Lakes in the surroundings

Crystal-clear lakes, fed by cool mountain streams, invite you to swim or linger on hot summer days. A trip to the lake is always an experience - at any time of the year. Here are some of our favorites.

• Picturesquely embedded at the foot of the Zugspitze massif with an unforgettable view of Waxenstein and Zugspitze, this lake is an enclave of relaxation and recreation.

The Badersee is a small mountain lake in the municipality of Grainau, named after its former owners, the Bader family. The emerald green lake is beautifully situated. With a depth of 18m, underground springs do not let the lake freeze even in winter. The Badersee has no inlet and outlet above ground. In the lake, west of the island, there is a life-size sculpture of a mermaid on a rock at a depth of about 5 meters. The mermaid was placed there in the middle of the 19th century and can be seen from a boat, and has added significantly to the lake's popularity.

• Tip:

Enjoy the Badersee with a small tour. Maybe you'll spot the mermaid in the crystal clear water at the bottom of the lake. Afterwards a stop at the Hotel am Badersee is always worthwhile.

Lake Riessersee was artificially created in a forest clearing during the Middle Ages. The water supply is mainly provided by a spring on the south-eastern shore at an altitude of about 785 m.

The lake Riessersee is also the eponym of the traditional winter sports and ice hockey club SC Riessersee, which used to play its games on the frozen lake.

There is a circular path around the lake. On the southeast side there is a small bathing establishment. In the past, many ice sports competitions were held on Lake Riessersee, such as the speed skating and ice hockey at the 1936 Olympic Games. The lake initially became famous for its legendary 1936 Olympic bobsleigh track, which was built in 1909 and is now a listed building. From 1910, numerous races were held here - on one of the most dangerous tracks in the world. The finish curve of the historic natural bob run is in the southwest of the lake. Only a few hundred metres from the lake, there is the "Bobshed" with numerous historical exhibits and original film material.

On the southern side there is a small lido with kiosk and boat rental. The water temperatures in summer reach up to 24 ° and make it a popular bathing lake.

The Seerestaurant Rießersee is also located directly on the lake, from where you can enjoy a unique view of the Waxensteine and Zugspitze.

The Lake Pflegersee is about 2 km from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and about 11 km from Grainau. In the Middle Ages the Pflegersee ensured the water supply of the nearby castle Ruine Werdenfels and has been a popular excursion destination.

The "Berggasthof Pflegersee" is located on the northern shore of the lake. The lido with a kiosk and rowing boat rental is on the east shore.

The water temperatures in the summer months range between 18°C and 22°C. The Lake Pflegersee is a popular bathing lake, especially among the locals.

Embedded in moorland, its water is mild and warms up quickly in summer and cools down just as fast in winter.

The lake magically attracts swimmers, curlers and skaters alike. Hikers and cyclists find their place somewhere along the shore, as the lake is not too big to circumnavigate. You can also swim through it or emerge at one of the seven islands to enjoy the view of the mountains in the distance. On the shore, the beaches invite you to linger. The Staffelsee, including all its islands, belongs to the municipality of Seehausen am Staffelsee. The passenger ship MS Seehausen operates between the neighboring municipalities of Seehausen, Murnau and Uffing.

Between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald lies the small village of Gerold. A field path leads to the beautifully situated Geroldsee. From there you can enjoy a unique view of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains.

Since the Geroldsee is a moor lake, pleasant water temperatures of up to 24°C are possible in summer.