The Traunstein (1,691 m) is the emblem of the Salzkammergut: a massive limestone peak rising steeply straight out of the Traunsee above Gmunden. Its classic is the south-west ridge with the Gmundnerweg – about 350 m of very airy, exposed climbing, mostly grade 2 to 3 with a crux of 3+, bolted belays but few bolts in between, and constant views over the lake; it ends about 1 to 1.5 hours below the Traunsteinhütte. Next to the ridge routes such as the Ostgrat, the walls also hold harder modern lines like Luftikus (6), Kaffee & Kuchen (7+) and Seensucht (8-).
Reach Gmunden via the A1 and B145 and drive to the last car park on the east shore of the lake; in summer it is a 3-hour short-stay zone and parking is scarce, so for longer days use the paid car parks near Gmunden's Seebahnhof with a shuttle, or come by train and boat to the Gasthof Hoisn. The approach to the ridge takes about 45 minutes through two tunnels and across a scree field (start marked "GM"), the descent about 1.5 hours via the Naturfreundesteig. Bring a 60 m rope, slings, perhaps nuts, and a helmet; the south-west side gets very hot in summer, and there is a swimming spot by the car park.
Part of Upper Austrian Prealps, Traunstein has 9 routes documented on climbing.place. Routes range from grade 2 to 8-. Routes are listed below with grade, style, and community notes.
Often climbed in May, June, September.