Discover Franking through its natural environment and local history, with each stop offering a different experience. At Holzöstersee, the focus is on the moorland landscape, circular trail and bathing area; the Bauerngolf hike and bee nature trail each have their own themes. Burgstall adds visible traces of an earlier structure. So when planning, first consider whether you would like to focus on the waterside landscape, a themed trail or local history.
Holzöstersee: Moor, Circular Walk and Bathing Area
Holzöstersee formed at the end of the last Ice Age and has been a nature reserve since 1965. On the western shore, the lake gives way to a floating mat bog. Its origins, protected status and shoreline offer different perspectives on the lake: its formation points to its geological history, while the bog is a distinct landscape feature on the western shore. When visiting Holzöstersee, you can explore its natural and landscape history as well as enjoy the bathing area.
The circular walk around Holzöstersee takes about 30 minutes. It starts and ends at Strandbad/Buffet Holzöster 79. If you would like to fit a manageable walk into your day, you can use this approximate time as a guide. Holzöstersee lido has a water lift in front of the bathing buffet for people with physical disabilities.
Holzöstersee is also a popular destination for anglers; its fish include carp, tench, eel, pike and zander. If you plan to fish, check the local fishing regulations separately. The fish species and applicable regulations answer different questions: which fish are found in the lake and what to bear in mind when planning to fish there.
Hike and Nature Trail: Different Ways to Explore Nature
The Bauerngolf hike in Franking also leads through a moorland landscape, but includes 17 stops. It offers a different kind of outing from the circular walk at Holzöstersee: here, the stops are part of the hike, while the lakeside route is listed as taking about 30 minutes. When choosing between the two, consider whether you would prefer a hike with 17 stops or a shorter circular walk by the lake.
The bee nature trail in Franking focuses on the lives of bees, life in the hive and the importance of insects. Guided tours can be booked for the trail. Its focus differs from that of the lakeside walk and moorland hike: rather than the shoreline landscape or the stops on the Bauerngolf hike, it explores bees and insects. If this topic particularly interests you, you can include a guided tour in your plans.
Burgstall and Franking’s Local History
Burgstall adds Franking’s history to the area’s nature-related attractions. It was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Franking. Ramparts and depressions are still visible at Burgstall, pointing to the former structure. This combines the site’s historical role with visible traces in the landscape: Burgstall represents the history of the Lords of Franking, while the ramparts and depressions reveal the former structure. If you are looking for a history-focused excursion, you will find a different perspective here than at the lake, on the moorland hike or along the bee nature trail.
Discover more destinations: Palting, Aufhausen, Lehrsberg, Handenberg, Ăśberackern, Munderfing, Helpfau-Uttendorf, Mauerkirchen.
View the broader travel guide: Braunau am Inn.
