Sure, in the warm summer months it is inviting to cool off in the crystal clear water of our mountain lakes. Please be aware that our mountain lakes are not artificial bathing ponds. Various microorganisms and plants live in them and - depending on the altitude - also fish. There is a sensitive ecosystem in the lakes that we do not want to upset the balance. This means for you: please be careful when Kneipping and swimming and keep a few important rules in mind. These help the lake's natural ecosystem as well as you for a safe experience.
Wild ducks: Residents of the mountain lakes
You are not the only one who finds a swim in the mountain lake refreshing and has a wonderful experience. Wild ducks are native to several mountain lakes in our region.
Please be considerate of your fellow animal swimmers. Don't scare them and please don't throw anything at them. Please also refrain from feeding the ducks. Many of our foods are not suitable for ducks. In any case, avoid feeding the animals processed foods such as fragments of bars or similar. The additives it contains - but also some natural ingredients - are not digestible or even dangerous for the animals.
Sunscreen - of course! But wait a minute...
When hiking, it is particularly important to pay attention to good sun protection. As the air becomes thinner with increasing altitude, the intensity of solar radiation also increases.
If you want to do Kneipp or swim in a lake, please do not put any cream on yourself immediately before you go into the water. The cream needs some time to absorb into your skin. If you go into the water too quickly, you wash it off and ingredients in the cream get into the water, which can unbalance the lake's fragile ecosystem.
Cooling down is good - waiting is better
It is also important to take care of yourself. It is therefore important that you take a break before you go into the lake. The water in our mountain lakes is, with a few exceptions, rather cold. Therefore it is even more important to wait enough time. This can also be combined, for example, with the previous topic of applying sunscreen: Arrive, put on sunscreen and wait until the sunscreen is well absorbed into the skin. Once your pulse has calmed down accordingly, you can venture into the cold, cooling water of the lake.
Basically, pay attention to the general bathing rules at the mountain lake:
- Check and note the water temperature
- Wait. Don't go into the water when you're too hot
- Don't go into the water on a full stomach
- Excessive fatigue is also dangerous. If you're tired, it's better to stay outside.
- If you're cold, get out of the water. You might get cramps. This is dangerous for a swimmer!
- Not a general bathing rule, but still not stupid: don't go into the water if you're alone.
Also not an insignificant circumstance: a mountain lake is not a bathing beach.
Sure, you might say, but what do we mean by that? On the one hand, this means being considerate of other visitors who are simply looking for the peace and quiet of the alpine surroundings and want to relax by the lake. Therefore, please behave accordingly when you go into the water and keep the volume of any “refreshment cries” within limits. Not only the visitors seeking peace and quiet, but also the wild animals in the area will thank you.
Also, be careful not to hurt yourself when going into the lake. There are often sharp-edged stones in the shallow water that can easily injure you.
Attention - nature reserve!
Some of our mountain lakes are declared bathing lakes - an example is the Putterersee. The warmest alpine moor lake in Styria is located in Aigen im Ennstal and, in addition to its beautiful location, also impresses with TOP water quality and a great seaside resort.
Other of our mountain lakes are located in nature reserves or are even the reason for their designation as such. An example of this is the Styrian Lake Constance. Swimming is not permitted here. We ask you, there and at other lakes with corresponding regulations, to respect and comply with these regulations.
Thank you for helping us to preserve the cleanliness, naturalness and specialness of our mountain lakes.
Take care of yourself and have nice experiences!
