Oberhofen am Irrsee lies on the northern shore of Lake Irrsee in the hilly landscape of the Salzkammergut. Sheltered from the wind, the lake reaches high water temperatures in summer. At the same time, the moorland areas along its shores form a distinct natural attraction. The “Irrsee Moorlands” nature reserve encompasses moorlands on the northern, eastern and southern shores.
Lake Irrsee and its Moorlands
The northern moor near Oberhofen am Irrsee is one of Austria’s most important breeding grounds for meadow-nesting bird species. The Eurasian curlew also breeds in the northern moor. A birdwatching hut stands beside the road by the northern moor, offering visitors a view across it. For travellers interested in birdlife and moorland landscapes, the viewpoint and the habitat offer two different perspectives: the hut provides an overview, while the northern moor’s importance as a breeding ground is another aspect of the protected area.
Laiter lido is located on the eastern shore of Lake Irrsee, which is a protected area. The 6,000 m² facility offers a jetty, a sandy beach, a playground, a sandpit and a beach volleyball court. The lake itself is sheltered from the wind and reaches high water temperatures in summer—a seasonal feature that helps characterise Lake Irrsee.
Trails through the municipality
The Dragonfly Trail starts and ends at the parish church in the centre of Oberhofen am Irrsee. From there, it heads south, passing a small copse and crossing meadows towards the northern moor.
The VIA NOVA pilgrimage trail also passes through the municipality.
Culture and history
Der.kulturraum in Oberhofen am Irrsee is a non-profit venue for concerts, discussions, exhibitions, workshops and cultural projects. Its historic vaulted interior adds an architectural feature to the space. For travellers looking to include culture alongside the landscape in their interests, the venue offers a distinct focus with a variety of event formats.
Oberhofen Parish Church is a Gothic church dating from the first half of the 15th century. With the exception of the tower, it has remained essentially unchanged. Its three altars and pulpit are among the most significant works by the late Baroque monastic sculptor Meinrad Guggenbichler. Gothic architectural history and late Baroque sculpture thus meet in the church, offering a specific art-historical point of interest for anyone interested in architecture and art.
Wildeneck Castle and the Celtic Hill also represent different historical themes. The 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. The ruins can be reached via the Wildenegg Adventure Trail. North of Lake Irrsee, in the municipality of Oberhofen, lies the Celtic Hill, which, according to an old tradition, is interpreted as the burial place of a Celtic prince.
Discover more destinations: Attnang, Lenzing, Kammer, Atzbach, Neukirchen An Der Vöckla, Gries, Wolfsegg am Hausruck, Pöndorf.
Go to the overview of destinations: Vöcklabruck.
