop

Boat tours on Lake Zell

Cruises and boat trips in zell am see.

A boat tour with an incredible mountain panorama is exactly what you want to experience on your holiday or during an event? On Lake Zell, this dream can come true! Enjoy some breath-taking views during a cruise or lake-crossing: the Kitzsteinhorn, the Steinernes Meer range and, of course, Zell’s landmark mountain, the Schmittenhöhe. The best spot for that is up on the ship’s sun deck! 

Schmitten’s fleet

Ms schmittenhöhe, kaiserin elisabeth, ms großglockner.

• Nostalgieschiff Libelle

Nostalgieschiff Libelle ("nostalgia ship") 

Full steam head – during a cruise on lake zell.

Switch up your perspective and experience the mountains of the Pinzgau region from the water! How about during a stunning panorama cruise aboard the luxurious MS Schmittenhöhe? On the Kaiserin Elisabeth, everything revolves around “Sisi”, Austria’s most famous empress. Another historical experience is a trip onboard Nostalgieschiff Libella (“nostalgia ship”). You can also cross the lake aboard the MS Großglockner. 

Overview Map

You’d like to know how much a certain boat tour is and where the ships depart? Find out everything you need to know about prices and operating hours of Zell am See’s fleet! 

Prices & Times

Both the panorama cruises and the lake crossings on Lake Zell are possible at regular departure times. You can choose between different ticket options. Get an overview here!

• Prices & times here...

Cuisine aboard the ships

What could be more enjoyable than a boat tour surrounded by the incredible scenery of the Pinzgau? There’s only one thing that makes it even better: excellent on-board cuisine! On hot summer days, you can look forward to cold beverages and ice cream. You should also try the selection of fine wines and delicacies from the Pinzgau. Our recommendation: the strudel – it’s scrumptious! 

Convenient: You can pre-order coffee and cake aboard the ship for your cruise. Perfect for an afternoon excursion!   

A boat cruise as an unforgettable event

Wedding, birthday or company event: Celebrate on the water! In Zell am See, you’ve got the unique opportunity to do so. Depending on the event and your personal preferences, you can choose from our three charter ships and spend an extraordinary hour on the water with up to 85 people. You’d like to celebrate longer? That’s possible upon request and against a surcharge. 

Reservations can be made by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by calling +43 (0) 6542 789 -211 .

Events on the boat

Fireworks cruise, full-moon cruise, star-studded cruise and many more – get informed about the spectacular events on the MS Schmittenhöhe!

• Events here …

Tickets for boat tours on Lake Zell

Find information about the panorama boat tours on Lake Zell! 

Excursion tips

Discover the varied attractions surrounding the Schmittenhöhe! 

Adventure cards for Zell am See-Kaprun

All information about Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card and Hike ALPIN CARD!

All offers for an unforgettable summer on the Schmitten! 

Keyword search

Magazine Search

Top ways to experience Lake Zell and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Lake Zell - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.39 mi) Hotel Seehof
• (0.46 mi) Hotel Salzburgerhof
• (0.41 mi) Romantik Hotel Zell am See
• (0.50 mi) Hotel Tirolerhof
• (0.34 mi) Grand Hotel Zell am See
• (0.37 mi) The Burger Factory
• (0.56 mi) Speisenmeisterei
• (0.43 mi) Brasserie Traube
• (0.50 mi) Deins & Meins
• (0.37 mi) Villa Crazy Daisy

• Hotels and apartments in Zell am See
• Hotels and apartments in Kaprun
• Non-binding booking request
• Summer vacation in Zell am See Kaprun
• Walking holidays
• Cycling & mountain biking
• The Schmittenhöhe
• The Kitzsteinhorn
• Swimming in Zell am See Kaprun
• Attractions
• Summer Card
• Golf vacations
• Wolfgangsee Ferries
• Summer gallery
• Winter vacation in Zell am See Kaprun
• Zell am See ski area
• The Maiskogel
• Ski and snowboard schools
• Ski pass prices
• Webcams Zell am See Kaprun
• Winter hiking
• Ski touring
• Cross-country skiing
• Winter gallery
• The ski bus
• City of Zell am See
• The town of Kaprun
• Car-free in Zell am See Kaprun
• Imprint/Data Protection
• online booking

Boat trip on Lake Zell

 panoramic tours.

Shipping on the Lake Zell is a popular activity for visitors to the Zell am See region in Austria. Lake Zell is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in the Salzburg region and offers a picturesque backdrop for boat trips and boat trips.

Boat trips and tours: There are regular boat trips and sightseeing tours on the Lake Zell , which offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent landscape from the water. The boat trips usually offer informative commentary about the surrounding area and sights.

Different routes: The boat trips have different routes that explore different parts of the lake. Some tours focus on the eastern part of the lake, while others cover the western part and the surrounding area of ​​Zell am See.

View and landscape: Boat trips on Lake Zell offer wonderful views of the surrounding mountains, villages and the region's breathtaking nature. It's a great opportunity to photograph and enjoy the landscape.

Boat rental: There is also the option of renting small boats or pedal boats to explore Lake Zell on your own.

Summer timetable: Boat trips on Lake Zell are usually available from spring to autumn. It is advisable to check the current schedule and availability of the boat tours.

Boat trips on Lake Zell are a relaxing way to explore the area and experience the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. It offers a pleasant change and a different perspective on the breathtaking landscape of Zell am See.

The current location of the MS Schmittenhöhe, Kaiserin Elisabeth and MS Großglockner 

Jetty on the esplanade 

Change your perspective and experience the pinzgau mountains from the water maybe on an impressive panoramic trip on the luxurious ms schmittenhöhe .

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this website and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies. Please note that if you reject your application, it is possible that not all functions of the site will be available.

LAke Zell in Zell am See

Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Zell or swim in the wonderful fresh water. Whether round trip, crossing to Thumersbach, charter trip, summer night trip or excursion, a romantic view of the mountain town of Zell am See and the surrounding mountains will make your heart beat faster. Nothing stands in the way of a perfect swimming trip either. Lake Zell is one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria and the pleasant temperature is ideal for swimming. A lake with drinking water quality awaits you.

Lake Zell water temperature

The water temperature from Lake Zell averages a pleasant 23 degree in summer. The water temperature can reach up to 25 degree in midsummer.

Beautiful Lake Zell

Lake Zell is surrounded by impressive mountains. So you have a wonderful view during the boat trip and while swimming. The lake itself is also lovely. You will experience that the water is crystal clear. You can get an unsurpassable view of Lake Zell while paragliding . Lake Zell lies at the foot of the Schmittenhoehe, from where paragliding flights start. You will spot the 3.8 kilometer long lake, which is 1.5 kilometers wide. By the way – the deepest point of Lake Zell is 69 meters below the surface.

Boat trip on Lake Zell

Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Zell and see the mountains of the Hohe Tauern and the old town of Zell am See. The panorama tours start between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every hour at the Esplanade in Zell am See. Sun-seekers look forward to the deck chairs, sun sails and palm trees in the Sundeck Lounge! You can also have your bicycles transported (e.g. when crossing from Thumersbach to Zell am See).

• Advantages with your Summer Card : the round trip is included for free once per person in six days, the crossing is free of charge as often as desired
• Special features: New Sundeck lounge on the tour with food and drinks, weddings and parties on the ship
• Culinary: Seewirt The restaurant, Seensucht – Restaurant on Lake Zell

3 lidos for Fun and action

Nothing stands in the way of a perfect bathing holiday in Zell am See-Kaprun. Zell am See Lido, Thumersbach Lido and Seespitz Lido offer the perfect locations for this. Each of the three bathing lake beaches also has a heated outdoor pool. A jump into one of the cleanest lakes in Austria, Lake Zell, is definitely worth it. You can also enjoy a rest on the lawn while your kids play. The Zell am See Lido has a five-meter high diving platform for everyone who loves the thrill.

Activities at Lake Zell

Another thing you should try is the giant slide. You will find a toddler pool for your children in the Zell am See Lido. The Thumersbach Lido is a natural pool and is located exactly opposite the Zell am See Lido. What you shouldn’t miss here is a round of parasailing. The Seespitz Lido is located in the south of Lake Zell. It has a particularly large sunbathing area and offers great activities. If you want to prove yourself in windsurfing or stand-up paddling, then you are in the right place at the Seespitz Lido in Schuettdorf. The windsurf center is directly adjacent to the lido.

Equipment rental

You can move actively and enjoy the view with stand-up paddling, water skiing, windsurfing or sailing on Lake Zell. These water sports are particularly fun. We recommend Edi’s water ski school at the Zell am See Lido and Thumersbach Lido, so that you can borrow high-quality equipment for stand-up paddling. If you would like to learn windsurfing or sailing, we recommend the Vettermann sailing and surfing school in Zell am See. There it is also possible to rent sailing boats and surfing equipment.

• Your advantage with the Summer Card: With the Zell am See-Kaprun Card, entry to all 3 lidos is free
• Special features: location right on the bike path, crystal clear bathing fun in Lake Zell
• Culinary: Pizzeria Zum Caesar, Restaurant Kupferkessel

Are you ready for your unforgettable summer holidays? We have put together attractive offers for you!

Deine Vorteile

Bestpreisgarantie 10% günstiger als alle Buchungsportale

inkl. Frühstück & Spa Zugang

inkl. Falken-Aktivprogramm

Kleines Geschenk bei Abreise

• Route Finder
• Route Planner
• Travel Guide
• Places to visit
• Eat & drink
• Accommodation
• Ski resorts
• Current Conditions
• Avalanche Report
• Collections
• Travel Stories
• Publications

Cruises and boat trips in Zell am See

The best spot for that is up on the ship’s sun deck! How about during a stunning panorama cruise aboard the luxurious MS Schmittenhöhe ? On the Kaiserin Elisabeth , everything revolves around “Sisi”, Austria’s most famous empress. Another historical experience is a trip onboard Nostalgieschiff Libella (“nostalgia ship”). You can also cross the lake aboard the MS Großglockner .

Lake-Crossing with the MS Großglockner

Public transport

Coordinates, recommendations nearby.

The absolute classic among the running routes

A short and relaxing stage: Along the Thumersbach mountain path around Lake Zeller See lake to Bruck into the stunning gem for nature lovers

Beautiful bike tour in the Saalachtal (valley) along meadows and fields.

High above Zell am See

Nearby Points of Interest

• Zeller Schifffahrt
• Museum Vogtturm Zell am See
• Casino Zell am See

Questions and answers

Would you like to ask the author a question?

Help others by being the first to add a review

Photos from others

Special features.

• Show images Hide images
• 6 Routes nearby

Excursions and leisure tips for the region

A warm Welcome to the online ticket shop of Schmittenhöhe!

Buy tickets.

• Season- & Yeartickets
• Summertickets
• Event- and Adventuretickets

Cruises and boat trips in Zell am See

Discover Zell am See – Kaprun from an entirely new perspective: Enjoy the mountain scenery during a Panorama Cruise on Lake Zell. Take a seat on the sundeck of the MS Schmittenhöhe and experience relaxing moments on the water!

Panorama-Cruise

Lake'n'Brunch

Firework Cruise

Firework Cruise Lounge

Evening cruise

• If you\'ve already completed the purchase on the payment website your payment is being processed and no action is needed
• If you didn\'t complete the purchase on the payment website you can retrieve your order by clicking on the link below

• Sign in / Register
• Ticket prices
• Opening hours

'+errorString+'

Error 404 page not found, an error has occurred, this website uses cookies.

• Bruck an der Glocknerstrasse
• Paragleiten

DE   EN

• BOAT TRIP ON THE ZELLER LAKE

HOW ABOUT A BOAT TRIP ON THE ZELLER LAKE?

During a panoramic tour on the lake, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding peaks throughout the entire journey. On such a boat tour on the Zeller See, you can therefore relax in the best possible way and gather many unforgettable impressions of the region. Below you will find the operating & departure times of the two ships MS Schmittenhöhe and Empress Elisabeth.

FULL SPEED AHEAD - WITH THE SHIP ON THE ZELLER LAKE

Change the perspective and experience the Pinzgau mountains from the water! Perhaps on an impressive panoramic trip with the luxurious MS Schmittenhöhe? On the ship Kaiserin Elisabeth you will find yourself in the life of the "Sisi". It will also be historic on the nostalgic ship Libelle. The MS Großglockner is also available for sea crossings. 

Zell am See - Kaprun   A-5700 Zell am See, Sportplatzstrasse 16 Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Web: www.zellamsee-kaprun.at     Imprint/Privacy policy Images/Text/Videos/ Schmittenhöhebahn AG, Kurverwaltung Zell am See - Kaprun, Faistauer Nikolaus, Salzburgerland Tourismus, Strele Ferdinand,©Balazs Video, Wolf Hofer, © saalbach.com, Christian Wöckinger, Pixapay.com,   This is not the official server of the Kurverwaltung Zell am See or Municipality

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.

A Quick Guide To Zell am See, Austria

This post contains affiliate links to products and or services.  i may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but with no additional costs to you..

Attention all you outdoor sports enthusiasts and relaxation seekers, have I got a place for you to visit! What would you say if I told you that there is a picturesque village located on one of the cleanest lakes in all of Europe that offers outdoor activities all year round and spectacular mountain scenery in which you can sit back and enjoy without a care in the world? In the summer months, you have plenty of trails to hike, you can enjoy water sports on the crystal clear lake, enjoy leisurely boat rides and in the winter time, enjoy over 138 kilometres of skiing and snowboard trails on the local mountains? The best of both worlds, right?

Well, that place is the beautiful little Austrian village of Zell am See .

Read more: My Solo Journey Through The Fairytale Country Of Austria

Read more: How To Spend 2 Days In Vienna, Austria

Surrounded by towering mountain peaks of  Schmittenhöhe and  Kitzsteinhorn , Zell am See is the perfect place to chill out, enjoy nature and relax, or get your adrenaline pumping while careening down a mountain run on your snowboard. Regardless of the time of year you visit, or the type of holiday you’re looking to have, Zell am See is the small village that offers a huge amount of activities to keep you and your family occupied during your stay.

Located just shy of two hours from the city of Salzburg by train, Zell am See is the perfect place to be one with nature, avoid excessive crowds and cars and just revel in the beauty of your surroundings. Zell am See is nothing short of breathtaking and was my version of heaven.

Read more: A City Guide To Steyr, Austria

Read more: A Complete Guide To Gmunden, Austria

Read more: How To Spend 2 Days In Salzburg, Austria

If you are looking for a place to retreat to after stopping in larger cities, visiting the alpine scenery of Salzburgerland will be just what you need to fully get your relaxation mode on. 

I only had a little less than a full day in Zell am See due to some issues that happened on the train tracks coming from Salzburg that put me about two hours behind schedule of my planned arrival. You can hear more about that on my Instagram Stories Highlights . In the time that I was in Zell, I was able to enjoy as much as possible and from what I did see, I can honestly say that I wanted more! It was one of the most relaxing places that I’ve ever visited. Staying two or three days would be ideal, but in case you don’t have that much time to spare, here are just a few things that you can do while visiting Zell am See.

Read more: A Day Trip To Hallstatt, Austria – A Complete Guide

Take A Boat Ride Around Lake Zell

Hop on the MS Schmittenhöhe  for a leisurely boat cruise around Zell am See. The MS Schmittenhöhe is a three tiered boat complete with dining area on the main level with a full bar and panoramic windows and the middle and top have an outdoor deck boasting incredible and unobstructed views of the surrounding area. There’s no better way to enjoy the water than being on the water and what makes being on the MS Schmittenhöhe even better? They serve food and drinks while you sit back, enjoy the scenery and drift around Lake Zell for approximately one hour. Green rolling hills, majestic mountains and tiny villages line the lake making for one of the most scenic boat rides in Austria. I visited in mid-October and the colourful autumn leaves made for an even more magical view as they reflected in the calm lake water. An adult priced ticket goes for about €15,50 at the time of this blog post. Check the  MS Schmittenhöhe website for updated costs and departure times.

Walk Along The Zell am See Esplanade

Located right along the lake’s edge, the Zell am See esplanade is a tranquil lakeside walk that will leave you feeling calm and relaxed in no time. Watching boats bob silently in the water and ducks quacking in the distance, and not to mention the autumn leaves reflecting in the calm waters, I knew I had found my little piece of paradise. To access the esplanade, you’ll need to take a little underground passageway that will take you beneath the train tracks and up to the other side where the Grand Hotel is located. It may look a bit sketchy at first, but it is a really convenient way of accessing the other side of the tracks, and safer than crossing up top as well in my opinion. A walk around the lake is approximately seven kilometres and can be done in about three hours, but might take a bit longer if you stop to take a million photos just like I did! 🙂

Take The Cable Car Up The Schmittenhöhe

What better way to enjoy some of the best views of Zell am See than high in the sky on top of the main attraction, the  Schmittenhöhe . The Schmittenhöhe is Zell am See’s main mountain that towers approximately 2000 metres above the town and offers dazzling views of the surrounding area and the tiny village below. Numerous hiking trails are located on the mountain, so it makes for a nice day to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Due to my delayed train coming in late, my plans of taking the cable car to the top were squashed when my lovely hotel owner called the base personally for me to get times. Sadly, there wouldn’t have been enough time to ascend and descend, so I’ll need to save the Schmittenhöhe for next time 🙂 I did have a nice view of it from my hotel balcony though. 🙂

Wander Around The Quiet Altstadt

Zell am See has a very small town centre, which can be explored on foot and easily in less than an hour. The tiny and quaint Altstadt (Old Town) is filled with cute restaurants and café s to cure away those hunger pangs after spending a day outside enjoying nature by hiking, biking, or walking around the lake. The Altstadt is also filled with loads of shops that are equipped with all your winter gear needs, so whether you need a cozy sweater, or new snowboard boots, you’re bound to find it while perusing the many shops. The St. Hypolith’s Church, which dates back to the 11th-century, can also be found within the Altstadt and the Kasternerturm is Zell am See’s oldest building and dominates the centre of town. You’ll also be surrounded by cute and brightly panted guesthouses, which must look super pretty covered in a fresh blanket of snow. During the busy winter months when the town is popping full of snow lovers, the Altstadt comes to life and the party supposedly doesn’t stop until the wee morning hours.

Ski & Snowboard In The Winter Months

For all you ski and snowboard enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Zell am See is home to thousands of winter weather lovers once the slopes get their first few inches of white gold. Winter sports fanatics won’t be disappointed with the array of different slopes and terrain and won’t be short for options when it comes to choosing a place to get your thrills, or test your beginner skills on the hills. See what I did there? 😉 The ski resorts of the Zell am See – Kaprun area are:  Schmittenhohe  (Zell am See) at approximately 2000 metres ( lifts operate from end of November to mid-April),  Kitzsteinhorn Glacier  (Kaprun) at approximately 3029 metres (lifts operated all year), and  Maiskogel and Lechnerberg  (Kaprun), which has lifts that operate from early December until mid-April. For a complete list of prices, ski conditions and other activities, visit the official Zell am See – Kaprun website.

Zell am See if the perfect village to visit for a relaxing few days immersed within nature and scenery, but also a place where adrenaline seekers flock to get their blood pumping during the cold winter months. No matter the time of year you visit, there is always something to get you outside and active, or you could just pull up a chair lakeside, with a cup of coffee in hand and just enjoy the views. There’s no wrong way to experience this spectacular little lakeside village.

Have you guys ever heard of Zell am See? Would you visit during the summer to enjoy some boating and swimming, or would you attempt to conquer the snowy slopes on a snowboard or with skiing? Let me know in the comments below! xo

During my stay in Zell am See, I stayed at the cute and very welcoming  Hotel Seehof , which is located right at lakeside and a short 5 minute walk from the train station. Thank you to the staff who gave me a discount card for all the main attractions in the area!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Top ways to experience Lake Zell and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

LAKE ZELL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.39 mi) Hotel Seehof
• (0.46 mi) Hotel Salzburgerhof
• (0.41 mi) Romantik Hotel Zell am See
• (0.50 mi) Hotel Tirolerhof
• (0.34 mi) Grand Hotel Zell am See
• (0.37 mi) The Burger Factory
• (0.56 mi) Speisenmeisterei
• (0.43 mi) Brasserie Traube
• (0.50 mi) Deins & Meins
• (0.37 mi) Villa Crazy Daisy

•   [email protected]
•   +43 664 635 8787

• Vacation with a lake
• Hiking vacation
• Activities Summer
• Activities Winter
• Arrival / Info

Boating on Lake Zell

Boat tours on lake zell, boating in zell am see.

There’s one thing you can’t miss on your summer and bathing holiday in Zell am See – boat tours on Lake Zell. There are 4 boats to choose from

MS SCHMITTENHÖHE

Ms grossglockner, empress elisabeth, boats on lake zell.

The newest and largest ship that makes its rounds on Lake Zell. The MS Schmittenhöhe was built in 2005, has been sailing on Lake Zell since 2006 and can hold up to 250 people. If you want to enjoy the fantastic panorama around Lake Zell not only from the shore, you have the best opportunity to marvel at the surrounding landscape on a round trip on the MS Schmittenhöhe. The round trips on the MS Schmittenhöhe are available from mid-May from 10.30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 1.5-hour intervals (10.30 a.m.; 12 p.m.; 1.30 p.m.; 3 p.m.). From the beginning of July until mid-September, the round trips are available every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m..

The boat landing stage is just 50 metres away from our VILLA JULIA.

Price per round trip: € 14,50

Duration of the round trip: approx. 45 minutes

The second oldest boat has been sailing on Lake Zell for 55 years. With its 18 metres in length, our MS Grossglockner has room for up to 80 people.

The ship is in operation from the beginning of July until mid-September. The crossings with stops in Schüttdorf, Thumersbach & Prielau start at 09.30 a.m. and run every 30 minutes until 18.00 p.m.

Price per crossing: € 4,60 | € 7,70 round trip

You can find the exact stops at www.schmitten.at .

On sunny days the Kaiserin Elisabeth offers seating for 80 people inside & on the sun deck. The ship is used for special trips and for panoramic round trips in autumn.

Nostalgia ship Libelle

Our nostalgia ship Libelle has been in service for more than 70 years and has already created countless beautiful moments. In the meantime, the nostalgia ship Libelle has been spared and is only used for special boat tours on Lake Zell such as weddings & celebrations.

Boat hire on Lake Zell

Even the captain? Of course, you can also explore Lake Zell yourself and rent a boat by the hour from a boat hire company.

Electric boats for up to 4 people & pedal boats are in the standard range.

Would you rather explore Lake Zell by SUP? Here you will find all the information about stand up paddling on Lake Zell.

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

Create an account

Start your adventure today.

Already a member? Login

Zeller Lake Loop Hike

The closest hike to Zell am See is the Zeller Lake Loop hike. This is a family-friendly hike, as the hike is suitable for a stroller, so make this a family hiking trip! Hiking around Zeller See is a longer walk for little legs, there are loads of nice spots to rest, have a swim, eat an ice cream or just enjoy the mountain views. Walking around the crystal-clear Zeller lake is the perfect activity for a sunny day!

Download the 10Adventures App

View zeller lake loop hike on map.

• Map Data: © OpenStreetMap
• Tiles: © CyclOSM

Quick Navigation

• View Images
• Route Description
• Insider Hints
• Getting There

Route Information

• Elevation Graph

Weather Forecast

Join our newsletter.

Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers

Route Description for Zeller Lake Loop Hike

The walk around the lake in Zell am See, also known as Zeller See or Zeller Lake, is a walk everybody who visits the area should do. It gives great views on the surrounding mountain ranges, crossover views to Thumbersbach and Zell am See, and loads of nice places to stop and enjoy your holiday.

When you are in front of the train station, start walking down the street on your right. Cross the first railway cross way on the right, and you will find yourself at the start of the walk. Turn left and start following the walking path to the north, which is also named the Elisabethenpromenade.

After a little while, you will pass the Zeller bathing area, and then you will leave Zell am See behind you. Once you have a clear view in front of you, have a look at the stunning "Steineres Meer" (Sea of Rocks), the mountain range ahead of you. On the northern Zeller lake shore, the path changes to the Thurmasbacherstraβe. You are heading now for the little town of "Thumbersbach", which lies directly opposite of Zell am See on the other side of the lake.

Before you reach Thumbersbach, first have a stop at Seecamp . Seecamp is not just a nice camp site, but also offers a very nice restaurant and bar. Sit on the lake view terrace and have a good coffee here.

Continue your walk towards Thumbersbach. This small neighboring village of Zell am See offers a small supermarket and several little bars and restaurants. In winter, when the entire lake freezes, it can be reached by foot from Zell am See.

Walk through Thumbersbach on the Seeuferstraβe, which lies parallel to the shore of the lake. The street turns south when you have passed Thumbersbach. If you have clear weather, look ahead! You can see two distinguished mountains in front of each other. The one in the foreground is the "Imbachhorn", one of the house mountains of Kaprun. The one behind is the "Groβer Wiesbachhorn", which lies in Hohe Tauern National park.

Follow the shore of the lake, until you reach " Haus Gabi"  at the Erlberg beach area. If you have brought your swimwear along, this is the perfect spot to stop and hang out for a while. The clear, fresh water of the lake is delightful to swim in, and the terrace of Haus Gabi offers nice views and food!

When you walk further along, you will reach the most southern shore of the lake quickly. From here you also have a great view on the Kitzsteinhorn in the south-west, its glacier and ski area. Then turn right onto the Thomas-Bernhard-Weg.

This path will lead you through a very special area: the Zeller swamp. This piece of nature is unique and, therefore, also protected. It is home to a variety of special species of amphibians and birds. Keep following the path until you are getting close to the houses of Schüttdorf, a suburb of Zell am See. The name of the road changes then into Karl-Vogt-Straβe. In just a little bit, turn right onto the "Straβe Am Schlif".

Start walking north. The road will make a turn to the left, and will pass several houses and a sport area. After this, the path will come parallel to the shore of Zeller Lake. Keep following the path, as it will bring you back to the starting point of the walk.

Insider Hints for Zeller Lake Loop Hike

• On a sunny day, pack you swimwear so you can jump into the refreshing lake at Haus Gabi !
• You can do loads of water related activities on or beside the lake: sailing, wind surfing, SUP-boarding, or rent a water bike and ‘cruise’ around.
• Also in winter, this walk is a great activity. Especially when the Zeller lake is totally frozen, and you can take the short cut from the starting point in Zell am See to Thumbersbach, crossing straight over the lake! Make sure the lake is thick enough to walk on!
• Haus Gabi can also be reached by car, with free parking and entrance, it is a good place to spend a chill afternoon.
• If you are hungry at the end of your walk, crossover to the other side of the train track again and turn left (away from the train station). Once you enter the pedestrian zone, you will find Villa Crazy Daisy on your right. A great place to eat and enjoy!

Getting to the Zeller Lake Loop Hike Trailhead

Travel to Zell am See, park your car in the area of the city center, and walk to the train station. This is where the walk starts. If you are travelling by train, simply hop off at Zell am See train station. If you are on the bus, travel to the train station as well. When you are in front of the train station, start walking down the street on your right. Cross the first railway cross way on the right, and you will find yourself at the start of the walk.

Train station, Seecamp, Haus Gabi

Pets allowed

Family friendly

Route Signage

Crowd Levels

Zeller Lake Loop Hike Elevation Graph

Zeller lake loop hike reviews, add a comment.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Nearby Trails

• Zittauer Hütte Hike
• Plauener Hütte Hike
• Alexander-Enzinger Trail
• Imbachhorn Hike
• Maiskogel Forest Route Hike
• Glacier Lake & Geisstein Hike
• Schwalbenwand & Schönwieskopf Hike
• Glocknerblick via Jetzbachsteig Hike
• Pinzgau Hut Loop Hike
• Schmittenhohe – Mauerkogel Hike
• Klammsee & Schneckenreith Hike
• Kapruner Loop Hike

Nearby Regions

• Crans-Montana
• Gran Paradiso National Park
• Julian Alps
• Switzerland

Get travel inspiration and discounts

Join our weekly travel newsletter

• Online-Booking
• Types of accommodation
• Request an offer
• Group request
• Ski pass online shop
• Accommodation List
• Partner-Attractions
• Partner-Accommodations
• Schmittenhoehe
• The glacier in summer
• Gipfelwelt 3000
• Grossglockner High Alpine Road
• High Mountain Reservoirs
• Hohe Tauern National Park
• Indoor pool
• Kaprun Castle
• Maisi Flitzer
• Sights Salzburg
• Free Mobility
• Wellness & SPA
• Tips for rainy days
• Local Guide
• Sculpture Park
• Hiking tours map
• Guided Hiking Tours
• Summer huts
• Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail
• Holiday around cattle
• Mountainbiking
• Freeride-Trails
• Racing Cycling
• Gravel Bike
• Rental & Shops
• Water sports
• Running & Trail running map
• Action sports
• All Tours & Routes
• Ski ALPIN CARD
• Ski resorts
• Open lifts & pistes
• Ski schools
• Easter Bonus
• Ski Touring Map
• Winter Hiking Map
• Guided winter hikes
• Cross Country Skiing Map
• Tobogganing
• Outdoor ice rink
• Toque restaurants
• Culinary Events
• Bründl Sports cityXpress
• Book Shop Ellmauer
• La Resistance
• Feinkost Schmiderer
• Jeweller Mösslacher
• Ringfoto Baptist
• Intersport Scholz
• Fashion Steiner
• Sport shops
• Fashion shops
• Souvenir shops
• Kids Programme
• Schmidolin the cool dragon
• Holiday with dog
• Event Calendar
• Alpine Delight Weeks
• Bauernherbst inns
• Cooperation EHC Red Bull München
• Culinary events
• Gorgeous Lights
• Großglockner Ultra-Trail
• Night Run Austria
• Programme & Schedule
• Arrival & Road-closures
• World Record Attempt
• Excursion Destinations
• Magic Lake Show
• Mystical Night of Water
• Ski & Golf World Championship
• Summer Weekly Programme
• Road closures
• Zell SummerNight Festival
• Direct Train Services
• Shuttle Services
• Open pistes & lifts
• Snow report
• Zell am See-Kaprun App
• Press & Media
• A-Z | Infrastructure
• Interactive Map
• Seminar rooms
• B2B | Business
• Mobility Card
• Arrival by train
• Skiing areas
• Climate & Energy Model Region
• The Austrian Eco-label
• Experiences
• Sustainability
• Accommodation

Firework Cruise

It´s that time again, the traditional Zell Lake Festival will once again delight its audience this summer! On the MS Schmittenhöhe you have the chance to enjoy a 2-hour evening cruise including the best spots for the sound and brillant fireworks. The ticket includes the brillant fireworks and a welcome drink on board. If you have any seating or special requests, please use our form when ordering tickets. Depending on the ticket booking, we will try to reserve tables for 2, 4 or 6 people. We would like to emphasize that we will do our best to accommodate all requests. However, please understand that this is not always possible due to limited seating.

• Schmittenhöhebahn AG

Esplanade Am Ufer des Zeller Sees 5700 Zell am See

Schmittenhöhebahn AG Schmittenstraße 119 5700 Zell am See contact tel.: +436542 789211 email: [email protected] website: www.schmitten.at

• The whole region in one account
• Digital wallet with Guest, Summer and Mobility-Card
• Remember content and view it on the website & app