Ritzensee
Natural swimming lake in front of the Steinernes Meer
Swimming spot
Böndlsee
⏱️2 h
🥾easy
🌤️Summer
🚌Car
About
The Böndlsee lies above St. Johann im Pongau, small, clear and surrounded by meadows. No lido, no buffet, no music: a patch of grass to lie on, a few trees and the Pongau mountains all around. Come in the afternoon and you share it with a few families from the area. Nothing more happens here, and that's exactly why people drive out.
Insider tip
Anton
Local from Salzburg
I pack something to eat, because there's nothing on site. The meadow on the east side stays in the sun longest, that's where I sit down. And the lake is small enough to genuinely warm up in high summer, unlike most mountain lakes around here.
Duration & difficulty
No trail and no ascent, you park the car and you're there. How long you stay is up to the sun, two hours is a good guide.
Best season
July and August, when the water reaches a temperature you can stay in for a while.
Location & access
Above St. Johann im Pongau, a good hour from Salzburg. Parking right at the lake, awkward without a car.
