Top 20 Lakes around Heiligenblut am Großglockner

The region offers a mix of natural high-alpine lakes and impressive artificial reservoirs. You'll find pristine glacial lakes, remote mountain tarns, and large dammed reservoirs that are part of significant hydroelectric power systems, all set against a backdrop of towering peaks.

Yes, two prominent dammed lakes stand out. The Mooserboden Dam is renowned for its massive dam, an impressive feat of engineering, and offers guided tours. The Margaritze Dam, located at 2000 meters altitude, collects meltwater from the Pasterze glacier and provides stunning views of the glacier and surrounding peaks.

The area around Mooserboden Dam is considered family-friendly, offering a children's learning trail and various amenities. The journey to Mooserboden itself, involving buses and an inclined lift, is an adventure for all ages. For a natural mountain lake experience, Dorfersee is also a great option, though the path to it requires sturdy shoes.

Many trails offer access to the region's lakes. For instance, you can hike to the Dorfersee via the Dabaklamm. The area around Margaritze Dam serves as a starting point for various hikes, including routes to witness glacial features. For more options, explore the hiking guide for Heiligenblut am Großglockner, which includes trails like the 'Glacier trail to the Pasterze'.

While many high-alpine trails can be challenging, there are easier options. For example, the 'Geotrail Tauernfenster' is an easy hike in the area. The Mooserboden Dam area also offers scenic hiking trails for various fitness levels, including a children's learning trail. Always check the difficulty of a route before you go.

Both the Mooserboden Dam and Margaritze Dam offer overwhelming panoramic views of the reservoirs and the surrounding mountains, including the Pasterze glacier. The natural Dorfersee provides a fantastic mountain lake vista at the foot of the Granatspitze.

While some natural lakes like Dorfersee are fed by glacier water, making them extremely cold, brave visitors might dip their toes. However, these are high-alpine environments, and the water temperatures are generally very low, making extended wild swimming uncommon and potentially risky. Always exercise caution.

Accessing Mooserboden Dam is an experience in itself. You typically take a bus from the Alpenhaus to the reservoir, which involves passing through narrow tunnels. In between, you transfer to Europe's largest open inclined lift, the Lärchwand inclined lift, which climbs 431 meters. The system operates during the summer months, usually from late May or early June until October.

Yes, the Langtal Lakes are natural, high-alpine lakes mentioned as part of a challenging hiking tour near Heiligenblut. The 'Gössnitz Falls to the Langtal Lakes' tour is a strenuous 24.6 km hike with significant elevation gain, appealing to experienced hikers seeking solitude and untouched nature. You can find a challenging 'Elberfelderhütte – Langtal lakes loop' in the hiking guide.

The best time to visit the high-alpine lakes and reservoirs around Heiligenblut am Großglockner is generally during the summer months, from late May or early June until October. During this period, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is open, and access to areas like Mooserboden Dam is available. The weather is typically more stable, and hiking trails are clear of snow.

You'll encounter a stunning high-alpine landscape shaped by glaciers. Expect to see the Pasterze glacier, Austria's longest, which feeds the Margaritze Dam. The region is characterized by towering peaks, glacial valleys, and the rugged beauty of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Yes, for those undertaking multi-day hikes, mountain huts offer accommodation. For example, the Wangenitzsee Hut is idyllically located on the Wangenitzsee and provides overnight stays for hikers and mountaineers, along with a sun terrace overlooking the lakes and mountains.

Beyond hiking, the region offers various outdoor activities. Near the dams, you can take guided tours of the power stations to learn about hydroelectric power. For climbers, the Mooserboden Dam area has the Höhenburg climbing area and the MOBO107 climbing route on the dam wall. You can also find running trails and mountaineering routes in the broader Heiligenblut am Großglockner area.

The Margaritze Dam is a significant man-made monument located at 2000 meters altitude, collecting meltwater from the Pasterze glacier. It offers stunning views of the glacier and surrounding peaks, providing a quintessential high-alpine experience. The area also features a 55-meter-long suspension bridge, the Ködnitzbach Suspension Bridge, which offers an exhilarating experience and connects parts of the valley.