Discover Traunstein: Lakes, Alps and Salt History

Lakes, peaks and protected landscapes

The lakes and the Chiemgau Alps offer different landscape highlights in the district. The Seeon Lakes are listed as a nature reserve; Lake Waging and Lake Taching are listed as a landscape conservation area. The officially designated protected areas in the district help preserve biodiversity, safeguard rare habitats and protect the natural and cultural landscape.

Salt history and museums in Traunstein

The preserved saltworks buildings and the Saltworks Chapel tell the story of Traunstein’s significant salt-making history. The Saltworks Chapel is the largest chapel in Germany. The historic town walk passes the Klosterkirche cultural forum and then leads to the Saltworks Chapel, the saltworks buildings and the Saltworks Park, established in 2019.

The museums also offer a range of highlights: the Brewery Museum is near Jackl Tower and is part of Hofbräuhaus Traunstein. The local history museum houses a town and toy museum with exhibits on bourgeois culture, sacred art and the history of the saltworks. The town thus offers insights into both its salt history and other cultural and historical topics.

Cycling and waterside experiences at Lake Waging

You can explore the area around Lake Waging by bike. One specific route is the Lake Waging Circular Route: this 29.8-kilometre cycling tour goes around Lake Waging and Lake Taching and is described as suitable for children. You can explore Lake Waging by boat or SUP; equipment is available from boat rental providers.

The Lake Waging culinary weeks take place every autumn. If you would like to plan your trip around them, check the dates for your chosen year. Another way to experience the landscape is a summit hike to Hochfelln via Bründling-Alm, which features a geology trail.

Museums and culture nearby

The Siegsdorf Natural History and Mammoth Museum presents the history of the Chiemgau region. In Seeon-Seebruck, the Bedaium Roman Museum displays Roman Noric finds alongside reconstructions created specifically for the museum and a life-size diorama. Nearby, you can explore regional history from different perspectives: archaeological finds and their vivid presentation in the museum.

The Seeon Abbey ensemble includes the former Benedictine monastery on an island, as well as the nearby churches of St. Walburg and St. Maria. The cultural programme at Seeon Abbey includes concerts, exhibitions and courses. This combination of a historic ensemble and cultural events offers a different focus from visits to the museums in Traunstein and Siegsdorf.

Choose the right focus for your accommodation search

If you want to focus on the town’s history, base your search in Traunstein. For cycling and water activities, focus on the area around Lake Waging; for museum visits and cultural events, you can also consider Seeon-Seebruck. First choose the experience you want to define your stay, then tailor your accommodation search accordingly.

For journeys from Seeon-Seebruck, bus 9520 connects the Prien and Traunstein railway stations without a change. Check the timetable for your specific journey.

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

For the full travel overview: Bavaria.