Traunkirchen – Lake, Trails and Baroque History

Traunkirchen combines lakeside experiences, short themed trails and an unusually rich cultural history. The Traunkirchen peninsula is home to a Bronze and Iron Age lakeside settlement. At the same time, the range of attractions extends from a free public bathing area in the town center to historic paths, chapels and ecclesiastical art. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Traunkirchen can therefore tailor their stay to different holiday preferences: with water and activities, with regional history or with peaceful discoveries around Johannesberg.

Water and trails for varied days

The Swimming Island lies at the foot of Johannesberg, directly in the center of Traunkirchen. The artificially constructed, kidney-shaped island is up to 10 meters wide and about 25 meters long. Together with two dams, it forms a ring of land around a lakeside swimming pool. This spot is suitable both for planning a day of swimming and for an itinerary that combines lakeside experiences with sightseeing in the town. A diving school in Traunkirchen also offers the opportunity to dive in Lake Traunsee.

The historic “Abbacia Trunseo” themed trail is ideal for a shorter walk. The free, easy route consists of ten stages, leads from the war memorial in the town square to Klosterplatz and is 2.0 kilometers long. The “Via Historica” focuses on something different: 15 decorative enamel panels accompany the route from the town center around and up Johannesberg, through the Seetor gateway and to the parish church. A well-marked network of trails also provides access to an appealing hiking area.

There is also a specific excursion idea for families. The family-friendly forest road to the Hochsteinalm, which is accessible with a stroller, offers views in places across Lake Traunsee toward the Traunstein. At the Hochsteinalm, visitors can feed alpacas, goats and sheep. Those who prefer a short bike ride will find the start of the 4.5-kilometer, easy Salzkammergut Cycle Path to Ebensee in the town square.

Calvary Hill, Church and Living Tradition

Johannesberg is considered an ancient cult site. Calvary Hill can be reached via four devotional chapels and includes the oldest Calvary chapel in the Salzkammergut, completed in 1699, with a Baroque Crucifixion group. The Johannesberg Chapel is first mentioned in documents in 1356; the date of its construction is not known with certainty. This combination of landscape, religious paths and different historical eras also makes Traunkirchen interesting for visitors who do not seek culture only in exhibitions.

Traunkirchen Parish Church acquired its present Baroque form after the second fire in 1632. Before that, the Jesuits from Passau had taken over the monastery in 1622. The church is also home to the Fischerkanzel, a fisherman’s pulpit carved in 1753 by an unnamed artist and depicting the miracle of the abundant catch of fish. A particularly special traditional event is the annual Corpus Christi procession on the lake, which begins at the Seetor in Traunkirchen. The traditional Antlaß singing ends with a morning penitential procession up Calvary Hill.

The ARCHEKULT Archaeological Exhibition is a good option for a weather-dependent cultural morning. From May to September, it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. From October to April, it is open on Saturdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Plan your visit according to the season and combine it with a walk through the town or to the historic sites.

The Right Base for Planning Your Trip

When choosing a holiday apartment, you should consider which of these aspects of Traunkirchen should shape your holiday. For short distances to the town square, Swimming Island and historic sites, staying near the town center is an obvious starting point. Those who primarily want to experience hikes, the Hochsteinalm or Lake Traunsee can focus their daily plans more closely on the respective trails and activities. There are also options without your own car: Route 30/35 of the Salzkammergut Shuttle provides transfer options to the OÖVV bus lines at Traunkirchen town square and other stops. At Traunkirchen railway station, transfers to ÖBB railway lines are available.

Other Destinations in the Area

If you would like to explore more places from Traunkirchen, here are the direct destinations: Obertraun, Hallstatt, Roitham, Sankt Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut, Altmünster am Traunsee, Gschwandt, Ebensee and Vorchdorf.

For the overarching travel overview: Gmunden.