Traunstein: Salt History, Lakes and Excursions

Landscape between Lake Chiemsee, Lake Waging and the Chiemgau Alps

Lake Chiemsee and Lake Waging are located in the Traunstein district. There are also more than 170 alpine pastures and peaks of up to 2,000 metres in elevation in the Chiemgau Alps. This combination opens up different possibilities for planning your trip: You can focus your stay more on the lakes, the mountain landscape or the town’s cultural attractions. Accommodation in Traunstein can therefore be part of a stay that considers more than just a single excursion destination.

The Seeon Lakes are designated as a nature reserve in the Traunstein district. Lake Waging and Lake Tachinger are listed as a protected landscape area. The officially designated protected areas serve to preserve biodiversity, safeguard rare habitats and protect the natural and cultural landscape. Those who see the landscape not merely as a backdrop but as an independent reason for travelling will find several clearly distinct focal points here.

Salt History and Museums in Traunstein

The preserved saltworks houses and the Saltworks Chapel provide insight into Traunstein’s important salt history. The Saltworks Chapel is the largest chapel in Germany. A historic city walk passes the Kulturforum Klosterkirche and then continues to the Saltworks Chapel, the saltworks houses and the Saltworks Park, built in 2019. This allows you to include historic sites and a later addition to the saltworks ensemble in the same exploration of the town.

Further cultural perspectives are offered by the Brewery Museum near the Jacklturm, which belongs to the Hofbräuhaus Traunstein, and the Heimathaus. It houses a town and toy museum with exhibits on bourgeois culture, sacred art and the history of the saltworks. The themes thus range from local economic and urban history to religious art and everyday culture.

Excursions in the Nearby Area

In the area around the destination, you can explore the surroundings of Lake Waging by bicycle. The Lake Waging Circuit is a 29.8-kilometre, child-friendly cycling tour around Lake Waging and Lake Tachinger. The specific route length is relevant to planning your day, especially if you are considering a longer cycling tour together. Lake Waging can also be explored by boat or by SUP.

Cultural excursions can also be planned around different themes. The Siegsdorf Natural History and Mammoth Museum presents the history of the Chiemgau region. The Bedaium Roman Museum displays Roman Noric finds with specially created reconstructions and a life-size diorama. The Seeon Abbey ensemble includes the former Benedictine monastery on an island as well as the neighbouring churches of St Walburga and St Mary. At Seeon Abbey, concerts, exhibitions and courses are part of the cultural programme. For a mountain-oriented activity, a summit hike to the Hochfelln via the Bründling-Alm, with its geology trail, is an option.

The Lake Waging Gourmet Weeks take place every year in autumn. This fixed seasonal connection can be taken into account when planning the timing without aligning the other activities of your stay with it.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

A specific connection in the regional area is described for mobility planning: From Seeon-Seebruck, the railway stations in Prien and Traunstein can be reached by bus 9520 without changing. This means you can compare accommodation not only by the place name but also by the travel programme you actually want to put together.

For a separate comparison of locations, you can also consider Siegsdorf, Inzell, Reit Im Winkl, Unterwössen, Ruhpolding, Marquartstein, Schleching, Bergen, Grabenstätt and Grassau.

FAQ

What type of landscape characterises the Traunstein district?

The district includes Lake Chiemsee and Lake Waging. The Chiemgau Alps are also home to more than 170 alpine pastures and peaks of up to 2,000 metres in elevation.

What historical themes does Traunstein offer?

The preserved saltworks houses, the Saltworks Chapel and the Saltworks Park bring the town’s salt history to life. The Brewery Museum and the Heimathaus provide further insights into the town’s history and everyday culture.

How long is the Lake Waging Circuit?

The circuit around Lake Waging and Lake Tachinger is 29.8 kilometres long and is described as a child-friendly cycling tour.

What options are available at Lake Waging?

The surroundings can be explored by bicycle. The lake can also be explored by boat or by SUP.

Which bus connection is mentioned for regional planning?

From Seeon-Seebruck, the railway stations in Prien and Traunstein can be reached by bus 9520 without changing.

For the overarching travel overview: Bavaria.