01.06.2022 Camping Plansee - the time out with all-inclusive nature package

Who doesn't dream of exchanging their own living room for a 24-hour nature cinema - because at the Plansee campsite, the ceiling is guaranteed not to fall on your head so quickly. Already the journey along the second largest lake in Tyrol, with a length of about 5 km and a depth of about 76.5 m, turns out to be a real highlight. The shore of the Plansee is embedded in a fjord-like landscape surrounded by a unique mountain world - the starting point for relaxing tranquility and at the same time numerous leisure activities. No wonder that not only vacationers from near and far, but also locals find themselves here on one of the two campsites "Seespitz" or "Sennalpe". But who is actually behind the camping offer at the Plansee? I met Markus Griesser (area manager of the Seespitz and Sennalpe campsites) and Christian Angerer (asset manager/managing director of the Breitenwang community estate) for an interesting discussion.

Whether young or old, together with family and friends - camping promises not only flexibility, but also a feeling of freedom. But that doesn't mean you have to forego comfort, as the two campsites at Plansee demonstrate. How did this development come about?

Vacation in the great outdoors is clearly still very much in vogue and is enjoying steadily increasing popularity. Therefore, an individual and contemporary offer at Camping Plansee is very important to us. Not only campers from far away, but also locals should feel comfortable with us. Everyone should find his place here - whether with classic tents, caravans, motorhomes or small buses. The recreational possibilities at Plansee as well as our campsites are as multifaceted as our visitors. Recently, two vacation cabins and a natural sauna enrich the recently renovated campsite "Seespitz" - here now also the weatherproof camper finds his home for a while. Accompanying this, it was and is of course our concern to adapt an appropriate infrastructure (electricity, water, canal) as well as sanitary facilities, catering and guest administration to the needs of the visitors. Thanks to the modernization and renovation push of the last years, today top camping at the Plansee is offered.

The satisfied faces all around don't suggest anything else either. The road up to here was certainly very exciting. How did the idea of camping at Plansee come about in the first place?

It all started in the 1950s - with the continuous decline of grazing cattle on the Seespitz and Musteralpe mountain pastures. At the same time, tourist demand was steadily increasing and the officials of the time decided that an offer had to be created. This was the beginning of a camping era. At the beginning, of course, everything was in the simplest form with tents, a small wash house, etc. The rapid development of the past 40 years has made it possible that today 80 pitches at Camping Seespitz (on the north-west shore) and around 400 pitches at Camping Sennalpe (on the north-east shore) invite you to relax in the midst of the beautiful Alpine landscape.

An impressive camping oasis with a feel-good factor. How do you manage to keep an overview of such an area and stand up to the everyday challenges?

This is clearly a strong team of up to 20 employees who put their heart and soul into the well-being of all guests. The first point of contact is Markus Griesser at Camping Seespitz and Claudia Krabacher and Christoph Angerer at Camping Sennalpe. Here everyone pulls together and gives the camping offer only a personal note. We are particularly pleased that among them five immigrants have found their year-round job with us and we are thus internationally represented. During the high season in summer we are also very happy to welcome holiday workers. It can be said that every working day here is an experience on a very special natural stage, despite often stressful situations. In addition to numerous leisure activities, the employees are pleased to have eight employee apartments directly on the lake.

Campers are usually excellent self-caterers - but what about when something falls by the wayside or a little hunger strikes?

Here, our two kiosks on site are happy to offer assistance. "Griesser's Seespitzkiosk" directly at the site provides daily with fresh bread, milk, cakes and snacks as well as hot and cold refreshments. Above all, the sun terrace invites you to take a leisurely break. At the "Strandbuffet Seeblick", adjacent to the Camping Sennalpe, the popular French fries or ice cream for in-between meals may of course not be missing. The mini-shop also has an assortment of everyday necessities as well as hygiene and care items - so we are equipped for all emergencies.

When it comes to the decision of the leisure activity, compromises are probably out of place here - because as you can see, probably everyone finds their happiness in paradise at Plansee. Which leisure tips can you recommend?

Outdoor lovers can really let off steam around and on the lake. The perfect playground in the middle of a dreamlike mountain landscape. The crystal clear water reaches up to 20° degrees in summer and is also of drinking water quality. Not only water sports enthusiasts have fun canyoning with one of our local guides, sailing, diving or even fishing, because a boat trip on the Plansee and the adjacent Heiterwangersee is definitely "lake"-worthy. If you prefer to take the oars in your own hands, you can rent canoes and stand-up paddles from us. Family-friendly panoramic trails, such as to the Stuiben Falls or past the small chapel "Frauenbrünnele", invite hikers to explore the breathtaking area. Passing numerous viewing platforms, perhaps the perfect photo is also included. If you like to pedal, you can also grab a mountain bike or e-bike from our rental. We offer this not only for our camping guests but also for day guests.

Speaking of day visitors, how should they best plan their arrival to also take advantage of what the campgrounds have to offer?

We recommend day guests to use the parking spaces on site - these are located between the campsites and the shore of the Plansee. By buying a parking ticket (€ 4,-/day) you can arrive comfortably by car and dive into the adventure immediately. The sunbathing lawns are already included in the ticket and can be reached in just a few steps from the parking lot - simply arrive and relax.

You'll want to get started right away. The unique location directly on the Plansee is certainly unique, but which of the two campsites should you choose? No one knows the camping area better than you!

Each of the two campsites has something special to offer. No matter which pitch you choose, the terraced layout of the Seespitz campsite promises a unique view of the lake at all times - which is certainly worth seeing - according to the motto: "When I see the lake, I don't need the sea anymore". And for those for whom the camping season in summer is too short, the Camping-Sennalpe offers the possibility to settle down also in winter. Where the cows usually graze in summer, the permanent camper finds himself on the groomed winter trail. Fun and games for the little ones and the young at heart can definitely be found at the two adjacent playgrounds.

You can feel that there is a lot of passion behind it and that the joy of camping is lived in the truest sense. What is your personal highlight here and makes your hearts beat faster?

Markus: "If you're lucky and the fish bites, you get to enjoy a smoked trout fillet from the Plansee fisherman, definitely my own personal highlight."

Christian: "For me, in any case, my goats at the edge of the forest of Camping Sennalpe are something very special. They always faithfully hold the fort and have certainly reserved the most beautiful spot here."

I thank them for the interesting conversation and wish the Plansee Camping team all the best for the future. Afterwards, I meet a few locals and permanent campers who tell me about their very personal camping moments here. So let's go and have your own camping experience at Plansee.