To the homepage

Eibsee

A crystal-clear natural wonder right at the foot of the Zugspitze

The Eibsee is Grainau's most famous lake and one of the most beautiful in the Alps. The cable car to the Zugspitze, as well as hikes and mountain tours, start here. For many visitors, however, the Eibsee is already their destination, and they spend the day at the lake. The family-friendly circular trail, with refreshment stops, is popular year-round. In summer, the crystal-clear water invites you to swim, and the boat rental service offers stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats, and rowboats. A very special experience: a trip on the historic passenger ship "Reserl" - always with the Wetterstein Mountains and their highest peak, the Zugspitze, in view.

Our tip:

A hike to the Eibsee. From Grainau, there are several easy paths that lead directly to the lake.

Tours around the Eibsee

Einkehrmöglichkeiten am Eibsee

Getting to the lake

Lake Eibsee and the Zugspitze are among Germany's most popular tourist attractions. Since the valley station of the record-breaking Zugspitze cable car is just minutes from the lake, there are two good reasons to visit. However, there is only one access road and limited parking.

AnreiseMöglichkeiten

Bavarian Zugspitze Railway

Travel between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Eibsee is free for Grainau guests with a valid guest card.

From Eibsee station, you will also need a ticket for the onward journey on the cogwheel train to the Zugspitzplatt and then on the glacier train to the summit, the Zugspitze.

SCHEDULE

RVO Bus

Bus 9840 runs on the Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Grainau – Eibsee route. The ride is also free with the Grainau Guest Card.

RVO bus timetable to the Eibsee

German Railways

The journey with Deutsche Bahn from Munich Central Station to Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes approximately 90 minutes. From the DB station, it's just a few meters to the station of the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn, which runs via Hausberg, Kreuzeck-/Alpspitzbahn, and Hammersbach to Grainau and then on to Eibsee and the Zugspitzplatt.

If the parking spaces are occupied, this will be indicated on information boards at the end of the motorway, and alternative parking spaces located along the railway line will also be indicated. www.zugspitze.de.

Car

Am Eibsee gibt es zwei öffentliche kostenpflichtige Parkplätze. Informationen zur aktuellen Auslastung unter Parkplatz Eibsee and Parkplatz Seilbahn Zugspitze.

If the parking spaces are occupied, this will be indicated on information boards at the end of the motorway, and alternative parking spaces located along the railway line will also be indicated.

FAQ

What is the quickest way to get to the Eibsee?

Guests from Grainau can take the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn from Hammersbach or Grainau to the Eibsee in 18 or 15 minutes respectively.
If you get on at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Hausberg or Kreuzeck-/Alpspitzbahn, the maximum journey time is half an hour.
All travel times and parking options at www.zugspitze.de

How often do trains and buses go to the Eibsee?

Buses and the Zugspitzbahn run every hour.

Does the Deutsche Bahn go as far as the Eibsee?

No. Deutsche Bahn (German Railway) operates trains to Garmisch-Partenkirchen station. From there, take bus 9840 or the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn (Bavarian Zugspitzbahn). The bus stop and train station of the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn are just a few minutes' walk from the train station.

Kann ich mit dem Deutschlandticket kostenlos zum Eibsee fahren?

Yes and no. The bus fare to Eibsee is included. Please purchase a ticket from Grainau on the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn.

Tickets and tariffs

Can bicycles be taken on the bus and cogwheel train?

Unfortunately, this is not possible due to capacity reasons.

Why doesn't the bus arrive on time?

When it's busy, the bus also gets stuck in traffic.

Why did the bus drive past the bus stop?

If the maximum number of passengers is reached, the driver is instructed not to allow any further passengers to board. However, additional buses will be deployed.

Where can I park at the Eibsee?

The Eibsee Hotel and the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn have public parking spaces at Eibsee.

How much does parking cost?

The Parkgebühren beim Eibsee Hotel depend solely on the duration. The Parking fees at the Zugspitzbahn also depend on whether a mountain railway ticket is purchased.

Will I always get a parking space?

If the parking spaces are occupied, this will be indicated on information boards at the end of the motorway, and alternative parking spaces located along the railway line will also be indicated.

Information on current capacity utilization at Parkplatz Eibsee and Parkplatz Seilbahn Zugspitze.

Can I park my motorhome at the Eibsee?

Please note the information provided by the parking lot operators:

www.zugspitze.de/parken

www.eibsee.de/de/lage-anfahrt

Kann ich am Eibsee campen?

Night parking is prohibited in all parking lots. More detailed information can be found at https://zugspitze.de/parken.

There are two large campsites in Grainau for overnight stays: the Camping Resort Zugspitze and the Camping experience Zugspitze.

Can I also go to the Eibsee with a baby carriage?

The riverside path is also easily accessible with strollers.

What is the best way to get to the Eibsee on foot?

Beautiful hiking trails lead from Grainau up to the Eibsee. The leisurely hikes take about one and a half hours and have only a few meters of altitude.

When is the least busy time at the Eibsee?

There's not always a general answer to this question. Fewer people generally want to go to Eibsee early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Can you swim in the Eibsee?

It is possible to swim in the Eibsee. There are many places around the lake where you can access the water. In summer, the water temperature reaches 18-22 °C.

Can I manage to visit the Eibsee and the Zugspitze in one day?

Yes, the valley station of the cable car is just a few minutes away from Lake Eibsee.

What can I do near Lake Eibsee in bad weather?

The Zugspitzbad in Grainau is an indoor and outdoor pool, making it open almost year-round. It also has a sauna.

Many guests also go to the Höllental Gorge in Grainau or to the Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

In heavy rain or storms, however, they are closed to visitors for safety reasons.

Where can I find more travel information?

On the page Arrival Eibsee & Zugspitze.

Are there refreshment stops?

There are several places to stop for refreshments. Information on this can be found at www.eibsee.de.

Can I go boating or SUP-ing at the Eibsee?

In the summer months, round trips are offered on the historic excursion boat "Reserl". Pedal boats, rowing boats and stand-up paddle boards can also be hired. More detailed information at www.eibsee.de/de/bootsverleih.

The Eibsee should stay clean - help us!

The Eibsee supplies 30,000 people with drinking water, which comes from the water protection area around the Eibsee.

Please help us to maintain the quality of our drinking water.

Wissenswertes:

Lake Eibsee was formed when the Isar-Loisach glacier retreated at the end of the Würm glacial period, leaving behind a depression that filled with water. Around 3400-3700 years ago, a huge landslide with an area of 13 km² and a volume of 350 million m³ crossed the central and eastern part of the lake. The completely separated small neighboring lakes include Frillensee in the south and Braxensee, Steingringpriel, Steinsee, Froschsee and Drachenseelein in the north. Its name is derived from the yew tree, which used to grow in large numbers around the lake. Today it can only be found sporadically around the lake and only occurs in the Bannwälder forests near the lake. Lake Eibsee is a blind lake as it has no surface drainage and the water can only drain away or seep underground due to the location of the basin.

Eibsee

A crystal-clear natural wonder right at the foot of the Zugspitze

Tours around the Eibsee

Einkehrmöglichkeiten am Eibsee

Getting to the lake

AnreiseMöglichkeiten

FAQ

The Eibsee should stay clean - help us!

Wissenswertes:

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Discover and experience

Discover and experience

Summer activities

Summer activities

Winter activities

Winter activities

Family experiences

Family experiences

On site

On site

Info & Service

Info & Service

Latest news

Accommodation

events

Local map

Zugspitzbad

Customs

Book

Further information