Gosau is the access village for the Gosauseen, a pair of mountain lakes below the Dachstein glacier with reflections that make them among the most photographed spots in the Salzkammergut. The front lake is reachable by car; the rear lake requires a further hour on foot. The Gosaukamm cable car provides access to demanding ridge hiking above. Most visitors come as day trips from Hallstatt (20 minutes by car) or Bad Ischl (30 minutes). Early morning visits before wind arrives give the best lake reflections. Limited overnight accommodation in the valley for those using Gosau as a hiking base.