Information
Landmark: Kaprun High Alpine ReservoirsCity: Zell am See
Country: Austria
Continent: Europe
Kaprun High Alpine Reservoirs, Zell am See, Austria, Europe
Overview
Tucked high above the town of Kaprun in Austria’s Salzburg region, the Kaprun High Alpine Reservoirs (Hochgebirgsstauseen Kaprun) blend bold engineering with breathtaking alpine scenery, where turquoise water mirrors the surrounding peaks.Tucked high in the Hohe Tauern National Park, these reservoirs treat visitors to sweeping mountain views, a close-up look at renewable energy in action, and the rare chance to wander along quiet, wind-swept trails.High in the Austrian Alps, the Kaprun reservoirs hold two vast, man‑made lakes.Mooserboden, perched at 2,036 meters (6,679 feet) and ringed by jagged peaks like the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, offers sweeping views and trailheads that smell faintly of pine.Below it lies Wasserfallboden at 1,672 meters (5,486 feet), fed by glacial meltwater and mountain streams, serving as the lower basin in a pumped‑storage hydroelectric system.Built between the 1930s and 1950s as part of Austria’s post‑war recovery, these reservoirs became a landmark of engineering and a symbol of the country’s push for renewable energy.Water flows down from Mooserboden to turn turbines before settling in Wasserfallboden, and when demand dips, surplus electricity drives pumps to lift it back up, ready for the next surge.Visitors come for the crisp mountain air, the sweeping scenery, and a glimpse into how nature and technology work side by side.Your visit begins at the Kaprun Power Plant Information Center, where you’ll hop on a shuttle bus and then ride the Lärchwand Schrägaufzug-one of Europe’s largest open inclined lifts-as it glides upward past pine forests with sweeping mountain views.At the Mooserboden Reservoir, turquoise water mirrors jagged Alpine peaks, and guided tours take you inside the dam walls and power plant to uncover their history and workings.The Erlebniswelt Strom und Eis exhibition adds hands-on displays about renewable energy and glaciers.Outside, hiking trails range from gentle lakeside strolls to demanding treks into the Hohe Tauern, while climbers tackle the Mooser-Mandl via ferrata.Wildlife spotters might catch sight of marmots, ibex, or circling alpine birds, and glaciers feed the reservoirs with meltwater.Don’t miss a walk across the 100-meter-high Mooserboden Dam for panoramic views, or learning how this hydropower fuels thousands of homes.Summer brings open access and clear trails; in winter, heavy snow closes the area, though Kaprun stays lively with skiing.Tickets for shuttles and entry are available at the Information Center.From late May to early October, weather permitting, you can hop on a guided tour of the Kaprun High Alpine Reservoirs, which often includes a peek inside the power plant; plan on spending four to five hours for the full trip-shuttle buses, an inclined lift ride, and time to wander among the turquoise waters and glaciers-then round out your day with nearby attractions like skiing or snow hiking on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, exploring the Kaprun Museum’s exhibits on the area’s history, or strolling the wooden walkways above Sigmund-Thun Gorge’s roaring waterfalls.
