Discover Oberhofen am Irrsee

Oberhofen am Irrsee lies on the northern shore of Lake Irrsee, in the hilly landscape of the Salzkammergut. The lakeshore, moorland, trails and cultural sites give your stay a variety of highlights. This means you can already consider what interests you most when choosing your destination: Would you like to focus on the water, observe nature, or explore historical and cultural topics?

Lake, lido and protected moors

Sheltered from the wind, Lake Irrsee reaches high water temperatures in summer. On its eastern shore lies Laiter Lido, a bathing area on the lake, which is a protected natural area. The 6,000 m² grounds offer a jetty and a sandy beach. There is also a playground, a sandpit and a beach volleyball court. The lido therefore offers both direct access to the water and other ways to spend time on the grounds.

The moors show another side of the landscape: the moorland on the northern, eastern and southern shores of Lake Irrsee is part of the “Irrsee Moors” nature reserve. The northern moor near Oberhofen is one of Austria’s most important breeding areas for meadow-nesting bird species. The Eurasian curlew also breeds there. A birdwatching shelter beside the road at the northern moor of Lake Irrsee gives visitors an overview of the area. Those interested in birdlife and wetlands will find a clear contrast here to the lido and the open lakeshore.

Trails through the municipality and landscape

The Dragonfly Trail starts and ends at the parish church in the town centre. From there, it heads south, passing a small patch of woodland and crossing meadows towards the northern moor. The trail description thus combines a starting and finishing point in the centre with a route through meadowland. The VIA NOVA pilgrimage trail also passes through the municipality of Oberhofen am Irrsee, but has a different character: its connection to pilgrimage gives it a distinct focus. The two names represent different ways to explore the area on foot, rather than a single shared route.

Wildeneck Castle ruins can also be reached by a trail: the Wildenegg Experience Trail leads to the ruins. This adds access to a historic site to the trails through the landscape.

Church, art and history

Oberhofen Parish Church is a Gothic church dating from the first half of the 15th century. Apart from the tower, it has remained largely unchanged. Its notable works of art include the three altars and the pulpit, attributed to the late Baroque monastery sculptor Meinrad Guggenbichler. The church building and its furnishings thus reflect different periods in art history.

Other historical topics extend beyond the church. Wildeneck Castle was built in 1140 on the eastern side of Koloman’s Hill as the seat of government for the region around Mondsee and Irrsee. At the Celtic hill north of Lake Irrsee in the municipality of Oberhofen, an old tradition tells of a different past: according to this tradition, the hill is interpreted as the burial place of a Celtic prince. This interpretation remains a traditional belief, whereas the castle is associated with a specific historical year.

Contemporary culture has a home at the nonprofit.kulturraum in Oberhofen am Irrsee. Its programme includes concerts, talks, exhibitions, workshops and cultural projects; the cultural space also includes a historic vaulted cellar. The range therefore extends from events and gatherings to the site’s architectural and historical features.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your travel interests

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Oberhofen am Irrsee, you can start by considering what you would like to focus on during your stay. Laiter Lido offers a connection to the lake; the moor, birdwatching and Dragonfly Trail are more suited to interests in nature and walking. The church, art, castle and cultural space add historical and cultural topics to the mix. For families, the playground and sandpit at the lido are specific features of the local facilities, without implying that any particular accommodation is suitable for them. Oberhofen thus offers several starting points for planning a holiday, while you can choose a specific holiday apartment according to your preferred travel theme.

Discover more destinations: Aurach Am Hongar, Neukirchen An Der Vöckla, Sankt Lorenz, Vöcklamarkt, Rüstorf, Lenzing, Steinbach Am Attersee, Weyregg Am Attersee.

View the main travel overview: Vöcklabruck.