Attersee - The black bridge

August 20, 2019 The 46 km² and 169m deep Attersee is a major diving area in the Salzkammergut region in Upper Austria. Most of the approximately 25 dive sites are located on the eastern shore, as well as the most famous dive site - the Black Bridge. The entrance can be found at kilometre 12.0 between the villages Weyregg and Seefeld. The dive site is characterized by a partly vertical sloping, provided with small overhanging steep wall, which passes at about 50-55 meters water depth into a sloping scree slope. The name of the dive site was created by the shimmering black water below a road bridge located at the northern end of the dive site. To get to the entrance, you have to cross the Uferstraße (Waterside road), because the few parking possibilities (about 3-4 cars) are on the opposite side of the road. Here, special caution is advised, as you can see the road to the north only very briefly. Right after the descent turn right (shore right shoulder). After 5 minutes, the diver reaches the first rock formations at a depth of 5 to 8 meters. To explore the most beautiful section of the steep wall, do not follow this rock edge diagonally into the depth, but dive another 5 minutes at about 8-10 meters depth straight ahead. Slowly, the steeply sloping rock formations become a real steep wall that reaches almost to the water surface in the middle of the dive site. At this point, the descent is worth especially. The diver gets the most beautiful view of the wall at a depth between 20 and 30 meters. Vertical smooth rocks with small overhangs or protrusions can be admired here. If further submerged, which should be reserved in particular for the technical mixed gas divers, the wall ends at about 50 meters and goes over a sloping scree slope. This is characterized by small and large blocks of rock, branches, small tree trunks and one or the other civilization garbage like an old bicycle. This slope continues to a depth of about 100 meters, but becomes flatter towards the middle of the lake. The scuba diver begins his ascent after reaching the 30 meter mark with the wall to the right shoulder and reaches the end of the formation at about 25 to 20 meters depth - a prominent place where the wall almost makes a kink. If you dive further at this point, the diver clearly recognizes the end of the dive site at 10 meters to the north. Here he takes the reversal course and continues to ascend (shore left shoulder) back towards the exit. In the shallow area it takes about 20-25 minutes to reach the other side. In a water depth of about 5-8 meters you will find large Burbots in the fissures. Back at the entry point you can also observe one or the other pike in the flat area. A wonderful dive spot worth at least 2 or 3 dives.