Lake Faak — Attraction in Finkenstein am Faaker See

Lake Faak as the European Bike Week stage, every year, is simply THE bikers dream of the year. Can't imagine a better place for such a big event. And you can bring family, kids, too. They can chill and play and swim in the lake, while the motorcyclist of the proud family goes around the bikers villages.... Some comments, and why this is not a 5 star review: in the summer and also during the Bike Week, it gets really hot and there is just too little shade everywhere (also at the lake beaches, too little is taken care for shade) to the contrary, when it rains, which can happen often in these parts during September, it gets pretty cold and nasty. During bad weather it's muddy, windy, cold etc, again, no real roof protection if you get caught without an umbrella. Then better wait and come on the crowdy weekend if the weather settles then. if you are looking for an overnight stay in Faak during the Bike Week, don't bother finding hotels or apartments close to the event because the best ones are reserved for years in advance; or you simply won't find anything "normal"; or it will be so ridiculously pricey that it's better sleep in a car or something :):):) the best of the Bike Week actually happens during the week days, so if you manage, come visit before the crazy crowded weekend. During the week, there is still really a lot of bikers and bikes, but all is more peaceful, you can get better choice and deals in the merchandise and parts booths (on weekends the best things are sold out) and you have a much easier life if you want to check out the new Harleys, or try them out on a test ride. oh and this is a really small village here, so don't expect infrastructure of bigger towns like big markets, Spar and stuff... There is a small post office, a small pharmacy, and a fuel station... :) The pizzerias are not even open during Bike Week (maybe one....). Everything else are hotels, weekend houses, apartments and the lake.

Oh and Harley people, when will miss Karen Davidson come? Since Willy G is not with us anymore, can we see at least miss Davidson more? That would be a...

What a disappointment, or how to ruin a wonderful mountain lake 101: in place of the former public beach they put a private camping resort, so this previously beautiful beach is now lined with camping cars and caravans and packed full, while the public is invited to pay its way to a private beach, packed full as well. Surprise surprise, this lake which used to be so clean that locals used to say you could drink its water is now disgusting. I swam a bit and literally left a trail of soap bubbles behind me. Moreover the town used to be staffed by friendly locals, whose German mountain accent I didn't always understand (lol) but they spoke fluent English anyway; now it is staffed by cheap labor with bad German and no English, and whose incompetence is matched only by their unfriendliness. And to cap it all, next to the camping place they built a fake street and huge video game-casino hall. I'm sure someone made a good profit from it all, but it sure as hell is not the public or the...

It is a beautiful lake to see from afar. The problem is that you cannot get very close to it unless you are living in a pension/hotel which has private access. Most of these places are fenced. I find it amazing that in Austria, the whole shore of the lake is privately owned. I was able to find only one small access point with a single bench where you can get close to water and enjoy the view. However finding free parking nearby was also difficult as most of the parking places are with...