Hechtsee, Lake in Kufstein, Austria

Hechtsee is a lake in Kufstein, Austria, set at an elevation of 544 meters. It lies in a basin surrounded by wooded slopes, with clear water and a shoreline that mixes open grass and trees.

The lake formed after the last ice age, when glaciers left a hollow that filled with water. Over the centuries, it has remained a natural landmark for the people of Kufstein and the surrounding valley.

Local people often come here for a swim or a picnic, and the small beach area is a favorite gathering spot in summer. The name Hechtsee refers to the pike that fishermen have long caught in these waters.

The lake is easy to reach from Kufstein by car or on foot, with paths leading around the shore. Visitors can walk the perimeter in about an hour, and benches along the way offer spots to rest and take in the view.

The water stays cool even in summer because underground springs feed the lake, and this also gives it a clear, greenish tint. On still mornings, the surface mirrors the surrounding forest so perfectly that it looks like a second sky.