Discover Oberhofen am Irrsee

Oberhofen am Irrsee lies on the northern shore of Lake Irrsee in the hilly landscape of the Salzkammergut. If you are looking for a hotel in Oberhofen am Irrsee, the area’s different attractions can help you choose your destination: the lake and moorland, trails toward the northern moor, and cultural and architectural history. Consider whether you want to focus primarily on the landscape and birdlife, a trail, or historic places during your stay.

Lake, Moorland and Birdlife

The moors on the north, east and south shores of Lake Irrsee are part of the “Irrsee-Moore” nature reserve. The northern moor near Oberhofen is one of Austria’s most important breeding grounds for meadow-nesting bird species; the Eurasian curlew breeds there. Next to the road by the northern moor of Lake Irrsee is a birdwatching hut, from which visitors can look out over the northern moor. For travelers interested in moorland and birdlife, both the protected shores and the northern moor are defining natural features.

Sheltered from the wind, Lake Irrsee reaches high water temperatures in summer. On the eastern shore is Strandbad Laiter, a bathing area on Lake Irrsee, which is under nature protection. Covering an area of 6,000 m², it offers a pier, a sandy beach, a playground, a sandpit and a beach volleyball court. This is a different focus from observing the northern moor: here, the bathing area and its listed facilities take center stage. If you are planning a specific day of swimming, check the latest visitor information for Strandbad Laiter in advance.

Trails between the town center and the northern moor

The VIA NOVA pilgrimage trail passes through the municipality of Oberhofen am Irrsee. The Libellenweg begins and ends at the parish church in the town center, then heads south, passing a small wooded area and crossing meadows toward the northern moor. The routes therefore have different connections: VIA NOVA passes through the municipality, while the Libellenweg has a specified starting point, endpoint and southern route.

Culture and Architecture

Der.kulturraum in Oberhofen am Irrsee is a nonprofit venue for concerts, talks, exhibitions, workshops and cultural projects. One of its features is a historic vaulted room. If a specific event is important to your trip, factor its date into your plans.

The parish church of Oberhofen also brings together different art-historical aspects. The Gothic church building dates from the first half of the 15th century and has remained essentially unchanged, apart from the tower. The three altars and the pulpit are among the most important works by the late Baroque monastery sculptor Meinrad Guggenbichler. The older church building and the late Baroque works thus stand alongside one another as distinct historical points of reference.

Wildeneck Castle and the Celtic Hill

Wildeneck Castle was built in 1140 on the eastern side of Koloman’s Hill. It served as the seat of government for the region around Mondsee and Irrsee; the ruin can be reached via the Wildenegg adventure trail. North of Lake Irrsee, also within the municipality of Oberhofen, lies the Celtic Hill. According to an old tradition, it is interpreted as the burial place of a Celtic prince. Here, you encounter two distinct historical references: a castle with a specified year of construction and regional function, and a place whose significance rests on a traditional interpretation.

Discover more destinations: Lenzing, Vöcklabruck, Unterach Am Attersee, Straß Im Attergau, Frankenburg Am Hausruck, Niederthalheim, Atzbach, Neukirchen An Der Vöckla

Go to the main travel overview: Vöcklabruck.