Hallstätter See – Kessel (karsztforrás-barlang / karst spring cave)

The Kessel is a periodically active giant karst spring on the shore of the Hallstätter See between Hallstatt and Obertraun, and part of the Hirlatzhöhle system. Behind the spring pool a first sump of about 45 m leads to a short dry section, followed by a second sump of about 40 m that drops vertically into the Zaunerhalle, whose floor lies at around 63–64 m. Czech cave diver Pavel Riha explored it from 2001 and in December 2003 dived through to the known dry parts of the Hirlatzhöhle, making the Kessel a third entrance to the system. Divers reached 65 m here as early as 1980. After long periods of rain the spring overflows spectacularly.

Facts

Region: Austria – Salzkammergut lakes
Area: Inner Salzkammergut (Hallstatt, Grundlsee, Gosau, Altaussee)
Depth: 0–64 m
Level: advanced
Current: moderate
Type: cave
Coordinates: 47.545764, 13.663805
Highlights: periodic giant karst spring of the Hirlatz cave system (Austria's longest cave), first sump about 45 m long and max. 6 m deep, then a short dry section, second sump about 40 m long, then a 28 m vertical drop into the 'Zaunerhalle', Zaunerhalle bottom at about 63–64 m, connection dived through to the Hirlatzhöhle in December 2003 (third entrance), strong outflow and flooding after heavy rain or snowmelt, cold water around 7 °C in winter
Permit: The Hallstätter See belongs to the Österreichische Bundesforste (ÖBf) and ARGE Tauchen Österreich leases the diving rights; the ARGE Hallstätter See map marks this entry, so a valid Dive Card is required (digital €18 per calendar year; plastic card €20 at partner shops, €23 online). Cave diving requires Full Cave / sump-diving certification; we found no source on a separate official cave permit – coordinate with the Höhlenverein Hallstatt-Obertraun. Check current terms.
Issuer / contact: ARGE Tauchen Österreich – Dive Card
- Website: https://www.arge-tauchen.at/divecard
Tips: Cave-only site: you need Full Cave / sump-diving training plus experience with deep mixed-gas dives; the first sump is followed by a tight dry passage where gear must be carried, and the deep section needs trimix. Do not dive after heavy rain or during snowmelt – the outflow can be strong and visibility poor. The site belongs to an explored, protected cave system: contact the Höhlenverein Hallstatt-Obertraun (hoehlenverein-hallstatt-obertraun.at) before any dive and do not touch or remove anything. Parking at P4 (Hallstatt leisure area), across the road.

Hallstätter See – Kessel (karsztforrás-barlang / karst spring cave)

Facts

Sources