Traunstein: Lakes, Alps and salt-mining history

Lakes and protected landscapes

The lakes and mountains lend different character to the various parts of the district. The Seeoner Seen lakes are among the nature reserves in the district of Traunstein. Lake Waginger See and Lake Tachinger See are designated as a landscape conservation area. These protected areas help preserve biodiversity, safeguard rare habitats and protect the natural and cultural landscape. This gives nature lovers a special reason to appreciate these landscapes.

In the immediate vicinity of your destination, you can explore the area around Lake Waginger See by bicycle. One specific option is the Lake Waginger See circular route: this family-friendly bike tour is 29.8 kilometres long and goes around Lake Waginger See and Lake Tachinger See. The route length is a helpful guide when planning a day of cycling with the family. You can also explore Lake Waginger See by boat or SUP. This lets you choose between a tour on land and activities on the water.

Salt history and museums in Traunstein

The town of Traunstein’s salt history is at the heart of a historical town walk. The route passes the Kulturforum Klosterkirche before continuing to the Salinenkapelle chapel, the Salinenhäuser houses and the Salinenpark, established in 2019. The surviving Salinenhäuser and the chapel offer insights into the town’s important salt history. The Salinenkapelle is the largest chapel in Germany.

Further insights are offered by the Brewery Museum near Jacklturm, which belongs to Hofbräuhaus Traunstein, and the Heimathaus. The latter houses a town and toy museum with exhibits on bourgeois culture, sacred art and the history of the saltworks. If you are interested in local history and cultural topics, you can take these attractions into account when deciding on a stay in Traunstein. This also offers a clear guide when looking for a holiday rental: if you want to focus on the town’s history, look to Traunstein; for a cycling excursion, Lake Waginger See is another option.

Excursions and culture in the surrounding area

There are also a variety of cultural destinations beyond the town. The Siegsdorf Natural History and Mammoth Museum presents the history of the Chiemgau region. The Bedaium Roman Museum displays Roman-Noric finds alongside specially created reconstructions and a life-size diorama. The Kloster Seeon complex comprises the former Benedictine monastery on an island and the neighbouring churches of St. Walburg and St. Maria. The cultural programme at Kloster Seeon includes concerts, exhibitions and courses. These places each have a different focus, from regional nature and history to archaeology and culture.

For those who enjoy hiking, the nearby summit hike to Hochfelln via Bründling-Alm is a good option. The hike includes a geology trail, making it especially interesting for those keen to learn about the region’s geology. For a culinary experience, there is a seasonal event to mark on your calendar: the Genusswochen am Waginger See take place every year in autumn.

Getting here and choosing a suitable base

For travel by public transport, Seeon-Seebruck is a useful point of reference: from there, bus 9520 takes you directly to the railway stations in Prien and Traunstein, without changing buses. If you are coordinating your search for a holiday rental with your journey, you can take this bus connection into account. To help narrow down your options, it is useful to set out the main priorities for your stay: a town walk and salt history point to Traunstein, while Lake Waginger See, its cycling route and the water-based activities there appeal to other interests. These destinations offer a variety of reasons to discover the district, without requiring you to settle on just one type of holiday.

Places in this destination also include Reit Im Winkl, Unterwössen, Ruhpolding, Obing, Traunreut, Tittmoning, Marquartstein, Chieming, Schleching, Waldhausen, Bergen, Waging Am See, Grabenstätt, Seeon-Seebruck, Schnaitsee, Fridolfing, Nußdorf, Traunstein, Tacherting, Trostberg An Der Alz, Grassau, Petting, Altenmarkt an der Alz, Engelsberg, Kirchanschöring, Palling, Surberg, Staudach-Egerndach, Taching, Übersee, Inzell and Siegsdorf.

For the broader travel overview: Bavaria.